Overview mode for Xfce and other desktops

[kahnor]

Hi, does anybody know if there exists an alternative to Gnome's Overview mode and KDE's Application Dashboard that can be used with other desktop environments?

As a former Gnome user I'd like to use it instead of the traditional menu metaphor in XFCE.

Thanks in advance

[Bucky Ball]

Welcome. Do you know what the 'stable name' of Gnome Overview is? If so, why not just install that in Xubuntu, presuming you're running it? If you have Ubuntu-Gnome and you've simply installed Xfce4, then your Overview should still be there in the apps menu.

Suggestions only as I don't use Ubuntu or Kubuntu so unfamiliar with the apps you are talking about. I am familiar with Xubuntu and xfce4 though. There may be something similar native to it, but haven't seen it (I use a very basic install, Xubuntu-core, with not much installed).

[kahnor]

Do you know what the 'stable name' of Gnome Overview is?

It's a part of Gnome, not an installable application. Basically it replaces the application menu with a quick way for searching or browsing installed applications.

Screenshot here: http://i1-news.softpedia-static.com/images/news2/GNOME-Shell-3-9-2-Is-Ready-for-GNOME-3-9-2-2.png

(I have yet to switch to Xubuntu, just making sure Xfce is a better alternative to Gnome for me.)

[kahnor]

Well, it looks like someone actually took the time to make just what I was looking for!

xfdashboard for xfce: http://goodies.xfce.org/projects/applications/xfdashboard/start

screenshots:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xwZFnMBJ7Ho/U7VAMyxdL5I/AAAAAAAATa8/j3eiXh3vCoM/s1600/xfdashboard_3-apps.png

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b7mzFt4aduc/U7VAM6IFjFI/AAAAAAAATa0/l786FlWQyxk/s1600/xfdashboard_2.png

Marking as solved, thanks.

Edit: tried it and didn't quite like how it works. I'm using Whisker instead, as suggested by Bucky Ball.

[Bucky Ball]

Excellent. Guess it drags everything into one place, but ...


It can be configured to run to any keyboard shortcut and when executed provides an overview of applications currently open enabling the user to switch between different applications. The search feature works like Xfce's app finder which makes it convenient to search for and start applications.

Keyboard shortcuts can be configured VERY easily in Xubuntu already by opening the 'Whisker' menu and typing 'Keyboard' then the 'Application Shortcuts' tab.

Open applications are shown in the taskbar at the top of the desktop and you choose the app by clicking.

When you open Xubuntu's Whisker menu you type in whatever app you're looking for and, if its installed, it will come up. Launchers are also very easy to create in xfce4.

So, all the same functionality is already there, just not in one place. Having said that, looks interesting and only reason I wouldn't install it is because I only install what I need and don't need xfdashboard. Like to keep things as slim as possible. :)

Xubuntu is about the most customisable and user configurable OSs out there. Good luck with it. Xubuntu (well, Xubuntu-core and xfce4 for me) rocks!