Keeping Windows Visible while Switching Workspaces in Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (X11)

Title: Sharing a Desktop Screen with an iPad while Writing LaTeX on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (X11)

Introduction

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to share a desktop screen with an iPad while writing LaTeX documents on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (X11). We'll cover two applications: TextEdit (for viewing PDFs) and an iPad app (for the iPad).

Prerequisites

1. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (X11) installed on a laptop.
2. An iPad with a suitable app for viewing PDFs (e.g., GoodReader, iAnnotate, or Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Steps to Share Desktop Screen

1. Install the necessary packages:

   sudo apt-get update
   sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-core xinit xorg-xmodmap xauth
   

2. Create a startup script for the X server:

   nano ~/.xinitrc
   

   Add the following lines:

   xset s noblank
   xset s off
   xset -dpms
   xset s off
   export DISPLAY=:0
   exec xterm -geometry 80x24+10+10 -ls -title "XTerm"
   

3. Save and close the file.

4. Create an .Xauthority file:

   xauth generate :0 && xauth nprint :0 > ~/.Xauthority
   

5. Start the X server:

   startx
   

6. Install and run the VNC server:

   sudo apt-get install tightvncserver
   vncserver
   

   You will be prompted to enter a password for the VNC server. Remember this password as you'll need it later.

7. Find the VNC server's display number:

   vncserver -list
   

   Note down the display number (e.g., 5).

8. Install and run the VNC viewer on your iPad:

   • Download a VNC viewer app from the App Store (e.g., RealVNC Viewer, TeamViewer, or AnyDesk).
   • Launch the app and enter the IP address of your Ubuntu machine and the display number found in step 7.
   • Enter the password you set for the VNC server when prompted.

Writing LaTeX Documents

1. Install TeX Live:

   sudo apt-get install texlive texlive-latex-recommended
   

2. Install a LaTeX editor (e.g., TeXstudio, TeXworks, or Kile).

3. Write your LaTeX document, compile, and view the PDF in TextEdit on your iPad via the VNC viewer.

Conclusion

With these steps, you can now share your desktop screen with an iPad while writing LaTeX documents on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (X11). This setup allows you to view PDFs on your iPad and write LaTeX documents on Ubuntu simultaneously.

References

1. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (X11) - Official Website: https://ubuntu.com/
2. TextEdit - Apple Developer Documentation: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/macos/textedit
3. GoodReader - App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goodreader/id364709153
4. iAnnotate - App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/iannotate-pdf-reader-editor/id484575078
5. Adobe Acrobat Reader - App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adobe-acrobat-reader/id347648757
6. RealVNC Viewer - App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/realvnc-viewer/id590359267
7. TeamViewer - App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/teamviewer-quick-support/id1100075907
8. AnyDesk - App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/anydesk-remote-desktop/id1040557874
9. TeX Live - Official Website: https://www.tug.org/texlive/
10. TeXstudio - Official Website: https://www.texstudio.org/
11. TeXworks - Official Website: https://www.tug.org/applications/texworks/
12. Kile - Official Website: https://kile.sourceforge.io/
13. TightVNC Server - Official Website: https://www.tightvnc.com/download.php