HOWTO: Terminal for desktop background.

[krusbjorn]

Hey!

Here's how to get a completely transparent terminal at your desktop background, on all workspaces, without appearing in the taskbar/windows list.

[There was a link to a screenshot here, but somehow the file disappeared. Check korupt's post on page 8 for a screenie.]

First off, you need Eterm and devilspie:

sudo apt-get install eterm devilspie

Next, we need to make a configuration file for devilspie. Copy the code below into your favorite text editor and save the file as .devilspie.xml (please note the dot in the beginning of the file name) in your home folder:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!DOCTYPE devilspie SYSTEM "devilspie.dtd">

<devilspie>
<flurb name="Eterm pinned and no taskbar">
<matchers>
<matcher name="DevilsPieMatcherWindowName">
<property name="application_name" value="Eterm"/>
</matcher>
</matchers>
<!-- The action below will pin Eterm to all workspaces-->
<actions>
<action name="DevilsPieActionSetWorkspace">
<property name="pinned" value="TRUE"/>
</action>
<!-- The action below will remove Eterm from the windows list and the Workspace Switcher (thanks Trash:)-->
<action name="DevilsPieActionHide">
<property name="skip_tasklist" value="TRUE"/>
<property name="skip_pager" value="TRUE"/>
</action>
</actions>
</flurb>
</devilspie>
The above code will make devilspie tell gnome not to display Eterm in the windows list and Workspace Switcher, and to pin it to all workspaces.

Now, go to System -> Preferences -> Sessions. Add devilspie to your startup programs.

Also, you need to add Eterm to your startup programs. It could look something like this:
Eterm -x -0 --trans --scrollbar=off --buttonbar 0 --geometry 200x60+80+40 --font-fx none -f white
NOTE: You probably need to change some of the options applied to Eterm (X and Y offset, terminal size, text colour etc). Those are the options that fit MY desktop. Do:

man Eterm
If you dont know what values to change.

Dont forget to make sure devilespie starts BEFORE Eterm on bootup.

ALSO NOTE: As long as devilespie is running, it will apply its setting to Eterm whenever you launch it, meaning you wont be able to use Eterm "normally" (in a window etc)


This is my first How-To, so be easy on me if there are any errors.
Good luck!
-Johannes

[trash]

Great howto! works perfectly on pc

too bad devilspie isn't available for mac!
Has anybody figured out how to fix this(mac issue?)...
$ Eterm
Eterm: Error: Can't open pseudo-tty -- No such file or directory
Eterm: Error: Unable to run sub-command.

google search (http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&client=firefox&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aunofficial&q=ubuntu+Eterm+Can%27t+open+pseudo-tty&btnG=Search&meta=) turned up a few other people with the same problem but so far no fix:(

also it was reported on this forum but no fix
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=7730&highlight=eterm+tty

[23meg]

nice to have this info tidied up in one place. you should capitalize the E in Eterm, though.

also, if you don't want Eterm appearing in the workspaces pager, you can add the following to the action flurb under DevilsPieActionHide in .devilspie.xml:

<property name="skip_pager" value="TRUE"/>

[pdk001]

it doesnt work for me
what does this "use the "Show Desktop" panel item" meaning?

[trash]

The show desktop thingy is a panel control that when clicked hides all windows on your destop allowing you to see your desktop, when clicked again it restores all the hidden windows... but in this case it won't restore Eterm.
Does Eterm start at all?


EDIT: actually hitting the 'show desktop' again does restore Eterm, all one can't do is restore only Eterm... no biggy really.

I am so loving borderless windows are more apps going to be going this way?

[dominik]

that does not work sudo apt-get install Eterm devilspie you have to write Eterm like this eterm ;)

[pdk001]

oh my mistook
i typed a CAP "eterm" intead of "Eterm"
but this is appear when i hitting a show windows

[Leif]

Thanks for the howto, but I get a problem on my system. Even if I set the startup priority to 99, the Eterm starts before my wallpaper is set, so it gets a random background. Maybe this is because I have xinerama ?

[trash]

Thanks for the howto, but I get a problem on my system. Even if I set the startup priority to 99, the Eterm starts before my wallpaper is set, so it gets a random background. Maybe this is because I have xinerama ?


I had that problem too all you need to do is save your last session with Eterm NOT running and make sure to delete it from your current session.
hope it works!

[krusbjorn]

Thanks for the input everyone. I've edited the post, so now things should work :)

[Rehevkor]

This is pretty neat, but I can't paste anything into the eterm window. Ctrl-V doesn't work, middle mouse button doesn't work, and there's no context menu with edit functions. Is this normal?

If it is, I'll be uninstalling it shortly ;)

Edit: Ok, so hitting left and right mouse together pastes, but it forces a return immediately. Is there any way to paste at the prompt without triggering a return and executing the pasted command?

[krusbjorn]

This is pretty neat, but I can't paste anything into the eterm window. Ctrl-V doesn't work, middle mouse button doesn't work, and there's no context menu with edit functions. Is this normal?

If it is, I'll be uninstalling it shortly ;)

Edit: Ok, so hitting left and right mouse together pastes, but it forces a return immediately. Is there any way to paste at the prompt without triggering a return and executing the pasted command?

