NAME

       w9wm - 8-1/2-like Window Manager for X

SYNOPSIS

       w9wm  [ -grey ] [ -version ] [ -font fname ] [ -nokeys ] [ -nostalgia ] [ -debug ] [ -pass
       ] [ -term termprog ] [ -virtuals n ] [ exit | restart ]

DESCRIPTION

       w9wm is a window manager for X which attempts to emulate the window management policies of
       Plan  9's 8-1/2 window manager but adds some candy stuff like virtual screens and keyboard
       shortcuts.

       The -grey option makes the background light grey, as does  8-1/2.   Use  this  option  for
       maximum  authenticity.   -font fname sets the font in w9wm's menu to fname, overriding the
       default.   -nokeys  option  inhibits  keyboard  shortcups  (Ctrl+Tab  and  Shift+Ctrl+Tab)
       -nostalgia  applies  some  useless  modifications  to w9wm look & feel (windows border and
       cursor appearance) -debug triggers debug mode  -pass  uses  click-to-focus-passes-through-
       click,  which  means  that  clicking  on  a  nonactive  window  with whatever mouse button
       activates it and follows click to this window  -term  termprog  specifies  an  alternative
       program  to run when the New menu item is selected.  -virtuals n set the number of virtual
       screens used -version prints the current version on standard error, then exits.

       To make w9wm exit, you have to run w9wm exit on the command line.  There  is  no  ``exit''
       menu item.

       w9wm is click-to-type: it has a notion of the current window, which is usually on top, and
       always has its border darkened.  Characters typed  at  the  keyboard  go  to  the  current
       window,  and  mouse  clicks  outside the current window are swallowed up by w9wm.  To make
       another window the current one, click on it with button 1 or type Ctrl+Tab (this  shortcut
       is  not  ``stable'',  which  means  that  I could change it in case it would eventually be
       annoying).  Unlike other X window managers, w9wm implements `mouse  focus':  mouse  events
       are sent only to the current window.

       A  menu of window operations is available by pressing button 3 outside the current window.
       The first of these, New, attempts to spawn a 9term process  (or  xterm  if  9term  is  not
       available).   The  new  9term will request that its outline be swept using button 3 of the
       mouse, by changing the cursor.  (xterm defaults to a fixed size,  and  thus  wants  to  be
       dragged; pressing button 3 places it.)

       The  next  four  menu  items  are  Reshape, Move, Delete, and Hide.  All of the operations
       change the cursor into a target, prompting the user to  click  button  3  on  one  of  the
       windows  to select it for the operation.  At this stage, clicking button 1 or 2 will abort
       the operation.  Otherwise, if the operation was Resize, the user is prompted to sweep  out
       the  new outline with button 3.  If it was Move, the user should keep the button held down
       after the initial click that selected the window, and drag the window to the  right  place
       before releasing.  In either case, button 1 or 2 will abort the operation.

       If  the  Delete  operation  is  selected,  the  window  will be deleted when the button is
       released.  This typically kills the client that owns the window.  The Hide operation  just
       makes  the window invisible.  While hidden, the window's name appears on the bottom of the
       button 3 menu.  Selecting that item brings the window back (unhides it).   This  operation
       replaces the iconification feature provided by other window managers.

       A menu is provided to switch from a virtual screen to another.  This popup is triggered by
       using the button 2, which displays a menu looking like the  previous  one  but  with  four
       entries, One, Two, Three, and Four.  Selecting one of these entries will switch to another
       virtual screen.

       There is also a menu to run programs using button 1.  Hold both "shift"  and  "left  ctrl"
       keys  and  press button 1.  w9wm will then display a menu that allows you to exec programs
       specified in the $HOME/.w9wmrc file.  Put each command in one line.   w9wm  does  not  yet
       support args for these commands, write a one-line shell script if you need this.q

BUGS AND LIMITATIONS

       Is not completely compatible with 8-1/2.

       There is a currently a compiled-in limit of 32 hidden windows.

       Also, you cannot put more than 32 commands in your .w9wmrc file

SEE ALSO

       9term(1), 9wm(1), 9menu(1), xterm(1).

                                                                                         w9wm(1x)