d.colormode workings

[Conn Copas]

Pardon my ignorance, but I can't quite work out how d.colormode operates by
playing with it, and would appreciate a quick run-down. My understanding is
this : the default mode is "fixed". Setting the mode to "floating" has an
effect for the next new graphics window only (rather than the entire display),
after which the mode reverts to "fixed". Correct? In other words, the man pages
could do with some clarification regarding the scope and duration of the
command, for us X neophytes. 

-- 
Conn V Copas
Loughborough University of Technology          tel : +44 (0)509 222689
Computer-Human Interaction Research Centre     fax : +44 (0)509 610815      
Leicestershire  LE11 3TU              e-mail - (Janet):C.V.Copas at uk.ac.lut   
G Britain                                      (Internet):C.V.Copas at lut.ac.uk