To me the middle mouse button pastes.
However, if i close the program from where i copied the text, the clipboard clears. It's been like that since i installed hoary, havent bothered to try to fix it ;)

Edit: oops, lots of typos.

[trash]

This is pretty neat, but I can't paste anything into the eterm window. Ctrl-V doesn't work, middle mouse button doesn't work, and there's no context menu with edit functions. Is this normal?

If it is, I'll be uninstalling it shortly ;)

Edit: Ok, so hitting left and right mouse together pastes, but it forces a return immediately. Is there any way to paste at the prompt without triggering a return and executing the pasted command?


There are a few helpful hints in this thread too...
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=36356&highlight=eterm

Also I have experienced the 'return' thingy as well and it seems to happen when I copy beyond the last character in the line I am copying.... I have started copying from the end to the start to stop this from happening.

[jrobcet]

Is there any way to paste at the prompt without triggering a return and executing the pasted command?

I think Shift+Insert is what you're looking for.

[trash]

However, if i close the program from where i copied the text, the clipboard clears. It's been like taht since i installe ohary, havent bothered to try to fix it ;)


It's soooooo annoying!!

[krusbjorn]

It's soooooo annoying!!

I guess this is the way ;)
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=10319

[Rehevkor]

I had that problem too all you need to do is save your last session with Eterm NOT running and make sure to delete it from your current session.
hope it works!

I have the same problem, but I don't understand what you mean. I know how to save my session when I log out, but what is it that I'm supposed to delete?

Also, since I tried to save the session anyway, firestarter is complaining that I can't start it without root privileges on startup. It was working fine before ](*,)

Edit: Also, is there a way I can just set it to use a solid background color instead of transparency? I tried removing --trans and adding -b white but it just used one of the random backgrounds instead.

God, that firestarter crap is annoying. It took me forever to fix it when I first installed it, and now I'm stuck with it again. It's in the sudoers file, I'm running it with sudo, and I've tried changing the start order a dozen times. I'm on the verge of just uninstalling the stupid thing :-x

[trash]

Ya, just make sure Eterm is not running when you save session and logout.

I'm running firestarter at boot and I don't have any issues with it... have you tried setting the startup order for Eterm from 50 (default) to something like... well mine is at 65.

sorry can't help you with the background thingy.

[thomerz]

I have done everything like written in this tutorial, but when I klick on my "Show Desktop" Icon, the Eterm "Window" is also hidden.

Any idea?

greets thom

[#Vizc@ch@]

I have a couple of issues:

1. When i log into gnome, i have to start an application in order to have eterm appear on my desktop :roll: . Why could this be? Does it has something to do with the number i gave it to boot on system startup ( i have 48 for evilspie and 49 for Eterm)

2. How can i prevent Eterm from being hided when i click "show desktop" icon ?

Thanks for the how to , it's great ! :)

[krusbjorn]

I have done everything like written in this tutorial, but when I klick on my "Show Desktop" Icon, the Eterm "Window" is also hidden.

Any idea?

greets thom

As Trash stated is his post:
EDIT: actually hitting the 'show desktop' again does restore Eterm, all one can't do is restore only Eterm... no biggy really.

[thomerz]

As Trash stated is his post:
Quote:
EDIT: actually hitting the 'show desktop' again does restore Eterm, all one can't do is restore only Eterm... no biggy really.

yes but when i have opened some windows and want to get do my desktop with eterm on it, i hit show desktop, when i hit show desktop again, all the other windows are also restored, not only eterm :???:

[krusbjorn]

yes but when i have opened some windows and want to get do my desktop with eterm on it, i hit show desktop, when i hit show desktop again, all the other windows are also restored, not only eterm :???:
Yeah, i dont know how to fix that. If it wouldnt bother you to have Eterm in the "window list", remove <property name="skip_tasklist" value="TRUE"/> from the devilspie xml file, and it will appear on the windows list/taskbar.

[JohnC86]

HI, good tutorial, however I was wondering:

Is it possible to keep eterm on the bottom of all other windows? so if I click on it, I can type in it, without it showing on top of all my other windows. No biggy really but if it could be pinned underneath everything itd be better imo.

[Gandalf]

Great HOWTO it makes my desktop complete,
http://img157.echo.cx/img157/5751/screenshot6ld.th.jpg (http://img157.echo.cx/my.php?image=screenshot6ld.jpg)

Thanks

a little tip i use myself, because it's a small window without a maximize icon so System -> Preferences -> Keyboard Shortcuts -> Window Management -> Toggle Fullscreen, define it to whatever you want (i use Alt+Enter)
this way on this teminal i just click Alt+Enter to have my Desktop Wallpaper Full Screen with teminal above it


one question though, is it possible to make the Windows hiding icon (bottom left) not to hide the terminal?

[baraider]

Great HOWTO it makes my desktop complete,
http://img157.echo.cx/img157/5751/screenshot6ld.th.jpg (http://img157.echo.cx/my.php?image=screenshot6ld.jpg)

Thanks

a little tip i use myself, because it's a small window without a maximize icon so System -> Preferences -> Keyboard Shortcuts -> Window Management -> Toggle Fullscreen, define it to whatever you want (i use Alt+Enter)
this way on this teminal i just click Alt+Enter to have my Desktop Wallpaper Full Screen with teminal above it


one question though, is it possible to make the Windows hiding icon (bottom left) not to hide the terminal?
got it working now...

quick question...without boders and menus, how i copy and paste in this eterm.....Shift-clt C/v or Ctlr-c/v does not seem to work.

