Tiling Window Managers Are Just A Waste Of Time
Summary
TLDRThe script discusses the user's experience with tiling window managers on Linux, comparing them to traditional floating window managers. It highlights the productivity and efficiency benefits of tiling but acknowledges the learning curve and potential inefficiencies of manual tilers. The speaker recommends starting with I3 or Sway due to their ease of use and customization, and suggests using dynamic or hybrid tiling for better adaptability. The video also addresses misconceptions about mouse usage and the flexibility of window sizing in tiling environments, concluding that the choice of window manager should align with individual workflow preferences.
Takeaways
- 😀 The speaker uses tiling window managers like I3, bspwm, and sway on Linux and recommends them for increased productivity, ease of use, and efficient screen real estate.
- 🤔 Some users may not find tiling window managers as efficient as expected, especially when their workflow requires dynamic window sizing.
- 🛠️ The speaker suggests that I3 is a good starting point for new users due to its power, customization options, and well-documented features.
- 🔄 The inefficiency of manual tilers comes from the need to manually decide the direction of tiling for each new window.
- 🔄 Dynamic tilers automatically place windows based on an internal layout, which can be more efficient and user-friendly.
- 🔄 Hybrid tilers like bspwm offer a mix of both manual and automatic tiling, providing flexibility for the user.
- 📚 The speaker recommends trying out auto-tiling scripts to enhance the experience with tiling window managers like I3 or Sway.
- 🖱️ Using a mouse with a tiling window manager is not only acceptable but can also be more convenient for certain tasks.
- 🔄 Users can still control window sizes and switch between full-screen modes easily in tiling window managers.
- 📝 The speaker advises new users to learn the default hotkeys and observe how others use the environment to adapt their workflow.
- 💻 The choice between using a tiling window manager on a desktop or a laptop does not significantly change the user experience, as the same principles apply.
- 🔧 The speaker emphasizes that if a tiling window manager does not suit a user's needs, there are alternative floating window managers to explore.
Q & A
What is a tiling window manager and why are they popular among Linux users?
-A tiling window manager is a type of window manager that automatically arranges windows in non-overlapping frames, maximizing the use of screen space. They are popular among Linux users due to their increased productivity, ease of use, and efficient use of screen real estate.
What are some common tiling window managers mentioned in the script?
-The script mentions i3, bspwm, and sway as common tiling window managers used on Linux.
Why might some users find tiling window managers less efficient than expected?
-Some users might find tiling window managers less efficient because of the dynamic nature of their work, where they frequently switch between applications requiring different window sizes, which can be cumbersome to manage in a tiling environment.
What is the difference between a manual tiler and a dynamic tiler?
-A manual tiler requires the user to decide the direction in which new windows will tile, which can be inefficient. A dynamic tiler, on the other hand, places windows based on an internal layout, which can be more efficient and easier to manage.
What is the role of a hybrid tiler like bspwm?
-A hybrid tiler, such as bspwm, combines the features of both manual and dynamic tilers, allowing for an internal layout while also providing the ability to manually move and arrange windows as needed.
Why is i3 often recommended as a first tiling window manager?
-i3 is recommended for beginners because it offers a lot of power and customization, has well-documented features, and comes with a lot of third-party tooling. It's also pre-configured, making it easier to start with.
What is the advantage of using a dynamic tiler for new users?
-A dynamic tiler is advantageous for new users because it automatically places windows into a layout, reducing the need for manual management and making the transition to a tiling window manager smoother.
How can users control window sizes in a tiling window manager?
-Users can control window sizes in a tiling window manager by using hotkeys and mouse actions, such as holding down a modifier key and right-clicking to resize windows.
Outlines
🖥️ Tiling Window Managers in Linux
The speaker discusses their experience with tiling window managers on Linux, such as I3, bspwm, and sway, and their preference for them over time. They acknowledge the productivity and efficiency benefits often touted by tiling window manager users but express a personal struggle to see these benefits in their own workflow, which involves dynamic window sizing needs for tasks like web browsing, email, word processing, coding, and heavy Excel use. The speaker also touches on the learning curve and customization aspects of these managers, suggesting that while they offer powerful features, they might not suit everyone's needs immediately.
