Updated 1999-06-16
 
 
 
 
 
  Scott Oaks   OLVWM

OLVWM -- An OPEN LOOK Virtual Window Manager

olvwm is the Open Look Virtual Window manager. Based on release 3.2 of Sun's olwm window manager, olvwm allows you to manage a virtual desktop much larger than your screen. olvwm works on any X11R5 or X11R6 system, though it does require the OPEN LOOK libraries. 

Current Releases 

The current release of olvwm is version 4.5. Version 4.5 can only be built from the complete source. Version 4.5 was made available on September 22, 2003.

Previous versions are available:

Solaris 2.x/Solaris 8 binary (version 4.5)

Click here to see the olvwm man page. 

OLVWM FAQ 

  • I can't apply the patches using the Solaris patch utility. What do I do?
  • Is OLVWM Y2K compliant?
  • How do I run OLVWM instead of that abominable CDE?
  • Where do I get the olgx (OPEN LOOK graphics) libraries?

    • I can't apply the patches using the Solaris patch utlity. What do I do?

      The version of patch that ships with Solaris is about 10 years old. It's basically worthless. You need to get a newer version of patch. One place to get it is here.

    Is OLVWM Y2K compliant?

    I believe that OLVWM is Y2K compliant, but I've never subjected it to testing. I'm sure that there are other, more pressing, bugs in olvwm, just as I'm sure that there are other, more pressing, bugs in every other piece of software in the world.

    How do I run OLVWM instead of that abominable CDE?

      The simplest way is usually to edit your .xinitrc file and start olvwm from there. Your configuration will vary, but on Solaris systems, copy /usr/openwin/lib/Xinitrc to $HOME/.xinitrc; edit .xinitrc and change olwm to olvwm. The from the initial login screen, make sure to select OPENWINDOWS instead of CDE.
      Note that if you set OW_WINDOW_MANAGER in your .login or .profile that that setting will be ignored unless you put the following line 
          DTSOURCEPROFILE=true
      into your .dtprofile file. Copy /usr/dt/config/sys.dtprofile to $HOME/.dtprofile and follow the directions in that file. 

    Where do I find the olgx (OPEN LOOK graphics) library?

      That library is part of Sun's XView distribution. On Solaris systems, it will be in /usr/openwin/lib; if it isn't, make sure to install the OPEN LOOK packages (including the OPEN LOOK include and OPEN LOOK runtime packages). On other systems, you will need to get and compile the XView distribution from X.org

           
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