Ubuntu Control Center

[chanders]

Ok guys here it is. I re-wrote the control center that is provided with the SuSE menu compiled by Senori and cbudden (thanks guys!) because of a few reasons

(1) It only show two categories- Administration and Preferences
(2) It shows ALL of the items at one time (maybe good/bad)
(3) It remains running in memory even after it is closed using 64MB of ram (on my machine)
(4) It wasn't available when I started this port! ;)

If I get enough requests I will make a .deb for dapper. Edit - .deb available
Please feel free to comment/criticize (more of the former, less of the latter :D )

Ver
1.39 (20 Aug 2006 11:15:20)
* Fixed 'Yellow' color problem

Colors now use the standars naming convention
#rrggbb
red green blue

Ver
1.38 (16 Jul 2006 12:53:50 -0400)
* Fixed 'Under all windows' bug for Metacity users
* Option to use tabs instead (defaults to system colors) /apps/gcontrol/use_tabs_instead
* Window type set back to 'Normal' to solve above bugs

Ver
1.36 (15 Jul 2006 16:45:20 -0400)
* Fixed typo in translate.py please update!
* With ver# showing 1.36 in prefrences

If your language is not translated, download and edit the language template file (http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=12492&d=1152517417) and email it to me schanderbally @ gmail.com
Please rename file with your locale.

Obligatory Screenshot :

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/4043/controlcenter0pr.jpg

Compressed file contains the .deb!

[theh0g]

Looking great. 1 vote for Dapper .deb here :)

[DeeZiD]

Second vote :)

Ok, I've found a new bug:
Personal>Users and Groups>Add and remove users

(Do you know how to translate in python? :oops:)

regards Dennis

[DeeZiD]

Some request:

Is it possible to replace the gray tone (Groups) with the current theme colour?

[chanders]

Some request:

Is it possible to replace the gray tone (Groups) with the current theme colour?

@Thoop - Ver 1.06 should fix yur problem

@DeeZiD - The actual translation happens in the control.glade file. If you have GLADE installed you can open the glade file and add the translation directly.

Or you can send me a 1:1 translation text file and I can do it manually... any method you want, no problem....

The gray tone is hard coded. I can remove it if you want...
EDIT: Hard coded grey removed, it should now match the default theme

[colpompidou]

Why not place "groups" on the left side ? Studies have shown that an average user starts looking at the left of the window in search for a menu. It would be great if you could associate icons with groups. Adding a search bar should also be considered.
Good luck !
(Apologies for my English, but I can write French translations if you want me to do so.)

[DeeZiD]

@Thoop - Ver 1.06 should fix yur problem

@DeeZiD - The actual translation happens in the control.glade file. If you have GLADE installed you can open the glade file and add the translation directly.

Tried that, but the translate window didn't open. I got the preferences-window instead :-?


Or you can send me a 1:1 translation text file and I can do it manually... any method you want, no problem....
I will do that :)


The gray tone is hard coded. I can remove it if you want...
If theme-colours will be adopted automatically then, I would say YES!

[chanders]

Why not place "groups" on the left side ? Studies have shown that an average user starts looking at the left of the window in search for a menu. It would be great if you could associate icons with groups. Adding a search bar should also be considered.
Good luck !
(Apologies for my English, but I can write French translations if you want me to do so.)

I could put the groups on the right side if enough people request (I didnt want it to look like a blatant SuSE rip ;-) )

Will try to add the default icons for the groups...

You're english is second to none! French translations would be excellent!
We would now have

English
German
French

Any other translations?

[DeeZiD]

Ok, looks much better now :)

but the spell-issue with the description of "Users and Groups" (add a r in users) is still there ;)


regards Dennis

[Kilz]

Just a question. Why dose the bottom bar have to be so big? Would it not be better to have word groups and the choices on one line or do you even need the word groups? Next, I see the color is hard wired, What if I change themes? Is it still going to be the same color?

[Thoop]

Nice, got it working with my main-menu :) (I gedited my /usr/share/applications/control-center.desktop)

I would like the panel view too, as it would integrate nicer with the main-menu

[playerX]

I like it, just one thing it's hard to close the window, hard as in having to move the mouse all the way to the cross, there should be a close button.

Keep it up.

[DeeZiD]

Ok, here's my german translation with some suggestions included :)

typos
- Removeable Dirives >> remove the i

bugs
- accessibility and bum aren't installed by default installation and should be removed from this application

suggestions
- add "gksu disks-admin" to "system" or "hardware" group


regards Dennis

[chanders]

Just a question. Why dose the bottom bar have to be so big? Would it not be better to have word groups and the choices on one line or do you even need the word groups? Next, I see the color is hard wired, What if I change themes? Is it still going to be the same color?

I am considering putting "Groups" in the same line with the buttons, that should make the bottom bar smaller, or I might just reduce the spacing...

@playerX - will add a close button too so you wont have to stretch ;-)

[DeeZiD]

NICE, your app keeps getting better and better :)
But I have new suggestion:
Isn't it better to put "Power Management" to group "System" and "Disks" to group "Hardware"?

And I have a strange Issue here with the hardware Icon. It's much bigger than the other ones :-?

And one question about glade-2:
In gambas (a visual basic qlone) it is pretty easy to add translations to projects. But how can I do that with glade-2?
I didn't find out how to do that, so I made an .odt-file. I hope that is ok :)


regards Dennis

[chanders]

NICE, your app keeps getting better and better :)
But I have new suggestion:
Isn't it better to put "Power Management" to group "System" and "Disks" to group "Hardware"?

Good point! I am on it! ;-)


And I have a strange Issue here with the hardware Icon. It's much bigger than the other ones :-?

Hmmm... looking into that....

And one question about glade-2:
In gambas (a visual basic qlone) it is pretty easy to add translations to projects. But how can I do that with glade-2?
I didn't find out how to do that, so I made an .odt-file. I hope that is ok :)

regards Dennis

The .ODT file is no problem at all! I am digging in all of the doccuments I have about glade-2 but I cant seem to find the translations!! 8-[ If I cant eventually, I'll just have it read the translations from an external translation file..

I have another nice project coming up based on old SuSE gnome mockups... Will keep you posted about those too :D

[naked]

I haven't installed this. But does it switch the "Groups" at the bottom when you mouse over them? That would be nice if you were trying to find something quickly.

L

[DeeZiD]

I haven't installed this. But does it switch the "Groups" at the bottom when you mouse over them? That would be nice if you were trying to find something quickly.

L

Yes, you can switch with the group with these group buttons.

[naked]

Would this replace the exandable menu for preferences?

And what icon set is running here?

[chanders]

Would this replace the exandable menu for preferences?

And what icon set is running here?

If you want you can use this as a drop-in replacement for the one that came with the SuSE menu....

The icon theme I am using is called nuoveXT-1.6 but it uses whatever icon theme you have installed...

[naked]

Yes, you can switch with the group with these group buttons.

I downloaded it and installed it. But it does switch groups without clicking on it. This would be nice so you could look quickly for a preference item.

L

[naked]

If you want you can use this as a drop-in replacement for the one that came with the SuSE menu....

The icon theme I am using is called nuoveXT-1.6 but it uses whatever icon theme you have installed...

Can we install the SUSE menu now?

L

[chanders]

And I have a strange Issue here with the hardware Icon. It's much bigger than the other ones :-?

WHAT! No Xgl/Compiz!!! ;) I remember you from the early days....

It seemed that Gnome did not have a small icon for the one I picked for 'System' so I choose one that scaled well... Fixed!

[DeeZiD]

WHAT! No Xgl/Compiz!!! ;) I remember you from the early days....
I have Xgl/Ubuntu Dapper installed on my Acer Notebook with ATi X700 card. It works well on it since 8.25 driver from ATi.
But on my PC with my NVIDIA Geforce6600 Xgl is very slow on Ubuntu, so I installed SuSE 10.1 + Xgl + Gnome on my PC and it was fast like hell, even faster than my notebook?!?! There must be a bug with recent Ubuntu kernel :-?


It seemed that Gnome did not have a small icon for the one I picked for 'System' so I choose one that scaled well... Fixed!
Problem is fixed here :)
And you even fixed the synaptic icon, nice!

[DeeZiD]

I have one question: What about a nice looking, easy to handle Xorg Settings as a replacement for "Screen Resolution", written in glade? :)

It should have at least the following options:
Changing resolution
Changing driver
Changing Hz
Changing Color Depth
Enable/Disable a second screen with Clone Mode/Large Display/other mode...
Enable 3ddesktop (script) (with AIGLX option for Intel or ATi (r200) DRI drivers and of course check that right driver is used)
Test mode

And it should look good, like your control panel ;)


Something like that would make control center complete \\:D/

[chanders]

I have one question: What about a nice looking, easy to handle Xorg Settings as a replacement for "Screen Resolution", written in glade? :)

It should have at least the following options:
Changing resolution
Changing driver
Changing Hz
Changing Color Depth
Enable/Disable a second screen with Clone Mode/Large Display/other mode...
Enable 3ddesktop (script) (with AIGLX option for Intel or ATi (r200) DRI drivers and of course check that right driver is used)
Test mode

And it should look good, like your control panel ;)


Something like that would make control center complete \\:D/


Are you psychic?

