# Pydesks.py Manpage

`Pydesks` is a simple extension that allows you to maintain a mnemonic mapping for desktop numbers, and to quickly switch between desktops. It is reminiscent of Ctwm's desktop pager. Those who use multiple desktops, each of a single 1x1 page, may find this succinct interface useful. It takes up much less screen real-estate than the standard `FvwmPager`.

Note that `Pydesks` requires that you have Tkinter installed in your Python interpreter, either as a static or dynamic module.

## Synposis

### Configuration File Options

`Pydesks` understands the following configuration options (in your `fvwmrc` file):

`*PydesksDesk NAME NUMBER`
  A desk mapping description. `Pydesks` will associate the NAME with the desk NUMBER. All desk mappings will be presented in a vertical radio button, in the order they are found in your configuration file.
`*PydesksAutoGrow`
  If present, `Pydesks` will automatically grow the radio button list when Fvwm changes to a desk number not contained in the `*PydesksDesk` mappings. It will name the new desk Desk N where N is the new desk number.
`*PydesksFvwmPagerKludge`
  If present, `Pydesks` will ignore Desk 10000 commands. These are generated by `FvwmPager` to work around a timing problem which is caused by the lack of a single function that changes both the desk and the page. Without this option, you will see Desk 10000 appear in the radio buttons when also using `FvwmPager`.
`*PydesksGeometry GEOM`
  Assigns the top level window the specified X geometry.

### Operation

When you start `Pydesks` a small window will pop up containing a vertical bank of radio buttons. Each button will contain the name of a desk defined in your desk number to desk name mappings. By clicking on a button, Fvwm will switch to the specified desk. When switched to a known desk by other means (e.g. via `FvwmPager`), the current desk's radio button will be selected. If the desk is not part of the current mappings, a radio button may be added for the new desk, depending on the presence of the `PydesksAutoGrow` flag.

Hitting `Alt-q` over the radio button window will cause `Pydesks` to exit.

## Bugs

The geometry isn't always maintained when automatically grown.

It would be nice to completely reproduce `FvwmPager`.

It would be nice if you could interactively edit the desk mappings, deleting, renaming, adding desks, etc., and have them automatically rewritten back to your `fvwmrc` configuration file.

Last modified: Thu Dec 19 19:22:29 EST
© 1996 Barry A. Warsaw