Generally, I just create a .xsession file in my home directory to start whichever windowmanager I want. You basically just exec [wm command], like this:
exec wmaker # (for WindowMaker) - or - exec blackbox # (for Blackbox) - or - exec startkde # (for KDE) etc... You can also setup startup programs in .xsession - just put them before the exec line. This is handy for starting dockapps and such under wmaker/blackbox. I admit, I haven't played around much with the update-alternatives command - haven't had much need, as the above works well for me =) Switching window managers is as easy as editing the exec line to point at the new one. Perhaps someone more familiar with update-alternatives could comment on the lockup issue? IIRC, .bashrc is executed by non-login shells, and .bash_profile is executed by login shells (confirmation anyone?) -- is it possible that you're starting a login shell (and this executing .bash_profile, and ignoring .bashrc)? I believe some other distros actually do a check in .bash_profile for the existance of .bashrc, and execute it if it's found. Just checked my .bash_profile - no such command there - so I don't think debian does that (I'm a relatively new (2 months) convert to debian, so I'm still getting my sealegs ;) ) Hopefully this helps =) -b3 On Thu, Mar 01, 2001 at 08:09:40AM -0800, D. Hoyem wrote: > I had previously ask how to get Black Box as my window > manager and was filled with more information than I > expected and was able to change from ICEWM-GNOME to > Black Box... everything was good. Well the kid came > out in me and was wondering what the other window > managers looked like, ie AfterStep, WMmaker. etc so I > exited as user and logged in as root, did a > update-alternatives --config x-window-manager and > selected WMmanager. Typed startx and the WMmanger > opened up, but my system was froze, ctrl-alt(F1, F2, > F3), alt (F1, F2, F3 etc), ctrl alt Backspace, ctrl > alt (+) or (-), or ctrl alt del did nothing this thing > was froze, and this happens a lot...all I can do is > turn off the power and restart it. I again did a > startx as root and was froze again, on the next > restart I logged in as user and was froze. On the > next go around I logged in as root did the update > -alternatives --config x-window-manager and selected > IECWM-GNOME and everything was ok. I am able to change > the window manager from the ICEWM menu it will go to > the window manager that I select, but, if memory > serves me correctly, when I shutdown and do a restart > I'm froze again. I have maybe 6 different window > managers on this system. I don't know if this is > related but I have edited the user ~/.bashrc so that > it will ask for verifiction when I mv, cp or delete > and it is not functioning either. Should I delete all > of the window managers except the one that I want to > use ie Black Box or what... any and all help is a > appreciated and a education.