Thats what I am working on right now!!!! And not just for Xorg settings but for Network and themes etc all in one app! I am using these for inspiration... Let me know what you think!

Gnome Mockup
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/gnomemock/?page=2)
But I have to prioritise between this and the translation ;-)

[DeeZiD]

Yes, this mockup is fantastic :o

But you can work on this control center. All these items are always replaceable. ;)

In the mockup you can see things like "Power Management" and below that "On AC Power 100%". Something like that should be possible with dbus!


Ubuntu edgy could be the easiest gnu-distribution.
The technical possibilities are there. We now only need to get them together. :)


Some programs/things I really like:
- gnome-app-install with new options to install (and enable!) nvidia- or ati-proprietary drivers, codecs, commercial apps etc...
- network-manager (get rid of netstatus applet)
- update-manager
- the new control panel

what we really need are some nice looking editors for grub menu.lst and xorg.conf.


regards Dennis

[chanders]

Some programs/things I really like:
- gnome-app-install with new options to install (and enable!) nvidia- or ati-proprietary drivers, codecs, commercial apps etc...
- network-manager (get rid of netstatus applet)
- update-manager
- the new control panel

I hope they are all included in edgy... I will work on making some of the non graphical stuff easier...

BTW if you (or anyone for that matter) have any mockups, such as the gnome ones or your original idea, please post them... From these ideas we can generate some great applications!

(Personally I think SuSE had some really nicer menu items than the one they chose for SLED/NDL10)

[DeeZiD]

Do you know the Xorg Editor in KDE Systemsettings?
I think, that is one of the best Xorg Editors ever.

It's simple. Looks good. AND IT WORKS!


It should be something like that for the Screen-Resolution replacement.

[Kilz]

The icon theme I am using is called nuoveXT-1.6 but it uses whatever icon theme you have installed...
Looks like Im not the only one who likes that icon set.

[naked]

Are you psychic?

Thats what I am working on right now!!!! And not just for Xorg settings but for Network and themes etc all in one app! I am using these for inspiration... Let me know what you think!

Gnome Mockup
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/gnomemock/?page=2)
But I have to prioritise between this and the translation ;-)

Sax2 is what SUSE uses. Maybe just making a GTK port of this app would save you some time? I think everyone can/will agree that this is something MAJOR that is missing. I took me about 3 days to setup my laptop for different settings (dual display, tv out, etc...) It finally works, but I don't think most people will be able to spend 3 days digging through man pages and examples trying to get things to work.

Would porting this be easier than making your own? I'm all up for even using the QT version if I could get it to install and work.

L

[chanders]

Sax2 is what SUSE uses. Maybe just making a GTK port of this app would save you some time? I think everyone can/will agree that this is something MAJOR that is missing. I took me about 3 days to setup my laptop for different settings (dual display, tv out, etc...) It finally works, but I don't think most people will be able to spend 3 days digging through man pages and examples trying to get things to work.

Would porting this be easier than making your own? I'm all up for even using the QT version if I could get it to install and work.

L

I had my dabble with SaX2 and it was quite nice. I understand that SuSE has made writing plugins for it open but itself is closed source. I have to agree it is a major undertaking but I am doing it little by little..

Hopefully good posts and encouragement along with our own mock ups and not SuSE's will help along the way...

[apoclypse]

Well the cool thing about ubuntu is that installing the ati or nvidia drivers are dead easy since the modules are included in the kernel. So something like an enable 3d button shouldn't be too hard to implement. Then all that would be required would be a restart. I admire the effort that you are doing. NTW, is this an official ubuntu project, if not I think you should definately make it one, and get the other devs involved.

[colpompidou]

A few suggestions :

remove the useles "Exit" button (users can close the window to exit)
place "groups" on the right side => make it a toolbar
add a search bar (like Novell's control center) on the right side
let users edit groups (add/remove groups) and sort their applications by dragging and dropping them on "groups" button => create an "Others" group for unsorted entries
use default Gnome menu entries (with their icons and translations)

You should also contact Ubuntu developpers to get help.

Good luck !

[apoclypse]

You should also contact Ubuntu developpers to get help.

Good luck !
yeahthaz wht meant to say. Youshould definately get the ubuntu guys involved. This could be a huge project for you. you might need all the help you can get.

[apoclypse]

I just tried it out. I like it so far, though i do liek the consistency in the novell one. I think maybe th ebuttons should be moved back to the left hand side as most user automatically look there first. The exit button should go, it seems redundant at this point since the window can be closed from the window manager. I really do like it though.

[mejy]

Looks amazing - I hope you continue to develop this because it has a lot of potential.

How about having a single window to set wallpaper, screen-saver (that would also get around the limited gnome screen-saver GUI), icons, gtk & metacity themes, fonts, splash screen and mouse cursor? It might be tricky to design a UI for, but it makes a lot of sense to have these appearance preferences together (or in the case of splash screen, at all). Also, the ability to have a theme specifying each of these would be very usefull.

Keep up the good work.

[Kilz]

place "groups" on the right side => make it a toolbar

add a search bar (like Novell's control center) on the right side

Just a question. But why is a search bar needed to search icons in a window right in front of your face?
IMHO I also think that the bottom or the top is a better place for the bar than along side. It just looks like it takes up less space to me. The top wouldn't be bad, but when you put the words in a left or right side bar, it looks like they take up more area.

[ubuntu_demon]

great thread! I linked to it on my blog : http://ubuntudemon.wordpress.com

[chanders]

Thank all your guys for your great responses.... Here are some answers to some common requests/comments

(1) Groups menu on the right/left/top/bottom

I am planning to make this user configurable, so the user can choose whatever he/she likes!

(2) Some like/dislike the exit button. I will make it smaller and out of the groups menu

(3) The search bar. To be honest I think it would be WAAAYYY faster with two clicks (Groups--> Item) than taking your hand off the mouse to type what you are looking for. The groups are already pretty well defined. I think it makes it look too SuSE tho, but have no fear it is planned....

(4) User Groups/Drag and drop. Excellent idea. This is definitly a priority.

Here is the timeline I am looking at to implement these items...

First - Groups layout (top/bottom/left/right)
Second - Drag and drop
Thirdly - Search bar

Remember this is my first program in Python and Glade so I do have a lot to get covered to achieve 'The professional look' re: the items above.

This is an open call to python/PyGTK programmers/Ubuntu Developers.... Anyone who would be able to give me some more documentation on the above would be great. Google works, but there are very little examples to work with...

Thanks again for your comments...keep them coming!

[colpompidou]

I agree with apoclypse : a post on the mailing-list may attract more Ubuntu developpers to your project than on this forum.
I know the search bar is no use being developed today as it's slower, but it's useful when you don't find a menu entry.
I may have found the solution as for the user interface organisation : groups on the top, and exit button on the bottom (a piece of advice : use "Close" instead of "Exit"). Else customization is always good.

Keep us the good work.

[drfalkor]

/voteing for control center, and the Novell's New gnome menu :KS :KS :KS :KS :KS :KS

[tseliot]

I haven't tried it yet but the mockups look very nice.

Keep up the good work ;)

[mstlyevil]

Looks great and works excellent as a control center. It looks really awesome with the brushed metal theme I am using and OSX Icons. Here is a screen shot of it.

12183

Great work!

[dabear]

You should really make sure that this app gets included in Edgy!

[linuksamiko]

That is great. Many people are waiting for this (even if I wouldn't include myself). I haven't installed it yet but the screenshots are VERY promissing and this even more people convice from ubuntu then we have allready.

Keep it up and get in touch with the edgy-programmers!

[chanders]

Ok guys, I have the next version ready.

This has a configuration window and allows the user to place the groups bar anywhere they like. I want to post it as a .deb but I am having trouble converting a Python file to a .deb (especially since it stores settings in gconf). Anyone with some insight please let me know...:-?

[Senori]

Ok guys, I have the next version ready.

This has a configuration window and allows the user to place the groups bar anywhere they like. I want to post it as a .deb but I am having trouble converting a Python file to a .deb (especially since it stores settings in gconf). Anyone with some insight please let me know...:-?
By far the easiest way to do it is put it in a fake hierarchy (wherever/usr/share/etc) and put a debian dir (wherever/debian), then dpkg -b wherever.

The debian dir would need a control file and a postinst file to register the schemas. I think the debhelper for gconf is dh_gconf, which you would run in the wherever directory.

[jasongrieves]

hey,

Just wanted to say nice job getting something like this started. Looks like a great start, and is something I was always curious why we never had. A usable control center.