[Gandalf]

not like this, it's done with Ctrl+Insert to copy and Shift+Insert to paste

[baraider]

not like this, it's done with Ctrl+Insert to copy and Shift+Insert to paste
Nice....that brings the question...

Why and can we define how to copy and paste across the system, like Clt-C and Ctl-V.....this will be much easier than to remember how each program copies and pastes

[Gandalf]

Nice....that brings the question...

Why and can we define how to copy and paste across the system, like Clt-C and Ctl-V.....this will be much easier than to remember how each program copies and pastes
i don't know if this is possible i want it too, but you know in terminal Ctrl+C is to terminate a script

[Gandalf]

Hello,
i don't know why but it always load screwed up, look at the pic
http://img68.echo.cx/img68/7250/screenshot1hw.th.jpg] (http://img68.echo.cx/my.php?image=screenshot1hw.jpg)
i have to either kill it and re-load it manually or logout/login
it always open like this after i REBOOT my laptop

is there anything to do?
thank

[wawa]

Nice HowTo, terminal is running ok with transparent backgroung...the only problems I have is:
When I log in the Gnome splash screen freezes and the terminal is not loaded until I start a program like Firefox or something is when it dessapears and the terminal is loaded
I still have Eterm showing up in the pannel and its showing up in the first workspace only

Devilspie is configured to load and run before Eterm

Any help to solve this will be appreciated

Thanks

[Behel]

I think I had a similar problem...

I just change the time interval between successive loading and it finally worked.

Here is what I used:

gdesklets 45 (if you need)
devilspie 50
Eterm... 55

BL

[Behel]

Hello,
i don't know why but it always load screwed up, look at the pic
http://img68.echo.cx/img68/7250/screenshot1hw.th.jpg] (http://img68.echo.cx/my.php?image=screenshot1hw.jpg)
i have to either kill it and re-load it manually or logout/login
it always open like this after i REBOOT my laptop

is there anything to do?
thank


You may load Eterm too soon, and the wallpaper is not loaded yet so that Eterm decides to use one of its own background instead of your wallpaper....

BL

[bahumbug]

no matter what the order i set eterm to (200 is as high as it would go). I still get the same problem too. I think my desktop is too graphics intensive?

when I set devilspie to 49 and eterm to 50, then the splash loader thingie just stays at nautilus, and i have to start firefox or something to get eterm loaded.

is there a way to start the wallpaper quickly?

thanks

[drewxhawaii]

the only way i could get it to work with the transparent background is to start a program AFTER devilspie and BEFORE Eterm

this worked out beautifully, however, because i wanted thunderbird (email) to run at start up anyway.

thank you for this tutorial.

my startup programs are as follows:

devilspie 50
mozilla-thunderbird 51
Eterm 52

i hope this helps some of you

[drewxhawaii]

not like this, it's done with Ctrl+Insert to copy and Shift+Insert to paste
awesome!

i was just gonna ask about this

[feralert]

the only way i could get it to work with the transparent background is to start a program AFTER devilspie and BEFORE Eterm

this worked out beautifully, however, because i wanted thunderbird (email) to run at start up anyway.


Thanks drewxhawaii, this works for me too.

I also had the weird background problem but now its gone, this is what i have:

45 devilspie
50 gnome-cliboard-daemon
51 Eterm
52 Eterm

Cheers! \\:D/

[feralert]

I had Eterm working fine, starting devilspie before Etern and all.

But then i tried to get Eterm to execute a command automatically, with the --execute option, and works fine but the problem is that it displays Eterm in the windows list again! ](*,) (Im trying to have a 'tail -f' of the most important log files),

Any clues on how to make it disappear -again-??

(And yes, in case anyone asks, im running devilspire before the Eterms ;-) )

[Gandalf]

try to add tail to ~/.devilspie.xml as Eterm has been added

[feralert]

try to add tail to ~/.devilspie.xml as Eterm has been added

Thanks Gandalf.
Tried that and works but im using another solution which is to use de -T option to give the window the name your like, so i used '-T Eterm' on all of them to have devilspie get rid of them and works like a charm!

\\:D/ Thaaaanks!!

Edited to add:
BTW i have noticed that if you click on the 'show desktop' and when having all windows minimized you restore any one of them manually and then click on 'show desktop' again, it wont restore the Eterms anymore, and there is no way to have them back, try it and see.
Something to have Eterm not to obey the 'show desktop' orders is badly needed O:)

[neotope]

Thanks Gandalf.
Tried that and works but im using another solution which is to use de -T option to give the window the name your like, so i used '-T Eterm' on all of them to have devilspie get rid of them and works like a charm!

\\:D/ Thaaaanks!!

