> it gets quite annoying that you're having to use two different paradigms to manage windows
I can imagine that EXWM eliminates the need for SUPER, which for me would free a modifier pair for a useful LVL3.
Re:EXWM (Emacs X Window Manager)
by leveleer323 on Saturday November 21, 2020 @12:23AM
(#25168015)
What is LVL3 ?
Sorry: level 3. It's the modifier that ``comes after shift'' and accesses special symbols. Some operating systems call it `option' and `alt gr'.
I currently have a super on both sides and need to shift super in order to get level 3. Some pedals would be nice.
The main problem it solves is that emacs is a tiling window manager (in a loose, non X-specific sense), so if you spend the majority of your time in emacs it gets quite annoying that you're having to use two different paradigms to manage windows: one for managing emacs "windows" and the "buffers" that they "visit" and one for managing X windows, of which emacs itself is one. EXWM makes X windows behave (mostly) as if they are emacs buffers, so you can use the same powerful tools to manage them.
As an example, I use ivy (https://github.com/abo-abo/swiper) so for switching between buffers I get a nice incremental fuzzy-matched buffer list. With EXWM that same buffer list also contains my web browser and other X applications.
I've written a toy window manager so I have some sense for what making a real one would entail. I've been using emacs for 20 years or so, so have some insight into that. I am in awe at the dedication and attention to detail it must have taken to turn EXWM from a crazy idea into a solid WM that is completely usable as a daily driver.