[Anthem]

I had my dabble with SaX2 and it was quite nice. I understand that SuSE has made writing plugins for it open but itself is closed source.
I'm pretty sure that's no longer the case.

[chanders]

First .deb release!
Along with configurable "Groups" and "Close"

Install and let me know how it went. This is the first .deb I ever made, so I am interested to know if you had/have any problems with the installation...

Tomorrow I will start work on Drag-n-Drop \\:D/
Questions/comments welcome!

[Eklöf]

First .deb release!


Ok!

So where is it ? :)

[chanders]

Ok!

So where is it ? :)

On the first page, first post. Attachment on the bottom ;-)

[skauch]

1 vote for Dapper .deb please!!!!!! \\:D/

[henriquemaia]

I downloaded the .deb and installed it on my Dapper 64bit. Works great. Can you make a 64bit specific .deb (or make it architecture independent)?

[caldevil]

Downloaded the deb file. Looks great. You may want to add it to gnome menu though.

[AlexC_]

I found a bug, When you go to preferences the option for 'Top' is always selected, even if the Group Position is somewhere else. Great app Edit: Same with the close button, though, I love it!

[ubuntu_demon]

I tried it out and it's great!

When a user installs something that wants to be in the system menu such as gnome-art it doesn't show up in the control center. Maybe there should be a category "user installed" (enabled when a user actually installs something that ends up in the system menu).

[Henrik]

If you want to get this into Edgy you really need to wite a spec for it ASAP (others here can help with that). The current Ubuntu specs are here:
https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+specs

Then you need to present it to other developers and make sure that it relates well to other current dev projects. There is a spec, for example, on the Gnome System Tools, which will have overlap with yours: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/FutureOfGst
You should contact those resposible for that and see how you might work together.

Someone mentioned that accessibility was not installed by default and should there for be removed from the menu. This is not true. Several accessibility tools were installed by default in Dapper, and more will be added in Edgy. The configuration of this in Gnome is random and generally poor ATM though, so this utility could be a nice improvement on that. We also need to make sure the utility itself is accessible. You need to be able to navigate it with the keyboard, it should respont well to the use of high contrast themes, should display its content through AT-SPI (check this with at-poke or a screen reader).

[Tasu]

English
German
French

Any other translations?

Italian? I'm willing to help... please send me .po file (or whatever you use) and I will translate it to Italian...

[ubuntu_demon]

If you want to get this into Edgy you really need to wite a spec for it ASAP (others here can help with that). The current Ubuntu specs are here:
https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+specs

Then you need to present it to other developers and make sure that it relates well to other current dev projects. There is a spec, for example, on the Gnome System Tools, which will have overlap with yours: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/FutureOfGst
You should contact those resposible for that and see how you might work together.

Someone mentioned that accessibility was not installed by default and should there for be removed from the menu. This is not true. Several accessibility tools were installed by default in Dapper, and more will be added in Edgy. The configuration of this in Gnome is random and generally poor ATM though, so this utility could be a nice improvement on that. We also need to make sure the utility itself is accessible. You need to be able to navigate it with the keyboard, it should respont well to the use of high contrast themes, should display its content through AT-SPI (check this with at-poke or a screen reader).

This is how you could have made a proposal for Edgy :
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=190021

Since you guys already have an implementation IMHO there is a chance to get this into Edgy.

I have added a comment linking to this thread on https://wiki.ubuntu.com/FutureOfGst

Whenever you guys have written a spec at wiki.ubuntu.com you should add the link in the comments of FutureOfGst and/or send an e-mail to the contributers of the FutureOfGst spec directly.

[colpompidou]

The small close button can only confuse users (who don't know whether they have to click on this button or on the close window button to exit) : please remove it. Why not use GtkHandleBox to place "groups" ? So the preferences window becomes obsolete.
It's just a suggestion (and a simplification).
How can I write French translations ?

[kiddo]

*sniff* you're my hero =D>

Please... make sure this wonder gets accepted as a default into the next release.

[guzerat]

The close button has to go. If it's to be accepted in Edgy at least. No other gnome application has one.

[_simon_]

Just installed this in Dapper and think it's great! :)

Is the intention to replace Preferences and Administration or to just give another option on how to "control" things?

Personally I'd be quite happy having it replace the menu items for the above.

One addition that might be quite nice would be to have some kind of system information like in suse that shows you what you are running, processor, ram etc etc.

[linuxmad]

Just Fantastic....;) .Running it under Dapper..However I would like to see it integrated with the New Sled applet menu... Is it possible?:confused:

[nw15062]

I think it would be in the best interest to have the groups on the left as default and have the window more square, for instance two verticle rows rather then 3 in the window.

It also needs to be dynamic the user must be able to add new utilities at will or hide uneeded ones much like the current Ubuntu System Menu with alacarte.

I fully support this and have been pushing for this for some time, Infact I have even made a wiki with Ubuntu Universal Control Panel specifications.

http://www.geocities.com/nw15062/ucp.png

This was concept design from my specification, ofcourse, I do like the SLED control Panel granted we can clean it up, color cordinate it, and customize it..

It is just too wide and Groups needs to be either on the top or to the left, as I said before put it to the left and then assign it to allow only two rows in the embedded window plane.

[ubuntu_demon]

I think it would be in the best interest to have the groups on the left as default and have the window more square, for instance two verticle rows rather then 3 in the window.

It also needs to be dynamic the user must be able to add new utilities at will or hide uneeded ones much like the current Ubuntu System Menu with alacarte.

I fully support this and have been pushing for this for some time, Infact I have even made a wiki with Ubuntu Universal Control Panel specifications.

http://www.geocities.com/nw15062/ucp.png

This was concept design from my specification, ofcourse, I do like the SLED control Panel granted we can clean it up, color cordinate it, and customize it..

It is just too wide and Groups needs to be either on the top or to the left, as I said before put it to the left and then assign it to allow only two rows in the embedded window plane.
I liked the spec : https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DesktopTeam/Universal_Control_Panel
I added a comment with a link to this thread.

[henriquemaia]

[...]

English
German
French

Any other translations?

Portuguese (pt_PT, different from pt_BR)

[Thoop]

Just Fantastic....;) .Running it under Dapper..However I would like to see it integrated with the New Sled applet menu... Is it possible?:confused:
you can do it manually in gconf or gedit /usr/share/applications/control-center.desktop

[Senori]

The correct way is to edit the key in /desktop/gnome/applications/main-menu/system-area/

[chanders]

Ok, glad to see we have a lot of people interested... always a good thing. Firstly I will answer some simple quetions/requests and then I'll get on to the major stuff...

I downloaded the .deb and installed it on my Dapper 64bit. Works great. Can you make a 64bit specific .deb (or make it architecture independent)?
This .deb was made on dapper as that is what I use. But it is a python2.4 file so as long as you have all the dependencies, it will work no matter what architecture you are running, so yes you can say it is architecture independent

I found a bug, When you go to preferences the option for 'Top' is always selected, even if the Group Position is somewhere elseThis is not a bug, I just havent coded that part yet. It was very LATE last night when I finished the .deb :D

When a user installs something that wants to be in the system menu such as gnome-art it doesn't show up in the control center. Maybe there should be a category "user installed" (enabled when a user actually installs something that ends up in the system menu).
Was planned for today, along with drag-and-drop ;) And I know it's going to be a real task!

Italian? I'm willing to help... please send me .po file (or whatever you use) and I will translate it to Italian...

How can I write French translations ?

Portuguese (pt_PT, different from pt_BR)
Glad you all can help guys. I havent gotten around to the python's .po implementation so a simple text file with the english and corresponding translation will be ok for now. Thanks!

The close button has to go. If it's to be accepted in Edgy at least. No other gnome application has one.
I have to agree. It did seem out of place but some users requested it. Sorry guys...its gone!

One addition that might be quite nice would be to have some kind of system information like in suse that shows you what you are running, processor, ram etc etc.
THIS is what I had set out to accomplish, but I kept adding requests etc. I will get there with the app, just not as fast as I thought :?

I think it would be in the best interest to have the groups on the left as default and have the window more square, for instance two verticle rows rather then 3 in the window.
The default setting is groups on the left. The app then remembers what setting the user had the last time and uses it the next time it opens(More power to the people :D ) I was trying my best not to have a scrollbar for the user to have to scroll down. All items should be visible in each group. This makes it MUCH faster. I think speed is really important as you dont want to spend too much time looking for what you want to do but just do it.

I will try to make the labels configurable so maybe it can be under the icons? This will make the app less wide... Anyone else think it should be 2 wide and not 3? I would really like some feedback...

Ok now on to the major stuff. I am sure nearly all of us has been waiting for something like this for a long time and would like it in edgy...at least I can speak for myself..

I fully support this and have been pushing for this for some time, Infact I have even made a wiki with Ubuntu Universal Control Panel specifications.

I think nw15062's wiki spec. is excellent. In fact is is practically the same project, just cosmetic differences. I am hoping we could maybe merge the spec's and come up with a single project. I am concentrating on the coding, so nw15062, can you pm me and we can talk about it?

