Using CCSM backend file

[Hube]

Hi,

I'm trying to use a flat backend file with CCSM (so that I can move settings from one machine to another (I like to customize the keyboard accelerators)). I've tried importing and exporting profiles, while exporting does write out a file, importing doesn't seem to change the CCSM settings.

I've been reading around and see talk about ini files, yet the file filter for importing is *.profile.

My vesrion of CCSM is 0.5.2, when I do a compiz ---version I see 0.5.3, could this be an issue?

Can somebody explaing teh difference between gconf, ccp and ini? I read the mang pages but don't see any notes on these commapn line options...

Thanks, and fantastic work...

Hube

[Deciare]

If you don't mind doing things a bit improperly, there's an extremely simple way to share your Compiz configuration across different user accounts and computers.

Copy the file ~/.compizconfig/Default.ini and name it whatever you wish. Then use that to replace the $HOME/.compizconfig/Default.ini file on the destination computer or user account.

If you'd rather do it the proper way... As far as I can tell, the Export command writes your current settings to a .profile file of your choice, then the Import command simply overwrites your current settings with those found in the .profile file. So it's basically doing the same thing. :P

[Hube]

Thanks,

I just looked in ~/.compizconfig and don't see a Default.ini

The only file that is there is config, which contains:

[gnome_session]
profile =

I just tried exporting from CCSM and could store the result of that export (I called it Default.ini) in ~/.compizconfig

How do I know that the file is being used?

Thanks Hube

[Deciare]

Is Flat-file configuration backend selected on the dropdown list at ccsm->Preferences->Backend? It seems as though your settings are being saved in a different location.

Are you certain that Compiz is being started with the ccp plugin (as opposed to the gconf or ini plugin)?

If you want to test whether ~/.compizconfig/Default.ini is being used, open the file and change something. Disable a plugin, change a keyboard shortcut, or anything. If Compiz is reading from that file, then as soon as you save it, your changes should be applied.

[Hube]

Is Flat-file configuration backend selected on the dropdown list at ccsm->Preferences->Backend? It seems as though your settings are being saved in a different location.

Are you certain that Compiz is being started with the ccp plugin (as opposed to the gconf or ini plugin)?

If you want to test whether ~/.compizconfig/Default.ini is being used, open the file and change something. Disable a plugin, change a keyboard shortcut, or anything. If Compiz is reading from that file, then as soon as you save it, your changes should be applied.

I'll take a quick look for Default.ini to see if's being saved somewhere else.

I use the following to start compiz:

compiz --replace -sm-disable ccp emerald --replace

Reading your last paragraph it looks like the Default.ini is live meaning that a change to the file reflects immediately to the compiz settings. I'll play around and see what happens if that's the case.

Thanks once again,

Hube

[Hube]

find / -name "Default.ini" -print

Yields:

~/compiz/compizconfig/Default.ini

Going to play with it now and will post back...

[Deciare]

The commands you're using to start Compiz look correct, so the only question left is which backend ccp thinks you're using.

You could force it to use the Flat-file configuration backend by editing ~/.compizconfig/config like so:
[general]
backend = ini
profile =
integration = false

[gnome_session]
backend = ini
profile =
integration = false

[kde_session]
backend = ini
profile =
integration = false


Reading your last paragraph it looks like the Default.ini is live meaning that a change to the file reflects immediately to the compiz settings. I'll play around and see what happens if that's the case.
Aye, that's exactly what I meant. Have fun! ^_^

[Hube]

OK, just modified s0_hsize = 4 to s0_hsize = 6 and I can certainly see the change. I think the default settings must have been moved to :

~/.config/compiz/compizconfig

rather than:

~/.compizconfig

I think I've seen a post talking about this.

This is awesome, having a flat file under the covers is great, it can be backed up, moved around and edited with a text editor... Time to roll the sleeves up :-)

Thanks you once again for your help,

Hube

[Deciare]

Ah, you're right. Looking at the timestamp of my copy of ~/.compizconfig/Default.ini, it looks like the path was changed sometime after last Tuesday.

Thanks for letting me know! :)

Would it be alright to change the title of this thread to tag it [SOLVED] now?

[Hube]

Glad to help :D
Thanks also for helping me get to the bottom of my issues, now I find I have to update my CCSM on the other machine I'm using, always something to keep us busy!!!