AfterStep Classic version C-1.1 ------------------------------- AfterStep Classic is based on Afterstep v1.0. The goal of this new development branch is primarily to retain and improve on AfterStep's well-tested stability -- and only secondarily to add new features. I started this new branch reluctantly. There were memory leaks in 1.0 that urgently needed fixing, and I could not wait for AfterStep 1.2, 1.3, and so on to stabilize first. I hope that someday the two branches will merge, but in the meantime people can get their work done. Notes for C-1.1 beta 2 ---------------------- The "C-" in "C-1.1" distinguishes AfterStep Classic from old AfterStep versions. The second beta has one new feature: The *WharfHide configuration option tells Wharf to hide itself most of the time, popping up temporarily only when the mouse pointer hits a designated screen edge. For example, *WharfHide 1 tells Wharf to hide until the mouse pointer hits the right edge of the screen. And *WharfHide 3 tells Wharf to hide until the mouse pointer hits the left edge of the screen. Because I want to preserve backward compatibility, hiding is *not* enabled by default. For more information, see the revised Wharf(1) manual page. More bugs have been fixed, most notably: * Application-supplied icon bitmaps now display properly. (was working in 1.0, but got botched in 1.1 Classic) Problem discovered by Craig Maloney. * Wharf: swallowed applications now terminate properly; no more duplicate wmtime's etc. when AfterStep is warm started. Problem discovered by David Wang. * It's now always safe to popup a desktop menu with click-and-release, if you release within 0.1 second; you won't accidentally activate an entry. The old click-and-drag method continues to work. See the ChangeLog file for a list of the other modifications. Stephen Ma September 4, 1998 Notes for C-1.1 beta 1 ---------------------- This first beta of AfterStep Classic 1.1 is mostly a bug fix; there are only two user-visible changes: (1) Application-supplied icon windows (i.e. animated icons) should now work. (2) Maximized windows are now able to avoid the Wharf even if it lives on the left edge of the screen. However, if you move the Wharf you have to modify your .steprc file to agree with the Wharf's new location; see the Maximize command in the manual page. See the ChangeLog file for a list of the other modifications. Stephen Ma February 3, 1998 Upgrading from "AfterStep 1.0" or "AfterStep Classic C-1.1 beta 1" ------------------------------------------------------------------ Since AfterStep Classic is still in beta, you probably should not overwrite a working AfterStep installation. Instead, I recommend that you do the following. Only two executables have changed: the programs "afterstep" and "Wharf". Hence: (1) Untar the archive and change to directory "AfterStepClassic-1.1beta2". (2) ./MakeMakefiles; make (3) Modify your ~/.xinitrc file to start the new "afterstep". (4) Modify your ~/.steprc file so that ModulePath gives priority to your new Wharf. (5) Insert a "*WharfHide " command into ~/.steprc if you want; see Wharf(1). (6) Exit your entire X session (not just afterstep) and restart X. (7) Enjoy! You might also take a look at the new Wharf(1) manual page in file modules/Wharf/Wharf.man; you'll find there a discussion of the advantages of a hidden Wharf. AfterStep 1.0 ------------- AfterStep is a continuation of the BowMan window manager which was originally put together by Bo Yang. BowMan was based on the fvwm window manager, written by Robert Nation. Fvwm was based on code from twm. And so on... It was originally designed to emulate some of the look and feel of the NEXTSTEP user interface, but has since taken steps towards adding more useful, requested, and neat features. The changes which comprise AfterStep's personality were originally part of bowman development, but due to a desire to move past simple emulation and into a niche as its own valuable window manager, the current designers decided to change the project name and move on. Important features of AfterStep include: 1. Wharf: a free-floating application loader which can "Swallow" running programs and also can contain "Folders" of more applications. 2. Gradient filled TitleBars with familiar NEXTSTEP iconize and destroy buttons 3. Gradient filled root window PopUp menus which can be configured to accomodate different tastes and styles of management 4. NEXTSTEP style icons which give a consistent look to the entire desktop The initiation file, .steprc, will look very familiar to users of fvwm 1.24r since it shares a good number of commands and owns the same syntax. As those who know can attest, this can yield a tremendous amount of flexibility. AfterStep now also has its own mailing list devoted to discussion of AfterStep code, features, help, and the future of the project. If you would like to subscribe, simply send an email message to: afterstep-request@eosys.com The body of the message should contain the word 'subscribe'. Well, if you like what you see, have a problem, or would like to join in development, let me know. Have Fun! Frank Fejes frank@ssax.com Alfredo Kenji Kojima kojima@inf.ufrgs.br Dan Weeks dan@mango.sfasu.edu