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++.

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 - Task List
 * Right Click - Open a terminal

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 -	Move to workspace (0 to 3)
 * 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.