If we cant merge the projects for whatever reason, can someone throw up a spec for me? I would do it if no one wants to, but I really want to polish this up...

THE DEADLINE FOR PROPOSING SPECIFICATIONS IS MONDAY, 12 JUNE at 0000 UTC
(about two weeks before the summit).

That date has passed. Anyone know if they will still accept the proposal?

Some technical stuff..

What are your ideas on making a 'plugins' section? Just an idea I had, so maybe other developers can make small plugins to do specific tasks and it can be 'plugged in'. This will greatly speed along development (Python programmers invited!)

Well guys, thats about it for now. I am going to see if I can get the user/drag-and-drop started...Thanks again! Please post your questions/comments here...

[linuxmad]

The correct way is to edit the key in /desktop/gnome/applications/main-menu/system-area/

...so if I change this key to gcontrol.desktop .... I will have the new control center ?

[net-x]

Where i can get the sources? Thanks.

[jasongrieves]

since you are fairly early in the development, you might want to consider implementing a profile file instead of hard coding all of it. Imagine being on computer A, switching over to computer B and jsut bringing your profile along with you on your thumb drive. Your GUI has an import button, and bingo, your desktop.

[chanders]

since you are fairly early in the development, you might want to consider implementing a profile file instead of hard coding all of it. Imagine being on computer A, switching over to computer B and jsut bringing your profile along with you on your thumb drive. Your GUI has an import button, and bingo, your desktop.

Sounds like a good idea, I will look into it. Currently I am using gconf schemas to store the settings...

[henriquemaia]

[...]
This .deb was made on dapper as that is what I use. But it is a python2.4 file so as long as you have all the dependencies, it will work no matter what architecture you are running, so yes you can say it is architecture independent
[...]

Hi,

Maybe I have not explained myself well. First, thanks for your technical explanation. The thing is: if you go and try to install with the graphical installer "Package Installer", you can't do it, since it will give you an error: "Error: Wrong architecture 'i386'".

What I suggested was for you to make it as a real architecture independent .deb that the 64 bit version of Ubuntu accepts without having to recur to a --force-architecture kind of install. Apart from that, works great on the 64bit environment.

[melalcoolique]

I installed Gcontrol under Edgy and it works fine. Installation failed with Gdebi (dunno why) but was successful with terminal (dpkg).

Nice application indeed. :KS

[_simon_]

...so if I change this key to gcontrol.desktop .... I will have the new control center ?

What does it need to be changed to exactly as I can't get that to work?

[linuxmad]

What does it need to be changed to exactly as I can't get that to work?

Yep ...me neither...:(

[Senori]

You need to restart the applet (killall main-menu) for it to take effect.

[DeeZiD]

Here is a new german translation :)

[_simon_]

You need to restart the applet (killall main-menu) for it to take effect.

still doesn't seem to work.

what's the exact value that has to be entered maybe i'm doing something silly?

[Horizon]

still doesn't seem to work.

what's the exact value that has to be entered maybe i'm doing something silly?
The deb doesn't seem to come with a .desktop file. I just edited the control-center.desktop launcher to launch gcontrol. It's not like I'm going to be using that useless control center that came with slab anyways. Sure you can organise your control center into groups using the menu editor but then they disappear from the menu bar. This new control panel is actually usable.

[_simon_]

thank you :)

[Tortanick]

I don't suppose anyone will be following SuSE and adding common network services to this? E.G. LDAP, NIS, NFS, Samba?

[cowley]

hi - great app! but is anyone having problems with the screensaver one? it halts the whole program and i have to logout to close the screensaver window and control center window.
also, when using compiz when i open it its half off the screen to the right. any thoughts??

thanks

simon

[Hairy_Palms]

this control center rules,
The best way i can think to make it extensible would be some system that imports certain .desktop files on launch, ie if it finds that the file /usr/share/applications/gparted.desktop exists it adds a partitioning entry to the control panel, if it doesnt exist then it wont import it at startup.

[chanders]

@Colwley - I havent really noticed that (I use xscreensaver ;-) but I will definitely look at it)

@hairy-palms - I am coding that now as we speak. Drag and drop menu items into the control panel

[Priyantha Bleeker]

Is there a way to get te sourcecode ?
I am running Gentoo and I would like to get this nice panel compiled on my box. But I can't find the sources.
Yes I can find the sources of the slab project, and I compiled but it doesn't work for me It ends immediatly after add it to the bar.

[chanders]

The source code is the actual gcontrol file ;-) It is a python executable. Try opening it up in gedit, and you'll see what I am talking about... Since you are usiong gentoo (why? ;-) ) you can open the .deb in archive manager. You will find it under /usr/bin in one of the .tar.gz files...

I will try to post up a non deb version for our other distribution cousins...

As for the SLAB project, see the other good thread by Eklof here (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=205266)

[DeeZiD]

@Chanders:
Any update on the translations?
Looking forward to the new drag&drop interface :)


regards Dennis

[chanders]

@Chanders:
Any update on the translations?
Looking forward to the new drag&drop interface :)


regards Dennis

Hey DeeZid, I will try to make it a priority after the drag-and-drop ;-)
Can you provide me with a screenshot of the Xorg config window that SuSE has, so I can have some idea of what we can work on for that module? Thanks!

Are you having the same problem with the screensaver as cowley?

[cowley]

i have resolved the issue with the misplacement of the control center window - i am now using compiz vanilla. but there is still the issue with the screensaver applet, it doesnt matter if i am using metacity or compiz. the prob basically only happens when u try and select a different screensaver then it locks. i am using dapper by the way!

simon

[chanders]

i have resolved the issue with the misplacement of the control center window - i am now using compiz vanilla. but there is still the issue with the screensaver applet, it doesnt matter if i am using metacity or compiz. the prob basically only happens when u try and select a different screensaver then it locks. i am using dapper by the way!

simon
I also am using dapper. Sounds like its a screensaver problem. gcontrol, spawns off the menu item as a separate process so it shouldnt affect it. Does this happen when you try to set the screensaver form the ubuntu menu?

[cowley]

hi, no when it works fine via the system menu.

thanks

simon

[salsafyren]

This looks great.

It is much better than the menu in Dapper.

Bug:

1. personal should be with a capital P
2. See screenshot. The text is outside the box in Keyboard preferences.

Anyway, I think this control center should be divided in two: one which you can use with no sudo rights and one without.

Or: you can add a "lock" icon on "System" to indicate that these things are password protected.

Regards,

Chris

[Enginerd]

Great job on the control center. This is much better than the one that comes with gnome or the one that comes with slab.

I have replaced the slab on with this one on my Daper system... works great.

Now on question at hand... how do you change the items in the panel or more specific add some. I noticed today that the sessions manager is not in the control panel. Not a big problem got menus and cli for that but i think it should be in there may be in personal tab?

Anyway great job on this would love to see it in Edgy.

[chanders]

Great job on the control center. This is much better than the one that comes with gnome or the one that comes with slab.

I have replaced the slab on with this one on my Daper system... works great.

Now on question at hand... how do you change the items in the panel or more specific add some. I noticed today that the sessions manager is not in the control panel. Not a big problem got menus and cli for that but i think it should be in there may be in personal tab?

Anyway great job on this would love to see it in Edgy.

Thanks for the reply... I am coding a personal group as we speak... I want it to be fully operational before I release it... It will be as simple as drgging and dropping items from the menu into the control center!

So far,
Drag and drop - finished
Execution of items -finished
Saving user list - working on it right now... ;-)

[Horizon]

Just a thought. It might not be a good idea to rely on the very menu you're trying to create an alternative for. It might be better if you create your own interface, kind of like the "add to panel" dialog, somehow. Or even better, present them to the user like the menu editor does so they can add anything they want that way :-k

[chanders]

Just a thought. It might not be a good idea to rely on the very menu you're trying to create an alternative for. It might be better if you create your own interface, kind of like the "add to panel" dialog, somehow. Or even better, present them to the user like the menu editor does so they can add anything they want that way :-k

Good idea with allowing them to add what they want(that will most likely come in the next release+1) It is so much easier to drag and drop items from the main menu though..

[zenwhen]

This is REALLY nice. Thanks!

[chanders]

New version!

Ver
1.20 (Jul 07 06 / 09:30pm (GMT:-4)
Implemented custom drag and drop group
Removed 'close' button
Control Center can now remember the last group used

Let me know what you all think!

[henriquemaia]

New version!

Ver
1.20 (Jul 07 06 / 09:30pm (GMT:-4)
Implemented custom drag and drop group
Removed 'close' button
Control Center can now remember the last group used

Let me know what you all think!


Nice. The new drag and drop works great.

Also, I have to say that the experience of using the control center as a whole is much nicer now.

Bug:
This has been reported before on the thread, but it is still an unsolved issue:
The highlighted button is too small for some of the explaining text (on some of the text) or the text is too big for the highlighted button (whichway you prefer).

