Lookout! Indicator-screenshotting tool Lookit 0.3 hits Beta

The latest version of TinyGrab inspired screenshot tool 'Lookit' has hit beta status and is on the look out for the brave and the bold amongst you to do some testing...

New features
There are plenty of new features to play with including "support for non-compositing window managers & actually drawing the selection rectangle (though this feature doesn't always place nice with compiz, I'm looking into it)" Lookit developer Zach told us earlier today.

The project, which is now hosted on github, provides users - and ardent bloggers like myself - with a complete solution for both taking/selecting and uploading screenshots in one fell swoop. The work flow it affords is particularly neat for screenshots are automatically uploaded to your preferred service once taken and any resulting URLs are copied to the system clipboard ready for use.

As before, Lookit 0.3 can upload images via Imgur, FTP, SSH or simply 'save' them to folder of your choice.

PPA Installation
The beta release of ‘LookIt’ can be downloaded in .deb from from the project page or installed from the testing PPA below in a few hours time.

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:lookit/testing 
• sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install lookit

The latest stable version can be installed using the Lookit stable PPA: -

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:lookit/ppa
• sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install lookit

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Indicator-Monitor puts system stressing process in plain sight

Another day and another indicator applet to share word of. Today we’re looking rather more informative than time-saving - a system process monitor.

‘System load indicator’ monitors yours running processes CPU, RAM and disc I/O usage. When a process climbs higher than your set preference in one of these resources it is listed in the applet menu and a warning notification pops up to draw your attention.

You can set the levels at which an application is considered to be above preferable via the ‘preferences’ menu within the applet.

The monitor applet is just that - a monitor. It doesn’t manage or kill unruly processes for you but makes sure you’re made aware when an app goes rogue.

One aspect of the applet which seems to let an otherwise useful utility down is the choice in icons to represent the various states of load.

“It will use some weather icons as its indicator icon. If no process is chunking the system, it will display a clear-moon-night icon, when some process is slowing down the system, icons of cloudy, shower, heavy-shower will appear according to the system load.”

I’m sure there are some more applicable icons laying around waiting to be used than weather, although the analogy isn’t too far removed from being easy to follow.

Download

An easy-to-install .deb for Ubuntu 10.04 users can be pinched off of the project's Launchpad page: -

• indicator-monitor_0.1.0-1_i386.deb

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Indicator-Workspaces does what it says on the tin

As a self-confessed Indicator-fanboy I relish seeing projects like the following pop up that set out to 'upgrade/replace' existing gnome applets into modern, neat and orderly indicator applets.

Indicator-Workspaces by George Dumitrescu (AppImage Thumbnailer) is a simple indicator applet for switching between workspaces. For users who don't tend to flash-compiz switchers or docklets but wanting something a bit sleeker than the default workspace-switcher this is an ideal solution. 

Current Workspace-Switcher applet

It's perfectly usable as it is, doing exactly what it sets out to so feel free to install it and test it out.

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:geod/ppa-geod
• sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install indicator-workspaces

George told that he intends to add "workspaces preferences, from where you choose how many workspace you want" in the future but for now some general testing and a nice mono-icon would be much appreciated.

"There are some things in life money can't organize. 

For everything else there's an Indicator Applet."

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Safely remove USB drives using a nifty application indicator (updated with new icon)

I love application indicators and I also love yanking out my USB drives without properly ejecting them. These two passions have meet each other in a nifty new application indicator by developer Eugeny Pankov.

The tiny app has been created specifically for ejecting your USB devices safely - it doesn't sing, it certainly doesn't dance but it does what it says on the tin.

Installable as a .deb, this indicator really is superbly useful for those of us lazy enough to normally just pull our memory devices out. Better yet upon clicking to eject a device a notification bubble pops up informing you that it is, now, ready for removal.

The default tray icon is a bit of an obtuse choice. It makes use of the default 'media-eject' icon which results in a rouge un-matching icon amongst its neighbours. This can, however be easily corrected.

Download
'USB Safe Removal application indicator' can be downloaded at this link.

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meerkat's new clock applet adds Calendar widget

Ubuntu 10.10's new indicator-style clock applet is coming along nicely and, in an update today, added a new calendar widget in the menu.

The new DateTime indicator applet will help make users lives easier and their desktop experience consistent. A slick interface will combine with easy-access-to-set timers and events directly from the menu itself and will also have direct integration with Evolution. Tata to endless menus, extra windows and preferences dialogues just to change a setting and, in the words of no-one else but myself, hola to ease.

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Weather Indicator Applet: Genesis of an itch into an app (Updated with PPA)

The new Date Time indicator that is all-set to replace the Gnome Clock applet in Ubuntu 10.10 will certainly make your life easier: A slick interface combines easy access to set timers and events direct from the menu & integration with Evolution, resulting in no-more reams of menus to change an option or setting. It is, as Jono Bacon likes to say, going to rock.

