antiX FAQ

Introduction

Welcome to the antiX FAQs!

This document is intended for the first-time user looking at a desktop that differs from the familiar one in look and function. This difference is due to the window managers being used to control what the end-user can see and do. We hope these FAQs will give you a basic orientation to antiX and its window managers, and provide the means to explore further on your own.

Please post comments and suggestions in the documentation section of the antiX forum.

Window Managers

What window managers are available in antiX?

Two different window managers come installed and ready to use:
1) the minimalist manager Fluxbox (default)
2) the lightweight IceWM.

Both window managers can be run with or without the ROX Desktop environment that provides drag-and-drop functionality and the Conky system monitor that displays real-time information.

How do I change from one to another?

You can easily switch from the default Fluxbox by right-clicking anywhere on the desktop to display the menu (from now on = “Menu”), then clicking WM's to select one of the others.

And to get back?

ROX pinboard or panel: click Menu --> WM's --> ROX and select the appropriate toggle.

Conky: in Fluxbox, click Menu --> WM's --> Conky on/off.

IceWM: click Start --> Programs --> Desktop --> Alternatives -->FluxBox.

How do I get out of antiX?

Click Menu --> Exit, which will present you with the choice to lock screen, log out, reboot, or shut down.

Fluxbox: First look

Where do I start? I don't see a Start or Menu button.

Just right-click anywhere on the desktop and use the menu to open any application.

What is this desktop?

The desktop is run by Fluxbox, a lightweight window manager for the X Window System that provides the display resources and functions.

Where are the icons?

Fluxbox does not use icons, but you can switch to the ROX desktop (see section below) if you would like them.

What's that stuff in the upper left corner?

That is the output of Conky, a light-weight system monitor that gives you real-time information on various aspects of your computer.

And that bar at the bottom?

That is called the toolbar or panel, and it displays current info such as the workspace, open applications, background applications and the date/time.

Basic Configuration

How do I set up a wireless connection?

There are 3 options, all found in the antiX Contol Centre (CC): Wicd, MEPIS Network Assistant and ceniwrapper.

1) In the directory Menu --> Settings --> Control Centre --> Network --> you will find the wireless frontend Wicd that antiX uses to make its wireless connection. Hints on its use can be found here. See also the detailed discussion in the MEPIS Wiki for more information, and search the MepisLovers forum for particular cards.

2) For more advanced operations,l you can also consider the MEPIS Network Tool, which can be found in the antiX CC.

3) The command-line (CLI) tool Ceni from the Sidux developers is a wrapper that is very efficient for setting up a connection: select "Set Wired Connection."

What about dial-up?

In antiX CC --> Network. This brings up Gnome PPP, a graphical frontend for the excellent WvDial tool. Intuitive interface makes it easy to use.

How do I set up printing?

Unless you have an HP printer (see next entry), do one of the following:

1) In antiX CC --> Hardware. A screen will open showing you the printers that have been found, with an icon to click for an assistant to add a new printer.

2) Open up a browser (Menu --> Browser), and enter:

http://localhost:631/

This will take you to the CUPS interface, where you can set up your printer. For help on particular printers and drivers, check the OpenPrinting database.

How do I set up an HP printer?

You will need to install (see installing software) some additional packages:

  hpijs

  hpijs-ppd

  hplip-data

  hplip

  hplip-gui

  cups-pdf

  cupsys-client

  cupsys-driver-gutenprint

  gs-gpl

  lpr

  magicfilter

  gv

  xprint-utils

You should then be able to set up your printer by opening up a browser (Menu --> Browser), and entering:

http://localhost:631/

What about a scanner?

This one should be easy. Connect your scanner to the computer, and click Menu --> Images --> Scan (xsane) or Menu --> Images --> Scanimage. This will bring up Xscanimage where, after selecting from the scanners it has found (it may have multiple entries for your one scanner, so try them all until one works), you will see a very basic screen which is pretty self-evident. To adjust the values of your scanner, click Menu --> Run and type xcam.

