Install xgl and compiz

Now that we have the NVidia driver installed, we can proceed to install xgl and compiz, the programs that make all the coolness possible.
To do this, we'll open up YAST, providing our root password. When it comes up, click on SOFTWARE on the left, and SOFTWARE MANAGEMENT on the right:

Search for xgl. When it appears in the results on the right side, check the box next to it:

Then, we'll search for compiz. When it appears in the results on the right side, check the box next to it:

Now, to finalize the deal, click on ACCEPT in the lower-right corner of the window.
Just like before, YAST asks you for the proper CDs. When it's done, it asks if you want to install other packages. Click NO.
Edit Config Files

Now, we have to edit some configuration files.
First off, open up a terminal window.
Switch to superuser (type 'su' and press ENTER):
linux-lab:~ $ su
Password:
linux-lab:/home/scott $ Now, we're going to open /etc/X11/xorg.conf. I'm going to use gedit, but you could just as easily use kate, vim, emacs, or whatever text editor you want:
linux-lab:~ $ gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Look through the file for the "Device" section. It will look something like this:
Section "Device"
BoardName "GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X"
BusID "PCI:1@0:0:0"
Driver "nvidia"
Identifier "Device[0]"
VendorName "NVidia"
EndSection
We need to add one line to this section. That line will say: Option "NoFlip" "True", as in the following example:
Section "Device"
BoardName "GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X"
BusID "PCI:1@0:0:0"
Driver "nvidia"
Identifier "Device[0]"
VendorName "NVidia"
Option "NoFlip" "True"
EndSection
Note: Some people report that adding this line is not necessary. However, my sources at Novell recommend doing it, so I'm suggesting it here.
Don't close the file, yet. We need to add one more thing to it. Go down to the very bottom of the file and add this section:
Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "off"
EndSection
Now, you can save and close the file. Do not close the terminal window, however.
We have one more file to edit, /etc/sysconfig/displaymanager. Again, feel free to open this file with whatever text editor you wish. Open the file as root:
linux-lab:~ $ gedit /etc/sysconfig/displaymanager
Find the line that says DISPLAYMANAGER_XSERVER="Xorg". Instead of Xorg, we're going to tell it to use Xgl. So, change it to read thus:
DISPLAYMANAGER_XSERVER="Xgl" Now, find the line that says DISPLAYMANAGER_XGL_OPTS="-accel glx:pbuffer -accel xv:pbuffer". We're going to change the pbuffer there at the very end to say fbo. So, it will look like this:
DISPLAYMANAGER_XGL_OPTS="-accel glx:pbuffer -accel xv:fbo"
Save and close the file, but not the terminal window. As superuser still, run SuSEconfig:
linux-lab:~ $ SuSEconfig
You'll see a bunch of output scrolling up the screen.
When that is finished, we have to remove a symbolic link and then create a new one. This is accomplished by running the following two commands:
linux-lab:~ $ rm /var/X11R6/bin/X
linux-lab:~ $ ln -s /usr/X11R6/bin/Xgl /var/X11R6/bin/X
linux-lab:~ $ You can now close the terminal window.
We have done a lot of work to get this far, but none of it has been very difficult. We are now done installing Xgl and compiz and configuring the system. Now, we need to configure your desktop environment to run Xgl and compiz when it starts up. The following sections correspond to some of the major desktop environments and window managers. Skip straight to the one that interests you and proceed.
Configuring Gnome to Run Xgl

First, go ahead and log into Gnome.
Open up a terminal window and run the gnome-session-properties command:
linux-lab:~ $ gnome-session-properties You'll see the SESSIONS window come up. Click on the STARTUP PROGRAMS tab:

Click on the ADD button. Type compiz --replace gconf into the box and click OK:

Again, click ADD. Type gnome-window-decorator into the box and click OK:

You should now see the two new additions in the SESSIONS window:

You can now close the SESSIONS window.
Once you're back in the terminal window, run the gconf-editor command:
linux-lab:~ $ gconf-editor The CONFIGURATION EDITOR window appears:

In the left pane of this window, double-click to open each of the following items in this order: apps => compiz => general => allscreens => options. Then, in the right pane, double-click the ACTIVE_PLUGINS item to open it. We just want to make sure that the plugins are all set to load. You should see a list similar to this:

If you do not, you can add them all manually.
Now that we are sure all of the plugins are set to load, you should be able to log out of Gnome and then log back in. Once you do, you should be able to access the features of Xgl. To test this, open a window and move it around the screen. If it "wobbles", you are good to go.
When I have set this up, at this stage, I have to do a hard restart in X to get all of the settings to take properly. I have heard that this is not necessary. However, if you do not see Xgl working right here, you may need to do this, as well. To hard restart X, you just log out of Gnome. When you are logged out, press CTRL + ALT + BACKSPACE. X will shut down and restart. You can then log back in and everything should be full of coolness. Also, rebooting the computer may help things get freshly loaded and start up properly.
Congratulations. Your Gnome desktop environment should now be sporting all the great features of Xgl. To find out more about what Xgl can do, skip down to the XGL SHORTCUTS section, below.
Configuring KDE to run Xgl

First, make sure you are logged into KDE just like normal. We are going to create a quick config file so that KDE knows to load up compiz when X starts up. Open up your favorite editor. Copy and paste the following into a new text document:
[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Exec=compiz --replace decoration wobbly fade minimize cube rotate zoom scale move resize place switcher & gnome-window-decorator &
GenericName[en_US]=
StartupNotify=false
Terminal=false
TerminalOptions=
Type=Application
X-KDE-autostart-after=kdesktop Now, we just need to save it. You will need to save it in your /home/user/.kde/Autostart folder, where 'user' is your username. Name the file compiz.desktop. Once this is done, log out of KDE and log back in. You should have functioning Xgl on your shiny new K Desktop Environment.
Xgl Shortcuts

Some of the features of Xgl are executed when you perform certain functions. Mostly, this is some kind of key combination on your keyboard in addition to some button press and/or movement of your mouse. Below, I have provided a table with the different Xgl options and how to execute each one.
Window Operations Move Window ALT + Left-Click and Drag Move Window - Snap to screen CTRL + ALT + Left-Click and Drag Resize Window ALT + Right-Click and Drag Switch Windows ALT + TAB Switch Windows (Scale Mode) F11 Wobbly Windows Left-Click Window and Drag Translucency ALT + Mouse Up / Mouse Down Cube Rotate Cube - Next Desktop CTRL + ALT + Left or Right Arrow Rotate Cube - Next Desktop Move Mouse cursor to extreme edge of desktop Rotate Cube - Take Active Window CTRL + SHIFT + ALT + Left or Right Arrow Manually Rotate Cube CTRL + SHIFT + Left-Click on Desktop and Drag Zoom Zoom Once Super-Key (Windows Key) Zoom In Manually Mouse Wheel Scroll Up + Super-Key (Windows Key) Zoom Out Manually Mouse Wheel Scroll Down + Super-Key (Windows Key)