AfterStep 1.8 FAQ: AfterStep Modules

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## 8. AfterStep Modules

## 8.1 What are AfterStep modules?

AfterStep modules are programs that work with AfterStep, but aren't required by the window manager. Commonly seen modules are the Wharf, Pager, WinList, and asetroot.

## 8.2 How can I get multiple Wharfs or Pagers?

This procedure is outlined in depth at http://www.tigr.net/afterstep/doc/MultiWharf-HOWTO.txt. Briefly:

Make a symbolic link from the Wharf binary to a new MyWharf. Edit your "wharf" configuration file so that it has *MyWharf tags similar to existing *Wharf tags. Make sure you edit the "autoexec" file if you want this new MyWharf to start with AfterStep. Also be sure to edit the "database" file so that there is a MyWharf Style exactly like the existing Wharf Style.

You can create multiple Pagers in a similar fashion.

## 8.3 Why can't I find the man page for Wharf?

Spell it "Wharf" not "wharf"

Similarly the "Pager", "WinList" and "afterstep" man pages [the key here is capitalization].

## 8.4 What is the difference between Wharf and Zharf?

The Wharf module can use pixmaps for buttons, the Zharf module can only use text.

## 8.5 How do I change the Pager's size?

There are really two questions here. Do you want to change the number of desks or views? Or do you want to change the physical geometry of Pager?

In the "base.xxbpp" file, look at DeskTopSize. This defines the number of columns of views by the number of rows (2x2 would give you 4 views in a square).

In the "pager" file, edit the *PagerGeometry tag (standard X geometry).

## 8.6 Is it possible for an application to wait for the background to get loaded?

> `

>     I put the rt [root tail] command as the last one to be executed
>     in autoexec.  So far, so good, it executes last.  But when my background
>     is loaded it covers the tailed text, until another message appears in
>     the file.  Is it possible for rt to wait for the background to get
>     loaded?

> `

It is possible. The background is displayed by the asetroot module. So, you should wait for asetroot to start before running any root window/background dependent applications (like rt or Eterm). Add the following line to your autoexec file (or check that it's there):

> `

>     Module  "I"     asetroot 0 3
>     Wait    "I"     asetroot

> `

The "Wait" line must precede the startup lines for the relevant applications (in our example, rt). By default, the "Wait" line will cause AfterStep to wait for asetroot to load all of its backgrounds for all desks.

## 8.7 How can I get rid of the desk name in my Pager?

Set *PagerDecoration NoDeskLabel in the "pager" configuration file.

## 8.8 How do I start an application on a specific desk or page?

This is defined in the "database" configuration file. There are three paramaters one can use.

- StartsOnDesk desk_number

  This one will specify the desk number that applications with this tay will start on. Don't forget that desks are numbered starting with 0.

- VeiwportX x_coord

  You can use this one to start an application on a specific page of a desk. The value should be the x coordinate of the page, relative to the top-left corner of the desk. For instance, with a screen size of 1024x768, the argument value would be "1024" in order to open an application on the second column of pages.

- ViewportY y_coord

  This does the same thing as ViewportX, but in the Y axis.

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