You can then edit the scan in GQview (Menu --> Images --> Image browser). For details on using GQview, check its User Manual.

What application should I use for system setup?

antiX comes with the MEPIS Assistants to make configuration of hardware easier. All can be found in the antiX CC --> System

Details on this utility can be found in the MEPIS Wiki.

I want to configure my monitor--how do I do that?

The easiest method is to use the MEPIS X-Windows Assistant in antiX CC --> System

For details on this application, see the MEPIS Wiki.

Are there any other MEPIS Assistants I should know about?

In addition to the MEPIS Network Assistant that has already been mentioned, the MEPIS User Assistant unites a number of tools having to do with user management. Found in antiX CC --> System

For details on this application, see the MEPIS Wiki.

Can I use a MP3 player such as an iPod with antiX?

You can play MP3 files with XMMS, and you can view and edit ID3 tags by installing the program EasyTAG. But there is no simple way to synchronize your player with your host computer without installing Amarok and the KDE files it depends on.

Is there a way to interact with a digital camera?

The easiest method is to just treat it as a storage device by using a USB card reader. Then when you connect it to the computer, it will be mounted and available as an entry in the directory /media. You can either click Menu --> Files to examine and move or delete the contents, or click Menu --> Images --> Image browser to bring up GQview that features single click access to view images and move around the directory tree.

How do I install nvidia/Ati driver for antiX?

The best way to do this is via the smxi script.

Can I use a webcam?

Many webcams will work with antiX, see the discussion in the Mepis Wiki.

Fluxbox: Basic Operation

Where are my files?

As in all Linux versions, personal files are located in antiX by default in the /home directory of the Linux file system.

Is there an easy way to find a specific file?

Click Menu --> Search to bring up catfish, a handy file-searching interface that is intuitive to use.

How are files managed?

Click Menu --> Home to open a graphical file manager that is at the heart of the ROX desktop (see section below). It opens to your home directory, where you can change to view to include hidden system files by clicking on the eye icon up on the menu bar. Right-click a file to see management options.

For a command-line file manager, click Menu --> Admin/Tools --> Tools --> MC to bring up Midnight Commander, whose main interface consists of two panels displaying the file system with numbered commands on the bottom. Press F1 for help.

What if I need to edit a text file?

You have two good options in antiX, available by clicking Menu --> Office --> Text Editors.

1) Nano is a command-line application run by control keys listed at the bottom of the screen. Press Ctrl-G to access the help file.

2) Leafpad is a simple graphical application that includes essential features and uses familiar pull-down menus.

In addition, you can open any text for editing in the file managers Rox-filer and MC, discussed above.

What if a file is compressed in some format such as tar, etc?

Click Menu --> Admin/Tools --> to bring up Xarchive, migrate to the file location, highlight the file and click Extract on the icon bar.

How do I install and manage software?

There are a number of methods of managing software in antiX, the most common of which are the command-line application Apt and the graphical user interface for it known as Synaptic.

1) To get to Apt just click Menu --> Terminal and become root (type su followed by root's password). For setup and use see the MEPIS Wiki or the Apt Howto.

2) To get to Synaptic, which is sometimes easier for a newbie, open a root terminal as just described, then just type in the word synaptic. It is also found in the antiX CC --> System, called Manage Packages. Detailed directions can be found in Section 7.2 of the MEPIS User's Manual.

How can I get my email?

Clicking Menu --> Email will bring up the application Claws Mail, an email client and news reader based on GTK+. You enter setup by following the wizard that pops up the first time you use the application, or any time by clicking on the menu bar Configuration --> Create new account... and filling in the blanks with the information for your email account(s). It is pretty straightforward, but if help is needed you can consult the Claws Mail User Manual.

What does antiX offer for web browsing?

