X Windows Basics

X Windows X (Windows) is a public domain software package designed at M.I.T. It provides a graphical windowing environment for Sun Workstations (and many other types of computers as well). X allows you to divide your display into ``subsections", each of which can be assigned a different task (similar to the result of running Microsoft Windows on a PC, MacFinder on a Mac, or using an Amiga). X, and other windowing systems, are used for the convenience of viewing more than one application at a time.

HOW DO I BEGIN USING X?

1. Logon to the system. If you are logging directly onto a Sun Workstation (as opposed to logging in remotely from a terminal), you will be prompted for a choice, enter x and X Windows will start up.

   It may take a minute or two for X Windows to appear. Some workstations are faster than others due to differences in hardware. To determine if X is completely initialized, move the mouse in several directions on its pad. If the pointer on the screen follows your movements, then X is ready.

2. Find the menus. Using the mouse, position the pointer in any part of the background. If the pointer is on a window or icon, then it is not on the background. Menus appear when one mouse button at a time is pressed and held down. To see the X Operations menu, use the left mouse button. The middle mouse button will show a Windows menu. A Miscellaneous utilities menu will appear by using the right mouse button.
3. Learn window controls. Use the left mouse button to bring up the X Operations menu. Without letting the mouse button spring back up, drag the mouse back to move the pointer down the list of menu options. When the pointer is positioned over the option you want, let the mouse button spring back up. You can expect the menu to disappear before the option is effected. The best way to learn what each option does is by experimenting. The options on the X Operations menu are described below.

   Iconify | Reduces a window into a small rectangle.

   Resize | Changes a windows length, width, or both.

   Move | Changes a windows position on the screen.

   Raise | Brings a window into full view.

   Lower | Moves a window behind any others.

   Focus | Allows window input without the pointer.

   Unfocus | Disallows window input without the pointer.

   Show Iconmgr | Displays the list of current X applications.

   Hide Iconmgr | Removes the list of current X applications.

   Kill | Removes a window from the screen.

   Delete | Removes a window from the screen.

   Refresh | Repaints the screen.

   Restart | Restart X Windows.

   Quit X | Exits X Windows.

4. Using X windows. Each X window operates like an independent terminal. To access a window, use the mouse to position the pointer in that window. When the cursor is highlighted, you can enter UNIX commands. If you type a UNIX command, it will be used as input to whichever window's cursor is highlighted. This is called focus. If the pointer is on the background then the input is lost.
5. Cuting and Pasting. You can use your mouse to cut and paste text inside a window or across windows. Move the mouse pointer at the beginning of the text you want to copy. Press the left mouse button and while holding it pressed, drag the pointer to the end of the text. When releasing the mouse button the selected text will be highlighted. Move the mouse pointer to the place you want the selected text to be copied. Press the right mouse button. The select text will be copied at this position.
6. Quitting X. The last option on the X Operations menu is ``Quit X". When you choose this option, the screen will be cleared and you will be logged out. You should close all of your windows before quitting X.
7. Initializing X. In your home directory there are two files associated with X Windows. They are listed below with their descriptions.

   .xinitrc | Creates initial windows and starts window manager.

   .twmrc or .fvwm2rc | Window manager definitions including menus.

   If you want to change the initial window layout on your screen when X starts, then you can edit the .xinitrc file. If you want to change your menu options, then edit the .twmrc file. You do not have to edit either. If you would like to customize your X setup, and are new to X, it is recommended that you find further documentation on X. The CEC has an X-Windows user guide which is available to check out.

8. Getting Help on X windows programs. You can use ``xman'' to find out more on how to use X windows but also to find information and help on various X windows based programs. Using the right mouse button while the mouse pointer is on the background of your main screen, select xman. The interactive X based manual page program will pop up on your screen.