🛠️ Adapting to Tiling Workflows and Tools
This paragraph delves into the different types of tiling window managers, including manual, dynamic, and hybrid tilers, with a focus on the inefficiencies of manual tilers and the flexibility of dynamic and hybrid options like bspwm. The speaker recommends dynamic tilers for new users due to their ease of use and customization, despite the initial complexity compared to I3. They also mention the use of auto-tiling scripts to enhance the experience and the importance of understanding and adapting one's workflow to the tiling environment. The speaker emphasizes that tiling window managers do not restrict window size control and that it's perfectly acceptable to use a mouse for various tasks within these environments.
🔄 Transitioning from Floating to Tiling Window Managers
The speaker addresses the challenges of transitioning from a floating window manager to a tiling one, highlighting the need to adapt one's workflow rather than forcing the new system to fit an old one. They discuss the misconception that tiling window managers are mouse-unfriendly and argue that using a mouse is not only acceptable but can be more convenient in certain situations. The speaker also points out that it's okay to use floating windows within a tiling environment when it makes sense. They conclude by suggesting that the choice between a tiling and floating window manager should be based on personal preference and workflow, and that there are many options available to suit different needs.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Tiling Window Manager
💡Linux
💡Productivity
💡Screen Real Estate
💡I3
💡Dynamic Tiler
💡Hybrid Tiler
💡Weyland
💡Mouse Usage
💡Window Rules
💡Full-Screen
Highlights
The speaker uses a tiling Window Manager on Linux and prefers it over Windows and Mac OS for its productivity and efficiency.
Tiling window managers are often recommended for their increased productivity, ease of use, and efficient screen real estate utilization.
The speaker's personal use case involves dynamic window sizing, frequently switching between web browsers, Excel, and text editors.
I3 is recommended as a powerful and customizable tiling Window Manager with good documentation and third-party tooling.
Sway is a one-to-one drop-in replacement for I3, offering an easy transition for those interested in the Weyland project.
Manual tilers can be inefficient due to the need to manage window direction and size manually for each new window.
Dynamic tilers automatically place windows based on an internal layout, offering a more efficient workflow.
Hybrid tilers like bspwm combine the benefits of both manual and dynamic tiling, allowing for both automatic and manual control.
The speaker suggests starting with a dynamic tiler for a more accessible tiling experience, despite I3's easier configuration.
Auto-tiling scripts can enhance the experience by automating window placement while still allowing manual control.
Control over window sizes is still possible in tiling window managers, with examples given for awesome WM.
The speaker advises new users to learn the default hotkeys and observe others' usage on YouTube to better understand tiling workflows.
Using a mouse with a tiling window manager is not only acceptable but can be more convenient in certain situations.
Floating windows can be used within a tiling window manager when needed, and window rules in I3 can set specific properties for consistent behavior.
The speaker's use case is not uncommon, and the challenge is adapting existing workflows to fit within a tiling environment.
Both desktop and laptop use cases for tiling window managers are addressed, with no significant difference in workflow.
The speaker concludes by stating that while tiling window managers offer many benefits, they may not be suitable for everyone, and other options like floating window managers are available.