The default browser is the full-featured IceWeasel, a fork of Firefox entirely made with free software. Click Menu --> Browser to launch.

Two other lightweight browsers are also included under Menu --> Net. Dillo is a fast, minimalistic multi-platform web browser that is highly secure, while the Links2 browser is a graphics and text mode web browser that is also very fast and safe and has pull-down menus available by clicking on the top bar.

Can I chat with antiX?

There are three chat programs that come installed with antiX, all located under Menu --> Net --> Chat.

1) Clicking on IRC will bring up a simple IRC program called Xchat. Fill in the connection information and you are ready to go; if you need help, check the Quick Start Guide.

2) When you click on Messenger, the well-known program Pidgin (formerly called Gaim) starts up, a multi-protocol Instant Messaging client that allows you to use all of your IM accounts at once. Setup is intuitive, and if you need help you can check these FAQs.

3) Finally, clicking the entry Irssi brings up a speedy and very capable command-line IRC client. Setup and use is not obvious, so be sure to check the Irssi documentation.

What can I use to burn a CD/DVD?

Click Menu --> Multimedia --> Video --> Burner. This will bring up Brasero, an easy yet powerful burning application.

What do I use for a news (RSS) reader?

You have a few good options:

1) Use an online aggregator such as Bloglines that you access through a browser.

2) Use the email plugin claws-mail-feeds-reader. Then click Menu --> Email to open Claws-Mail, click on the menu bar Configuration --> Plugins..., highlight the plugin RSSyl and click Open. A My Feeds section is now added to the folder pane--right-click the header or any feed for management options.

3) Install a desktop aggregator from the repositories (use Synaptic and search on RSS feed).

How do I play music?

To play an audio CD, pop it in your CD player, then (there is no autoplay) click Menu --> Multimedia --> Audio --> Music player. This brings up XMMS, a multimedia player for unix systems. Click on the forward button (second from left) to start the CD.

You can select a different source of the audio files to play in XMMS. To do this, right-click on the XMMS player top bar, and from the pop-up menu select Play File to select the audio file to play. To play an audio mp3 or ogg vorbis file, simply left-click on it and XMMS opens automatically and starts playing the file.

There is also a mixer available by clicking Menu --> Multimedia --> Audio --> Mixer. The application is aumix, and it is pretty evident how to use it.

If you want to use a console music player for your music on hard drive the combination of Ario, based on the music daemon mpd, and ncmpc works very well. See this page about setup and use.

What about playing music from an internet source?

If you want to be able to play an audio file from the Internet, open XMMS and select Play Location, then enter the Internet location (URL) of the file.

Alternatively, you can use Menu --> Multimedia --> Audio --> Stream Tuner, which offers hundreds of thousands of music resources in a fast and clean common interface.

Can I rip music with antiX?

Click Menu --> Multimedia --> Audio --> Ripper to launch Grip, a CD-ripper with many useful features. For details on use, see the User's Guide.

There is also a cli app in antiX called abcde.

The movie DVD I put in did not work. How can I watch movies?

There is no autoplay feature, so after you put in your DVD, click Menu --> Multimedia --> Video --> Video Xine. This brings us gxine, a frontend for the multimedia player xine. Right-click the main viewer screen, and click File --> DVD.

To play a video file (e.g., avi, mpeg, etc.), simply left-click on it and XMMS or Mplayer, depending on the file format, will open automatically and start playing the file.

Is there a screensaver?

Yes, with or without locking. Click Menu --> Settings --> Screen --> Locking (or Saving). Choose one of the categories of Xscreensaver collection, then select the one you want to use. Alternatively, use the lock option in Exit

How do I manipulate an open window?

In addition to the standard operations with the three buttons in the upper-right corner, other possibilities (windowshade, minimize, etc.) are available by right-clicking the titlebar. Double-clicking the title bar will shade the window. You can also resize it by dragging the lower right corner.

What applications are available for standard office use?