One thing that it won't do, however, is tell you the weather.

Forecasting a change
In anticipation of this two plucky guys (from the OMG! Ubuntu! IRC channel! - Sebastian and Cullen) have begun work on creating a weather indicator applet. It's still in the early stages of development but if you are able to lend a hand it should be ready to warn you of hurried hurricanes, twisty tornadoes and light rain just in time for Maverick.

Weather Indicator
The indicator aims to be a "...comprehensive weather notification system, implemented using the indicator applet API." 

But how did it come about?
"I like to know the weather." project member Cullen says matter of factly when I asked why he specifically got involved in the project. "That and I like designing things. I really wanted [the applet] to look great so I decided to make some mock ups for Seb. He liked them and it went from there."

The design of the applet has a clear emphasis on keeping what works from the current design whilst also aiming to add one or two visual touches to make the passive informative role of the applet that little bit more helpful - such as the abilty to switch between locations from the menu itself.

A dedicated 'extended information' panel provides users with a more detailed summary and forecast.

The mocked-up preferences menu (though not yet implemented) shows a lot of promise. The aim is to afford users a wide range of customizability and decision in what, how and when their weather applet informs them.

Whilst not every feature of the applet or its preferences may be fully achievable lofty ambitions are much better

Why not a widget or a docklet? Expectation.
I asked Cullen why he thought an indicator applet would be a much better fit for a weather notification service than say a desktop widget or docklet: -

"Because a widget is either on your desktop and covered by a window, on top of your windows bothering you, or in a widget layer that requires a key press to view while an indicator is always right there on the panel just waiting for you quietly as it displays." 

The fact users, so frightened of change, may miss being able to enable weather updates in the panel certainly hasn't passed the two-man team by either and thanks to the flexibility of the Indicator API Sebastian has been able to turn his idea from an IRC conservation into a functioning panel applet in a very short space of time.

So far... so good!
The applet can be installed via PPA which will provide updates until the applet hits stable pre-alpha but be aware that, at the time of writing, it lacks advanced configuration options - but these are coming! You can set your location and see some info from it (in imperial measurements) but not much more.

The Indicator icon changes to an appropriate weather icon depending on the forecast - so knowing what's up (or about to come down) is never more than a glance away!

Your help
The application has advanced in a very short space of time thanks to the hard-work of Sebastian but it could do with a few more hands on deck (I've run out of weather puns) so if you know some python, are a dab-hand at bug fixing, etc and would like to help out then do! You'll find the project @ launchpad.net/weather-indicator


What would you like to see in a dream weather Indicator?
Hourly notifications?Ability to 'hide' certain stats from the menu? Wax lyrical in the comments.

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Indicator applet support comes to Lubuntu

Indicator Applet support for LXDE based Ubuntu spin ‘Lubuntu’ is coming very shortly, Lubuntu developer Julien Lavergne has just announced to the Lubuntu mailing list. 

Lubuntu 10.10 will see the desktop panel - lxpanel - be able to display indicators of a handful of applications that already make use of Ubuntu’s coherent system-tidying initiative. Pidgin & GNOME-Power-Manager are currently supported but, with some further refinement, support for more should occur. Indicator support on lxpanel will not be enabled by default due to memory concerns and GNOME dependencies but the package will be available to install for Lubuntu 10.10 users either via the Lubuntu PPA or, very shortly, the main Maverick repository itself.

Picture: Julien Lavergne

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indicator applets now work with awn

Ubuntu’s Indicator Applets now work with the latest testing version of popular Dock AWN.

The port, an oft-requested feature by AWN users, now allows users to benefit from some of the unique features Application indicators provide.

Installation

The new indicator-supporting AWN can be installed from the AWN testing PPA. This PPA is not advised for those uncomfortable with occasional dock crashes or errors.

Add the PPA and install the latest version of AWN by issuing the following commands in a terminal: -

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:awn-testing/ppa
• sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install avant-window-navigator-trunk

The indicator applet can be added via the the ‘Applets’ section of ‘Awn Settings’ to add the applet.

Image | SharkBaitBoy

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What indicator applets were made for: Mock-up Power Manager Applet for Ubuntu

Power management in Ubuntu is a largely poor effort - particularly as Ubuntu stretches it's leg in the field of mobile computing devices; users need a more coherent and accessible way to control power settings. Users currently need to use 3 (!) applets in-order to manage the oft-most power-related used features of screen brightness, CPU performance and battery life indication.

So disappointed was Sean W with the situation that when setting his Wife's laptop up and noticing the lack of 'sane control over power management' that he put pixel to pixel and made the following mock up.

As Annie Lennox once sang: 'Sweet dreams are made of this'. I'm sure looking at this you also be thinking 'Who am I to disagree?'

