Xfce

Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for UNIX-like operating systems. It aims to be fast and low on system resources, while still being visually appealing and user friendly. -from xfce website

Installation

In /etc/make.conf, you can add/customize this line: XFCE_PLUGINS="trash menu brightness logout"

The above options may change, the current list is available here.

Install the complete xfce desktop:

root # emerge --ask xfce-base/xfce4-meta

Or you can select only needed packages:

root # emerge --ask xfce-base/xfwm4 xfce-base/xfce4-panel

Terminal emulator

You may need a terminal emulator for Xfce:

root # emerge --ask x11-terms/terminal

Autostart

To start Xfce automatically with startx:

File~/.xinitrc

exec ck-launch-session startxfce4

Enabling power off and restart buttons from exit window

Configuring consolekit daemon startup

Check if consolekit is started:

user $ rc-status

If not, setup startup on boot:

root # rc-update add consolekit default

Configuring policykit daemon

Example of its configuration:

File/etc/polkit-1/localauthority/50-local.d/40-power.pkla

[Local restart]
Identity=unix-group:users
Action=org.freedesktop.consolekit.system.restart
ResultAny=yes
ResultInactive=no
ResultActive=yes

[Local shutdown]
Identity=unix-group:users
Action=org.freedesktop.consolekit.system.stop
ResultAny=yes
ResultInactive=no
ResultActive=yes

[Local restart - multiple]
Identity=unix-group:users
Action=org.freedesktop.consolekit.system.restart-multiple-users
ResultAny=yes
ResultInactive=no
ResultActive=yes

[Local shutdown - multiple]
Identity=unix-group:users
Action=org.freedesktop.consolekit.system.stop-multiple-users
ResultAny=yes
ResultInactive=no
ResultActive=yes

In this example permission is granted to users in group users.

Volume keys

With xfce4-volumed daemon.

root # emerge --ask xfce-extra/xfce4-volumed

Lightweight method using alsa.

Run xfce4-keyboard-settings to bind following keys :
volume up button : amixer set Master 5%+
volume down button : amixer set Master 5%-
mute button : amixer set Master toggle

Consistent gtk3 theme

Greybird theme has support for GTK2, GTK3, xfwm4, emerald and metacity.

root # emerge --ask x11-themes/greybird

Go to xfce menu -> Settings -> Appearance. Or run xfce4-appearance-settings. Select "Greybird" from the "Style" list.

Now GTK2 and GTK3 applications should have consistent look.

Additional applications

Application finder: xfce-extra/xfce4-appfinder

Volume control: xfce-extra/xfce4-mixer

Text editor: app-editors/leafpad

Removable media and drives manager: xfce-extra/thunar-volman

Previewer for files from Thunar: xfce-extra/tumbler

CD burning application: app-cdr/xfburn

Archive manager: app-arch/xarchiver

Plugin for Thunar for work with archives, uses app-arch/xarchiver or app-arch/file-roller: xfce-extra/thunar-archive-plugin

xfce-extra/xfce4-battery-plugin is perfect for laptop users. It displays battery percentage, time remaining, power source (AC or battery), fan status, warnings, and can even be configured to execute commands at certain power levels. This feature can be used to put the laptop into hibernate mode when the battery is almost exhausted.

xfce-extra/xfce4-verve-plugin is a small command line embedded into the panel. It's quicker than opening up another terminal when you want to run a command.

xfce-extra/xfce4-mount-plugin gives you a handy method of mounting devices listed in /etc/fstab just by clicking your mouse.

xfce-extra/xfce4-sensors-plugin lets you monitor your hardware sensors, such as CPU temperature, fan RPM, hard drive temp, motherboard voltage, and more.

x11-themes/xfwm4-themes adds several window manager themes.

app-office/orage is a simple, handy calendar.

xfce-extra/xfce4-power-manager is an application to monitor and manage power usage. This is especially important for laptops! The power manager allows you to adjust screen brightness, choose maximum performance or battery-saving modes, and setup hibernate, suspend, and shutdown actions when the lid is shut or buttons are pressed. You can set xfce4-power-manager to warn you when your battery reaches certain levels, or even turn off your machine. The application comes with a couple of helpful panel plugins to display battery/charging status, and a brightness control.