HOWTO: Flashing taskbar in Gnome (use with GAIM)

[zafar]

A long wanted feature in gnome is flashing taskbars, to use with programs such as GAIM for new IM notification and others. The code has been submitted in a gnome bugzilla and was submitted into the gnome cvs so I patched the current version of libwnck to handle the flashing taskbar. Thanks goes to FLeiXiuS for the 64bit version of the patched libwnck.

To get the patched version of libwnck:

For x86: wget http://z.narutochaos.com/ubuntu/libwnck16_2.10.0-0ubuntu1_i386.deb
For x86-64 (AMD64): wget http://mirror.espri.arizona.edu/debian-amd64/debian/pool/main/libw/libwnck/libwnck16_2.10.0-2_amd64.deb

This downloads the patched libwnck.

For x86: sudo dpkg -i libwnck16_2.10.0-0ubuntu1_i386.deb
For x86-64(AMD64): sudo dpkg -i libwnck16_2.10.0-2_amd64.deb

This installs the patched version.

sudo echo libwnck16 hold | sudo dpkg --set-selections

The command keeps apt-get from overwriting it.

killall gnome-panel

This command closes the gnome panels and they automatically restart.

After this, your taskbar should flash when the window manager is sent the urgent hint.

To get GAIM to use flashing taskbar notification:

Start up GAIM and click Tools and then Preferences. Then click on the "Plugins" preference and check the checkbox beside the Message Notification plugin. After that there should be a Message Notification preference entry under the parent "Plugins". Click on that and it should give a list of options for the Message Notification plugin. Check the box for "set window manager "URGENT" hint and configure the rest of the options to your liking. Now, when you recieve a new message, your taskbar will flash to notify you.

[Sionide]

Great one.. I've always wished for this, resorting till now to all the other methods to alert you of new messages! Thanks.

[pdk001]

Click Tools and then Preferences. Then click on the "Plugins" preference and check the checkbox beside the Message Notification plugin. After that there should be a Message Notification preference entry under the parent "Plugins". Click on that and it should give a list of options for the Message Notification plugin. Check the box for "set window manager "URGENT" hint and configure the rest of the options to your liking. Now, when you recieve a new message, your taskbar will flash to notify you.

where is "Tools"?

[zafar]

where is "Tools"?

It is in the menubar in GAIM. You can also use CTRL + P to get to the preferences.

[lizardking]

Some screen?

[pdk001]

It is in the menubar in GAIM. You can also use CTRL + P to get to the preferences.

thanks for quick replay

[Sionide]

See Nicks IM window is slightly darker, it fades in and out as well instead of just flashing like MSN on windows does. Much cooler

[dabear]

This is great, but how do I change the color and the rapidity?

[bored2k]

Beautiful. I like the subtle blink. Very nice

[Sionide]

Would it work for highlight on xchat or any other progs?