Look at the screenshot attached.

Thanks.

ps:I'm running 64bit Dapper.

[Jedeye]

sorry if I'm coming into this late, but what advantages would a control panel give over clicking system>preferences/administrator ?

[henriquemaia]

sorry if I'm coming into this late, but what advantages would a control panel give over clicking system>preferences/administrator ?

My view of this: it's not better nor worse. Just a different approach. It's good to have both so that everyone is pleased (as this is up to each person's taste).

[chanders]

Bug:
This has been reported before on the thread, but it is still an unsolved issue:
The highlighted button is too small for some of the explaining text (on some of the text) or the text is too big for the highlighted button (whichway you prefer).

Thanks! I have seen this while I was coding it. I must say, coming up with descriptions to fit is really challenging :-D

I will try to change them and rerelease(shouldnt take too long ;)

[henriquemaia]

Thanks! I have seen this while I was coding it. I must say, coming up with descriptions to fit is really challenging :-D

I will try to change them and rerelease(shouldnt take too long ;)

Find out the maximum number of characters you can use for the descriptions and note it down. This will also be helpful for translators when they're choosing the appropriate translations, since they too will have to abide to that maximum number of characters.

[chanders]

Ver 1.21 uploaded (Now with tooltips for custom items and fixed descriptions)

[henriquemaia]

Everything in place now. Nice work.

[cleverselfreferentialname]

Nice stuff, man.

[Gilson]

Great job man!

[Hairy_Palms]

this app roxx, much better looking than gnome control centre
theres a typo in personal, p should be a Capital

[cowley]

hi, new version is cool, i still have the problem of the screensaver menu locking when access it via th control center, tho this now doesnt lock up too (as it did before)

keep up the good work!

simon

[vinodis]

Everything in place now. Nice work.

I installed this program through the .deb file.
How can I execute this?

[Lecx]

I installed this program through the .deb file.
How can I execute this?

Type "gcontrol" into your terminal :)

By the way, I could make a finnish translation for this great application

[vinodis]

Everything in place now. Nice work.

Type "gcontrol" into your terminal :)

By the way, I could make a finnish translation for this great application

Thank you very much!. I like this application. :)

[PingunZ]

:KS :KS :KS this is a great app
but it would be even better if it were autolaunched somehow ( right click on menu ? make menu entry called Gnome Control ... )
even a quicklaunch button in the gnome bar would do it...

Grtz PingunZ

[Priyantha Bleeker]

Is it possible to run this program in sort of debug mode ?
Because the program doesn't run yet on my Gentoo system, but I would like to find the errors but there aren't any errors.

[samoht]

Great, I love it!
In addition to "slab" definitively the way to go for edgy....

[colpompidou]

Will we be able to drag and drop entries to the differents menus and create/remove menus (thanks to a contextual menu) ? In a previous post, I suggested to use GtkHandleBox to avoid preferences menu. Can tooltips be enable in every menu ? The last group should be remembered automatically.

I think preferences panel must be avoided anyways.

[chanders]

Will we be able to drag and drop entries to the differents menus and create/remove menus (thanks to a contextual menu) ? In a previous post, I suggested to use GtkHandleBox to avoid preferences menu. Can tooltips be enable in every menu ? The last group should be remembered automatically.

I think preferences panel must be avoided anyways.

Hey! Thanks for the reply..

Last night I re-read your last post about the GtkHandleBox and tried to give it a go. I keep hitting a nasty bug, so I will try again today. I agree on the last group being remembered by default. We would still have the preference menu because we wont be able to turn off the tooltips(necessary as I am trying to avoid having the user mess with gconf-editor)

Items planned (In order)
1.Getting translation working
2.Tooltips across all groups

As for the user adding groups, that isnt planned. It would be nice but I dont think it would warrant the amount of work it would entail...

Thanks again, and keep the great comments coming!

[cypherbios]

Wow man!
Great job here!

As is in yours plans make internationalization (i18n) work on it, I can traslate the Control Panel to portuguese language.

I have some experience in make internacionalization work with programs (especialy Python + LibGlade). If you need some help with it, please contact-me.

Or, when you have a [.po|.mo] files, please, notify-me.

Best regards

[cypherbios]

Ahh, I think that the gladefile can be greater...

I have make a bit touch... and a got the window in the image...

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511//capturadatelacontrolcenter7gw.png

[chanders]

Bug:

1. personal should be with a capital P
2. See screenshot. The text is outside the box in Keyboard preferences.

Anyway, I think this control center should be divided in two: one which you can use with no sudo rights and one without.

LOL, only just saw the 'p'...
Text labels ... Fixed!

As for the sudo/non sudo... that would defeat the groups. I am considering maybe a way to alert the user that it would require super user permissions..

Ideas anyone?

@Cypherbios - Looks great, I can do that, but what about the folks with screen resolutions of 800x600? Will it fit? Edit - Window will be resizeable in the next version ;-)

[Priyantha Bleeker]

There's no debug mode yet ?
Or is there an other way to try the program running here ?

[chanders]

There's no debug mode yet ?
Or is there an other way to try the program running here ?

I attached a .tar.gz file to the first post.
Install file inside. This is for persons on other distributions etc. Remember you need to have python installed and pygtk must be >= 2.0

[Priyantha Bleeker]

I'll try it :)

[Priyantha Bleeker]

Mmm this are the same files as they are in the deb file is saw :)
When I try to run gcontrol from an konsole session there's nothing starting and no process started.

I have pygtk installed and off course python(whole emerge/portage is build in python ;))

[chanders]

Mmm this are the same files as they are in the deb file is saw :)
When I try to run gcontrol from an konsole session there's nothing starting and no process started.

I have pygtk installed and off course python(whole emerge/portage is build in python ;))

I noticed you said Konsole... are you running KDE? This app will only run in GNOME..

If you are running in GNOME, make sure the app is executable (Right click, select permissions and make sure execute is checked)..

Let me know what was the outcome.. Anyone else has any ideas for emerge/portage?

[Priyantha Bleeker]

Yes I sayd Konsole yes ;)
But I am running Gnome, I use Konsole because I like it more then the Gnome-Terminal.
The only reason.
And yes the file is executable i chmod it with 755.

[chanders]

Yes I sayd Konsole yes ;)
But I am running Gnome, I use Konsole because I like it more then the Gnome-Terminal.
The only reason.
And yes the file is executable i chmod it with 755.

LOL ok..
1) Make sure the files are in the correct places (see install.txt)
2) cd /usr/bin

run it from there

$ ./gcontrol

I am going to release the next version in a little while. I am including in it some debugging messages so you should see what it is doing if it is run from the command line..:)

[Priyantha Bleeker]

Yes I have that :)
But there doesn't come anything after typing the command ./gcontrol

[tseliot]

Yes I have that :)
But there doesn't come anything after typing the command ./gcontrol

type:
gcontrol

[_simon_]

I notice in the menu that "personal" is the only one with a small start letter (p) - I guess that's a mistake? :)

[lemsto]

I juste realized that you provide a python file and not a binary, could you make a deb that is not i386 dependant???

[Priyantha Bleeker]

type:
gcontrol

Yeah off course I did ;)
I did that before I did ./gcontrol. He said that I had to do ./gcontrol from the /usr/bin directory so I tried it. But there wasn't anything wich showed up.

[Horizon]

Ah, just a little annoyance. The app refuses to start when it can't find a launcher or an icon from the custom group. I don't know if you alredy knew about this and just haven't gotten around to fixing it but it's really annoying #-o

[ShiningHolden]

I found it, useful.

I would much rather use this then going down the oh so long list of

System > Prefrences


I have been down that list one to many times.

Thumbs up for the "Ubuntu Control Center". :)

[Henrik]

Looking good! IMO it work better than the existing System -> Preferences / System -> Administration setup.

The development process for the edgy release is well under way though, with established feature goals, so there is no way this can become the edgy default system.

I think it should go in to edgy+1 as the default config system with all the actual configuration settings integrated as well. A good first step towards that is getting this into edgy universe as an optional install.

You should package it with a few key components in place that can be tested widely in edgy. That way people will get to know it and it will stand a better chance of becoming the default for edgy+1.

1. The deb should install a main-level menu called 'Settings' or something right in the system menu or a taskbar launch icon.
2. You need to have the .po infrastructure working and have translation set up in Rosetta.
3. You should have the built-in configuration working for one or two panes as proof of concept.
4. Follow the development of https://wiki.ubuntu.com/FutureOfGst closely. They are rewriting several GST tools in Python. See how this code can be incorporated into the UCP plugin system.

You should then join up with a MOTU who can help you bring this into Universe for Edgy (or become a MOTU yourself). Next you should write a solid spec for edgy+1 inclusion and ideally represent that spec at the next development summit (likely to be in November) or have someone else represent it there.

This procedure represents your best way of getting into Ubuntu as the default option. Good luck! and contact me if you need any help.

