ROX Desktop
Encyclopedia
The ROX Desktop is a graphical desktop environment
for the X Window System
. It is based on the ROX-Filer which is a drag and drop spatial file manager
. It is free software
released under the GNU General Public License
. The environment was inspired by the user interface of RISC OS
. Programs can be installed or removed easily using Zero Install
.
based on the ROX-Filer file manager
. Files are loaded by dragging them to an application from the filer, and saved by dragging back to the filer. Applications are executable directories
, and are thus also installed
(copied), uninstalled (deleted), and run through the filer interface. ROX has a strong link with Zero Install
, a method of identifying and executing programs via a URL, to make software installation completely automatic.
It is inspired by the user interface of RISC OS
(not to be confused with RISC/os
). The name "ROX" comes from "RISC OS on X
". The project was started by Thomas Leonard as a student at University of Southampton
in 1999 and is still led by him in 2009.
The desktop uses the GTK+
toolkit, like the GNOME
and Xfce
desktops. The design focuses on small, simple programs using drag-and-drop to move data between them. For example, a user might load a compressed file into a spreadsheet from the web by dragging the data from the web browser to the archiver, and from there into the spreadsheet. A program would be installed in the same way, by dragging the archive from the web to the archiver, and from there to the applications directory in the filer.
Drag-and-drop saving allows the user to save the text file to any directory they please, or directly to another application, such as the archiver on the panel.
for the X Window System
. It can be used on its own as a file manager, or can be used as part of ROX Desktop. It is the file manager provided by default in certain Linux distribution
s such as Puppy Linux
and Dyne:bolic
, and was used in Xubuntu
until Thunar
became stable.
ROX-Filer is built using the GTK+
toolkit. Available under the terms of the GNU General Public License, ROX-Filer is free software.
Desktop environment
In graphical computing, a desktop environment commonly refers to a style of graphical user interface derived from the desktop metaphor that is seen on most modern personal computers. These GUIs help the user in easily accessing, configuring, and modifying many important and frequently accessed...
for the X Window System
X Window System
The X window system is a computer software system and network protocol that provides a basis for graphical user interfaces and rich input device capability for networked computers...
. It is based on the ROX-Filer which is a drag and drop spatial file manager
Spatial file manager
In computing, a spatial file manager is a file manager that uses a spatial metaphor to represent files and folders as if they are real physical objects.-Concepts:The base requirements of a spatial file manager are:...
. It is free software
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
released under the GNU General Public License
GNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
. The environment was inspired by the user interface of RISC OS
RISC OS
RISC OS is a computer operating system originally developed by Acorn Computers Ltd in Cambridge, England for their range of desktop computers, based on their own ARM architecture. First released in 1987, under the name Arthur, the subsequent iteration was renamed as in 1988...
. Programs can be installed or removed easily using Zero Install
Zero Install
Zero Install is a means of distributing and packaging software for multiple operating systems . Many distributions offer it as an additional non-default component.- Design :...
.
The desktop
The ROX Desktop is a desktop environmentDesktop environment
In graphical computing, a desktop environment commonly refers to a style of graphical user interface derived from the desktop metaphor that is seen on most modern personal computers. These GUIs help the user in easily accessing, configuring, and modifying many important and frequently accessed...
based on the ROX-Filer file manager
File manager
A file manager or file browser is a computer program that provides a user interface to work with file systems. The most common operations performed on files or groups of files are: create, open, edit, view, print, play, rename, move, copy, delete, search/find, and modify file attributes, properties...
. Files are loaded by dragging them to an application from the filer, and saved by dragging back to the filer. Applications are executable directories
Application directory
An application directory is a grouping of software code, help files and resources that together comprise a complete software package but are presented to the user as a single object....
, and are thus also installed
Installation (computer programs)
Installation of a program is the act of putting the program onto a computer system so that it can be executed....
(copied), uninstalled (deleted), and run through the filer interface. ROX has a strong link with Zero Install
Zero Install
Zero Install is a means of distributing and packaging software for multiple operating systems . Many distributions offer it as an additional non-default component.- Design :...
, a method of identifying and executing programs via a URL, to make software installation completely automatic.
