Motif Window Manager


In computing, the Motif Window Manager is an X window manager based on the Motif toolkit.

Overview

MWM is a lightweight window manager, having robust compliance and configuration of the features it has. MWM first appeared on in the early-1990s, along with the Motif toolkit. MWM supports: Common User Interface, some International support, Common Desktop Environment, X Resource Database, X Session Manager protocol, X Edited Resource Protocol, desktop icons, optional use of images to decorate, and had supported Virtual desktop but now supports non-virtual desktop panning. MWM is a window manager, not a full desktop environment, so it only manages windows; it is expected that configuration, programs, sound, are provided by other programs. A plain text file is parsed to customize menus, user input mappings, management features, and user made functions of the same.

Origins

Motif and MWM were created by the Open Software Foundation but is nowadays owned by The Open Group.

Licensing

Originally, MWM and Motif could only be purchased. The same software was also available as OpenMotif, though not on properly open-source or free software terms. In late 2012, Motif and MWM were released under the LGPL as free software.