Stories with Tag Desktop

• Vtm: Text-Based Desktop Environment

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  Posted: 2025-03-07 17:12:30

  Verbose tl;dr

  Vtm is a terminal-based desktop environment built with Python and inspired by tiling window managers. It aims to provide a lightweight and keyboard-driven workflow, allowing users to manage multiple terminal windows within a single terminal instance. Vtm utilizes a tree-like structure for window organization, enabling split layouts and tabbed interfaces. Its configuration is handled through a simple Python file, offering customization options for keybindings, colors, and startup applications. Ultimately, Vtm strives to offer a minimalist and efficient terminal experience for users who prefer a text-based environment.

  The GitHub repository, directvt/vtm, introduces Vtm, a novel text-based desktop environment meticulously crafted for Linux systems. It distinguishes itself from traditional terminal multiplexers and window managers by offering a fully integrated desktop experience within the confines of a terminal emulator. This means users can interact with a comprehensive suite of applications and manage their workflow entirely through textual interfaces, without relying on graphical elements.

  Vtm leverages the capabilities of libtickit, a composable terminal UI library, to construct its interface elements. This allows for a dynamic and responsive user experience, efficiently handling keyboard input and screen updates. The core design philosophy emphasizes modularity, enabling users to customize and extend Vtm's functionality through plugins written in Lua. This extensibility empowers users to tailor Vtm to their specific needs and preferences, creating a highly personalized computing environment.

  The desktop environment encompasses a variety of built-in applications and features designed to replicate common graphical desktop functionalities. These include a file manager for navigating and manipulating files, a terminal emulator for executing commands and running shell scripts, and a text editor for composing and editing documents. Additionally, Vtm offers a system monitor to track resource usage, a network manager for configuring network connections, and a notification system for displaying alerts and messages.

  Furthermore, Vtm incorporates a tiling window management system, allowing users to arrange and organize multiple application windows efficiently within the terminal window. This facilitates multitasking and allows for a structured workflow within the textual interface. The project actively encourages contributions and welcomes developers to participate in enhancing its features and expanding its capabilities. The stated goal is to provide a powerful yet lightweight alternative to traditional graphical desktop environments, catering to users who prefer or require a text-based interface. The overall objective is to create a complete and versatile desktop experience entirely within the terminal, offering a productive and customizable environment for a range of tasks.

  • vtm
  • Text-based
  • Desktop Environment
  • tui
  • terminal user interface
  • cli
  • Command-Line Interface
  • Linux
  • unix
  • C
  • ncurses
  • Framework
  • window manager
  • Desktop
  • Minimalist
  • keyboard driven
  • mouse support

  Summary of Comments ( 39 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43291946

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discuss vtm, a text-based desktop environment, focusing on its potential niche use cases. Some commenters see value in its minimal resource usage for embedded systems or as a fallback interface. Others appreciate the accessibility benefits for visually impaired users or those who prefer keyboard-driven workflows. Several express interest in trying vtm out of curiosity or for specific tasks like remote server administration. A few highlight the project's novelty and the nostalgic appeal of text-based interfaces. Some skepticism is voiced regarding its practicality compared to modern graphical DEs, but the overall sentiment is positive, with many praising the developer's effort and acknowledging the potential value of such a project. A discussion arises about the use of terminology, clarifying the difference between a window manager and a desktop environment. The lightweight nature of vtm and its integration with notcurses are also highlighted.

  The Hacker News post "Vtm: Text-Based Desktop Environment" spawned a moderately active discussion with several interesting points raised in the comments section.

  Several users discussed the practical applications of such a desktop environment. One user highlighted its potential usefulness for remote server administration, especially over low-bandwidth connections or when graphical interfaces are unavailable. They emphasized the benefit of having a familiar desktop-like environment within a terminal, allowing for tasks like window management and application switching. Another user echoed this sentiment, suggesting its suitability for embedded systems or situations requiring a minimal footprint.

  The discussion also touched upon the historical context of text-based user interfaces (TUIs), with some users drawing parallels to older systems and highlighting the cyclical nature of technology trends. One commenter fondly reminisced about using similar environments in the past, while another discussed the enduring appeal of TUIs for their efficiency and low resource consumption. This sparked a mini-thread discussing the advantages and disadvantages of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) versus TUIs, with users weighing in on factors like ease of use, accessibility, and resource usage.

  Some comments focused on the technical aspects of vtm. One user inquired about the underlying technology and libraries used, demonstrating curiosity about its implementation. Another user expressed interest in the project's custom window manager, wondering about its capabilities and features compared to traditional window managers. There was also a brief exchange regarding the programming language used for the project (C) and its suitability for such a task.

