Guide to X11/Window Managers/aewm++

Type: stacking Language: C++ Licence:

The aewm++ window manager is minimalistic and is controlled entirely by the mouse. It contains no visible user interface components except window frames. It is based on aewm, but rewritten in C++.

Operation

Raising windows

A window can be raised by clicking on it.

Resizing windows

Resizing of windows is achieved by applying a middleclick event to the meta button.

Showing and hiding windows

Windows are hidden by applying a rightclick event to the titlebar button. Windows can be shaded by applying a middleclick event to the titlebar button.

There is no iconification of hidden windows, making it necessary to apply a rightclick context event to the desktop to restore the window via the tasklist.

Context events

The following context events are available from the desktop:

• Left Click - Launch menu
• Middle Click - Open a terminal window
• Right Click - Task List

The following context events are available from the meta button:

• Left Click - Hide Window
• Middle Click - Resize Window
• Right Click - Hide Window

The following context events are available from the titlebar:

• Click and Drag - Provides window motion.
• Middle Click - Shade and unshade window
• Right Click - Hide Window
• Double Click - Maximize, Restore or Unshade Window.

Features

Features of the aewmpp window manager include:

• Stacking windows
• Written in C++
• Window decorations include borders and titlebars
• Useless borders
• Titlebar has a meta button
• Click to focus
• Program launch via a context event on the desktop
• Context operations on the desktop, titlebar and meta button
• Task listing via a desktop context operation
• No menubar
• Multiple desktop support
• No theme support
• No grouped windows
• No desktop icons
• Lightweight (rated as 2 on the hammer scale)
• Requires a 3 button mouse

Review

The aewm++ window manager is awkward to use because it is necessary for the desktop to be visible in order to launch programs and to show hidden tasks.

The aewm++ window manager is not accessibility friendly because it does not provide keyboard equivalents for its operations and is not touchscreen friendly because it requires a multibutton mouse.