xsetroot(1X) xsetroot(1X)NAME xsetroot - sets X root window parameters SYNOPSIS xsetroot [-help] [-def] [-display display] [-cursor cursor-file mask-file] [-cursor_name cursor] [-bitmap file] [-mod x y] [-gray] [-grey] [-fg color] [-bg color] [-rv] [-solid color] [-name string] DESCRIPTION setroot allows you to tailor the appearance of the back- ground (root) window on a workstation display running X. Normally, you experiment with xsetroot until you find a per- sonalized look that you like, and then you put the xsetroot command that produces it into your X startup script. 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 so that only nonspecified characteristics are reset to the de- fault state. You can specify only one of the options that changes back- ground color or tiling (-solid, -gray, -grey, -bitmap, and -mod) at a time. Options The xsetroot command accepts these options: -bg color Uses color as the background color when setting at- tributes. Background color is meaningful only in combination with the -cursor, -bitmap, and -mod op- tions. -bitmap file Uses the bitmap specified in the file to set the window pattern. The entire background of the window is made up of repeated ``tiles'' of the bitmap. You can make your own bitmap files by using the bitmap(1X) command. -cursor cursor-file mask-file Lets you specify a different pointer when it is out- side any window. Cursor and mask files are bitmaps that you can make with the bitmap(1X) command. You might prefer the mask file to be all black until you are more accustomed to the manner in which masks work. -cursor_name cursor Changes the pointer to one of the standard cursors from the cursor font. Refer to Appendix B, ``Font November, 1990 1
xsetroot(1X) xsetroot(1X)Cursors,'' in Xlib - C Language Interface for cursor names. You do not need to use the XC_ prefix when specifying cursor. -def Resets unspecified attributes to the default values. This option restores the background to the familiar gray mesh and the pointer to the hollow X shape. -display display Specifies the server to connect to. See X(1X) for details. -fg color Uses color as the foreground color when setting at- tributes. Foreground color is meaningful only in combination with the -cursor, -bitmap, and -mod op- tions. -help Displays a summary of the command syntax. -gray Produces a gray background, which is easier on the eyes. -grey Is an alternate spelling for the -gray option. -mod x y Produces a plaid-like grid pattern on the screen. The x and y arguments are integers ranging from 1 to 16. Try different combinations. Zero and negative numbers are interpreted as 1. -name string Sets the name of the background window to string. There is no default value. Usually, a name is as- signed to a window so that the window manager can use a text representation when the window is iconi- fied. This option is unused because you cannot iconify the background window. -rv Exchanges the foreground and background colors. Normally, the foreground color is black and the background color is white. -solid color Sets the window color to color. NOTES Copyright 1988, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. See X(1X) for a full statement of rights and permissions. Author: Mark Lillibridge, MIT Project Athena 2 November, 1990
xsetroot(1X) xsetroot(1X)SEE ALSO X(1X), xrdb(1X), xset(1X) Appendix B, ``Font Cursors,'' in Xlib - C Lanaguage Inter- face November, 1990 3