multiple desktops with Precise 5.7 (SOLVED)

[titus]

Hello,
I've just upgraded from Precise 5.6 to 5.7.1 (full installation).
I'm unable to create multiple desktops in the tray. I use the GUI to request one row, three columns, click OK and restart X but no extra desktops appear.
It worked fine in 5.6, am I missing something?
Things have changed. My tray has now shrunk to approximately 25% of screen width while remaining the same height. I can't get it back.
I've also noticed that some websites seem to think I've got an American keyboard (not this one, look, @ and £).
Aaand, Abiword, in spite of being set to English still underlines words spelt in English, apparently wanting them written in American.
I think I'll try a fresh download of 5.7 and start again (or go back to 5.6)

[musher0]

Hi titus.

I occasionally use Precise 5.7.1-retro and it's working ok on my PC.
(I usually use wary 5.5.)

About your multiple desktop display, sometimes the GUI doesn't respond
as it should, and you have to do some manual editing.

You may wish to replace the existing "paragraph" in file "jwmrc-personal",
which is in /root/.jwm, with this one:

Code: Select all

<!-- Number of virtual desktops -->
<!-- <Desktops count="3"/> -->
<Desktops width="3" height="1"/>

(This "paragraph" should be at the very top of said file.)
The line above means 3 desktops represented on a single line in the jwm tray.

If you wanted 4 desktops represented on 2 lines, you'd modify it to:

Code: Select all

<Desktops width="2" height="2"/>

If you wanted 2 desktops represented on 1 line, you'd modify it to:

Code: Select all

<Desktops width="2" height="1"/>

If you wanted 3 desktops represented in a vertical pile, you'd modify it to:

Code: Select all

<Desktops width="1" height="3"/>

I'm sure you can deduce other combinations that you'd need from these examples.

If restarting from the menu doesn't seem to work, try going back to the
initial black console with Ctrl-Alt-Backspace, and typing

Code: Select all

xwin jwm

I hope this helps. TWYL.

musher0

[titus]

Thanks musher0,

Your reply solved it. I didn't write to the .jwmrc-tray file, I simply removed it and replaced it with the similar file from my 5.6 version. Works perfectly.
I always back up completely to another drive on the same PC so apart from my personal files I also have the important system files available.
Every time I upgrade or change versions I find myself rooting about for bits and pieces to get the new set-up to work. I just forgot to try it this time.
I'll mark this a solved and re-post about my weird Americanisation of the keyboard.
Thanks again.
Titus.

[musher0]

That's great! My pleasure!