[chanders]

Ah, just a little annoyance. The app refuses to start when it can't find a launcher or an icon from the custom group. I don't know if you alredy knew about this and just haven't gotten around to fixing it but it's really annoying #-o

This is already fixed in the next version ;)

@Henrik - Thank you for the advice! I am just about finishing up the translation...

[arunsub]

Could anyone tell me how it works? The thread is long to read all messages and I'm new to this. I could the get the control panel by typing ./gcontrol, but it didn't create any menu icon. I use xgl/compiz, so will it work with xgl?

[Horizon]

Could anyone tell me how it works? The thread is long to read all messages and I'm new to this. I could the get the control panel by typing ./gcontrol, but it didn't create any menu icon. I use xgl/compiz, so will it work with xgl?
xgl/compiz makes no difference in the slightest. You can find the "icon" through the menubar at System>Preferences>Control Center. You may want to right-click it and "add to panel" or "add to desktop" to make it easier to launch.

[chanders]

xgl/compiz makes no difference in the slightest. You can find the "icon" through the menubar at System>Preferences>Control Center. You may want to right-click it and "add to panel" or "add to desktop" to make it easier to launch.

Currently Ubuntu Control Center does not add itself to the gnome menu, but I have had a request for this so I am going to add it to the deb's. My art skills are somewhat lacking, so if someone could provide me with a sutible icon (preferably original ;-)) for the app I will include it in the next release..

[Horizon]

Currently Ubuntu Control Center does not add itself to the gnome menu, but I have had a request for this so I am going to add it to the deb's. My art skills are somewhat lacking, so if someone could provide me with a sutible icon (preferably original ;-)) for the app I will include it in the next release..That's strange because I have it...maybe it's because I have slab. Ah yes, I remember that icon is for the slab control center, I just edited it to launch this control center instead :p

[caryb]

I guess it's safe to assume that this wont work with Kubuntu (KDE)? I dont have gnome installed!


Cary

[chanders]

That's strange because I have it...maybe it's because I have slab. Ah yes, I remember that icon is for the slab control center, I just edited it to launch this control center instead :p

Yup! From one of your previous posts :razz:

@Caryb - Sorry.. It'll work for GNOME only. But KDE has TONS of customization programs already...

[chanders]

New release! (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=1206506)

Ver
1.25 (Jul 10 06 / 03:35am (GMT:-4)
* Now supports Gnome translations natively
* Added tooltips for all groups
* Main window is now resizeable
* Fixed typo
* Fixed bug that prevented starting because of non existent file
* Added Ubuntu Control Center to the Gnome menu

If your language is not translated, download and edit the language template file and email it to me schanderbally @ gmail.com

Thanks!

[cowley]

hi, i am still having the problem with the screensaver menu locking up when i access it from the control center. is anyone else having the same problem? basically its all ok until you select another screensaver then it locks up.

thanks

simon

[RawMustard]

Great app! Has anyone mentioned when you add launchers to the custom section, they get put one under the other, I can't seem to lay them out side by side?

[Gilson]

Hi!I receive errors on terminal:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 721, in ?
mainwin = ControlCenterWindow()
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 191, in __init__
self.add_button("vbuttonbox2",custom_list1[i],True,"")
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 342, in add_button
if FileExists(datalist[i])==True:
NameError: global name 'FileExists' is not defined

I'm using 1.26-1 version of Gcontrol.

[henriquemaia]

Hi!I receive errors on terminal:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 721, in ?
mainwin = ControlCenterWindow()
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 191, in __init__
self.add_button("vbuttonbox2",custom_list1[i],True,"")
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 342, in add_button
if FileExists(datalist[i])==True:
NameError: global name 'FileExists' is not defined

I'm using 1.26-1 version of Gcontrol.

Error here too:

$ gcontrol
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 721, in ?
mainwin = ControlCenterWindow()
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 85, in __init__
loc = locale.getlocale(locale.LC_ALL) # get current locale
File "/usr/lib/python2.4/locale.py", line 364, in getlocale
raise TypeError, 'category LC_ALL is not supported'
TypeError: category LC_ALL is not supported


Version 1.26-1

[vitae]

i installed gcontrol on my pc and it works quite well.

the only problem is, that between some icons are gaps with no icons.

doesn`t look very well. also the translation doesn`t work. my pc has de_De settings, but gcontrol shows only english.

thnx for your work :)

[hazart]

The .deb package works fine with AMD64. To install type:

sudo dpkg --force-architecture -i gcontrol_1.26-1_i386.deb

Is there a possibility to release this upstream, like commit to universe and have officially released debs for AMD64? I would very much like to install this in my next dapper-based software image. Thanks again! :-)

Oh, and the next thing that would be really great, would be the SLES menu :)

[chanders]

hi, i am still having the problem with the screensaver menu locking up when i access it from the control center. is anyone else having the same problem? basically its all ok until you select another screensaver then it locks up.

thanks

simon

Hey Simon, I reinstalled gnome-screensaver just to test it with UCC, but I could not replicate your problem. Would other users please post if they are having problems with their screensaver settings and UCC?

Great app! Has anyone mentioned when you add launchers to the custom section, they get put one under the other, I can't seem to lay them out side by side?

Try dragging them where you want them (There are three columns to choose from ;) )

Hi!I receive errors on terminal:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 721, in ?
mainwin = ControlCenterWindow()
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 191, in __init__
self.add_button("vbuttonbox2",custom_list1[i],True,"")
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 342, in add_button
if FileExists(datalist[i])==True:
NameError: global name 'FileExists' is not defined

I'm using 1.26-1 version of Gcontrol.

I found this bug and I squashed it!

Error here too:

$ gcontrol
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 721, in ?
mainwin = ControlCenterWindow()
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 85, in __init__
loc = locale.getlocale(locale.LC_ALL) # get current locale
File "/usr/lib/python2.4/locale.py", line 364, in getlocale
raise TypeError, 'category LC_ALL is not supported'
TypeError: category LC_ALL is not supported


Version 1.26-1

It seems that on your computer your locale variable LC_ALL was not set :-k I patched it so that it would set the variable it it wasnt. Let me know if that fixed it...Also, is 'de_DE' the same as 'de'?

Anyone who is using a non-english locale and still seeing English, run gcontrol from a terminal and post/email me what your locale is (it is printed on the first line when you run UCC)..

i installed gcontrol on my pc and it works quite well.

the only problem is, that between some icons are gaps with no icons.

doesn`t look very well. also the translation doesn`t work. my pc has de_De settings, but gcontrol shows only english.

thnx for your work :)

This is because on your computer you do not have all the defaults that came with Ubuntu. Can you post what groups it occurs in and where, like this?




[ ]



System

The .deb package works fine with AMD64. To install type:

sudo dpkg --force-architecture -i gcontrol_1.26-1_i386.deb

Is there a possibility to release this upstream, like commit to universe and have officially released debs for AMD64? I would very much like to install this in my next dapper-based software image. Thanks again! :-)

Oh, and the next thing that would be really great, would be the SLES menu :)

Is the SLES menu the same as the SLED menu?
I would love to have this in universe but I think it should be thoroughly tested first, so we can squash all the bugs out ;) Anyone with some extra bandwidth could offer to host a repository?

The file size is extremely small (15kb) so it wont use much bandwidth :D


All these changes will show up in 1.28 (Next release, in a few hours ;-))

[Gilson]

About run gcontrol from a terminal, the result is:

gilson@ubuntu:~$ gcontrol
Your locale is pt_BR

[chanders]

Ok guys, most of the bugs should be fixed in this version ( 1.28 ) :) (except the screensaver one :confused: )

For those of you who are getting translations in the items but not the program itself, please send me a translated template file along with your locale (run gcontrol from terminal to find out what yours is)

Thanks!

[gruvsyco]

This is coming along so nice. Great work!

[henriquemaia]

Version 1.28-1 and I get a very similar error as before:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 745, in ?
mainwin = ControlCenterWindow()
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 85, in __init__
loc = locale.getlocale(locale.LC_ALL) # get current locale
File "/usr/lib/python2.4/locale.py", line 364, in getlocale
raise TypeError, 'category LC_ALL is not supported'
TypeError: category LC_ALL is not supported

[BetaguyGZT]

We likes it ! Good work. +1 vote for it and Main Menu to be included by default in Edgy. :KS

[Gilson]

All Ok now, with version 1.28-1.No errors.

[chanders]

All Ok now, with version 1.28-1.No errors.

Excellent!

[Rule]

"I would love to have this in universe but I think it should be thoroughly tested first, so we can squash all the bugs out Anyone with some extra bandwidth could offer to host a repository?

The file size is extremely small (15kb) so it wont use much bandwidth"

I think I can work something out, i'll let you know soon if I can shell out some bandwidth :mrgreen:

[chanders]

"I would love to have this in universe but I think it should be thoroughly tested first, so we can squash all the bugs out Anyone with some extra bandwidth could offer to host a repository?