Edited to add:
BTW i have noticed that if you click on the 'show desktop' and when having all windows minimized you restore any one of them manually and then click on 'show desktop' again, it wont restore the Eterms anymore, and there is no way to have them back, try it and see.
Something to have Eterm not to obey the 'show desktop' orders is badly needed O:)
I can't get Eterm to be transparent. If I run the command from a terminal it will load Eterm with a transparent backup but when I initially start Gnome it has a background.

[SqdnGuns]

For those that are not aware.................to move the terminal around, hold down "alt" and "left click" anywhere in the terminal to move it around...........

[simple]

delete me

[SWAT]

I have the same problem as (simple) just above me. Eterm isn't invisible on the taskbar, which is annoying. I'm using Hoary, Eterm 0.9.2, and devilspie. Help?
Problem SOLVED: I had a typo at the .devilspie.xml file (I forgot the .xml)

This problem I'll to figure out myself ==> At my computer the background of the eterm window is strange (it's not transparant, just some kind of weird background)
It looks like it loads a different Eterm wallpaper everytime it loads, very strange. Anyone know what this could be? When I start Eterm after a full startup it works fine, but I want to autstart it with transparancy! :(

Problem not SOLVED: Just comment out the line file %random(`cat pixmaps.list`) in the /usr/share/Eterm/themes/trans file. Somehow this DOESN'T work

[vladuz976]

Hey!

Here's how to get a completely transparent terminal at your desktop background, on all workspaces, without appearing in the taskbar/windows list.

Screenshot (http://home.tiscali.se/jossehan/eterm.png)

First off, you need Eterm and devilspie:

sudo apt-get install eterm devilspie

Next, we need to make a configuration file for devilspie. Copy the code below into your favorite text editor and save the file as .devilspie.xml (please note the dot in the beginning of the file name) in your home folder:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!DOCTYPE devilspie SYSTEM "devilspie.dtd">

<devilspie>
<flurb name="Eterm pinned and no taskbar">
<matchers>
<matcher name="DevilsPieMatcherWindowName">
<property name="application_name" value="Eterm"/>
</matcher>
</matchers>
<!-- The action below will pin Eterm to all workspaces-->
<actions>
<action name="DevilsPieActionSetWorkspace">
<property name="pinned" value="TRUE"/>
</action>
<!-- The action below will remove Eterm from the windows list and the Workspace Switcher (thanks Trash:)-->
<action name="DevilsPieActionHide">
<property name="skip_tasklist" value="TRUE"/>
<property name="skip_pager" value="TRUE"/>
</action>
</actions>
</flurb>
</devilspie>
The above code will make devilspie tell gnome not to display Eterm in the windows list and Workspace Switcher, and to pin it to all workspaces.

Now, go to System -> Preferences -> Sessions. Add devilspie to your startup programs.

Also, you need to add Eterm to your startup programs. It could look something like this:
Eterm -x -0 --trans --scrollbar=off --buttonbar 0 --geometry 200x60+80+40 --font-fx none -f white
NOTE: You probably need to change some of the options applied to Eterm (X and Y offset, terminal size, text colour etc). Those are the options that fit MY desktop. Do:

man Eterm
If you dont know what values to change.

Dont forget to make sure devilespie starts BEFORE Eterm on bootup.

ALSO NOTE: As long as devilespie is running, it will apply its setting to Eterm whenever you launch it, meaning you wont be able to use Eterm "normally" (in a window etc)


This is my first How-To, so be easy on me if there are any errors. And sorry if my english hardly is understandable ;)

Good luck!
-Johannes
can i somehow use aterm for this or gnome-terminal. how would i make those borderless and menuless.
eterm is really hard to configure font's in. i am trying to you bitstream-vera-sans-monospace which i had for gnome terminal. really pleasant.

[skyboy]

Worked great for me on KDE 3.4.1
great Howto

[ghostintheshell]

Hi,

for more infos about DevilsPie (I really love this program :D) I invite you to take a look here (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=49347)

Thank you for your howto (that works well :D) and enjoy DevilsPie not only for Eterm but for all your applications :)

[vladuz976]

I think I had a similar problem...

I just change the time interval between successive loading and it finally worked.

Here is what I used:

gdesklets 45 (if you need)
devilspie 50
Eterm... 55

BL
hi
i followed the instructions carefully and everything works out fine, except that eterm always shows in the gdeklets toolbar (or workspace i guess)
i have tried all combinations i found on this thread but it just doesn't work.
here is my current setup:
45 devilspie
50 gnome-clipboard-daemon
51 gdesklets
52 Eterm .......

anybody any ideas?

[bpilgrim1979]

This is cool. I'll check it out.

Right now I use a standard console window with a semi-transparent background.

[aran384]

i do not like this and was wondering how do i get rid of it???

[Shwiing]

Well I believe you can go in the terminal and type:

package remove eterm

or...

go to Add/Remove Programs and search eterm and uncheck it then click apply.

[OttoDestruct]

Is there a way to 'tint' the window some? I've read over the man but perhaps I just glanced over it, and I'm not seeing a way.

[aran384]

ive kinda sorted out what was making it so i dont like it but the transparcy isnt working on startup ???

i have to Ctrl + right click and toggle transparcy which i dont like also i have to move it everytime i boot up any way to fix these problems ???

[krusbjorn]

Is there a way to 'tint' the window some? I've read over the man but perhaps I just glanced over it, and I'm not seeing a way.

