2.1 X Windows Basics

2.1.1 The Root Menu
2.1.2 Using Scrollbars
2.1.3 Input Focus: Typing in a Window
2.1.4 Icons

So you've logged in. Now what do you do? Say you want to start your favourite program, but you don't know how. You need to check out the Root Menu to see if the program can be launched from there (though failing that, you'll have to use an xterm).

Or, say you've started your favourite program, but the text gets chopped off at the bottom of the screen. You need a scrollbar.

Or maybe you've managed to start your program and scroll around a bit, but when you want to type in the window nothing happens. Usually, this means that the window does not have the input focus.

Once you're on your way, opening several windows and computing along, you find the screen gets awfully cluttered. Find out how to keep it tidy, by turning your program windows into icons when you don't want to look at them.

The details of how to resize and move windows around are in section 2.2, Window Frame Elements .

Keith Orpen, who is still writing this, would like to hear your comments and suggestions.