The file size is extremely small (15kb) so it wont use much bandwidth"

I think I can work something out, i'll let you know soon if I can shell out some bandwidth :mrgreen:

Looking forward to a reply...:D

[henriquemaia]

Your new version works great.

About the buttons description: some of them are truncated because of the limited space available. You chose not to show it and have a .. in the end.

Would it be possible to show all the description when hovering over the button? Make the whole description roll, so you can read it all. What do you think?

[chanders]

Your new version works great.

About the buttons description: some of them are truncated because of the limited space available. You chose not to show it and have a .. in the end.

Would it be possible to show all the description when hovering over the button? Make the whole description roll, so you can read it all. What do you think?

Sounds like a good idea. You should however see all of description in the tooltips (check that you have it set to ON in preferences window). I can implement the scrolling description but it wouldnt be priority...

A lot of people have requested configuration panels for Xorg and networking so I am going to try to integrate them into UCC soon..

Chanders

[henriquemaia]

Sounds like a good idea. You should however see all of description in the tooltips (check that you have it set to ON in preferences window). I can implement the scrolling description but it wouldnt be priority...

A lot of people have requested configuration panels for Xorg and networking so I am going to try to integrate them into UCC soon..

Chanders

You`re right. The tooltips showing the descriptions make sense. What do you think of having them shown as the default behaviour for UCC?

[chanders]

You`re right. The tooltips showing the descriptions make sense. What do you think of having them shown as the default behaviour for UCC?

Will add it to the list for the next release 8)

[Amaranth]

Can I get the source? Email to alleykat@gmail.com is fine. I know it's python but I don't get the build system and such with the package.

[hill]

Why is the mouse icon in hardware and look and feel? Other than that excellent program.

[chanders]

Why is the mouse icon in hardware and look and feel? Other than that excellent program.

Actually that should allow you to configure the mouse pointer (still looking for a way to have the pointer tab come up as default)

@Amaranth - Currently patching a bug. Will send as soon as I am finished...

[mgsfan]

could you make a 64 bit version?

[chanders]

could you make a 64 bit version?

hazart suggested you use this command to get it to work on 64 bit machines. I do not have a 64 bit machine but if someone who does, wants to repackage it, no problem :D

sudo dpkg --force-architecture -i gcontrol_1.28-1_i386.deb

[Dgurion]

Reall awesome program! I hope to see it included in future versions of ubuntu. Keep up the great work!

[_simon_]

what type of window is the control centre?

I'm trying to make it semi transparent with compiz but not having much luck.

[ubuntu_demon]

Here's a dutch translation. Feel free to improve it :)

[_simon_]

Is there a codename to refer to this particular control center? If not then there should be! :)

I mean if someone says "ooh what's that?" At the moment we can only really say, it's "that new control center"

[vitae]

okay, here is it:

hardware:

X gap X << here is the ugliest part
X gap X
gap X gap

look and feel

X X X
X X X
X gap gap << X would be in the middle better

personal

X X X
gap X gap
gap gap gap << is okay, when i have no other items

system

gap X gap
gap X gap
gap X gap << would be better if they are in the first line


thnx for your hard work and the fast add of the de.py :)

[hazart]

Is the SLES menu the same as the SLED menu?
I would love to have this in universe but I think it should be thoroughly tested first, so we can squash all the bugs out ;)

Sorry, i of course ment the SLED menu. The one from the desktop version. It's a very nice an intuitive menu, which i think does far better than the standard gnome menu. Actually, i think it ought to be comitted upstream in gnome 2.16.

I tested v. 1.29 on AMD64 and the locales are working now as well. The .deb nicely replaced the 1.26 i had installed before.

I don't know much about the dpkg system, but would it be possible to mark one .deb with two architechtures?

[RAOF]

...
I don't know much about the dpkg system, but would it be possible to mark one .deb with two architechtures?
Yes. Change the control file to list "all" as the packages architecture, rather than "386". Attached is the 1.29 deb, repackaged to have architecture "all". Since it's just python, it's architecture agnostic. Yay for interpreted languages :)

Incidentally, chanders, if you could send me the deb-src (to chalserogers @ gmail.com) I'll stick this in my repository.

[Waste]

I like this very much.
It makes it easier than scouring through the menus for a certain setting.

[henriquemaia]

Yes. Change the control file to list "all" as the packages architecture, rather than "386". Attached is the 1.29 deb, repackaged to have architecture "all". Since it's just python, it's architecture agnostic. Yay for interpreted languages :)

Incidentally, chanders, if you could send me the deb-src (to chalserogers @ gmail.com) I'll stick this in my repository.

Thanks a lot for sharing this. I tried to install your package and gives me an error:

"dpkg-deb: `gcontrol_1.29-1_all.deb' is not a debian format archive
dpkg: error processing gcontrol_1.29-1_all.deb (--install):
subprocess dpkg-deb --control returned error exit status 2
Errors were encountered while processing:
gcontrol_1.29-1_all.deb"


ps: opening it with archive manager gives me this error:
"ar: gcontrol_1.29-1_all.deb: File format not recognized"

[Enginerd]

chanders

Great work the new drag and drop is great. No problems here running it with SLED menu on dapper.

Keep up the great work, this has my vote for edgy or edgy+1.

[RawMustard]

Try dragging them where you want them (There are three columns to choose from ;) )


Oh ok, I get it now. I kept trying to move them, but they kept starting the app instead of moving :( Anyway, all sorted :)

[chanders]

Hey guys! Thanks for the replys... I do have some concerns however.. Some users are having some problems and it is impossible for me to test all the scenarios... Can you all post if you are having any of the following problems listed below? (Bug smashing session ;) )

vitae seems to have a lot of default items, that should come with Ubuntu missing, hence the gaps. Anyone else has gaps in their groups? BTW Look and feel has 2 gaps (last row, right side) and Personal has 3 gaps (last row) as the default

cowley has had problems changing screensavers via UCC. Anyone else has had those problems?

@(ROAF and Rule) - Thanks for the offer to host this in the repositories. I will send you my debian directory so you could package it and put it in the repository (My deb-src is only 0kb :-k )

@_simon_ - Not really sure about the window type :-D But I will find out... (Try using ALT and scrollwheel for now ;-))

Try to include UCC in yur screenshots, that way we get more awareness of the app ;-)

I will try to post an ALL .deb shortly when I release the next version.
The next version will have Dutch, Spanish and Swedish translations :cool:

[_simon_]

when you say gaps, do you mean things missing that would normally appear in the ubuntu main menu?

I have noticed that preferred applications and sessions are both missing - not sure what else yet. I'm adding the missing ones into custom as i come across them.

I'm already including UCC in my screenshots :)

[_simon_]

double post

[chanders]

when you say gaps, do you mean things missing that would normally appear in the ubuntu main menu?

No. Missing that would normally appear in UCC for the rest of us..He doesnt have 'Keyboard', 'Removable drives and media', 'Sound' and 'Disks' etc :-k

[_simon_]

How do we know what should be appearing? lol

I have:

HARDWARE
*Mouse
*Keyboard
*Printing
*Xsane Image Scanner
*Removable Drives and (doesn't actually say what else)
*Screen resolution
*Sound
*Networking
*Disks

LOOK AND FEEL
*Desktop Background
*Font
*Screensaver
*Theme
*Windows
*Mouse
*Menus & Toolbars

PERSONAL
*About Me
*Assistive Technology
*Keyboard Shortcuts
*Login Photo
*Language Support
*Users and Groups

SYSTEM
*Device Manager
*Services
*Power Management
*Shared Folders
*Synaptic Package Manager
*System Log
*System Monitor
*Time and Date
*File Management

[chanders]

You, my friend, have everything! Anyone else with any of these missing is having the same problem as vitae..

[RAOF]

Thanks a lot for sharing this. I tried to install your package and gives me an error:

"dpkg-deb: `gcontrol_1.29-1_all.deb' is not a debian format archive
dpkg: error processing gcontrol_1.29-1_all.deb (--install):
subprocess dpkg-deb --control returned error exit status 2
Errors were encountered while processing:
gcontrol_1.29-1_all.deb"


ps: opening it with archive manager gives me this error:
"ar: gcontrol_1.29-1_all.deb: File format not recognized"
Whoops! It seems I badly corrupted that somewhere (after I'd installed it myself ;)). Version which should work is attached!

[chanders]

Whoops! It seems I badly corrupted that somewhere (after I'd installed it myself ;)). Version which should work is attached!

Added to main page ;)

[henriquemaia]

Whoops! It seems I badly corrupted that somewhere (after I'd installed it myself ;)). Version which should work is attached!

Now it is ok. Thanks for posting it.

[canadianwriterman]

I'm running Dapper on my main machine and Edgy on a play machine. I love this control center, but is it intended for Edgy only?

[RAOF]

I'm running Dapper on my main machine and Edgy on a play machine. I love this control center, but is it intended for Edgy only?
Works for me on my Dapper. Go for it.

