Arch Linux: Changing Gnome's default browser

I'm a big fan of OpenBox, but out of habit I use a couple of Gnome apps. Most notably Gnome Terminal. For some reason, when I clicked URLs in the terminal they opened in Epiphany. Firefox is still my main browser, so I wanted to change that. I solved it like this:

1. sudo pacman -Sy gconf-editor
2. Run gconf-editor , edit the /desktop/gnome/url-handlers/http(s) keys to your liking. In my case "firefox %s".

That should be it!

Arch Linux: Alt+gr not working in Java apps

I got quite confused when my good old trusty Alt+gr key did not work in NetBeans (since I use Norwegian keyboard layout, this key is essential for progamming). The key worked everywhere except in Java apps, actually. Luckily, I figured out how to fix it:

1. Install scim.
2. Add your locale to the scim global config (/etc/scim/global).
3. Start scim from your xinitrc.
4. Restart your X server - it now should work!

For good measure, here's my .xinitrc file:

# SCIM
export XMODIFIERS='@im=SCIM'
export GTK_IM_MODULE="scim"
export XIM_PROGRAM="scim -d"
export QT_IM_MODULE="scim"
scim -d
# OPENBOX
exec openbox-session

Arch Linux: First impressions

So, I finally got fed up with Ubuntu. I really wanted to use FreeBSD again - but unfortunately the hardware in this box is not compatible. Arch Linux looked like a decent alternative so I downloaded the 2007.08-2 image and started installing. Misfortune struck again as I had to spend a couple of hours trying to get wireless working, but everything worked well as soon as I switched to the 2008.04-RC image. I wonder why they don't link to the RC image on the "Get Arch" page.

After some configuration I ended up with a really slick system - It's amazing how much faster stuff runs on OpenBox! Also, the BSD inspired rc.conf and init system made my day. The only real problem I encountered was when I tried to install an older version of a library. Pacman (Arch's package manager) doesn't support this. I consider this to be a flaw in the package manager (which all over feels immature compared to apt or BSD ports), and I predict the devs will realize this sooner or later - even though they currently consider it to be a "feature".

I find it amusing how things tend to move in cycles. When I started out with Linux ~8 years ago Slackware was the coolest thing around. Then we somehow ended up with Ubuntu. And now the "KISS"-distros are turning into the hippest kids on the block again. If you're fed up with the bloat, give Arch a try. :)