Transcripts
I use a tiling Window Manager on Linux
and I pretty much always have whether
it's I3 bspwm or some WM or sway over on
the Weyland side and I probably always
will going into the future and while
there are certainly some tiling like
experiences on Windows and Mac OS
certainly much better than the offering
used to be the first time that most
people experience a tailor is when they
start using Linux and it seems like
everybody using a tailor is constantly
Shilling them I being one of those
people but upon trying them some people
realize they may not be what they're
cracked up to be and that leads to posts
like this tiling window managers what am
I missing I know tiling window managers
have been discussed Ad nauseam but I
hope this is different I'm not here to
offer opinions one way or another but
rather ask if I'm missing some key point
or functionality I'm not going to read
the entire post but we'll go through
some of the key takeaways people seem to
Rave about tiling window managers for
their increased productivity ease of use
and efficient use of screen real estate
I've tried I3 briefly and I could not
see where the efficiency comes from my
main personal use in Windows had been
web browsers email and occasionally word
along with some recreational coding my
work use is similarly emails web
browsers word but also text editors and
some very heavy use of excel so these
use cases often involve me switch
between a web browser Excel and a text
editor very frequently the key issue
being the size I want the window is
extremely Dynamic sometimes I want Excel
being full screen other times I want the
web browser full screen other times I
want the text editor to be in a very
small space just to copy some text
across another example sometimes only to
flick off a couple of quick emails and
in that case I don't want the email full
screen other times I might sit down for
a solid hour or two of customer service
when I want the email open full screen
my home use is fairly similar but to a
lesser extent but still to an extent
where there is no fixed rule that says
if I'm using this app then make it this
specific size now this post is a couple
of weeks old but I still thought it'd be
nice to go and offer this guy my advice
and maybe anybody else out there who
might be new to a tailor or maybe
thinking of trying one out so we need to
address a couple of things firstly I3 I
think is a great choice for your first
tiling Window Manager it offers a lot of
power it offers a lot of customization
that is fairly well documented there's a
lot of third-party tooling and it's
fairly well pre-configured I don't like
this slightly offset Vim keys but that
can be really easily addressed most of
the other stuff is really good and if
you want to go and try out Weyland it
gives you a direct path to do so sway is
a one-to-one drop-in replacement for I3
nothing new to learn no new
customization no new configuration it's
exactly the same and it gets you into
the mindset of using a tailing Window
Manager
but and this is the very big butt it is
a manual tailor and they are horribly
inefficient so the idea of a manual
tiler is when you make a new window just
like any tiling Window Manager it is
going to be placed inside of a tile
unlike a floating window a tiled window
is going to appear as basically the
exact same size every time if my desktop
is empty this is how the window is
always going to look but when you make
your second window this is where you
start seeing inefficiencies you have to
decide the direction is going to tile
towards is it going to tile above below
left or right now this offers a lot of
really powerful use cases you can make
really crazy custom layouts where you
have like this semi-grid and then things
around the side of it that is really
cool but also you have to go and manage
that you have to decide every time the
direction you want to go to actually get
to that point that's kind of inefficient
but I am not using a manual tiler I am
using a dynamic tiler a dynamic tiler
you spawn windows in the exact same way
but the way they are placed is based on
an internal layout so right now I'm
using the master stack layout so I have
the masternode on the left and then the
stack on the right and this is how they
are always going to be placed but if I
don't like this I could always go and
swap to a different layout for example I
could use the Mast stack with the Mast
on the right Master on the top Master on
the bottom or I could use the golden
ratio layout now the layouts that are
available depends on which Window
Manager you're using right now I'm using
awesome WM but there are other things
like dwm X monad and plenty of other
things like that I'll leave a list of
examples in the description down below
but there's also another option called a
hybrid Tyler there aren't many options
out there but the most notable is bspwm
bspwm has this internal layout but you
also have the ability to manually move
stuff around as well so you get sort of
a mix of Both Worlds I would love to
recommend a dynamic tile off of people's
first tiling Window Manager the problem
though is none of them are as easy to
configure as I3 is and that's why I3
keeps getting recommended now I do use
sway over on Weyland but what I would
recommend for a more tolerable
experience is downloading one of the
auto tiling scripts this is the one that
I personally use it works pretty well it
basically takes I3 or Sway and then
kinda turns it into a hybrid tailor
things will get automatically placed
into a layout but you can still go and
manually control stuff if you want to I
just generally don't use the manual
control so one thing it does bring up
quite often is control
wanting to have a certain app being a
certain size and this is really
important I'll get into this in just a
moment but I think it's also important