From the Eterm man file:

--tint color
Tints the background pixmap (either an image file or the trans‐
parent portion can be shaded). The mask is an integer, usually
specified in hexadecimal in the form 0xRRGGBB, where RR, GG,
and BB are hexadecimal numbers between 00 and ff (0 and 255 dec‐
imal) which represent the brightness of the image’s red, green,
and blue values, respectively. A value of 00 will mask that
color out entirely, while a value of ff will not change that
color at all.

You may also specify an X color such as grey75 or MidnightBlue
or #babb7f instead of a mask.

[krusbjorn]

ive kinda sorted out what was making it so i dont like it but the transparcy isnt working on startup ???

i have to Ctrl + right click and toggle transparcy which i dont like also i have to move it everytime i boot up any way to fix these problems ???

To adjust where the Eterm window is placed you need to change the offsets. Read the how-to again and you'll notice how.

Eterm should be completely transparent if you use the options i mentioned in the how-to: -x -0 --trans --scrollbar=off --buttonbar 0

[spacemonkey]

Does anyone know how to eliminate the drop shadow on Eterm when using drop shadows with xcompmgr?

[Sebischn]

Hey, nice Howto!

I got a small and silly question, but I'll ask it anyway :). I've successfully added devilspie to startup, but if I add "Eterm -x -0 --trans --scrollbar=off --buttonbar 0 --geometry 200x60+80+40 --font-fx none -f white" in the same way, it's always beeing removed from the Sessions Manager. If I run the Command via shell, it works perfect. So, how do I add the Eterm command to startup? Thx in advance.

Regards..

[traherom]

Ok... this is just grand, but what if you actually put stuff on your desktop? At least for me, they get covered up. (The background loads fine, but as is stated in the man:
-O, --trans
This gives a pseudo-transparent Eterm. The image is taken
directly from the root window, so any requests for changing the
pixmap are ignored. If you do not use Enlightenment
(http://www.enlightenment.org/) as your window manager (or
another compliant window manager...I have been told that Window‐
Maker works also), you will need to use the Esetroot program
(found in the utils/ directory) to set your root background
image.
It doesn't sound to me like you ever see your icons, but some of the screenshots appear to have them still. Is there anyway to still be able to use your desktop? (Other than minimizing Eterm or resizing/positioning it so it only covers part of the screen)

Sorry if someone already mentioned this.

[jerome bettis]

wtf is going on here? it starts up but it's not transparent, it has a different background everytime. i've played with the order of things, tried adding a program in the middle but nothing works.

has anybody figured this out?????

[jerome bettis]

ok i figured it out.

if you're having problems with the background being random and not transparent, paste this into a shell script

#!/bin/sh
sleep 10 && Eterm -x -0 --trans --scrollbar=off --buttonbar 0 --geometry 212x57+0+24 --font-fx none -f white

change the geometry stuff for you're screen of course. i put that in ~/bin/eterm and in the sessions thing i start devilspie at 50, and my eterm script at 55. works great, exactly what i wanted.

[chaumurky]

Worked great for me on KDE 3.4.1
great Howto
How does one set the start order in KDE?

[arnieboy]

ok i figured it out.

if you're having problems with the background being random and not transparent, paste this into a shell script

#!/bin/sh
sleep 10 && Eterm -x -0 --trans --scrollbar=off --buttonbar 0 --geometry 212x57+0+24 --font-fx none -f white

change the geometry stuff for you're screen of course. i put that in ~/bin/eterm and in the sessions thing i start devilspie at 50, and my eterm script at 55. works great, exactly what i wanted.
solved an identical problem in my case too! cheers dude!!

[jerome bettis]

you're welcome, glad it helped.

now the only thing that is still bugging me about this, is how it goes away with the show desktop button. somebody has to know how to fix that. is there a way to have a window be fixed so it can't be moved, resized, minimized etc. if that's possible the show desktop button shouldn't have any effect on it. if not, i might look at the code for that button and hack it so it doesn't affect any Eterm windows.

any ideas?

[arnieboy]

you're welcome, glad it helped.

now the only thing that is still bugging me about this, is how it goes away with the show desktop button. somebody has to know how to fix that. is there a way to have a window be fixed so it can't be moved, resized, minimized etc. if that's possible the show desktop button shouldn't have any effect on it. if not, i might look at the code for that button and hack it so it doesn't affect any Eterm windows.

any ideas?
not just "show desktop" but alt-F4 (if thats ur shortcut for closing windows) will also close the eterm window if thats in focus. I researched a lot yesterday but could not find a possible hack.. for one thing therez no option in devilspie or eterm that will let u do that. but there surely must be something... its interesting nobody ever came up with this thought earlier on any forum on the net!

[jerome bettis]

well i spent a few hours messing around (tried different window managers, etc etc etc) and it looks like the only option is to wait for devilspie to have these features. i might email the developer and request these features or ask him how i can do it. i looked at the source, and i can't figure out ow it works.

i might actually take a closer look at fluxbox. it's old and drab but it's very customizeable and it seems to have a lot of features that i want. getting a terminal like this on the desktop is a snap.