  A few users expressed skepticism about the project's practicality in modern computing, questioning its relevance in a world dominated by GUIs. However, these comments were countered by others who argued for the niche use cases mentioned earlier, emphasizing the value of having alternatives to resource-intensive graphical environments.

  Finally, some users simply expressed appreciation for the project, praising its ingenuity and the developer's effort in creating a functional text-based desktop environment. One commenter lauded the project as "cool," highlighting the inherent appeal of such a unique approach to interface design.

• WhiteSur: macOS-like theme for GTK desktops

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  Posted: 2025-02-23 17:43:34

  Verbose tl;dr

  WhiteSur is a GTK theme inspired by macOS Big Sur's visual style. It aims to bring the clean, modern aesthetic of macOS to Linux desktops using GTK-based applications. The theme features rounded corners, translucency effects, and a light color palette, mimicking the characteristic appearance of macOS. It supports various GTK versions and desktop environments, offering a comprehensive macOS-like experience for Linux users.

  The GitHub repository "WhiteSur-gtk-theme," created by vinceliuice, introduces a comprehensive GTK theme meticulously designed to emulate the aesthetic of Apple's macOS Big Sur and later operating systems on Linux and other GTK-based desktop environments. This theme aims to provide a visually consistent and polished macOS-inspired experience for users who prefer that style on their non-macOS systems.

  WhiteSur offers a wide range of customization options, allowing users to tailor the theme to their specific preferences. It includes various accent colors, mimicking the accent color choices available within macOS, allowing for personalized color schemes. Beyond just color variations, the theme provides multiple variants for window controls, allowing users to choose the style of buttons and other window elements that best suit their tastes. These variants cater to different design preferences within the broader macOS aesthetic.

  Furthermore, the project emphasizes compatibility and offers support for a wide range of GTK versions, ensuring its usability across different Linux distributions and desktop environments that utilize GTK. It aims to be a robust and adaptable theming solution, working seamlessly with various applications and window managers. The repository provides clear installation instructions and detailed documentation, guiding users through the setup process and outlining available customization options. It also utilizes a standard directory structure for easy integration with existing theme management tools. The project actively encourages contributions and bug reports, fostering a community-driven approach to development and ensuring the theme remains up-to-date and functional. It also benefits from regular updates and maintenance by the author, reflecting a commitment to providing a high-quality and reliable theming experience. Finally, the project is open-source, licensed under the GPL-3.0 license, allowing users to freely use, modify, and distribute the theme.

  • macOS
  • GTK
  • Theme
  • Desktop
  • Linux
  • Customization
  • Appearance
  • User Interface
  • UI
  • WhiteSur
  • GNOME
  • Desktop Environment

  Summary of Comments ( 89 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43151294

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users generally praised the WhiteSur GTK theme for its aesthetics and macOS resemblance, with several noting its successful implementation of the blurred translucency effect. Some expressed concerns about GTK theming fragmentation and the potential for themes to negatively impact performance or deviate too far from native desktop environments. Others questioned the theme's adherence to GNOME HIG, suggesting potential usability issues could arise from mimicking macOS design language. A few users discussed the challenges of cross-platform theming and the intricacies of achieving visual consistency across different applications. Several commenters also mentioned or linked to alternative macOS-inspired themes for GTK and other desktop environments.

  The Hacker News post titled "WhiteSur: macOS-like theme for GTK desktops" linking to a GitHub repository for a macOS-inspired GTK theme generated several comments. Many users expressed appreciation for the theme's aesthetics and its success in emulating the macOS look and feel. Some highlighted its particular effectiveness in GNOME environments.

  Several commenters discussed the broader trend of mimicking the visual style of macOS on other operating systems, questioning the motivations behind it. Some suggested it stems from a desire for a more polished and consistent interface, while others posited it might be driven by familiarity or simply aesthetic preference. A few expressed skepticism about the long-term viability of such themes, pointing to the potential for inconsistencies with future GNOME updates.

  Practical considerations were also raised. One user inquired about the theme's performance impact, particularly on older hardware. Another asked about the possibility of extending the theme to other desktop environments beyond GNOME. There was also a discussion about the challenges of maintaining such a theme, given the ongoing evolution of both macOS and GTK.

  Some comments focused on specific aspects of the theme's implementation. One user praised the attention to detail in replicating macOS's translucency effects. Another suggested improvements to the theme's integration with specific GTK applications.

  A few commenters shared their personal experiences with the theme, reporting positive results and offering tips for installation and configuration. Others expressed interest in trying the theme and thanked the developer for their work.

  Overall, the comments reflected a generally positive reception to the WhiteSur GTK theme, with users appreciating its visual appeal and functionality. However, some concerns were raised about the long-term maintainability and potential performance impact of such themes. The discussion also touched on broader themes of cross-platform design inspiration and the challenges of mimicking the look and feel of one operating system on another.