multi-gnome-terminal(1)

NAME

multi-gnome-terminal - An enhanced terminal emulator for
GNOME.

SYNOPSIS

multi-gnome-terminal   [-?|--help]  [--version]  [--usage]
[--disable-sound]   [--enable-sound]   [--espeaker=HOSTNAME:PORT]
[--gdk-debug=FLAGS]   [--gdk-no-debug=FLAGS]  [--display=DISPLAY]
[--sync]     [--no-xshm]     [--name=NAME]     [--class=WM_CLASS]
[--gxid_host=HOST]    [--gxid_port=PORT]    [--xim-preedit=STYLE]
[--xim-status=STYLE]  [--gtk-debug=FLAGS]  [--gtk-no-debug=FLAGS]
[--g-fatal-warnings]                        [--gtk-module=MODULE]
[--disable-crash-dialog]                      [--sm-client-id=ID]
[--sm-config-prefix=PREFIX]      [--sm-disable]     [--font=FONT]
[--nologin]    [--login]    [--geometry=GEOMETRY]     [-e=COMMAND
|--command=COMMAND|--execute    =COMMAND]    [--foreground=COLOR]
[--background=COLOR]  [--solid]  [--pixmap=FILENAME]   [--shaded]
[--noshaded]   [--transparent]   [--utmp]   [--noutmp]   [--wtmp]
[--nowtmp] [--lastlog]  [--nolastlog]  [-t  TITLE|--title  TITLE]
[--icon=ICONNAME]   [--termname   NAME]  [--start-factory-server]
[--use-factory]      [-s,      --tclass=TABCLASS_NAME]       [-S,
--wclass=WINCLASS_NAME]  [-w, --add-window] [-W, --add-window-wt]
[-T, --add-tab] [-h, --hsplit] [-v, --vsplit] [-p, --tpath  PATH]
[-c,  --tcommand  COMMAND]  [-x  COMMAND] [-n, --tname NAME] [-N,
--tnext] [-P, --tprev] [-A, --newapp] [--nowait]

DESCRIPTION

multi-gnome-terminal is a terminal emulator program that
is based on gnome-terminal, from the GNOME project.
multi-gnome-terminal emulates the DEC VT terminals and provides
access to the Unix shell environment.
multi-gnome-terminal supports color display, pseudo-trans
parency with shading and tinting, pixmap backgrounds, and offers
various enhancements over gnome-terminal.
The most notable enhancement of multi-gnome-terminal over
the orginal gnome-terminal program is the ability to run multiple
terminals simultaneously within the same window. And even to
split the terminal window horizontally, and vertically. Terminals
may be "bonded" to each, and may be moved with the mouse from one
window to another. Switching between active terminals is easily
done with either the mouse or with keyboard shortcuts. Other
significant enhancements include a toolbar, a buttonbar, user de
finable key bindings, font shadowing, improved Classes (pro
files), and the ability to add user definable commands to ini
tialize new terminals that can be accessed through the
multi-gnome-terminal GUI.

EMULATION

multi-gnome-terminal is designed to emulate the "xterm"
program provided by the X Consortium. The xterm(1) program in
turn is an almost-complete emulation of the DEC VT102 terminal.
multi-gnome-terminal supports the same extensions to the
VT102 that the xterm(1) program provides, through special escape
sequences. The xterm(1) program is an evolving program. Recent
changes to xterm(1) have been been incorporated into
multi-gnome-terminal. This includes emulation of the newer DEC
VT220 escape sequences, and also VT52.

OPTIONS

Some of the more commonly used command line options:

--version: Show the current multi-gnome-terminal version in; formation, and then exit.
--usage Show all command line options, and then exit.
-?, --help: Show all command line options, including a brief; description, and then exit.
--class=WM_CLASS: Specify a Window class name for X. This is differ; ent from multi-gnome-terminal Tab and Window Classes (a.k.a.; "profiles").
--display=DISPLAY: Specify the X display to use.
--font=FONT_NAME: Specifies the font to be used to display text in; the multi-gnome-terminal.
--nologin: This option indicates that the shell started by; multi-gnome-terminal should not be a login shell but a regular; shell.
--login This option indicates that the shell started by
multi-gnome-terminal should be a login shell (this trick is clev
erly achieved in the Unix world by running the shell but telling
the shell that its name has a dash in the front. Very clever).
--geometry=GEOMETRY: Specifies the startup geometry for the terminal.
--command=COMMAND: Executes the command COMMAND instead of the shell.; This saves some memory if you are just planning on running a ded; icated application on that window. For example, you could run; the minicom terminal emulator on the window like this:

