MATE desktop environment and Slim

To install the MATE desktop environment and Slim so you can design your own Slim themes. Please no baby picture themes please. First "pkg delete" all of your old desktop environment packages and settings and then remove and unwanted dependencies with "pkg autoremove". The installation of a new desktop envirnoment is usually done after a clean install of FreeBSD. If some of the packages names change over time be sure to look them up on the freshports website.


Step 1:

 #pkg install xf86-video-ati mate-desktop mate xorg  

Step 2:

Add the following lines to /etc/rc.conf

 moused_enable="YES"  
 dbus_enable="YES"  
 hald_enable="YES"  

Step 3:

 #pkg install slim  

Step 4:

Add the following line to /etc/rc.conf

 slim_enable="YES"  

Step 5:

Create the following .xinitrc file in the user’s home directory and add the following line.

 exec mate-session  

Step 6:

You might have to configure slim by enabling the following line in your slim.conf file. Or if you are using bash enable it for bash.

 login_cmd   exec /bin/sh - ~/.xinitrc %session  

Reboot