XGL Screenshots

XGL Screenshot 1

Originally uploaded by okiegeek.

That’s my blog on the left, and Gmail on the right, each in one of Linux’s multiple desktops. Hold Ctrl and Alt, left click and drag right or left to change desktops with 3D acceleration.

xgl_desktop2

Transparent windows. Each window’s transparency can be adjusted on the fly. You can also make windows become transparent when moving them on screen.

xgl_desktop3

Similar to Apple’s F9 command, a user-defined hotkey will shrink all onscreen windows and display them so you can easily navigate from one window to another. Very handy when you have multiple windows buried on your desktop.

xgl_desktop4
Not a “productivity booster,” but interesting all the same. OpenGL and 3-D hardware can produce some interesting results. This is a window that’s being moved onscreen.

(UPDATE) XGL on OpenSUSE

Let me start out by saying this: So-called “non-destructive” partitioning software is anything but non-destructive.

After watching the latest episode of Digital Life TV, I downloaded and burned the GParted live linux distro because it was recommended as being one of the best non-destructive partition editing solutions out there (and it’s free!)

When I had installed OpenSuSE, the default “idiot proof” partitioning scheme made my root partition to be right at 5 gigs. After installing both Gnome AND KDE for desktop environments, I was pushing 94% of the disk capacity. So, I tried booting from GParted to shrink my home partition and increase my root partition.

First, I shrunk the home partition. Then, I tried to take the unallocated space produced from shrinking the home partition and add it to the root partition. Nope, didn’t work. So, I exit out of GParted, and boot back into OpenSuSE, only to find that all of the title bars have disappeared from all of my windows and apps. :::sigh::: So, I reinstalled everything from scratch, including XGL. Much easier the second time around. I even used the links from the linkdump at this blog’s previous entry to navigate to my info sources, so I’m sure they’ll work for you too. One thing, though. When you install OpenSuSE, make sure you install the kernel development. You’ll need it for installing the nVidia drivers.