[qalimas]

How would one go about 'pinning' this below all windows? I noticed when I click on the terminal it was brought to the front, which I don't want. I want to be able to work my terminal and still ahve other windows cover it up if there are any.

[neanderthal // anarchism]

i had devilspie at 50 and eterm at 55

and i got one of eterm's backgrounds and it's not transparent

i already tried
#!/bin/sh
sleep 10 && Eterm -x -0 --trans --scrollbar=off --buttonbar 0 --geometry 212x57+0+24 --font-fx none -f white

and that didn't work.

[Paulus]

heres a nice command i use on my eterm, makes the brightness/contrast high or low by varying the "cmod" command, looks like HDR!

kstart --alldesktops --keepbelow --skippager --skiptaskbar Eterm --geometry 75x25+750+400 --trans=true --borderless --scrollbar=false --buttonbar=false -f black --cmod 400 -c white &

screeneh:
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/1456/snapshot11et.th.jpg (http://img23.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snapshot11et.jpg)

[vradick]

if you use this action:

<action name="DevilsPieActionSetWintype">
<property name="wintype" value="DESKTOP"/>
</action>


Your terminal is in desktop, and if you just "show desktop" you see always your terminal. Try it.

I'm using a terminal such as desktop background since Devil's Pie version 0.6. This screenshot (http://www.marsultor.com/imgs/Pantallazo-term.png) is in Ubuntu Warthy.

I use gnome-terminal with a profile: $gnome-terminal --window-with-profile=terminal-desktop

And matcher:

<matcher name="DevilsPieMatcherWindowName">
<property name="window_title" value="terminal-desktop"/>
</matcher>

[mozz]

Isn't the most beautiful way, but just insert some

sleep 5

in the script, so Eterm has to wait until the desktop is loaded...(sry for digging around in this old thread)

[devilspie]

Hey!

Here's how to get a completely transparent terminal at your desktop background, on all workspaces, without appearing in the taskbar/windows list.

Screenshot (http://home.tiscali.se/jossehan/eterm.png)

First off, you need Eterm and devilspie:

sudo apt-get install eterm devilspie

Next, we need to make a configuration file for devilspie. Copy the code below into your favorite text editor and save the file as .devilspie.xml (please note the dot in the beginning of the file name) in your home folder:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!DOCTYPE devilspie SYSTEM "devilspie.dtd">

<devilspie>
<flurb name="Eterm pinned and no taskbar">
<matchers>
<matcher name="DevilsPieMatcherWindowName">
<property name="application_name" value="Eterm"/>
</matcher>
</matchers>
<!-- The action below will pin Eterm to all workspaces-->
<actions>
<action name="DevilsPieActionSetWorkspace">
<property name="pinned" value="TRUE"/>
</action>
<!-- The action below will remove Eterm from the windows list and the Workspace Switcher (thanks Trash:)-->
<action name="DevilsPieActionHide">
<property name="skip_tasklist" value="TRUE"/>
<property name="skip_pager" value="TRUE"/>
</action>
</actions>
</flurb>
</devilspie>
The above code will make devilspie tell gnome not to display Eterm in the windows list and Workspace Switcher, and to pin it to all workspaces.

Now, go to System -> Preferences -> Sessions. Add devilspie to your startup programs.

Also, you need to add Eterm to your startup programs. It could look something like this:
Eterm -x -0 --trans --scrollbar=off --buttonbar 0 --geometry 200x60+80+40 --font-fx none -f white
NOTE: You probably need to change some of the options applied to Eterm (X and Y offset, terminal size, text colour etc). Those are the options that fit MY desktop. Do:

man Eterm
If you dont know what values to change.

Dont forget to make sure devilespie starts BEFORE Eterm on bootup.

ALSO NOTE: As long as devilespie is running, it will apply its setting to Eterm whenever you launch it, meaning you wont be able to use Eterm "normally" (in a window etc)


This is my first How-To, so be easy on me if there are any errors. And sorry if my english hardly is understandable ;)

Good luck!
-Johannes
Hello my friend i use devilspie on Gnome,but i want to use devilspien on fluxbox to! Can you please help me???

[krusbjorn]

Hello my friend i use devilspie on Gnome,but i want to use devilspien on fluxbox to! Can you please help me???

As far as i know, devilspie is for metacity, and doesnt work in fluxbox (?)

[ubuntonista]

This does not work with the current version of devilspie in hoary - dont even try :)

[hippyjim]

How does one set the start order in KDE?

A problem I had too! Go take a look at this great howto: http://wiki.chem.indiana.edu/168.html

Man I love this effect. If only I could get the eterm to always be underneath other windows - and for my desktop icons not to wander into the eterm area and vanish!

I guess I'll just have to be a bit more tidy about where I put things. :roll:

[aran384]

with --trans on my eterm is transpacent i have to ctrl + right click and toggle it.....!!!

any thoughts

[jerome bettis]

Hello my friend i use devilspie on Gnome,but i want to use devilspien on fluxbox to! Can you please help me???
yes devilspie doesn't work in fluxbox but wmctrl does.

i use aterm with wmctrl on fluxbox and it works perfectly. i have a bash script that just starts the aterm and calls a python script that uses the output from wmctrl to hide it nicely. it's a bit of a hack but it works great for me.