All office applications are found by clicking Menu --> Office. antiX comes with a lightweight spreadsheet called Gnumeric and a lightweight word-processor called AbiWord, both of which are capable of opening MS Office files. For greater functionality, install openoffice.org from the repositories —make sure your machine has the capacity.

Other office apps include a PDF reader, a calculator and a personal information manager called OSMO.

Fluxbox: Basic Customization

How do I change the Menu?

In antiX CC --> Desktop --> Edit Fluxbox Settings. You might for instance want to remove the Install entry at the bottom of the Menu.

How do I change the wallpaper?

There are two ways to do this. First, click Menu --> Files, and place any wallpaper you want into the Wallpaper folder. Then do one of the following:

1) Click Menu --> Settings --> Fluxbox --> Wallpaper, and click on the one you want.

2) antiX CC --> Desktop --> Choose Wallpaper. Click on image and then Apply.

How do I change the general style?

Click Menu --> Settings --> Fluxbox --> Styles, and click on the one you want.

How do I change the Panel?

Just right-click it to select whether it auto-hides, where it is placed, how wide it is, the clock format, etc.

Advanced

Is there a compression utility?

Click Menu --> Admin/Tools --> to bring up Xarchive, a simple wrapper for whatever command-line tools such as tar, rpm, zip, etc. are installed.

Are there other styles available?

Lots! Check the Bookmarks Toolbar Folder in Iceweasel, where many good sources are already linked.

What other customization can I consider?

Almost anything you want. Open antiX CC to see what is available.

Where are the configuration files for Fluxbox?

They are in /home/username/.fluxbox, and can be viewed by clicking Menu --> Files, and then clicking on the eye symbol to show hidden files.

Are there any development tools in antiX?

A good selection is available:

1) Click Menu --> Office --> Text Editors to get to Geany, a text editor with the basic features of an integrated development environment (IDE).

2) Click Menu --> Admin/Tools --> Tools to get to the Python shell, as well as the Tcl/Tk tools Tclsh8.4, and TkWish8.4.

What other system tools are provided?

Click Menu --> Admin/Tools --> Tools to get to Pstree to see running processes in tree form, Xdialogue to convert any terminal-based program into a graphical program, and Htop, an interactive process viewer.

Fluxbox: Links

Fluxbox wiki
The thread “How I Did It” was written originally for antiX Spartacus but still contains some great in-depth information for the beginning antiX user.
Additional options about editing the Menu are explained on this page.

IceWM

First look
Basic configuration
Basic operation
Basic customization
Advanced
Links

IceWM: First look

What is this?

The desktop is run by IceWM, a lightweight window manager for the X Window System whose goal is speed, simplicity, and not getting in the user's way.

Where are the icons?

IceWM does not use icons, but you can switch to the Rox desktop (see section below) if you would like them.

What's that stuff in the upper left corner?

That is the output of Conky, a light-weight system monitor that gives you real-time information on various aspects of your computer.

And that bar at the bottom?

That is called the toolbar or panel, and it displays (L --> R) the start button, a terminal button, a browser icon, the different workspaces, the taskbar, the CPU monitor, an email icon, and the date/time.

IceWM: Basic Configuration

How do I set up a wireless connection?

See entry in fluxbox section.

What about dial-up?

See entry in fluxbox section.

How do I set up printing?

See entry in fluxbox section.

What about a scanner?

See entry in fluxbox section.

What application should I use for system setup?

See entry in fluxbox section.

I want to configure my monitor--how do I do that?

See entry in fluxbox section.

Are there any other MEPIS Assistants I should know about?

See entry in fluxbox section.

Can I use a MP3 player such as an iPod with antiX?

See entry in fluxbox section.

Is there a way to interact with a digital camera?

See entry in fluxbox section.

How do I install nvidia/Ati driver for antiX?

See entry in fluxbox section.

Can I use a webcam?

See entry in fluxbox section.

