• From: Kowloon
  • Registered: 2011-10-13
  • Posts: 407

Topic: Netbook environment with no trackpad (mouse)

Hi, I have broken my Acer netbook's trackpad. So initially the only solution I can think of is to use an USB mouse to move things around. But that kind of defeat the point of having my netbook.

So I am wondering, should I do a minimum Debian install and don't bother to have X installed. Or is there any good WM out there that doesn't really need to use a mouse at all.

Also for web browsing and other apps. What should I replace for this environment?

Web Browsing: Currently I use Chromium, and it is such a pain to use without a mouse. I tried elinks, links, w3m, but they are really the last result.

Music: Thanks to the #! wise ones, I am now using MOC. So no problem there.

Video: I use VLC, not much to configure to watch a movie, so no need to change.

Newsreader: I am using RSSOwl, So I need a replacement, which I can use in console, or better keyboard support.

Editor: I use nano and sometime vim, so no need to change either.

Email: I am currently using IceDove, again not good without a mouse. So is there any other email client apart from Mutt?

And all other stuff I can do in console anyway, so no problem.

Any advise on what I should consider to use?

Thanks in advance,

KB

Last edited by kowloonboy (2012-01-04 16:38:07)

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  • pvsage
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  • From: Section Six
  • Registered: 2009-10-18
  • Posts: 6,003

Re: Netbook environment with no trackpad (mouse)

For web browsing, you might want to look into Iceweasel/Firefox with the Vimperator plugin; I've never used it, but it seems people with Vim experience love it for mouseless browsing.

You might also want to look into the Ratpoison window manager.

while ( ! ( succeed = try() ) );
  • Registered: 2009-02-28
  • Posts: 313

Re: Netbook environment with no trackpad (mouse)

The only browser(not console based) I could think of that can be somewhat usable without a mouse is uzbl.
As a wm most of the tilers should do the job, ratpoison hardly has any mouse support anyway as far as I know.

No idea on the email client, use  web based one! wink
What do you not like about Mutt?

Slackware | SalixOS
  • Registered: 2011-03-09
  • Posts: 3,225

Re: Netbook environment with no trackpad (mouse)

^ for email indeed, either use Gmail which has pretty good keyboard-support from what i've read, or just use mutt which is, afaik, the go-to CLI email-client on Linux.

bash :: @script :: system :: fclean
  • Registered: 2008-11-24
  • Posts: 2,086

Re: Netbook environment with no trackpad (mouse)

Ratpoison and vimperator works great. smile If you are looking for pre-config then check out Salix Ratpoison Edition (but it's also easy enough to install Ratpoison in #! or your favorite distro).

  • Registered: 2011-10-17
  • Posts: 372

Re: Netbook environment with no trackpad (mouse)

@Email: Try alpine. It's not as feature ritch as mutt but a lot easier to configure and use.
@Newsreader: Try canto, it's imo almost perfect.

'Multiple exclamation marks,' he went on, shaking his head, 'are a sure sign of a diseased mind.', {Eric}
  • From: inside Ed
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,866

Re: Netbook environment with no trackpad (mouse)

+1 for Ratpoison. It doesn't support the mouse at all.

LVM | Catalyst | Wireless
  • Registered: 2009-11-03
  • Posts: 2,005

Re: Netbook environment with no trackpad (mouse)

I'll second @snowpine on Salix Ratpoison.

Window Manager;
Ratpoison's obviously the number one candidate, as others have mentioned. It's a lean, mean vermin-busting machine. Install and configure it, then make a sticker of the logo and paste it over your dead touchpad (it reduces chances of theft as well). Other candidates would be tiling WMs. Most can be driven without mouse interference. You could also opt for a stacking/floating WM that allows you to move and resize windows via keybindings (Cwm and EvilWM are the first that come to mind for me here).

Vimprobable Vimperator/Pentadactyl for browsing, or Uzbl or Jumanji.

Snownews or Newsbeuter for newsfeeds..... never tried canto, though.

I think you have the rest covered.

Point & Squirt
  • Registered: 2008-11-24
  • Posts: 2,086

Re: Netbook environment with no trackpad (mouse)

To be clear, Ratpoison "supports" the mouse just fine; it just doesn't "require" it. smile

  • pvsage
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  • From: Section Six
  • Registered: 2009-10-18
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Re: Netbook environment with no trackpad (mouse)

From the Ratpoison apt description:

Description: keyboard-only window manager
ratpoison is a simple window manager with no fancy graphics, no window decorations, and no
rodent dependence. It is largely modelled after GNU Screen.

(bold added for emphasis)

while ( ! ( succeed = try() ) );
  • Registered: 2009-11-03
  • Posts: 2,005

Re: Netbook environment with no trackpad (mouse)

^Some distros do carry patched versions of Ratpoison with mouse support. You'll know the moment you fire it up. Patched version shows a pointer arrow, wile unpatched versions give you a X in it's place..... unless things have changed from my last Ratpoison experience.

Point & Squirt
  • Registered: 2008-11-24
  • Posts: 2,086

Re: Netbook environment with no trackpad (mouse)

The Ratpoison in Debian Squeeze (and therefore CrunchBang Statler) repos supports the mouse if you need it.

  • pvsage
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  • Registered: 2009-10-18
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Re: Netbook environment with no trackpad (mouse)

Oh, I just wanted to emphasize the absence of rodent dependence, as opposed to support.

For what it's worth, as long as I don't need to move or resize windows, I can even get along in Openbox fairly easily without playing with my rodent. tongue lol

while ( ! ( succeed = try() ) );
  • From: Kowloon
  • Registered: 2011-10-13
  • Posts: 407

Re: Netbook environment with no trackpad (mouse)

Thanks I will have a play on the suggested solutions. smile

Cheers,

KB

Edit: Found this link which is also quite helpful

http://crunchbanglinux.org/forums/topic … y-machine/

Last edited by kowloonboy (2012-01-06 20:27:37)

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