multi-gnome-terminal --command minicom; or for example, if you want to monitor your sys; tem:

multi-gnome-terminal --command top
--execute COMMAND: This flag is here for compatibility reasons. It; is the same as --command.
--foreground=COLOR: Specifies the color to be used for the foreground; of the terminal (fonts and cursor).
--background=COLOR: Specifies the color to be used for the background; of the terminal.
--solid Force a solid background color (no pixmap or
transparency).
--utmp Updates the Unix Login entry (The UTMP file, this
is the default), this registers the multi-gnome-terminal instance
with the list of users that are logged into the system (so you
will be visible with the `who' command).
--noutmp: Requests multi-gnome-terminal to not update the; login records. This means that the user will not show up in the; output of the `who' Unix command.
--wtmp Requests that this session will be logged into the
system records for users that have logged into the system. This
is different from `utmp' because this keeps track of who logged
in and logged out of the system, independently of whether it
shows up in the list of users.
--nowtmp: Requests that the session be not logged into the; system records.
--title=TITLE, -t TITLE: Sets the title for the multi-gnome-terminal to be; TITLE.
--termname NAME: Specifies the terminal name that should be put in; the environment variable $TERM. It is not normally necessary to; use this flag, but you may want to use it for some bizarre situa; tions.
--start-factory-server: Tells multi-gnome-terminal that it should start; the factory server. This will provide a terminal server that; later other multi-gnome-terminals can contact (this saves memory,; as a single process is run, and multiple multi-gnome-terminal; windows can be managed by the same process).
--use-factory: This tells multi-gnome-terminal that it should try; to contact an existing GNOME Terminal factory to minimize memory; use.
--pixmap=FILENAME: Specifies the image filename to be used as the; background for this terminal.
--shaded: Requests that the background image be shaded (for; use with --transparent and --pixmap).
--noshaded: Requests that the background remain untouched (no; shading be applied).
--transparent: Requests that the terminal should run in "pseudo; transparent" mode, making the background of the terminal be the; background of your root window.
--icon=FNAME: Specifies the filename that contains the icon that; would be used for your terminal (if your window manager supports; icon hints).
-s, --tclass=TAB_CLASS_NAME: Tells multi-gnome-terminal to use the configura; tion values for the terminal Class specified by TAB_CLASS_NAME; (for example, I use --tclass red for root terminals). This ef; fects only the Tab being created.
-S, --wclass=WIN_CLASS_NAME: Tells multi-gnome-terminal to use the configura; tion values for the terminal Class specified by WIN_CLASS_NAME; for all Tabs of this Window.
-w, --add-window: Launch a new Window from the parent Window as a; sub-process.
-W, --add-window-wt: Launch a new Window from the parent Window as a; sub-process, and include any start-up or saved Tabs for that Win; dow's "Class".
-T, --add-tab: Add a Tab to the new Window being started, or dy; namically to the current Window. Multiple --add-tabs may be used.
-h, --hsplit: Split the new terminal horizontally in equal; parts.
-v, --vsplit: Split the new terminal vertically in equal parts.
-p, --tpath=PATH: Change to this PATH when starting the new Tab.
-c, --tcommand=COMMAND: Use COMMAND to launch the new shell and Tab. The; Tab can be in the current Window, or a new Window created with; --add-window. Use quotes if white space is included in COMMAND.
-x=COMMAND: Use COMMAND to launch the new shell and Tab. Quot; ing is not necessary.
-n, --tname=NAME: Use this NAME for the new Tab.
-N, --tnext: When opening split terminals, force the split to; the next terminal on the command line.
-P, --tprev: When opening split terminals, force the split to; the previously created terminal on the command line.
-A, --newapp: Start a new multi-gnome-terminal process. This can; be combined with --add-tab and other command line options to al; ter the default start up configuration of a new Window.
--nowait: Normally multi-gnome-terminal waits to make sure a; terminal is in fact created before proceeding. This bypasses the; wait period, and thus can be dangerous. Not recommended to be; used as bad things may happen.
See the GNOME and GDK documentation for the other options.
The User's Guide has examples of command line usage.

