AfterStep is a stacking window manager for the X Window System

X Window System

The X window system is a computer software system and network protocol that provides a basis for graphical user interfaces and rich input device capability for networked computers...

. The goal of AfterStep's development is to provide for flexibility of desktop configuration, improved aesthetics and efficient use of system resources, and was used in such distributions as MachTen

MachTen

MachTen is a Unix-like operating system from Tenon Intersystems that runs as an application program on Apple Macintosh computers running Mac OS....

. AfterStep originally was a variant of FVWM

FVWM

The F Virtual Window Manager is a virtual window manager for the X Window System. Originally a twm derivative, FVWM has evolved into a powerful and highly configurable environment for Unix-like systems.- History:...

 modified to resemble NeXTSTEP

NEXTSTEP

NeXTSTEP was the object-oriented, multitasking operating system developed by NeXT Computer to run on its range of proprietary workstation computers, such as the NeXTcube...

, but as the development cycle progressed, it diverged from its FVWM roots.

Features

Features of the AfterStep window manager include:

• Stacking windows
• Written in C
• Window decorations include borders and titlebars
• Titlebars have buttons for menu, minimize, maximize and close
• Active applications can be displayed in a taskbar via the winlist module
• Uses the GTK+
  GTK+
  GTK+ is a cross-platform widget toolkit for creating graphical user interfaces. It is licensed under the terms of the GNU LGPL, allowing both free and proprietary software to use it. It is one of the most popular toolkits for the X Window System, along with Qt.The name GTK+ originates from GTK;...
  
   toolkit
• Support for modules
• Support for multiple desktops
• Desktop switching via a pager
  Pager (GUI)
  A pager is a graphical user interface feature provided by some desktop environments, mostly on the Unix and Linux platforms. It takes the form of an onscreen window or a gadget in the taskbar or panel displaying the user's virtual desktop and providing a way to switch among desktop areas or...
  
   module
• Dependent on Perl
  Perl
  Perl is a high-level, general-purpose, interpreted, dynamic programming language. Perl was originally developed by Larry Wall in 1987 as a general-purpose Unix scripting language to make report processing easier. Since then, it has undergone many changes and revisions and become widely popular...
  
   and ImageMagick
  ImageMagick
  ImageMagick is an open source software suite for displaying, converting, and editing raster image files. It can read and write over 100 image file formats. ImageMagick is licensed under the Apache 2.0 license.- Features and capabilities:...
  
  

Modules

AfterStep includes several modules such as:

• Pager - a visual tool for managing and cycling between multiple desktops
• WinList - a simple Taskbar
  Taskbar
  In computing, a taskbar is a bar displayed on a full edge of a GUI desktop that is used to launch and monitor running applications. Microsoft incorporated a taskbar in Windows 95 and it has been a defining aspect of Microsoft Windows's graphical user interface ever since. Some desktop environments,...
  
   displaying active applications
• Wharf - docking
  Dock (computing)
  The Dock is a prominent feature of the graphical user interface of the Mac OS X operating system. It is used to launch applications and switch between running applications...
  
   tool that manages Applet
  Applet
  In computing, an applet is any small application that performs one specific task that runs within the scope of a larger program, often as a plug-in. An applet typically also refers to Java applets, i.e., programs written in the Java programming language that are included in a web page...
  
  s/Dockapps
  Dockapps
  Dockapps, or docked applications are computer programs which appear to reside inside an icon rather than a window in graphical computer systems, normally in a part of the user interface known as the dock...
  
   and launches application.

AfterStep also supports virtual screens, and relies on a set of text-based configuration files for customizing its appearance.

AfterStep is maintained by a small community of developers with Sasha Vasko serving as project manager.

External links

• Official website
• AfterWiki Main Page
• AfterStep Applets
• Window Manager for X: AfterStep
• Rob's AfterStep Page
• AfterStep 1.3.1 article by Guylhem Aznar in Linux Journal