Compiz nutzt eine komplette Hardwarebeschleunigung, das bedeutet, Fenster werden in Texturen verwandelt und direkt auf der Grafikkarte zum sichtbaren Desktop zusammengesetzt. Das Verschieben eines Fensters wird so fast komplett von der Grafikkarte übernommen, indem eine Textur verschoben wird. Dadurch wird der Prozessor stark entlastet. Gleichzeitig können die Funktionen der Grafikkarte genutzt werden, um die Texturen zu manipulieren. So kann man beispielsweise näher an ein Fenster heranzoomen, hat also eine eingebaute Bildschirmlupe.
Die Hardwarebeschleunigung macht auch die vielen Effekte möglich, die Compiz so bekannt machen. Beispielsweise können sich die Texturen beim Verschieben verformen, zu einem dreidimensionalen Würfel zusammengesetzt werden oder beim Schließen eines Fensters verbrennen.
First of all, I don't run Compiz because I see it as no more than a resource-wasting annoyance. Sure, it looks cool, but it doesn't help me with productivity in any way. Secondly, I keep multiple windows open at all times, so I rarely see my desktop and it was good to see that GNOME shell includes a window switcher which can be accessed with the traditional Alt Tab hotkeys. Finally, my system isn't a high-end system. I build my computers because it allows me to pick and choose hardware that I already know works with GNU/Linux. GNU/Linux, if you know what you're doing, doesn't need the latest and greatest hardware.
Openbox doesn't come with a taskbar. Installing PyPanel gives us a clock and system tray and allows us to see what programs are running. Several programs provide similar functionality -- see the sidebar for some of them.
PyPanel uses few resources and is easy to configure, making it a good starting place. Its only down side is that it doesn't provide notification. If someone IMs you while another window has focus, PyPanel won't notify you by flashing the window's icon like other panels do.
Configure PyPanel by opening ~/.pypanelrc in a text editor. Change colors by adjusting the hex values if you like, then set the width and height. Try the following:
P_LOCATION = 1 P_WIDTH = 0 P_START = 0 P_SPACER = 6 P_HEIGHT = 14 I_HEIGHT = 10 I_WIDTH = 10 APPL_I_HEIGHT = 14 APPL_I_WIDTH = 14 TRAY_I_HEIGHT = 14 TRAY_I_WIDTH = 0
Reducing the font size to 6 points helps, but pushes the limits of readability:
FONT = "bitstream vera sans-6"
Other options are easily configurable. Read the comments, back up the default, and experiment. Restart PyPanel to see your changes. When you're finished, restart Pidgin and nm-applet, the network manager; PyPanel takes applications in the tray down with it when it closes.
Summary