Where are my files?

As in all Linux versions, personal files are located in antiX by default in the /home directory of the Linux file system.

How are files managed?

Click Start --> Programs --> Home to open Rox-filer a graphical file manager that is at the heart of the ROX desktop (see section below). It opens to your home directory, where you can change to view to include hidden system files by clicking on the eye icon up on the menu bar. Right-click a file to see management options.

For a command-line file manager, click Start --> Programs --> System --> Shells --> mc, which brings up Midnight Commander whose main interface consists of two panels displaying the file system with numbered commands on the bottom. Press F1 for help.

What if I need to edit a text file?

See entry in fluxbox section.

What if a file is compressed in some format such as tar, etc?

See entry in fluxbox section.

How do I install and manage software?

See entry in fluxbox section.

How can I get my email?

See entry in fluxbox section.

What does antiX offer for web browsing?

See entry in fluxbox section.

Can I chat with antiX?

See entry in fluxbox section.

What can I use to burn a CD/DVD?

See entry in fluxbox section.

What do I use for a news (RSS) reader?

See entry in fluxbox section.

How do I play music?

See entry in fluxbox section.

What about playing music from an internet source?

See entry in fluxbox section.

Can I rip music with antiX?

See entry in fluxbox section.

The movie DVD I put in did not work. How can I watch movies?

See entry in fluxbox section.

Is there a screensaver?

See entry in fluxbox section.

How do I manipulate an open window?

What applications are available for standard office use?

See entry in fluxbox section.

IceWM: Basic Customization

How do you customize IceWM?

It is done by directly editing the configuration files to create your own preferences. Files are found in antiX CC --> Desktop --> Edit IceWM Settings.

What can I change?

You can change anything you want, following the guidelines in IceWm Manual.

What are the most common changes people make to the panel?

Let's focus on four common changes to what you see and how it functions. Open ROX-Filer as described earlier, click on the eyeball to see hidden files, click on .icewm, and finally on Preferences to open that file in a text editor. When you are done with your changes, save and exit. They will take effect the next time you log into IceWM.

1) Change to a 12-hr clock: click on Search on the menu bar, and enter:

timeformat

Look for the entry that reads "Clock Time format" and change the entry below that so it reads:

TimeFormat="%I:%M"

Note that the line has been uncommented and the text in quotes has been changed.

2) Change the number of workspaces: click on Search on the menu bar, and enter:

workspacenames

Change the entry as you would like; for instance, it could read:

WorkspaceNames=" 1 ", " 2 "

3) Get the mailbox icon to work: click on Search on the menu bar, and enter:

command to run on mailbox

Change the entry below to read:

MailCommand="claws-mail"

Again, note that the line has been uncommented and the text in quotes has been changed.

4) Make the panel autohide: click on Search on the menu bar, and enter:

autohide

Change the line below it to read

TaskBarAutoHide=1 # 0/1

Note line has been uncommented and the value changed to “1” (true).

How do I change the menu and the toolbar?

You can do it the same way you did with Preferences, or you can install the application icemc.

How do I change the desktop wallpaper?

Via antiX CC --> Desktop --> Choose Wallpaper. Note you can set a different wallpaper for each wm!

How do I turn off Conky?

Click Start --> Programs --> Desktop -->Conky on/off.

IceWM: Advanced

Is there a compression utility?

See entry in fluxbox section.

Are there other styles available?

See entry in fluxbox section.

What other customization can I consider?

Almost anything you want. Again, the IceWM User's Manual is your best guide.

Are there any development tools in antiX?

See entry in fluxbox section.

What other system tools are provided?

See entry in fluxbox section.

IceWM: Links

ROX

First look
Basic configuration
Basic operation
Basic customization
Advanced
Links

ROX: First look

What is this desktop?