It is inspired by the user interface of RISC OS
RISC OS
RISC OS is a computer operating system originally developed by Acorn Computers Ltd in Cambridge, England for their range of desktop computers, based on their own ARM architecture. First released in 1987, under the name Arthur, the subsequent iteration was renamed as in 1988...
(not to be confused with RISC/os
RISC/os
RISC/os was a UNIX operating system developed by MIPS Computer Systems, Inc. from 1985 to 1992 for their computer workstations and servers, such as the MIPS M/120 server or MIPS Magnum workstation. It was also known as UMIPS or MIPS OS....
). The name "ROX" comes from "RISC OS on X
X Window System
The X window system is a computer software system and network protocol that provides a basis for graphical user interfaces and rich input device capability for networked computers...
". The project was started by Thomas Leonard as a student at University of Southampton
University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed...
in 1999 and is still led by him in 2009.
The desktop uses the GTK+
GTK+
GTK+ is a cross-platform widget toolkit for creating graphical user interfaces. It is licensed under the terms of the GNU LGPL, allowing both free and proprietary software to use it. It is one of the most popular toolkits for the X Window System, along with Qt.The name GTK+ originates from GTK;...
toolkit, like the GNOME
GNOME
GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software...
and Xfce
Xfce
Xfce is a free software desktop environment for Unix and other Unix-like platforms, such as Linux, Solaris, and BSD – though recent compatibility issues have arisen with regard to BSD Unix platforms...
desktops. The design focuses on small, simple programs using drag-and-drop to move data between them. For example, a user might load a compressed file into a spreadsheet from the web by dragging the data from the web browser to the archiver, and from there into the spreadsheet. A program would be installed in the same way, by dragging the archive from the web to the archiver, and from there to the applications directory in the filer.
Drag-and-drop saving allows the user to save the text file to any directory they please, or directly to another application, such as the archiver on the panel.
ROX Filer
ROX-Filer is a graphical spatial file managerSpatial file manager
In computing, a spatial file manager is a file manager that uses a spatial metaphor to represent files and folders as if they are real physical objects.-Concepts:The base requirements of a spatial file manager are:...
for the X Window System
X Window System
The X window system is a computer software system and network protocol that provides a basis for graphical user interfaces and rich input device capability for networked computers...
. It can be used on its own as a file manager, or can be used as part of ROX Desktop. It is the file manager provided by default in certain Linux distribution
Linux distribution
A Linux distribution is a member of the family of Unix-like operating systems built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions are operating systems including a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players, and database applications...
s such as Puppy Linux
Puppy Linux
Puppy Linux is a lightweight Linux distribution that focuses on ease of use. The entire system can be run from RAM, allowing the boot medium to be removed after the operating system has started...
and Dyne:bolic
Dyne:bolic
dyne:bolic is a Live CD/DVD based on the Linux kernel with a focus on multimedia production, and is distributed with a large assortment of applications for audio and video manipulation...
, and was used in Xubuntu
Xubuntu
Xubuntu is a Canonical Ltd. recognized, community maintained derivative of the Ubuntu operating system, using the Xfce desktop environment.The name Xubuntu is a portmanteau of Xfce and Ubuntu...
until Thunar
Thunar
Thunar is a file manager for Linux and other Unix-like systems, written using the GTK+ 2 toolkit, and shipped with Xfce version 4.4 RC1 and later. Thunar is developed by Benedikt Meurer, and was originally intended to replace XFFM, Xfce's previous file manager...
became stable.
ROX-Filer is built using the GTK+
GTK+
GTK+ is a cross-platform widget toolkit for creating graphical user interfaces. It is licensed under the terms of the GNU LGPL, allowing both free and proprietary software to use it. It is one of the most popular toolkits for the X Window System, along with Qt.The name GTK+ originates from GTK;...
toolkit. Available under the terms of the GNU General Public License, ROX-Filer is free software.
See also
- Comparison of X Window System desktop environments
- Package management systemPackage management systemIn software, a package management system, also called package manager, is a collection of software tools to automate the process of installing, upgrading, configuring, and removing software packages for a computer's operating system in a consistent manner...