MULTIPLE TERMINALS

Each multi-gnome-terminal is like many terminals in one.
Multiple terminal instances can run simultaneously within one
window. Each runs its own, unique shell environment. New termi
nals are started by selecting "New Term" from either the menubar,
buttonbar, or toolbar. This will start a new shell, and create a
new "Tab" (or split Tab) that allows easy access between the var
ious opened terminals. Custom commands to launch a new Tab can be
defined from the "Edit Commands" selection of the Settings menu.
In addition, individual Tabs are customizable and allow
the user to choose label names and colors. The Tab label will
show on both the Tab itself, and the Window title bar. Colors are
used to notify the user of events in a non-focused terminal. By
default, the Tab label will show red if there is activity in a
non-focused terminal, and then change to blue to notify that this
activity has completed. See "Colors" under the Preferences menu
selection. Tabs can also be saved with their PATH information.
To create new terminals:: - buttons on bottom of the window (buttonbar)
- popup menu (right clicking on the terminal)
- menubar
- keyboard shortcuts (using letter "L"):
CTRL-l r: Start a root shell (via su)
CTRL-l n: Start a bash shell
CTRL-l m: Start Midnight Commander in a new shell; To switch between running terminals:
- keyboard shortcuts:
SHIFT-Right: next terminal
SHIFT-Left: previous terminal
CTRL-<n>: switch to n-th terminal

- buttons on the buttonbar
- buttons on the toolbar
- clicking on notebook Tabs (bookmarks)
- using notebook popup menu (right click on tabs); To change the title of a terminal (tab label and Window; title text):
- buttons on the bottom of the screen (buttonbar)
- buttons in the toolbar
- menubar (File)
- keyboard shortcut: CTRL-F2; The above shortcuts may be re-defined under Keybindings; from the Settings menu.

CLASSES

multi-gnome-terminal allows for different configuration
profiles to suit different uses (e.g. different background col
ors, fonts, presence, absence or position of scrollbars, fonts,
and so on). These are known as "Classes". There are two distinct
Class types: Window (wclass) and Tab (tclass). To configure
these, invoke either the Tab Preferences or Win Preferences dia
log boxes from the Settings menu of multi-gnome-terminal. This
can be reached either through the menubar, or the pop-up menu ac
cessed by shift-right-clicking on the terminal window. Select
the options you prefer (these changes will be made to your cur
rently open terminal, so you can see what they look like). Before
closing the Preferences pop-up, make sure you have put a new name
in the space marked "Terminal Class" if you want to create a new
Class. Click the "Apply" button to save changes.
Classes can be specified for an entire Window, or on a per
Tab basis (all terminals within that Tab). However, the configu
ration options that belong to each Class are mutually exclusive.
For instance, a background color is an attribute of the Tab
Class. The same is true for fonts, font colors, and many other
user preferences that may be configured.
To activate a specific class at program startup, use the
--tclass=TAB_CLASS (Tab specific Class) or --wclass=WIN_CLASS
(Window Class) command line options. The current Class can also
be dynamically changed from the Settings menu. Each Window Class
may have its own unique start-up Tabs, which are defined in Edit

Commands

using the appropriate Preferences selection from the Settings menu.

GNOME Terminal Factories

It is possible to start a single instance of
multi-gnome-terminal, and yet have multiple windows open at the
same time. The easiest way of achieving this is by selecting
"File" and then "New Window" from the menu. But it is also pos
sible to programatically instruct multi-gnome-terminal to re-use
an existing running instance of multi-gnome-terminal.
By default the GNOME desktop ships with settings that al
low terminals to share a single process, and thus reduce memory
usage. This is achieved by registering GNOME with the CORBA
gnome-name-service and using the --start-factory and the
--use-factory options.

SHADING, TINTING AND BACKGROUND IMAGE

Like gnome-terminal, multi-gnome-terminal can display a
pixmap background, or display in pseudo-transparency mode where
the root window background is visible through the terminal win
dow. Also, multi-gnome-terminal adds the ability to shade and
tint the window. This requires transparency to be on and is con
figured from the "Image" tab of the Preferences dialog.

COMMANDS

Commands to create new terminals and Tabs can also be de
fined. The included built-in defaults are shell (user's default
shell), root (root shell via su), mc (Midnight Commander), Split
(create a split in the current terminal from another terminal),
View (create a new terminal in "view" mode from another termi
nal), New tab with... (create a new Tab with another terminal).
The user can add his own startup shell commands, including set
ting the PATH through the "Edit Commands" selection from the

Settings

and will thus open a new tabbed terminal window in the process.
The command should either invoke an interactive shell (e.g.
bash), or run a command (e.g. a script) that does not exit immediately (and thus would close the Tab/terminal). Commands will
appear on the appropriate menus and are easily launched with the
mouse or keyboard shortcuts.
The built-in default Commands that appear at the top of
the New Term menu (e.g. mc), may be disabled in the New Term Tab
(the third Tab).
Commands to initiliaze new Tabs automatically on start-up
should be defined in the Startup Tabs Tab of the Edit Commands
dialog, and the "Don't Open Startup Tabs" should be unchecked for
this feature. Use the "Get" button to copy a selected item from
the New Term Menu Tab. Start-up Commands are Class dependent, so
each Class may have a unique start-up configuration. Both a Win
Class and a Tab class may be specified for start-up Tabs.
Commands may be "grouped" into sub-menus for better orga
nization. Example: adding entries with names of "Projects/School"
and "Projects/Sourceforge" would create a sub-menu entry labeled
"Projects". The sub-menu would contain two command entries:
"School" and "Sourceforge".
User defined "Commands" are also available as Keybindings.
See the "Command->New Tab" Keybinding Action.