This is the ROX Desktop, based around the Linux file system. Its core component is ROX-Filer, a powerful graphical file manager that antiX uses as the default application for managing files. Other components available in antiX include the ROX-Panel and the ROX-Pinboard, toggled separately from Fluxbox under the submenu Menu --> WM's --> ROX.

What can you do with the ROX-Filer?

Well, manage files of course! But it has many other capabilities that are covered below and in documents listed under Links.

What is the ROX-Desktop good for?

Its great benefit is to allow you to use icons for any item in the file system with a simple drag-and-drop.

What use is the ROX-Panel?

Its primary function is to allow you to create and customize your own panel.

ROX: Basic Configuration

How can I keep from having to toggle the ROX-Desktop every time?

ROX-desktop can be made permanent through a simple edit in Fluxbox or IceWM. In antiX CC --> Desktop --> Edit Fluxbox Settings --> Startup to open geany. Remove the ### from this line (in fluxbox, or add the line to IceWM startup file)

### rox -pinboard=antiX &

Save and logout/login to your customized ROX-desktop (see below) using the window manager of your choice. Restore the comment symbols to this line if you want to stop the permanent use of the ROX-desktop.

Note: If you choose to have Rox-desktop permanent, then the pinboard/panel choices in the Fluxbox --> WM's --> Rox submenu should no longer be used.

ROX: Basic Operation

What are the basic moves to use with ROX-Filer?

Left-click on the file/folder to open its contents.
A middle-click on a folder opens it in a separate file-manager window.
A middle-click on a file will open the file and close the file-manager window.
Right-click on a file/folder will open the ROX dialog box, where you can view and set options.

How do I move files around?

This is probably best done by having 2 file-manager windows open, and just drag from the one to the other.

How do I put icons on my ROX desktop?

It's pretty easy! To add icons linking to devices, applications, folders and files to the desktop simply drag and drop from within ROX-Filer.

What about a device, e.g. a cdrom or floppy drive?

Open ROX-Filer and navigate to and open the /media folder. Left-click on the device you want, and drag and drop to wherever you want on the screen.

Can I link applications?

You can do that too, though you first need to know where the bin for the app is. Usually it is usr/bin, but you can find it by opening a terminal and typing:

which NameOfApplication

Once you know where it is, open ROX-Filer and navigate to its location. Left-click on the application file (if there is a symlink one, choose this) and--here we go again--drag and drop to where you want on the screen.

Even folders and files are done the same way?

You got it.

What are the tricks with ROX-Panel?

You use the same techniques as described above, just end up on the panel instead of the desktop. To remove again, right-click and select Delete item.

I can still see my Fluxbox panel even though I toggled to the ROX-Panel. What should I do?

It will disappear once your cursor is on the ROX-Panel, but there is an easy workaround: right-click the Fluxbox panel, and click on Auto hide to have it disappear when not in use.

ROX: Basic Customization

How do I change the Rox wallpaper?

Follow these steps:
1) Put your wallpaper in the Wallpaper folder in your home directory.
2) Click on the home folder, navigate to Wallpaper, and drag and drop (left mouse) your chosen background to the desktop.
3) Right-click on the dragged file and choose Backdrop, then drag the file into the space where it says Drop an image here. Select the image treatment at the top (tile, stretch, etc.).
4) Right-click on the dragged image file, and select Remove Item(s).

More information can be found in the desktop customization guide.

ROX: Advanced

How can I set the default opening application for a file?

If you wish to change the default application that will be used to open a file types, follow these directions.
1) Right-click on the file you are interested in changing, and click File --> Set Run Action
2)Type the name of the application in the box labeled Enter a shell command. Note: Leave a space between the last letter of the app and the " sign.
3) Save and now your file will open in the application of your choosing.

Is it possible to have more than one pinboard configuration?

Yes it is. Open the default and make whatever changes you would like. Then open ROX-Filer, click the eye icon to see hidden files, and navigate to ~/.config/rox.sourgeforce.net/ROX-filer/. Right-click the file Pinboard to open as text, then save it with another name.