to consider the way that most Windows
users use their desktop is something
like this you just have all of these
floating windows all over the place all
in the exact same space and it's hard to
work out what exactly is going on having
things being you know a little bit more
structured might be a little bit of an
improvement it may not be for every
single use case but I think this is a
lot easier to deal with but when it
comes to control it's not like having a
tiling Window Manager takes away your
ability to control the window sizes
let's say for example I have this window
here and it has b top open and I want
this to be a lot more of the screen well
in I3 in Orson WM in bspwm in Swain
pretty much every window manager whether
it's manual hybrid or dynamic you have
the ability to control the window size
in awesome WM if I hold down this super
key and then use my right click I can do
so with my mouse and it works like you'd
expect it to but also jumping back and
forth between full screen was mentioned
this is also quite simple on pretty much
every tailor let's say I want my browser
to be full screen what I can press super
F now it's full screen if I want beat up
to full screen super F now it's full
screen this over here full screen not
full screen this should be bound by
default in I3 I think a good idea when
you first start using a tailor is one
read all of the default hotkeys and two
just go on to YouTube and look at how
other people are using that environment
another thing I want to address is am I
just so indoctrinated into using a
floating window manager from using
Windows now the way way that a lot of
people use a tiling Window Manager can
seem incredibly intimidating because it
seems like a lot of people are terrified
of their Mouse and there are two ideas
that I wish would really go away when it
comes to tailors firstly when you're
using a tiling Window Manager you don't
have to shy away from your mouse you've
probably noticed throughout this video
I've been doing a lot of things by using
my mouse whether it's resizing Windows
whether it's focusing on a different
window whether it's something like you
know moving Windows between where they
are on the screen all of these things I
commonly do with my mouse I do have
hotkeys to do them as well but I don't
necessarily always use them in a lot of
cases using my mouse is actually more
convenient and it's the same way I use
something like Vim sure I could do
everything on my keyboard with the
various shortcuts but sometimes I just
like to scroll through vim and sometimes
I like to click a line in Vim also
totally fine you're allowed to do that
you're not participating in a cult
you're just using a computer use it the
way you feel more comfortable along with
that there's nothing wrong with using a
floating window for example my notes for
this video right now they're a floating
window and that's fine usually when I
open up my notes for anything that's
also a floating window a lot of the time
I'll make like a terminal window or
floating window because it's just easier
to deal with it's okay to use a floating
window in a tiling Window Manager the
functionality is there and in cases
where you always want it to be floating
or you always wanted to be a set size
things like I3 for example have this
system known as window rules which will
fly a bunch of different properties to a
window and it'll be set up in that exact
way every single time you open it I
don't think this guy's use case is truly
uncommon I think the problem that he's
having is he's dumped himself into this
tiling environment and doesn't know how
to take the workflow he was doing before
and then adapt it to fit into this
tiling workflow plus he went to the
manual tiler which is the least
productive and least efficient way of
actually using a tiling system but the
last thing he says is a bonus question
does the answer to the above differ
depending on whether it is a laptop or a
desktop a laptop seems to be the
ambiguous case since having no mouse is
a big plus for a tiling manager but the
having one small screen is a big
negative I already addressed the mouse
issue we're not living in 1960 if you
want to use a mouse go and use a mouse
that's as simple as that but when it
comes to the desktop or the laptop use
case for me nothing really changes I use
a tiler just as I would on a desktop and
a laptop obviously the desktop gives me
a lot more space to spread out I use a
triple monitor setup I have my main
horizontal monitor I have a vertical
Monitor and I have a another vertical
monitor used for my video notes so I can
like partially look at the camera I use
a tile on a laptop for two or so years
it worked fine that's pretty much all I
have to say about that but I'm not here
to sell you on a tiling window manager
in the end maybe a tailor just isn't for
you in which case that's totally fine
maybe you want to try out the floating
on something like gnome maybe you want
to try it out on something like KDE or
maybe you want to go and try out
something like open box and still get
the window manager experience but have
it be floating instead all of these
options are available and much much more
so let me know your thoughts down below
are you using a tiling Window Manager
have you tried them out before or you
just sort of first getting into them now
and trying to find out if it's something
for you I would love to know if you like
this video I'm gonna go and like the
video If you really like the video and
you want to become one of these amazing
people over here go check out my patreon
scrubscribe Linked In the description
down below I've got a podcast called
Tech over T I've got a gaming channel
called brother Robson plays that's gonna
be it for me and
I'm out
[Applause]
[Music]
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