Re: Configuring X in Debian Woody 3.0 r1

[Kent West <westk@acu.edu>]

HectorScaramelli wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I need help on learning how to install Debian so I can start X with any
> desired window manager ie. icevwm, blackbox by default.
Are you asking how to install Debian, or are you asking how to startx 
with your preferred wm? Assuming the latter.

> Or any suggestion on which would be the best installation process.
> Or please lead me to a detailed HowTo. 
> I don't want gnome or kde just a fast, non-heavy window manager like
> icewvm or blackbox.
>  
You can set this on a user-by-user basis by creating a file in the 
user's home directory named ".xinitrc", and put the name of your 
preferred wm in that file. Here's what mine looks like, which startx KDE:

westk[@westkent]:/home/westk:> cat .xinitrc
#sawfish &
#icewm
#gnome-session
startkde
#flwm &
#blackbox &
#fvwm95 &
#larswm &
#galeon
#fvwm95
#xterm
#gnome-panel &
#twm
#wmaker
#xfwm

If you want to change it system-wide, I believe you'll need to change 
the symlink /etc/alternatives/x-window-manager; you can do so by running 
"update-alternatives --config x-window-manager", and/or 
/etc/alternatives/x-session-manager (with "update-alternatives --config 
x-session-manager").

You could also install KDM which is a graphical login screen, which will 
give you a choice of which wm to start (I don't believe xdm or wdm 
offers the choice; I _think_ gdm does, but I'm not sure).

--
Kent