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XSETROOT(1)                                                                                      XSETROOT(1)



NAME
       xsetroot - root window parameter setting utility for X

SYNOPSIS
       xsetroot  [-help]  [-def]  [-display display] [-cursor cursorfile maskfile] [-cursor_name cursorname]
       [-bitmap filename] [-mod x y] [-gray] [-grey] [-fg color] [-bg color]  [-rv]  [-solid  color]  [-name
       string]

DESCRIPTION
       The xsetroot program allows you to tailor the appearance of the background ("root") window on a work-station workstation
       station display running X.  Normally, you experiment with xsetroot until you find a personalized look
       that  you  like,  then  put  the  xsetroot  command that produces it into your X startup file.  If no
       options are specified, or if -def is specified, the window is reset to its default state.   The  -def
       option  can  be specified along with other options and only the non-specified characteristics will be
       reset to the default state.

       Only one of the background color/tiling changing options (-solid, -gray, -grey,  -bitmap,  and  -mod)
       may be specified at a time.

OPTIONS
       The various options are as follows:

       -help  Print a usage message and exit.

       -def   Reset  unspecified attributes to the default values.  (Restores the background to the familiar
              gray mesh and the cursor to the hollow x shape.)

       -cursor cursorfile maskfile
              This lets you change the pointer cursor to whatever you want when the pointer cursor  is  out-side outside
              side of any window.  Cursor and mask files are bitmaps (little pictures), and can be made with
              the bitmap(1) program.  You probably want the mask file to be all black until you get used  to
              the way masks work.

       -cursor_name cursorname
              This  lets  you change the pointer cursor to one of the standard cursors from the cursor font.
              Refer to appendix B of the X protocol for the names (except that the XC_ prefix is elided  for
              this option).

       -bitmap filename
              Use  the bitmap specified in the file to set the window pattern.  You can make your own bitmap
              files (little pictures) using the bitmap(1) program.  The entire background will be made up of
              repeated "tiles" of the bitmap.

       -mod x y
              This is used if you want a plaid-like grid pattern on your screen.  x and y are integers rang-ing ranging
              ing from 1 to 16.  Try the different combinations.  Zero and negative numbers are taken as  1.

       -gray  Make the entire background gray.  (Easier on the eyes.)

       -grey  Make the entire background grey.

       -fg color
              Use  ``color''  as the foreground color.  Foreground and background colors are meaningful only
              in combination with -cursor, -bitmap, or -mod.

       -bg color
              Use ``color'' as the background color.

       -rv    This exchanges the foreground and background colors.  Normally the foreground color  is  black
              and the background color is white.

       -solid color
              This  sets the background of the root window to the specified color.  This option is only use-ful useful
              ful on color servers.

       -name string
              Set the name of the root window to ``string''.  There is no default value.  Usually a name  is
              assigned  to a window so that the window manager can use a text representation when the window
              is iconified.  This option is unused since you can't iconify the background.

       -display display
              Specifies the server to connect to; see X(7).

SEE ALSO
       X(7), xset(1), xrdb(1)

AUTHOR
       Mark Lillibridge, MIT Project Athena



X Version 11                                   xsetroot 1.0.2                                    XSETROOT(1)