Openbox

What does Openbox mean?

Openbox refers to a window manager used in Desktop environments. A window manager is a core component responsible for managing the display and arrangement of Windows on a graphical user interface (GUI). Openbox is known for its simplicity, resource efficiency, and adherence to the X Window System Design principles.

At its core, Openbox is a minimalist and highly configurable tool. It provides basic functionality for window management, such as resizing, moving, and minimizing windows. Openbox follows the Fluxbox window manager’s design philosophy, prioritizing speed, efficiency, and a clean interface. Unlike other window managers that incorporate many features, Openbox focuses on providing a stable and responsive window management experience, leaving customization and advanced functionality to external applications or user-defined configurations.

Applications

Openbox finds widespread use among Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. It is particularly popular in lightweight desktop environments and is often paired with graphical server software like X.Org and Wayland. Openbox’s modest resource consumption and straightforward design make it an ideal choice for older systems or resource-constrained environments.

Due to its flexibility and adherence to X Window System standards, Openbox has gained adoption in various scenarios. It serves as the default window manager in popular lightweight distributions such as LXDE, Lubuntu, and Xubuntu. In these environments, Openbox contributes to a snappy and energy-efficient user experience.

Openbox’s adaptability extends to customized and specialized desktop environments. It is commonly found in custom Linux distributions tailored for specific purposes, such as kiosk systems, Embedded devices, and headless servers. In these environments, Openbox provides a stable and functional window management solution without adding unnecessary overhead.

History

Openbox emerged as a fork of Blackbox 0.65.1. It was initially developed by Dana Jansens, whose primary goal was to create a lightweight and configurable window manager that adhered closely to X Window System principles. Openbox aimed to improve upon Blackbox’s stability and address performance issues while retaining its minimalist design.

The first official release of Openbox, version 2.0, was released in 2002. Since then, Openbox has undergone continuous development and refinement. The Openbox project has a dedicated community of contributors who maintain and improve the software. Openbox remains a popular and widely used window manager, frequently updated with Bug fixes and occasional new features.