Can I get ROX-Pinboard to open my own pinboard instead of the default one?

You can launch your personal pinboard by editing the Fluxbox menu as described earlier. Open the Menu editor, and add this line anywhere:

[exec] (Mypinboard) {rox --pinboard=mypinboard}

Be sure to replace “mypinboard” wtih the actual name of the pinboard you want to load. This is great if you use pinboard only occasionally and don't want to boot directly into it at startup. At the same time, it's faster than launching the command from terminal. In this fashion, multiple pinboards can be configured, named (mypinboard2, etc.), and entered into the fluxbox menu. Very convenient!

Can I customize the icons?

If you have added icons to the desktop, then:
1) Open ROX-Filer and navigate to the /.icons/ROX-SVG/scalable
2) Open the folder that corresponds to the type you wish to alter.
3) Right-click on the desktop icon type you want to alter (File or Mount Point or Dir) and click Set Icon --> Only for the file...
4) Now drag and drop the icon from the ROX folder into the box and voila! The chosen icon now appears on the desktop.

How do I edit the name of a file?

Right-click on the file's icon and click Edit Item and change the name displayed below The text displayed under the icon is... Then click OK.

What are ROX hotkeys?

Hotkeys in ROX allow a specific key sequence to open a folder or files with a single or at most 2 clicks. See this detailed explanation.

ROX: Links

Conky

First look
Basic configuration
Basic operation
Basic customization
Advanced
Links

Conky: First look

What is this stuff I see in the upper left corner?

That is the output of Conky, a powerful system monitor loaded by default in antiX.

What's it good for?

Conky can display just about anything you want to keep track of, either on your desktop or in its own window.

Can you give me some examples?

Sure: disk space, memory usage, system load, wireless status, battery status, network download and upload speed, internet connections by protocol, RAM usage, swap usage, running processes etc.

Conky: Basic Configuration

How do I set it up?

Conky comes already installed and configured by default on antiX to display basic system information.

Conky: Basic Operation

How do I turn it off?

In Fluxbox, click Menu --> WM's --> Conky on/off. Repeat to turn it back on.

Conky: Basic Customization

How do I change Conky's look or information?

Follow these steps:
1) Open antiX CC --> Desktop --> Edit Conky. This will bring up a text editor with your default .conkyrc script.
2) Before you start editing, save a copy of your default conky script under a different name such as “conkyrc_default”. That way if you make a mistake or don't like your changes you can just reload your default script.
3) Make any changes you would like to the conky setup, save and exit, then click Menu --> WM's --> Conky on/off twice to toggle it off and back on to see your changes. The options section in the .conkyrc file supplies some useful tips.

Can I use the terminal to do this?

You can edit the Conky config file in a terminal by typing (substitute your actual username):

nano /home/yourusername/.conkyrc

This will bring up the config file in Nano.

That's a long file: where do I put my changes?

All style changes go above the word “TEXT” (toward the bottom), content changes go below.

Conky: Advanced

What extra features does Conky have?

There is a long list of the possible variables here.

How can I make style changes such as color, boxes, etc?

Available style variables are listed here.

Can you give me a couple of examples of advanced use?

Sure, you might want to try these to begin with, changing colors as you wish:

Monitor top processes:

${color white} Top processes (PID CPU% MEM%)

${color green}${top name 1}${color white} ${top pid 1} ${top cpu 1} ${top mem 1}

${color red}${top name 2}${color white} ${top pid 2} ${top cpu 2} ${top mem 2}

${color red}${top name 3}${color white} ${top pid 3} ${top cpu 3} ${top mem 3}

${color red}${top name 4}${color white} ${top pid 4} ${top cpu 4} ${top mem 4}

Monitor a laptop battery:

${color red}battery state:${color white} ${battery}

${color red}battery strength:${color green} ${battery_bar 7,50}

Add a wireless section (adjust interface as necessary):

${color white}Wireless:

${color green}essid: ${wireless_essid wlan0}

${color red}IP:${color white} ${addr wlan0}

${color red}link strength: ${color white} ${wireless_link_bar 7,50 wlan0}

For more examples, follow the links below and search the internet.

