Wednesday, May 15, 2013

How to Configure XFCE Desktop on Archlinux

After Installing XFCE desktop on Archlinux, Now time to configuring it. On XFCE is very easy because most all configuration done via GUI.


1. Configuring XFCE Panel.

By default there are two panel at top & the bottom. You can modify panel by right click on panel -> Panel -> Panel preferences.

How to Configure XFCE Desktop on Archlinux
To add/delete panel choose on dropdown menu (panel 1), (+) to add (-) to delete, at least one panel that you can't delete. Every panel have it owns configuration (Display, Appearance, Items). On Display Tab you can change size of panel, lock panel, move panel. To move panel position you must unlock the panel first, then you can move panel using mouse. Appearance tab contains Background panel settings & opacity of panel. 
How to Configure XFCE Desktop on Archlinux

On Items Appearance, you can edit what listed on panel. (like windows list, system tray, start menu, etc).

How to Configure XFCE Desktop on Archlinux

2. Configuring Desktop

To configuring desktop simply right click on desktop, then choose Desktop Settings, and here's desktop settings:

How to Configure XFCE Desktop on Archlinux

You can change background on "Background" Tab, Adjust Brightness/Saturation of your background. And you can set multiple background by choose image list, then check "change the background" time range in minutes.

Menus Tab:
How to Configure XFCE Desktop on Archlinux

You can set what type of your click on desktop.

Icons Tab:
How to Configure XFCE Desktop on Archlinux

You can set what icons to available on desktop, File/Launcher icons type is default and recommended if you want to use right click like windows, another option minimize & none will make right click like fluxbox or openbox, no option on there, just application.

3. Enabling Compositing (even if you don't have compiz)

If you want to make window manager transparent, and also other widget like screenlets have transparency, you can enable it on Windows Manager Tweaks, open Settings -> Window Manager Tweaks. Choose Compositor, then enable it (check it)

How to Configure XFCE Desktop on Archlinux


For conky transparent issues on xfce, i will write on other post.

4. Configure Display Resolution & Settings on XFCE


Open Settings -> Display, Now you can set the resolution easily.

How to Configure XFCE Desktop on Archlinux


And for Display Settings,Open Settings -> Display Settings.

How to Configure XFCE Desktop on Archlinux

This for setting up external display (projector or monitor), it usually available on there if you connected it.

5. Configure Notification Position

By default notification is set on top right, to change where notification show, you can set on "Notification", Open Settings -> Notification.

How to Configure XFCE Desktop on Archlinux



6. Configure Workspace.

You can directly right click on workspace, then choose workspace settings. Or open settings -> Workspace settings, and set the number of workspaces that you need.
How to Configure XFCE Desktop on Archlinux

If you set 4 workspaces it looks like this:

How to Configure XFCE Desktop on Archlinux


To change workspace appearance, right click on workspaces, then choose properties.

How to Configure XFCE Desktop on Archlinux


Set rows to 2, then the appearance will be like this.

How to Configure XFCE Desktop on Archlinux



Ok that's it about Basic desktop configuration.
Enjoy.
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