Differences between revisions 89 and 90
Revision 89 as of 2020-05-20 21:28:18
Size: 7866
Editor: ?s0m3f00l
Comment: added link to fix backlight and suspend issues found in current install of xfce4-power-manager
Revision 90 as of 2020-05-21 08:42:49
Size: 9056
Comment: Update to mention the GTK 3 port, more prominent mention of xfce4-goodies, simplify outdated and confusing instructions on launching from the console, add new section on resetting to defaults
Deletions are marked like this. Additions are marked like this.
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Xfce is based on [[GTK|GTK+]] version 2 (like [[Gnome|Gnome 2]]). Xfce is based on [[GTK]] 3 in 4.14 and newer. Xfce 4.12 and earlier (as found in [[DebianBuster|Debian 10]] and earlier) are based on GTK 2.
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You can also [[Software#Finding_Software|search]] for packages using the `xfce4` search term. The "main" Xfce packages are: DebPkg:xfce4-goodies is a metapackage that will install many useful plugins and applications related to Xfce. It's a suggested package for standard users that want a complete Xfce desktop experience, however you may have a more "minimal" installation by only installing the specific packages that you want from the list below.
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You can [[Software#Finding_Software|search]] for packages using the `xfce4` search term. The "main" Xfce packages are:
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 * [[DebianPkg:xfce4-goodies]] - enhancements for the Xfce4 Desktop Environment
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Most display managers will detect Xfce automatically. For the [[DebianPkg:slim]] display manager, edit `/etc/slim.conf` and set `login_cmd exec ck-launch-session /bin/bash -login /etc/X11/Xsession %session` Most display managers will detect Xfce automatically.

For the [[DebianPkg:slim]] display manager, edit `/etc/slim.conf` and set `login_cmd exec ck-launch-session /bin/bash -login /etc/X11/Xsession %session`
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On Debian 9 and before, to start Xfce from the console:

 * '''no''' `~/.xinitrc` file must be present
 * the `~/.xsession` file must contain: `exec ck-launch-session startxfce4`.
 * install the [[DebianPkg:libpam-ck-connector]] package
 * in `/etc/pam.d/common-session`, '''before''' `pam_ck_connector.so`, insert `session optional pam_loginuid.so`

See the [[DebianMan:startx|startx manual page]] for more information.

Xfce can be started from the console simply by running the {{{startxfce4}}} command. {{{startxfce4}}} is a script that sets the required environment variables and calls Xinit to start the X server with the Xfce session.
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'''I see [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_tearing|screen tearing]]:''' Try disabling [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compositing_window_manager|compositing]] in `Window manager` settings. === Preventing screen-tearing ===
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As of 05/15/2020, there are 2 rules files missing from /etc/polkit-1/ that are required to make xfce4-power-manager work properly. One is for the backlight permission and the other is for suspend permission. I have detailed the fix that I used to repair the issues [[Xfce-power-manager-troubleshooting|Here]] In the ''Window Manager Tweaks'' section of your settings application, under the ''Compositor'' tab, uncheck the ''Enable display compositing'' box. This will disable some graphical effects but also can help reduce screen-tearing.

Since Xfce 4.14, V-Sync can also be enabled through the use of commands. You might try running:
{{{
xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/vblank_mode -s MODE
}}}
where {{{MODE}}} can be either {{{vblank}}}, {{{glx}}}, or {{{xpresent}}}. You may experiment with different options to see which is the most effective at reducing screen-tearing for you.

Advanced users may look into replacing the default Xfwm4 window manager and compositor with DebPkg:compton instead, which has been noted by some users to also reduce or eliminate screen-tearing.

=== Resetting to defaults ===

Try running:
{{{
mv ~/.config/xfce4-session/ ~/.config/xfce4-session-bak
mv ~/.config/xfce4/ ~/.config/xfce4-bak
}}}
These two commands will rename your configuration directories, forcing Xfce to regenerate them when you next start it. If you want to restore your old configuration, you may remove the {{{-bak}}} that's been appended to the old directories.

=== Power management issues ===

As of 05/15/2020, there are 2 rules files missing from {{{/etc/polkit-1/}}} that are required to make xfce4-power-manager work properly. One is for the backlight permission and the other is for the suspend permission. I have detailed the fix that I used to repair the issues [[Xfce-power-manager-troubleshooting|Here]]
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Xfce Logo (GPLv2)

Xfce Logo (GPLv2

  • Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for Unix-like operating systems. It aims to be fast and lightweight, while still being visually appealing and easy to use.