[reda_ea]

few problems here ...

first, look at the screenshot .. very ugly effect

and i don't know why , the options dialog dont seem to have any effect

and also : buttons aren't supposed to be activated when you drag them

and why is the categorie choser taking so much space ?? I think you can remove the text ("Groupes") and the little propreties icon and have everything in a single line

anyway very beautiful app, a lot better than the normal gnome-control-center

oh and maybe you could also make it so it will only have one instance running (maybe this would be more logical).

[_simon_]

is there anywhere, where I can see what version I am running?

Maybe in the settings menu have a little "ver xxx" at least until there is a final version and then maybe remove the ver to keep the clean look?

[vitae]

well, i think i know why something is missing.

i looked at the gcontrol python file and there seems some *.desktop files are hardcoded.

the reason why i haven`t all ubuntu specific items is because i haven`t ubuntu installed. just gentoo, like the other one. on my second pc there is ubuntu and gcontrol works very well there.


i adapted the gcontrol file with some missing files and it looks now great on my gentoo box

i have one question. why don`t you implement a feature that looks in the .desktop files for Categories=Settings so you would be independent of a distribution and you would not have so much work if ubuntu changes some filenames later.

now i am feeling good having such a nice control center :>

[Priyantha Bleeker]

gcontrol is running here on my gentoo box right now.
Althought it is an old version.
1.21 is the only version wich works.

1.29 didn't work.

Here is the error message

priyantha@R22 ~ $ /usr/bin/gcontrol
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 745, in ?
mainwin = ControlCenterWindow()
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 89, in __init__
print "Your locale is " + self.MyLoc
TypeError: cannot concatenate 'str' and 'NoneType' objects

It is something with translation I think.
The error comes after I copied the /usr/lib dir from the debian package to my own /usr/bin.
Before that I get this message

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 56, in ?
from Gcontrol.translate import _, select
ImportError: No module named Gcontrol.translate

[chanders]

few problems here ...

first, look at the screenshot .. very ugly effect

and i don't know why , the options dialog dont seem to have any effect

and also : buttons aren't supposed to be activated when you drag them

and why is the categorie choser taking so much space ?? I think you can remove the text ("Groupes") and the little propreties icon and have everything in a single line

anyway very beautiful app, a lot better than the normal gnome-control-center

oh and maybe you could also make it so it will only have one instance running (maybe this would be more logical).

It's a bit difficult to have evenly sized buttons, especially with long labels (It was designed on an English installation) If you can suggest another shorter label I can update the translation file..

I really cant see why the options dialog wouldnt work.. Has it EVER worked and then stopped working?

I will change the behaviour of the buttons. I never really tried dragging them :mrgreen:

As for the Groups label, this has not been requested much. I will put a key in gconf so than you can turn it off if you dont like it in the next verson (It would require using gconf editor and it will not be in the preferences menu)

Having one instance makes sense. Will look into it...


is there anywhere, where I can see what version I am running?

Maybe in the settings menu have a little "ver xxx" at least until there is a final version and then maybe remove the ver to keep the clean look?

Thanks! Will be included in the next version ;-)

well, i think i know why something is missing.

i looked at the gcontrol python file and there seems some *.desktop files are hardcoded.

the reason why i haven`t all ubuntu specific items is because i haven`t ubuntu installed. just gentoo, like the other one. on my second pc there is ubuntu and gcontrol works very well there.


i adapted the gcontrol file with some missing files and it looks now great on my gentoo box

i have one question. why don`t you implement a feature that looks in the .desktop files for Categories=Settings so you would be independent of a distribution and you would not have so much work if ubuntu changes some filenames later.

now i am feeling good having such a nice control center :>

Good question! Firstly, thats why its called Ubuntu Control Center :D But seriously, one thing I have discovered while coding this app is that .desktop files have lots of information but not well formed. Some items have perfect layouts in their .desktop files and others are a real mess. Especially "Generic Name" - most important!

If application/GNOME developers had stuck to filling in all the fields it would be quite easy to do what you ask (However if I just looked for categories=settings then we wouldnt have nice groups ;-)) I will try to not have the values hard coded in the future, for all distributions sake..

Well spotted. Bug squashed!

Post a screenshot of it on Gentoo!

Chanders

[Priyantha Bleeker]

well, i think i know why something is missing.

i looked at the gcontrol python file and there seems some *.desktop files are hardcoded.

the reason why i haven`t all ubuntu specific items is because i haven`t ubuntu installed. just gentoo, like the other one. on my second pc there is ubuntu and gcontrol works very well there.


i adapted the gcontrol file with some missing files and it looks now great on my gentoo box

i have one question. why don`t you implement a feature that looks in the .desktop files for Categories=Settings so you would be independent of a distribution and you would not have so much work if ubuntu changes some filenames later.

now i am feeling good having such a nice control center :>

Can you post your changes ?
I am intrested ;) Because I am also an Gentoo user.

[chanders]

gcontrol is running here on my gentoo box right now.
Althought it is an old version.
1.21 is the only version wich works.

1.29 didn't work.

Here is the error message

priyantha@R22 ~ $ /usr/bin/gcontrol
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 745, in ?
mainwin = ControlCenterWindow()
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 89, in __init__
print "Your locale is " + self.MyLoc
TypeError: cannot concatenate 'str' and 'NoneType' objects

It is something with translation I think.
The error comes after I copied the /usr/lib dir from the debian package to my own /usr/bin.
Before that I get this message

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/bin/gcontrol", line 56, in ?
from Gcontrol.translate import _, select
ImportError: No module named Gcontrol.translate


It seems that getting your locale is not working. I am not too familar with the python2.4 installation on gentoo (You do have python2.4 right?)

Here is a patch for you around the locale problem. In ver 1.29 remove the # in line 87 and change "lt_LT" to your locale (lt_LT is Lithuanian ;-)). Do not change anything else as the smallest 'space' in python can give big errors. Your lines 86-87 should look like this..

self.MyLoc = loc[0]
self.MyLoc = "lt_LT"

For your second error, you should put /usr/lib in /usr/lib and not /usr/bin :-D I am not sure what the directory structure is in gentoo so you need to look fro a folder called site-packages usually in /usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages and make a new directory called Gcontrol and place the translation files etc in there...

I hope this helps, maybe vitae can give you some guidelines as he has gotten it to work on gentoo. Maybe I could whip up something for you gentoo users if necessary...

[Priyantha Bleeker]

Yes you're right ;)
I did copy the stuff from /usr/lib to /usr/lib it was an typo ;)
In Gentoo I use Python version 'python-2.4.3-r1'.
And also the directory structure looks the same.

[chanders]

Yes you're right ;)
I did copy the stuff from /usr/lib to /usr/lib it was an typo ;)
In Gentoo I use Python version 'python-2.4.3-r1'.
And also the directory structure looks the same.

Let me know if you get it working by copying the files. I can post a tar.gz also if that would help out....

[MaaSTaaR]

Nice ;)

is this mean Ubuntu will have it's own Control Panel in the new version ? :)

[swamytk]

How do we know what should be appearing? lol

I have:

HARWARE
*Mouse
*Keyboard
*Printing
*Xsane Image Scanner
*Removable Drives and (doesn't actually say what else)
*Screen resolution
*Sound
*Networking


Networking will include the following also?
Infrared Conf
Bluetooth Conf
Wireless Conf

[Priyantha Bleeker]

It works !
I've made also an ebuild for it:
http://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=140091

There is only an little problem.
You can see it on my three screenshots.
There is a lot of white space between the icons.
Is there an easy way to get the icons a bit more close to each other ?

[chanders]

Networking will include the following also?
Infrared Conf
Bluetooth Conf
Wireless Conf

Actually networking just brings up the standard ubuntu networking dialog. When this program is expanded later on then you will be able to configure the indivudal items...

It works !
I've made also an ebuild for it:
http://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=140091

There is only an little problem.
You can see it on my three screenshots.
There is a lot of white space between the icons.
Is there an easy way to get the icons a bit more close to each other ?

I will try to sort this out in the next version+1 as it would take a fair amount of work.... Glad you got it working ;-)

[Priyantha Bleeker]

I will try to sort this out in the next version+1 as it would take a fair amount of work.... Glad you got it working ;-)

Great ;)

[DeeZiD]

I began to work on a mockup for Display-Config yesterday. I think I'll finish it this evening when I come from work :)

regards Dennis

[chanders]

I began to work on a mockup for Display-Config yesterday. I think I'll finish it this evening when I come from work :)

regards Dennis

Looking forward to start working on it... ;)

[_simon_]

Chanders, I know this will be very low priority but did you find out what window type UCC is?

I can only apply transparency compiz effects to UCC and the sled 10 application menu using the "Normal" type which affects ALL windows but that seems to be it and I can't apply plugins individually to these two windows. Things like wobble have no effect even when I use the Normal type.
I know you