Conky: Links

smxi

What is smxi?
What can smxi do?
How do you use smxi?
Wwhat about sgfxi?
Getting help

What is smxi?

smxi is a script written by a programmer named h2 that enables users to keep their antiX install up-to-date and running as a rolling release.

What can smxi do?

When run, smxi allows users to install a new kernel, install ATI and Nvidia graphics drivers, run apt-get upgrade or apt-get dist-upgrade safely, change antiX to a Sid-based or sidux-based system, and lots more!

How do you use smxi?

smxi is already installed in antiX-M7.5 and ready to run. You MUST run smxi outside of X (the window system) To get out of X when on your desktop, press Ctrl-Alt-F1 to get to a terminal prompt, then become root (su + password) and type:

 smxi

smxi will ask a series of questions the first time it is run, including which system options you want to run (ie default, sidux, sid). antiX developer anticapitalista suggests selecting the continue-no-changes option, using apt-get (rather than aptitude) and apt-get dist-upgrade

What about sgfxi? What does that do?

sgfxi is the script in smxi that deals with installing graphical drivers, As with smxi, it MUST be run out of X desktop. At root login type

sgfxi

How can I get help on this?

For more information about the smxi script, see:

 

END OF FILE

F A Q

Introduction

Welcome to the antiX FAQs!

Window Managers

What window managers are available in antiX?

How do I change from one to another?

And to get back?

How do I get out of antiX?

Fluxbox

Fluxbox: First look

Where do I start? I don't see a Start or Menu button.

What is this desktop?

Where are the icons?

What's that stuff in the upper left corner?

And that bar at the bottom?

Basic Configuration

How do I set up a wireless connection?

What about dial-up?

How do I set up printing?

How do I set up an HP printer?

What about a scanner?

What application should I use for system setup?

I want to configure my monitor--how do I do that?

Are there any other MEPIS Assistants I should know about?

Can I use a MP3 player such as an iPod with antiX?

Is there a way to interact with a digital camera?

How do I install nvidia/Ati driver for antiX?

Can I use a webcam?

Fluxbox: Basic Operation

Where are my files?

Is there an easy way to find a specific file?

How are files managed?

What if I need to edit a text file?

What if a file is compressed in some format such as tar, etc?

How do I install and manage software?

How can I get my email?

What does antiX offer for web browsing?

Can I chat with antiX?

What can I use to burn a CD/DVD?

What do I use for a news (RSS) reader?

How do I play music?

What about playing music from an internet source?

Can I rip music with antiX?

The movie DVD I put in did not work. How can I watch movies?

Is there a screensaver?

How do I manipulate an open window?

What applications are available for standard office use?

Fluxbox: Basic Customization

How do I change the Menu?

How do I change the wallpaper?

How do I change the general style?

How do I change the Panel?

Advanced

Is there a compression utility?

Are there other styles available?

What other customization can I consider?

Where are the configuration files for Fluxbox?

Are there any development tools in antiX?

What other system tools are provided?

Fluxbox: Links

IceWM

IceWM: First look

What is this?

Where are the icons?

What's that stuff in the upper left corner?

And that bar at the bottom?

IceWM: Basic Configuration

How do I set up a wireless connection?

What about dial-up?

How do I set up printing?

What about a scanner?

What application should I use for system setup?

I want to configure my monitor--how do I do that?

Are there any other MEPIS Assistants I should know about?

Can I use a MP3 player such as an iPod with antiX?

Is there a way to interact with a digital camera?

How do I install nvidia/Ati driver for antiX?

Can I use a webcam?

Where are my files?

How are files managed?