This is O.K.,-How-do-I..... in view mode; [Up]
Date: Sun 18-Dec-1991 15:10:04 From: lee@nuchat.sccsi.com (Bill Lee) Subject: O.K., How do I..... Here're a couple of questions. First, some background. My exposure to the NeXT is relatively new. I have access to a Colorstation 16/400. My background is many years in "classical" UNIX workstations using X and MOTIF. 1. How does one go about setting the defaults for such things as the root window pattern? I have used the Scene demo program, and I can set the root window to a (colored) pattern, but the pattern is not persistent across system re-boots. In the X world, I could put CLI commands in the X initiation file (.xinitrc if I remember properly) that would set the root pattern for me. How do I do a similar thing, either at boot time or at login time? 2. In the X world, I had control of the colors, etc., of the window decorations. (For those who may not remember, the decorations are the header, borders, etc.) I feel that the NeXT Colorstation is somehow diminished by always portraying a gray face, kind of like having a Ferrari with bicycle tires. I am very proud of the system, but when you try to show it off, the gray- scale images are kind of ho-hum. In the X machines, I found that a solid black root window with colored decorations made the windows seem to jump out of the screen. It made for very pleasant interraction. Similarly, how can I control the contents of the header? I would like to be able to name windows, put information (e.g., current working directory in a Terminal window) there. 3. Is there any way I can tell the system "Take the focus with the cursor"? I am quite used to this mode of operation and find (even after a couple of months of use) that the NeXT's click-to-focus mode is unnatural for me. 4. Is there any way to tell the system "Take the focus, but DON'T raise the window to the top"? Often, I will be working in a window and wish to do an operation in a second, but I don't wish to lose the view of the first. Again, in the X world, this is a user option. 5. I am surprised that the supplied fonts on the NeXT are so limited! Most "normal" PostScript printers have 35+ fonts built-in. I have examined several (QMS PS410, 810, LaserWriter IINT, IBM Personal whatever, and so on) and all have a reasonable minimum of fonts. Now that I have a NeXT, I am dismayed by the LACK of "standard" fonts. As an example, NewCenturySchlbk. I have many documents which use that font, and I get ugly courier or something else instead. Any suggestions? 6. Any way to "colorize" the gray icons? Please, no flames. I am quite pleased with the NeXT, and am enjoying its use. I'm just looking for ways to make my use of a superior machine better. Thanks, Bill Lee
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