In this version I addressed further comments by Paul Fertser, plus
implemented the remote/local clients identification scheme that I was
talking about: it is in XMonad.Util.RemoteWindows module with
documentation and all.
I split the work into two logical changes, for easier review and so that
the first patch won't depend on the second.
Thanks,
Anton
2 patches for repository http://code.haskell.org/XMonadContrib:
Mon Sep 1 00:21:41 PDT 2014 Anton Vorontsov
* Add Stoppable layout for power saving
This module implements a special kind of layout modifier, which when
applied to a layout, causes xmonad to stop all non-visible processes. In a
way, this is a sledge-hammer for applications that drain power. For
example, given a web browser on a stoppable workspace, once the workspace
is hidden the web browser will be stopped.
Note that the stopped application won't be able to communicate with X11
clipboard. For this, the module actually stops applications after a
certain delay, giving a chance for a user to complete copy-paste sequence.
By default, the delay equals to 15 seconds, it is configurable via
'Stoppable' constructor.
The stoppable modifier prepends a mark (by default equals to "Stoppable")
to the layout description (alternatively, you can choose your own mark and
use it with 'Stoppable' constructor). The stoppable layout (identified by
a mark) spans to multiple workspaces, letting you to create groups of
stoppable workspaces that only stop processes when none of the workspaces
are visible, and conversely, unfreezing all processes even if one of the
stoppable workspaces are visible.
To stop the process we use signals, which works for most cases. For
processes that tinker with signal handling (debuggers), another
(Linux-centric) approach may be used. See
https://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentation/cgroups/freezer-subsystem.txt
Mon Sep 1 00:21:58 PDT 2014 Anton Vorontsov
* Implement proper handling of dynamically changing hostname
The module implements a proper way of finding out whether the window is
remote or local.
Just checking for a hostname and WM_CLIENT_MACHINE being equal is often
not enough because the hostname is a changing subject (without any
established notification mechanisms), and thus WM_CLIENT_MACHINE and the
hostname can diverge even for a local window.
This module solves the problem. As soon as there is a new window created,
we check the hostname and WM_CLIENT_MACHINE, and then we cache the result
into the XMONAD_REMOTE property.
Notice that XMonad itself does not know anything about hostnames, nor does
it have any dependency on Network.* modules. For this module it is not a
problem: you can provide a mean to get the hostname through your config
file (see usage). Or, if you don't like the hassle of handling dynamic
hostnames (suppose your hostname never changes), it is also fine: this
module will fallback to using environment variables.
