Re: cygwin as a replacement for explorer.exe

[Igor Pechtchanski <pechtcha at cs dot nyu dot edu>]

On Sat, 9 Aug 2003, Sal wrote:

> Is it possible to use Cygwin and it's respective X server as a replacement
> shell for explorer.exe?
>
> Sal

I think you're asking multiple questions at once here.  I'll try to answer
some of them:

FYI, I use Cygwin (bash) as a replacement for the Explorer file manager,
for things like getting directory listings, launching programs (using
Windows associations too, with "cygstart"), and keeping track of processes
(even Windows ones, using "ps -W").  It's adequate for most of my daily
needs.

If you want a graphical file manager, take a look at the KDE for Cygwin
suite of tools.  You can get more information on that by asking on the
cygwin-xfree list.

If you're asking whether you can replace the Explorer desktop, taskbar,
and window manager with Cygwin tools/programs, I'm not sure if it's
possible (and don't see the point in doing it).  It's unlikely that you
could use Cygwin tools to keep track of Windows programs and switch to and
from them.  In fact, the Cygwin/XFree86 X server project is moving towards
using the "multiwindow"  mode, which is nothing more than Explorer
managing the various windows.  Again, more information on this (and
anything X-related) is available on the cygwin-xfree list.
	Igor
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