FONT SHADOWING

Multi-gnome-terminal now supports font shadowing, which is
a technique for outlining fonts with a thin shadow effect. This
helps with contrast and readability on transparent or pixmapped
backgrounds. This is enabled from the "Image" tab of the

Preferences

KEY BINDINGS

Key bindings used by multi-gnome-terminal may be cus
tomized by selecting "Key Bindings" from the Settings menu in the
menubar. Various tasks, such as opening a new terminal or
switching between active terminals, may be assigned to keyboard
combinations of the user's choosing. Key bindings can also be
used to force unco-operative keys to behave as desired via the
'Escape Sequences' feature. Or to define keyboard macros so that
keyboard events can execute arbitrary commands.

SPLITTING TERMINAL WINDOWS

The terminal window can be split, either horizontally or
vertically through the New Term sub-menu selections. The window
is split in half, but may be resized. There are also command line
options for splitting. Split terminals can be moved from one
Window to another, or to their own, new Tab.

BONDING, VIEWING AND MOVING

Terminals may also be "bonded", which allows the output
from a command in one terminal to be echoed to all "bonded" ter
minals. See "All bonded" from the File menu.
"Viewing" is similar to "bonding", but only the output
from the source terminal is displayed. To View the output from
one terminal, in the terminal of another window, select "View"
from the New Term menu. Then click the target window in which the
output is to be viewed.
Terminals can be moved from one multi-gnome-terminal win
dow to another, as long as both windows share the same process
(either opened via the "New Window" option or via the
Gnome-terminal factory command line option). Select "Split" or
"New Tab" from the New Term menu of the target window, then click
the terminal in the window to be moved to the target window.

ENVIRONMENT

Environment Variables used By multi-gnome-terminal:

TERM This variable is typically set to "xterm" by de
fault. Some applications based on the curses library might expect
"xterm-color", "color-xterm", or "xterm-debian". Other values may
be used, if required, though often the default is adequate.
COLORTERM: Multi-gnome-terminal sets this variable to "gnome; terminal". Some applications, especially Slang based applica; tions, use this value to determine if the terminal supports col; or.
WINDOWID: This variable contains the X11 Window identifier.; This is used sometimes by applications to modify the contents of; this window or provide special effects.
In addition, mgt-helper, a Bash script, is included to
help Multi-gnome-terminal integrate better with the shell envi
ronment. See mgt-helper(1), or the User Guide.

FILES

/usr/bin/multi-gnome-terminal /usr/lib/multi-gnome-terminal/mgt-pty-helper /usr/bin/mgt-helper

NOTES

Multi-gnome-terminal is designed to integrate fully with a

GNOME

sence of a gnome-session as long as the required GNOME and GTK libs are installed.

AUTHORS

Cristiano De Michele is the creator and author of
multi-gnome-terminal. Guillermo Ontanon and Soeren Sonnenberg
have also contributed to developement of multi-gnome-terminal.
Multi-gnome-terminal is partially based on the original
work of Michael Zucchi, Miguel de Icaza, Erik Troan and others.

BUGS AND FEATURE REQUESTS

Please use the tracking system at http://multignome
term.sourceforge.net to report bugs, request features, etc.
Bug Reports:: http://sourceforge.net/track; er/?atid=411232&group_id=34480&func=browse
Feature Requests:: http://sourceforge.net/track; er/?atid=411235&group_id=34480&func=browse
Patches:: http://sourceforge.net/track; er/?atid=411234&group_id=34480&func=browse
Mailing Lists:: http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=34480

COPYRIGHT AND LICENSE

Multi-gnome-terminal is free software; you can redis
tribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General
Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; ei
ther version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later ver
sion.
This program is distributed in the hope that it will be
useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied war
ranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
See the GNU General Public License for more details, which is
available from the Free Software Foundation, Inc, 59 Temple Place
- Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA.
You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public
License along with this program; if not, write to the Free Soft
ware Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA
02111-1307 USA.
v1.6.2 10 April 2003 MULTI

docs.sk

comprehensive documentation repository

See also