NAME
Envy - A comprehensive multi-dimensional environment manager
SYNOPSIS
Installation takes a bit more work beyond simply typing 'make'. Unfortunately, big returns generally require navigating big risks. Sorry!
FIRST TIME USERS
It is recommended that you install envy in the privacy of your own home directory before risking the disruption of thousands of grumpy co-workers. Before you proceed, print this documentation on paper so you can refer to it if something electronic goes amiss.
To install envy, you need to know what is your login shell. In the Unix world, there are mainly two kinds of command line shells available. You can find out which one you have with:
echo $SHELLThe following cover installation for both types of shells:
SH, KSH, BASH, Etc.
PERL5PREFIX=$HOME/test; export PERL5PREFIX perl Makefile.PL make test make install # try it out $PERL5PREFIX/bin/wrapper -s echo mv $HOME/.profile $HOME/.profile.bak ln -s $PERL5PREFIX/etc/dot.profile $HOME/.profileCSH, TCSH, Etc.
setenv PERL5PREFIX=$HOME/test perl Makefile.PL make test make install # try it out $PERL5PREFIX/bin/wrapper -s echo mv $HOME/.login $HOME/.login.bak ln -s $PERL5PREFIX/etc/dot.login $HOME/.login
Be aware that bash uses '.bash_profile' and zsh uses '.zprofile'. You wont be able to test envy if you change the wrong file, so don't. Logout and login. Hopefully, you will find that your window manager did not restart. This is a good sign. Envy is now installed in your home directory.
Type 'envy list' or 'envy help'. Explore. Get a feel for it. Create a few .env files. Try out dimensions. Maybe demo to your office-mate.
UNINSTALLING
Uninstalling is easy. None of your old dot files have been deleted, just renamed. To see what has changed recently use:
cd $HOME; ls -at | moreSimply undo the damage (rm the symlinks and copy your old dot files back) and you should be back to normal.
WHY AM I GOING THROUGH ALL THIS HELL?
Because envy could solve some of your long standing problems!
REUSE
Envy allows the centralization of configuration files. When new versions of software come out, it is easy to globally publish new configuration files in preparation for a gradual and controlled migration. Instead of being locked into backward compatibility, you can slowly nudge users into changing in the gentlest possible way.
CHOICE
Each user can customize their environment to exactly the right degree. Instead of being forced into a global environment or splintering into an entirely custom environment, there is flexiblility to customize within the globally standardized environment in varying degrees.
DEPENDENCIES
Envy makes dependencies between packages explicit and understandable.
CRON JOBS
Envy makes it easy to correctly set up cron jobs.
ENVY SETUP
Hopefully, you will find envy very easy to set up for your site. If there is any way it can be made easier, please let me know!
Before you install 'make test'; check ./Conf.pm; and 'make diff'.
SITE SETUP
Here is what happens upon login (Bourne Shell):
$HOME/.profile -> $ETOP/etc/login/dot.profile
envy load `cat $HOME/.custom/startup`
$ETOP/etc/login/profile.part2
$ETOP/etc/login/profile.site
$HOME/.custom/profile
$HOME/.shrc -> $ETOP/etc/login/dot.shrc
$ETOP/etc/login/shrc.site
$HOME/.custom/shrc
$ETOP/etc/desktop/`cat $HOME/.custom/win.name`You are free to customize the *.site files (or omit them). You will also need to set up window manager startup scripts under $ETOP/etc/desktop.
CRONTAB
Use $ETOP/bin/wrapper to initiate cron jobs. wrapper is a very simple script that loads envys given on the command line then runs scripts.
EXTENSION API
Envy is written entirely in perl and is designed to be used as a library in addition to a command-line tool. One possible project is a graphical front end to help navigate the environment. Also see the TODO file.
SUPPORT
Send email to envy@listbox.com.
SEE ALSO
For a comparison of unix shells:
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/unix-faq/shell/shell-differences/index.htmlAnd for why you should NOT do shell programming in csh:
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/unix-faq/shell/csh-whynot/