#!/bin/bash
#/usr/bin/transAterm
aterm -title a -sl 3000 -tr +sb -sr -sk -bg black -fg white -fade 90 -bl -fn -*-courier-*-r-*-*-17-*-*-*-*-*-*-* -g 102x48+2+2 & > /dev/null 2>&1
sleep 3 # give it time to load, 1 or 2 should work but 3 is better
/usr/bin/hideAterm.py > /dev/null 2>&1 # call script to hide it

#!/usr/bin/env python
# /usr/bin/hideAterm.py

import os
x = os.popen("wmctrl -p -l").readlines()
for i in x:
if int(i[14]) == 0: # assuming aterm is the only window that doesn't give a correct
os.popen("wmctrl -i -R " + i[0:10] + " -b toggle,skip_taskbar,skip_pager")

in the first script you'll want to change the font / geometry flags to your liking. i have this start up with fluxbox because the magic behind the second script depends on a miscommunication between aterm and the window manager. (aterm doesnt support the pid thing and just says 0, whereas every other window i've seen has a real number). if you have a bunch of windows open when you try to start this it might hide some of them too. let me know if it does and i'll try to figure something else out, i've been thinking about that ...

[ghostintheshell]

since the 0.13+ version of devilspie, the xml syntax was replaced by the "s-expressions" syntax.

here's the conversion of my ~/.devilspie.xml file:

- create a .devilspie directory in your home folder
mkdir ~/.devilspie

for eterm:
- create a eterm.ds file in the ~/.devilspie folder and put this in:
(if (is (application_name) "Eterm") (begin skip_tasklist skip_pager pin below))

for thunderbird (just FYI):
- create a thunderbird.ds file in the ~/.devilspie folder and put this in:
(if (is (application_name) "mozilla-thunderbird-bin") (begin geometry "+0+0" set_workspace 2))

restart devilspie with the -a option:
killall devilspie
devilspie -a &

all available actions are listed in the /src/parser.c file available in the in the devilspie-0.1x.tar.gz archive.

enjoy.

[korupt]

found a good wiki page that has some great examples of s-expressions ....
http://wiki.foosel.net/linux/devilspie

here is the s-expression I am using for transparent terminal (I am using gnome-terminal and not Eterm)

(if
(matches (application_name) "^tterm")
(begin
(undecorate)
(geometry "602x236+416+500")
(below)
(skip_pager)
(skip_tasklist)
)
)

gnome-terminal --disable-factory --window-with-profile=tterm --name=tterm --geometry=100x18

Edit: who needs AllTerm??.... the above config does the same thing but without the systray icon!! (the order of functions matters, you must call undecorate directly followed by the geometry command or it doesn't work (I smell bug report))


Screenie:
http://www.korupt.net/images/deskshot200601081632.png

[christopher.pascual]

anyone have any ideas on how this might be accomplished through Xubuntu?

TIA

[nrwilk]

Thank you! this is great!

[nrwilk]

Well, now I've a question.

Is it possible to make it so the the eterm window is ALWAYS the very bottom window?

I don't like that it can be above other windows.

This will make it perfect!

[Maelgwyn]

Is there a way to get this to work in Dapper?

'cause System->Preferences->Sessions doesn't give the option to give a number to set priority at startup like Breezy did...

Here's a screenshot to show what happens! I can't even click in the terminal to type in exit & get rid of it, nor does the "show desktop" button work...

http://nikharris.googlepages.com/Screenshot.png.jpg

[sYs^]

When I start eterm it writes: "Eterm: Warning: Window Manager does not support MWM hints. Bypassing window manager control for borderless window."

And it stays on top, if I remove '-x' it stays on bottom but it has borders. :\

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=150277

[nexus_6]

hi!

i would also suggest adding the following action for the terminal always to stay in the background:

<action name="DevilsPieActionLayer">
<property name="above" value="FALSE"/>
</action>


greetings
martin

[Toky]

I got the transparency and the right position (finaly) but still appearing on the taskbar... what could be wrong???
My devilspie.xml:
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!DOCTYPE devilspie SYSTEM "devilspie.dtd">
<devilspie>

<flurb name="Eterm pinned and no taskbar">
<matchers>
<matcher name="DevilsPieMatcherWindowName">
<property name="application_name" value="Eterm"/>
</matcher>
</matchers>
<!-- The action below will pin Eterm to all workspaces-->
<actions>
<action name="DevilsPieActionSetWorkspace">
<property name="pinned" value="TRUE"/>
</action>
<action name="DevilsPieActionLayer">
<property name="above" value="FALSE"/>
</action>
<!-- The action below will remove Eterm from the windows list and the Workspace Switcher (thanks Trash:)-->
<action name="DevilsPieActionHide">
<property name="skip_tasklist" value="TRUE"/>
<property name="skip_pager" value="TRUE"/>
</action>
</actions>
</flurb>

</devilspie>


hi!

i would also suggest adding the following action for the terminal always to stay in the background:

<action name="DevilsPieActionLayer">
<property name="above" value="FALSE"/>
</action>


greetings
martin
Its not working for me...
I'm using Dapper, any ideas on how to set it to the background (PERMANENTLY)?

