Hassle free mac-like-dock (not kiba or kxdocker)
How to get an apple like dock with out hassle
This is starting with the default ubuntu desktop, but it can be done even if you have customized it. This how to also does not require and extra programs to be installed, or any 3-d acceleration.
- Delete the quit button in right hand side of the top panel, and delete the menu bar on the left hand side of the same bar.
- On the left hand side of the top bar, open the add to panel window; add the main menu and window list. Lock both to panel.
- On far right hand of the top panel (where the quit button was) add the window selector, lock to panel
- Now for the bottom panel, delete everything except for the trash can.
- Add a separator to the left of the trash can, lock both the separator and trash can to the panel.
- Right click on the panel and go to properties.
- Change the size to 45-50 pixels (mine is at 48), uncheck the expand option, check the show hide buttons, and uncheck arrows on hide buttons
- Go to the background tab, select the solid color option, and change the color to white (#FFFFFF).
- Set the opacity to about 25%
- Drag your favorite applications from the main menu down to your new dock.
There you go, an instant, stable, hassle free dock. Sure it does not have all of the glitz as say kiba dock, or kxdocker; but it does have more functionality (such as you can drag a file to one of the programs in the dock, and the file will open in that application), and it is easier to add/remove programs to it.
~Alan
Re: Hassle free mac-like-dock (not kiba or kxdocker)
Another thing I found is that I need to make sure "keep aligned" is unchecked (right-click on your desktop to change this setting). When it's checked and I reboot, the dock automatically starts up in the center of the screen (as opposed to the bottom, side, or wherever I originally placed it). This is a slight annoyance, as I like my desktop items to be nicely aligned, but I guess I don't usually keep many files or icons on my desktop anyways.
I set my dock even smaller to 30 pixels, but of course everyone has their own preferences:D
BTW, if anyone knows a fix for this bug let me know!
Re: Hassle free mac-like-dock (not kiba or kxdocker)
you know, if you want to go that way, you can also just add a new panel, no need to change an already existing one.
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Re: Hassle free mac-like-dock (not kiba or kxdocker)
This is a great way to get most of what a mac-dock offers without having to do much work. Like the OP said, there is a little bit of eye candy missing but it does look great. I've attached an image of how I have mine set up so people can see an example.
Re: Hassle free mac-like-dock (not kiba or kxdocker)
Here's another variation (As you can see I've got mine on the left and included the notification area, home folder, and trash bin in addition to launcher icons)
[IMG]http://filelabs.net/fl1/files/screenshotCuQ8.png[/IMG]
Re: Hassle free mac-like-dock (not kiba or kxdocker)
Having failed to run kxdocker in either Gnome or KDE (it would seem it now needs a composite window manager, which needs a good graphics card, which I don't have) I settled with an autohiding gnome-panel. You can change the timings in gconf-editor to allow instant unhiding and slower animations and slower autohiding, and change hidden size to 1 pixel. That way everything is drawn as normal, then it simply pops up on top of the windows.
Mike
Re: Hassle free mac-like-dock (not kiba or kxdocker)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pingvin
Having failed to run kxdocker in either Gnome or KDE (it would seem it now needs a composite window manager, which needs a good graphics card, which I don't have) I settled with an autohiding gnome-panel. You can change the timings in gconf-editor to allow instant unhiding and slower animations and slower autohiding, and change hidden size to 1 pixel. That way everything is drawn as normal, then it simply pops up on top of the windows.
Mike
Hei, Thanks, But where in gconf-editor???
Cheers
Jussi
Re: Hassle free mac-like-dock (not kiba or kxdocker)
Hi,
Go to:
gconf-editor -> apps -> panel -> toplevels -> <PANEL_NAME> (e.g. bottom panel).
Click on this folder, there should appear several values in the opposite pane:
change the ones I mentioned by right-clicking, then "edit key" I think. Type in a new value, like "slow" for the variable animation speed.
Hope that helps. No "apply" or "save", just quit and the changes are made instantly.
And on a different note, I have got kxdocker working in Edgy, Gnome (without Beryl) by using a previous version (0.39) from a Dapper repository :-)
Mike
Re: Hassle free mac-like-dock (not kiba or kxdocker)
what we need here is simply another gnome-panel-applet that is the variation of the application launcher.....simple in that it is a clone of the typical launcher but it also provides dbus feedback....or even tracks its own open windows!...
would this be viable? and if so where is the specific schemtai? bring me schemta .... i must have ze planz
oh and obviuosly you can choose your icons, and optionlly a bubble them and data-emblem-feedback frames that are laid upon the app icon.
Re: Hassle free mac-like-dock (not kiba or kxdocker)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
amoser
How to get an apple like dock with out hassle
There you go, an instant, stable, hassle free dock. Sure it does not have all of the glitz as say kiba dock, or kxdocker; but it does have more functionality
~Alan
Agreed! And thanks for the tips. I find it so much more useful than kiba.