FAQ
From Gentoo Xeffects
Frequently Asked Questions
Contents
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Background Info
Below are some frequently asked questions and answers. I hope that they help you understand whatever it is you are looking for. If you have anything to add, please feel free to email me at nesl247@gmail.com
Questions
What is a Window Manager?
A window manager is an application that manages windows. It controls moving windows, minimizing, etc. Examples of a window manager are:
beryl compiz metacity kwin fluxbox openbox and many more...
What is a Window Decorator?
A window decorator is an application that provides the window decorations, or the top bar of each window.
Can I use compiz or beryl with fluxbox/openbox?
The answer is unfortunately no. Fluxbox and Openbox are both window managers. It is impossible to run multiple window managers. Thus when you start any window manager, it detects if one is currently running. Most by default will exit with an error about it, however some like beryl will replace the currently running window manager.
Do I need AIGLX or XGL with nVidia drivers?
The simple answer is no. nVidia drivers implement an extension to the X server known as GLX_texture_from_pixmap. This extension is what is provided by XGL and AIGLX. Thus the drivers do not require either methods. The reason it cannot be used is the previous reason, plus the fact that nVidia doesn't use dri, thus cannot be used with AIGLX.
What is AIGLX?
AIGLX is the Accelerated Indirect GL X. Originally developed by the Fedora Project, it's now included into mainstream X.Org. AIGLX provides the necessary texture GLX_texture_from_pixmap. AIGLX requires DRI or the Direct Rendering Interface to be supported by the graphics drivers.
What is XGL?
XGL is an addon to the X.Org server which provides GLX_texture_from_pixmap without requiring DRI or the Direct Rendering Interface. Currently XGL is not in any official X.Org release, but is in their repositories for a future version.
What is the difference between Beryl and Compiz?
Compiz is developed by DavidR who works for Novell. Beryl is developed by an entire community. Thus beryl has more features because there are more than one person working on the application. Also it is much easier to get features into beryl than it is to get it into compiz.
How do I get rid of the white screen?
This is caused by a change in glproto 1.4.7 to 1.4.8. Thus we need to do the following:
# emerge -1 mesa xorg-server <your graphics driver>
- XGL Users do this also:
# emerge -1 xgl
- Beryl Users do this also:
# emerge -1 beryl-core
- Compiz Users do this also:
# emerge -1 compiz
Unfortunately this will take a while, but at least it should get rid of the white screen bug.
A much more descriptive difference list to come...
Why does libcm fail to compile when using the NVidia implementation?
libcm fails to compile when the OpenGL interface is set to nvidia, thus the OpenGL interface should temporarily be set to xorg-x11 so that libcm will compile:
# eselect opengl set xorg-x11 # emerge -1 libcm # eselect opengl set nvidia
Which implementation should I use?
The question comes up many times. And it's somewhat complicated.
- ATI Binary Driver Users
You require XGL. If your card is supported in the opensource drivers, try those instead.
- ATI Opensource Driver Users
You should use AIGLX. Your card is obviously supported, so try this.
- nVidia Binary Driver Users
You do not require AIGLX or XGL. You only need the nVidia 9626 drivers or greater.
- nVidia Opensource Driver (nv) Users
You need XGL, not guranteed to work (I haven't tested it).
- Intel
Your card should be supported with the intel drivers with no problem.