[hippyjim]

Me too. I can get it looking right, but only if I launch eterm using a konsole!

I can't figure out how to make it start automatically, or how to remove it from the taskbar, and how to stop the eterm being minimised when I "show desktop".

I've got the .devilspie.xml from the original howto, plus the .ds file from ghostintheshell's post.

Has anyone got this going in Kubuntu Dapper? I soo miss my terminal! :(

[mozz]

nevermind

[lapsey]

you can get this working in icewm:

file: ~/.icewm/winoptions
Eterm.layer: Desktop
Eterm.allWorkspaces: 1
Eterm.ignoreWinList: 1
Eterm.ignoreTaskBar: 1
Eterm.ignoreQuickSwitch: 1
Eterm.fullKeys: 1

unfortunately this would mean all eterm windows get pinned in the same way.. (you can do this with practically any app, just use 'xprop |grep WM_CLASS' to ID the name of the window it lets you click, which in this case is Eterm.)

I simply launch using 'Eterm --theme themename --geometry 80x42+5+5'

and there you go. far more elegant than devilspie IMO :)

[Kung!]

Okay, I'm sure I'm missing something obvious, but I must be missing how to adjust the Y offset in the man eterm command. I've done what you said and it looks GREAT....all I need is for the terminaly to actually stretch all the way up to the bottom of the 'task bar' (or whatever it's called). Right now it's about an 1/8th of an inch short, and I'm not sure how to adjust.

[jackyyll]

Okay, so i have eterm and devilspie. When i try to run devilspie in the terminal it gives me an error (devilspie:5971): Wnck-WARNING **: Property _NET_STARTUP_ID contained invalid UTF-8

Using the eterm.ds file.

Also i'm using edgy and i dont know how to set the priority of startup apps.

[chunger]

Okay, so i have eterm and devilspie. When i try to run devilspie in the terminal it gives me an error (devilspie:5971): Wnck-WARNING **: Property _NET_STARTUP_ID contained invalid UTF-8

Using the eterm.ds file.

Also i'm using edgy and i dont know how to set the priority of startup apps.

I've also got the same error, using the s-expressions eterm.ds file. Devilspie seems to load and work correctly with other *.ds files that I've created. The eterm.ds file contains:

(if (is (application_name) "Eterm") (begin skip_tasklist skip_pager pin below))

After devilspie is loaded, and I type in Eterm in a terminal, I get the error: "Wnck-WARNING **: Property _NET_STARTUP_ID contained invalid UTF-8" and Eterm just starts up normally as if devilspie wasn't running.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

[chunger]

I've also got the same error, using the s-expressions eterm.ds file. Devilspie seems to load and work correctly with other *.ds files that I've created. The eterm.ds file contains:

(if (is (application_name) "Eterm") (begin skip_tasklist skip_pager pin below))

After devilspie is loaded, and I type in Eterm in a terminal, I get the error: "Wnck-WARNING **: Property _NET_STARTUP_ID contained invalid UTF-8" and Eterm just starts up normally as if devilspie wasn't running.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

Just in case anyone is having the same problem, I ended up using the gnome-terminal instead of Eterm. I've found bits and pieces on creating a *.ds file and here is what I got that worked as far creating a background terminal using devilspie s-expressions. Here is my *.ds file contents...
(if
(matches (window_name) "NAME OF YOUR TERMINAL WINDOW PROFILE")
(begin
(below)
(undecorate)
(pin)
(skip_pager)
(skip_tasklist)
(wintype "utility")
(geometry "+0+0")
(geometry "665x1150")
)
)


This opens terminal on the left side of my screen pining it on all desktops, and leaving it in the background. *note that my screen resolution is 1920x1200, so you will have to play around with the geometry #s to get something that looks right for your resolution (the "665x1150" line).

Just create a gnome-terminal profile that is fully transparent with no menus or scroll bar and put the name of that profile in the *.ds file where it says so.

As long as you got devilspie -a in your startup, the dekstop terminal should show up upon restarting X.

Hope this helps.

[c-breakdown]

I can't seem to get around the problem of Eterm loading before my background does resulting in it using it's default background. Is there any tricks I can use to fix this?

[Catsworth]

This is working beautifully, thanks.

The only problem I have is that it's still visible on the program bar at the bottom of my screen, any thoughts on how I can get rid of it?

Thanks again.

[kdt2007]

Followed the guide by Krusbjorn posted here, but after the reboot all my windows have lost their taskbars and the close button. I can't even move any of them. My show desktop button is also giving an error "your window manager does not support the show desktop button". I've tried uninstalling devilspie and Eterm and disabling the running services then saving the session, but the problem still remains. Does anyone here know how to fix this? Just got everything configured the way I want and would hate to have to reinstall everything.
Cheers

[kdt2007]

finally got this fixed. if anyone has the same problem this link shows some solutions http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=406225&page=2
Renaming the session file to session.old under the /.gnome2 folder worked for me :)

[dbkungfu]

Does anyone know how to eliminate the drop shadow on Eterm when using drop shadows with xcompmgr?

hi
Tried setting up the following, it work for me

in xompmgr goto the window decoration

in shadow window option - replace "any" with "(any) & !(class=Eterm)" :D