XSETROOT(1)                    X Version 11                     XSETROOT(1)

                                  Release 4



 NAME
      xsetroot - root window parameter setting utility for X

 SYNOPSIS
      xsetroot [-help] [-def] [-display display] [-cursor cursorfile
      maskfile] [-cursor_name cursorname] [-bitmap filename] [-mod x y] [-
      gray] [-grey] [-fg color] [-bg color] [-rv] [-solid color] [-name
      string]

 DESCRIPTION
      The setroot program allows you to tailor the appearance of the
      background ("root") window on a workstation display running X.
      Normally, you experiment with xsetroot until you find a personalized
      look that you like, then put the xsetroot command that produces it
      into your X startup file.  If no options are specified, or if -def is
      specified, the window is reset to its default state.  The -def option
      can be specified along with other options and only the non-specified
      characteristics will be reset to the default state.

      Only one of the background color/tiling changing options (-solid,
      -gray, -grey, -bitmap, and -mod) may be specified at a time.

 OPTIONS
      The various options are as follows:

      -help
           Print a usage message and exit.

      -def Reset unspecified attributes to the default values.  (Restores
           the background to the familiar gray mesh and the cursor to the
           hollow x shape.)

      -cursor cursorfile maskfile
           This lets you change the pointer cursor to whatever you want when
           the pointer cursor is outside of any window.  Cursor and mask
           files are bitmaps (little pictures), and can be made with the
           bitmap(1) program.  You probably want the mask file to be all
           black until you get used to the way masks work.

      -cursor_name cursorname
           This lets you change the pointer cursor to one of the standard
           cursors from the cursor font.  Refer to appendix B of the X
           protocol for the names (except that the XC_ prefix is elided for
           this option).

      -bitmap filename
           Use the bitmap specified in the file to set the window pattern.
           You can make your own bitmap files (little pictures) using the
           bitmap(1) program.  The entire background will be made up of
           repeated "tiles" of the bitmap.



 Hewlett-Packard Company            - 1 -        X11 Release 4 November 1991

 XSETROOT(1)                    X Version 11                     XSETROOT(1)

                                  Release 4



      -mod x y
           This is used if you want a plaid-like grid pattern on your
           screen.  x and y are integers ranging from 1 to 16.  Try the
           different combinations.  Zero and negative numbers are taken as
           1.

      -gray
           Make the entire background gray.  (Easier on the eyes.)

      -grey
           Make the entire background grey.

      -fg color
           Use ``color'' as the foreground color.  Foreground and background
           colors are meaningful only in combination with -cursor, -bitmap,
           or -mod.

      -bg color
           Use ``color'' as the background color.

      -rv  This exchanges the foreground and background colors.  Normally
           the foreground color is black and the background color is white.

      -solid color
           This sets the background of the root window to the specified
           color.  This option is only useful on color servers.

      -name string
           Set the name of the root window to ``string''.  There is no
           default value.  Usually a name is assigned to a window so that
           the window manager can use a text representation when the window
           is iconified.  This option is unused since you can't iconify the
           background.

      -display display
           Specifies the server to connect to; see X(1).

 SEE ALSO
      X(1), xset(1), xrdb(1)

 COPYRIGHT
      Copyright 1988, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
      See X(1) for a full statement of rights and permissions.

 AUTHOR
      Mark Lillibridge, MIT Project Athena







 Hewlett-Packard Company            - 2 -        X11 Release 4 November 1991