Enlightenment takes a giant leap forward
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E17 and the default theme
E17 and the default theme
Here it is, the E17 up and running with the default theme. I have to admit that the default theme isn’t very exciting, but, as anyone who has used Enlightenment before knows, that can easily change. In fact, with E17 that change can now happen in a matter of seconds. There are two great places to get themes: get-e.org and e17-stuff.org. Go there and download some themes.
The Main Menu
The Main Menu
Click anywhere on the open desktop with the left mouse button to bring up the main menu. Click on the Configuration entry and then select Theme to install your newly downloaded themes.
Adding a theme
Adding a theme
I have downloaded two themes (Blue Theme and Smoke). I am going to switch to the Blue Theme. Select your theme of choice and click OK to install the new theme.
The Blue Pill, er, theme
The Blue Pill, er, theme
Ah, that’s better. Now we can go about this gallery in real style. One of the nice things about E17 theming is that a theme covers everything – from colors, to styles, to wallpaper. It’s a one-click route to redoing your entire desktop. And another very cool thing is that E17 includes animated wallpapers. Now that is something to brag about! Now let’s take a look around.
A newer, prettier Main Menu
A newer, prettier Main Menu
This is the main menu. As you can see it’s pretty standard fare for a desktop menu. The nice thing about Enlightenment (and happily something that transferred over to E17) is that you can left-click the open desktop and bring up this menu.
Adding a gadget
Adding a gadget
To add gadgets to a shelf you simply right-click the shelf and select Shelf | Configure Shelf Contents.
Which gadget to add?
Which gadget to add?
To add a gadget to the shelf, you highlight said gadget (in the left pane) and click Add Gadget. To remove a gadget from a shelf, you highlight the gadget (in the right pane) and click Remove Gadget. As E17 moves forward, more gadgets will become available.
Another shelf?
Another shelf?
Let’s say you want another shelf to hold something particular. Say, for instance, you want your clock to be up on the top or you like your desktop to resemble good ol’ OS X. To do this, click on the main menu and then select Configuration | Shelves. Once here, click Add to add another shelf to the desktop.
New shelf, wrong place
New shelf, wrong place
Our new shelf is here, but it’s placed at the bottom right corner. To change that, right-click the new shelf and then select shelf 2 | Shelf Configuration.
Basic shelf configuration
Basic shelf configuration
You are greeted with the basic shelf configuration. From this screen you can do three things: Configure the size of the shelf, configure the contents of the shelf, or go to Advanced Configuration. Let’s go to advanced configuration.
Advanced shelf configuration
Advanced shelf configuration
Now we’re talking! It should be pretty obvious how to configure this shelf to appear and behave like the top menu bar in OS X.
Move/Resize gadgets
Move/Resize gadgets
Before it’s complete, we have to move some of the gadgets around on the shelf. To do this, right-click the gadget and select begin move/resize this gadget.
Did someone say OS X?
Did someone say OS X?
And there you have it…an OS X-like E17 desktop. But wait – you’re not perfectly happy with this look? Go back to Advanced Shelf Configuration and make a few tweaks…one up OS X.
The disappearing shelf
The disappearing shelf
One cool configuration for the shelves is that you can make them “invisible.” This removes the shelf image (or color) and leaves only the icons or gadgets remaining. And unlike GNOME, E17 does it without leaving behind any traces of a shelf.
The Rain module
The Rain module
When it rains it pours. Although you can’t tell from a static screen shot, the rain drops are elegantly falling from the sky.
Main configuration
Main configuration
The main configuration of E17 is done from the Enlightenment Configuration window. You get to this, as you’ve already figured out, by clicking the main menu and selecting Configuration | Configuration Panel. In this panel you take care of everything. As you click on each item in the left pane, related items will appear in the right pane.
Drop shadow
Drop shadow
From the Appearance category you can configure the desktop drop shadow properties. The difference between High Quality and Medium Quality is not very noticeable.
Resolution configuration
Resolution configuration
One of the nicest additions is the ability to change screen resolution quickly and simply. From Main Configuration click on the Screen option and then the Resolution option. From there you can choose all of the available resolutions to your setup. Make sure you click “Restore at Login,” otherwise you’ll have to reconfigure it every time you log out.
Favorites Menu
Favorites Menu
The Favorites Menu is a way to have all of your most used applications at the click of your mouse. The Favorites Menu is the first entry in the main menu or you can quickly access it by clicking the right mouse button. To add items to this menu you need to click on the Menus entry from within Main Configuration and then click Favorites Menu. Within the Favorites configuration you simply highlight an application and then add it to the menu.
Adding launchers
Adding launchers
Adding launchers to the iBar (on the Shelf) is just as easy. Go back to the Main Configuration, click Applications, and then click iBar Applications. Like most other configurations, it’s just a matter of highlighting the application and clicking Add.
Window List
Window List
If you don’t want to add the iBox to your shelf (to keep it clean) and you’re worried that you won’t be able to get to your minimized applications, never fear. To get your applications back simply click the middle mouse button (the scroll wheel in most cases) and you’ll see the window list menu. Select the application you want and it will reappear.
File browser
File browser
E17 comes with it’s own file browser. It’s not the most robust browser but it’s light and fast. To access the file browser, click on the Main Menu and select Files. As you click on a new directory a new window will open. If you click on a file type for the first time you will get a dialog asking you how to open the file. Or you can right click the file and select Open With.
Logout
Logout
Finally, the system menu allows you to lock your screen, suspend, hibernate, reboot, shutdown, or log out. I am surprised that there’s no way to add a logout button to a shelf — maybe in the near future. Of course, why would you ever want to log out of your E17 session? I don’t know!