Xfce consists of a number of components that together provide the full functionality of a desktop environment. They are packaged separately and you can pick and choose from the available packages to create the best personal working environment.

One of Xfce's priorities is adherence to standards, specifically those defined at freedesktop.org. This allows Xfce to seamlessly interoperate with programs written for other desktop environments, if those programs follow the specified standards.

Xfce is based on GTK 3 in 4.14 and newer. Xfce 4.12 and earlier (as found in Debian 10 and earlier) are based on GTK 2.


Installation

Install a new Debian system with Xfce

During Debian installation, select Xfce desktop environment at the Selecting and Installing Software installation step.

Alternatively, at the Debian Installer boot prompt, press the Tab key to edit the command line, then add desktop=xfce.

For a complete rundown refer to the Debian Desktop Howto.

Run Debian Live with Xfce

A Debian live system with Xfce is available at https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/amd64/iso-hybrid/

Install Xfce in an already installed system

You can install Xfce as the only desktop environment on your computer, or alongside another desktop environment. Your display manager should allow you to select the appropriate desktop before logging in.

To install the full Xfce desktop environment and utilities, install the xfce4 package.

xfce4-goodies is a metapackage that will install many useful plugins and applications related to Xfce. It's a suggested package for standard users that want a complete Xfce desktop experience, however you may have a more "minimal" installation by only installing the specific packages that you want from the list below.

You can search for packages using the xfce4 search term. The "main" Xfce packages are:

Xfce also provides utilities that are frequently used on a personal computer:

The Xfce panel provides a window list, application launchers/menus, a clock, and can be extended using many plugins/applets:

xfce4-genmon-plugin, xfce4-linelight-plugin, xfce4-mailwatch-plugin, xfce4-messenger-plugin, xfce4-mount-plugin, xfce4-mpc-plugin, xfce4-netload-plugin, xfce4-notes-plugin, xfce4-places-plugin, xfce4-quicklauncher-plugin, xfce4-radio-plugin, xfce4-screenshooter-plugin, xfce4-sensors-plugin, xfce4-smartbookmark-plugin, xfce4-systemload-plugin, xfce4-timer-plugin, xfce4-verve-plugin, xfce4-wavelan-plugin, xfce4-weather-plugin, xfce4-wmdock-plugin, xfce4-xkb-plugin, xfce4-cpufreq-plugin, xfce4-cpugraph-plugin, xfce4-dict, xfce4-diskperf-plugin, xfce4-equake-plugin, xfce4-fsguard-plugin, xfce4-hdaps


Run Xfce

From a display manager

Select Xfce from your display manager (desktop login screen).

Most display managers will detect Xfce automatically.

For the slim display manager, edit /etc/slim.conf and set login_cmd exec ck-launch-session /bin/bash -login /etc/X11/Xsession %session

From the console

Xfce can be started from the console simply by running the startxfce4 command. startxfce4 is a script that sets the required environment variables and calls Xinit to start the X server with the Xfce session.


Troubleshooting

Preventing screen-tearing

In the Window Manager Tweaks section of your settings application, under the Compositor tab, uncheck the Enable display compositing box. This will disable some graphical effects but also can help reduce screen-tearing.

Since Xfce 4.14, V-Sync can also be enabled through the use of commands. You might try running:

xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/vblank_mode -s MODE

where MODE can be either vblank, glx, or xpresent. You may experiment with different options to see which is the most effective at reducing screen-tearing for you.

Advanced users may look into replacing the default Xfwm4 window manager and compositor with compton instead, which has been noted by some users to also reduce or eliminate screen-tearing.

Resetting to defaults

Try running:

mv ~/.config/xfce4-session/ ~/.config/xfce4-session-bak
mv ~/.config/xfce4/ ~/.config/xfce4-bak

These two commands will rename your configuration directories, forcing Xfce to regenerate them when you next start it. If you want to restore your old configuration, you may remove the -bak that's been appended to the old directories.

Power management issues

As of 05/15/2020, there are 2 rules files missing from /etc/polkit-1/ that are required to make xfce4-power-manager work properly. One is for the backlight permission and the other is for the suspend permission. I have detailed the fix that I used to repair the issues Here



CategoryDesktopEnvironment | CategorySoftware