Desktop Anti-Bling
Because window managers don't need physics engines
Tim Saylor
Chicago Linux Users Group
Why bling sucks
- Usually offers no usability improvement
- Often makes software less usable
- Waste of processing power
- Waste of programming power
- Adds needless complexity (bugs)
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The average Compiz user
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The anti-bling movement
- Not new
- Only basic WM features
- No mouse, keyboard commands instead
- No overlapping windows, one window per virtual desktop
- No window decoration
- Often scriptable / macros
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Examples
- Ratpoison
- Ion
- Screen
- Probably more, but I'm lazy
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Ratpoison
- Bigoted WM - hates mice
- Windows maximized in frames
- Splittable frames, non-overlapping
- Emacs style key commands
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Ion
- Mouse friendly, but not required
- Windows maximized in frames
- Sometimes overlapping frames with groupable tabs
- Emacs style key commands
- Not open source?
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Using normal apps
- Many normal keyboard commands are problematic
- Browsing is mouse centric
- Multiple window applications are difficult
- Apps must conform to Inter-Client Communications Conventions Manual
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Conclusions
- Bling sucks
- Anti-bling sucks
- Linux sucks
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