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IceWM is a lightweight window manager for UNIX-like systems. Although widely used, it is often underrated - there is hardly any IceWM-related content on the Internet. This article is my attempt to share my experiences as a longtime IceWM user. It contains tips and tricks, usage scenarios, and makes use of examples whenever possible to better demonstrate IceWM's features and capabilities. Finally, the article is meant for those with some familiarity with UNIX, but who are new to IceWM.
IceWM is mean to be a fast, lightweight, unobtrusive window manager. It isn't a full-fledged desktop environment like, for instance KDE, GNOME, CDE or XFce. See Appendix A at the end of the article for the difference between a Window Manager and a Desktop Enviroment. The IceWM interface looks a lot like a simple Windows 95 default desktop. So even for those of you new to UNIX, IceWM won't be too difficult to start using. It can be extensively themed too, to resemble Windows NT, XP, MacOS 9 and OS X. So if you're a recent convert to Linux, and don't want (or can't afford) the full-fledged capabilities of KDE or GNOME, IceWM is for you. Just theme it to look like your old OS! No wonder it's also known as the "impersonator". IceWM is also for the UNIX gurus out there. Being fairly minimalistic, you can use it simply as a means to manage the dozens of terminal windows you'll have open. Another reason that experienced Linux/UNIX 'power users' will like IceWM is that it's extremely unobtrusive. Once you've got it customised the way you want it, you won't notice it. Quite a difference from Windows XP's irritating popup messages and ubiquitious branding. It's like XP's constantly hammering into your brain - "You're Using Microsoft Windows XP And You Better Not Forget It"! Unfortunately, neither GNOME nor KDE are much better - think of all the applications which begin with 'K' or 'G'! IceWM, on the other hand, accomplishes the one thing that is essential for an effective window manager - it makes you forget about its existence. Finally, IceWM is remarkably flexible, while remaining simple to configure. All of IceWM's features can be configured via five plaintext configuration files, all of which but one are usually under 25 lines in length. While there are graphical tools for configuring IceWM, I find them very inadequate, and almost everyone will find it easier to edit the files by hand. Well, enough of an introduction to IceWM. Let's get down to the specifics. First, the obligatory download-and-install procedure. Read more at OSNews |
Tips and Tricks 