Thanks to Sean W

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Add Zimbra support to the Ubuntu messaging menu with Zimdicator

Zimdicator is a simple messaging menu indicator for use with the open source Zimbra Collaboration Suite.

Created by Mitja Pagon to ‘scratch an itch’ (so to speak) it provides Zimbra users with convenient desktop integration – albeit basic – alerting them to new mail from all of their Zimbra e-mail accounts.

“Zimbra? What’s that?”

Although this post is far from designed to ‘sell’ Zimbra as a service, for those that don’t know much about it the official spiel describes it as an “email and calendar server.” with the benefit of “…outpacing traditional desktop application performance and working in the web browser, Zimbra gives you a better messaging and collaboration experience plus zero desktop lock in.”

Zimdicator features

Zimdicator 0.1 provides users with the following features: -

• periodically checks users entire mailbox (all folders) for new mail messages
• opens Zimbra Web Client in web browser on "All folders" click
• configuration tool
• secure communication with server (optional)
• auto-start on login (optional)
• secure password storage in Gnome Keyring
• user settable mail check interval

Notify-OSD support is planned for version 0.2.

Install Zimdicator in Ubuntu

Zimdicator, like most things in life nowadays, can be installed via a PPA. The PPA contains only Zimdicator so you’re free to add it without fear of getting some buggy development library as part of the experience. The PPA is Lucid only.

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sect2k/zimdicator
• sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install zimdicator

Bug reporting and feedback should be left on the Launchpad page @ https://launchpad.net/zimdicator

Thanks to Mitja Pagon

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How To Add The Banshee Indicator Applet in Lucid

An indicator applet extension for Banshee can be easily installed in Ubuntu 10.04, giving the application full panel integration a la Rhythmbox and other indicator applets. By default Banshee displays a notification icon. Whilst this provides many of the features of the indicator applet it doesn't provide a coherent panel experience in Lucid. Thankfully this is easy to rectify. Install Banshee Indicator Applet in Ubuntu 10.04

• sudo apt-get install libappindicator0-cil banshee-extension-appindicator

Once installed you will need to enable it via Banshee preferences menu. Make sure you disable the generic notification icon (if enabled) or you'll have two icon on the panel.

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OMG! Replacement coloured indicator message alert icons for Lucid

With Ubuntu 10.04 adding a puke coloured new message alert to the indicator applet many of you will be seeking alternatives.

Seek no more.




The above icons come in all main Tango! colours as well as one awesome Ubuntu Aubergine coloured one for the brand-obsessed contingent, too. (Which, I must say, looks mighty awesome when using the Radiance theme)

 

Plum with Ambiance is pretty swell, too.
 
  Download Right-click and save-as Install

• Hit alt+f2 and type 'gksu nautilus'
• Navigate to the icon theme directory you're using in
• 'usr/share/icons/' and either 'ubuntu-mono-light' or 'ubuntu-mono-dark'.
• Enter the 'status/22/' directory
• Extract the downloaded tarball and choose your preferred coloured icon
• RENAME it to just 'indicator-messages-new.svg' before moving.
• Move it. :)

Notes
Every update to the Indicator applet will replace these icons so be prepared to keep reinstalling them every so-often.

 Props to the dude who created these for OMG! readers but doesn't wish to be credited.

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How to remove social network features from Lucid but keep the sound applet

Installed Lucid and now want rid of the social media integration stuff from the top panel but don’t want to lose the sound applet?

Reader Enekk dropped the following quick solution into my e-mail inbox: -

• sudo apt-get remove indicator-messages indicator-me

Done.

On a semi-related note he notes a little bug: removing ubuntu-one doesn’t remove the menu entry for it within the MeMenu.

Thanks enekk

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Applications in Ubuntu 10.04 Messaging Menu get Renamed

The Messaging Menu applet in Ubuntu 10.04 now refers to the default applications contained within using descriptive titles divided in sections rather than the application name. It's believed that retitled the menu entries will better help newcomers, unfamiliar with Linux application names, in using the default application selection. As such 'Empathy' becomes named 'Chat', 'Evolution' is termed 'Mail' and the purpose of 'Gwibber' is made clearer via a 'Microblogging' moniker. The default applications are renamed; Pidgin, not being default, retains its title. The application names remain unaffected in the main menu.

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Little Things That Matter: Rhythmbox Indicator Applet

The Rhythmbox indicator applet in Ubuntu 10.04 gained 'now playing' information in an update earlier today. As I waxed so lyrical about in my previous 'Little things that matter' post on the MessagingMenu in Lucid Lynx, small visual differences can be the difference between a pleasant users experience and a slightly-gripe filled one. The addition of track title is a definite boon. For example, I was listening to a new album a few days back and really loved a track but i had to un-minimize Rhythmbox via its indicator applet to note what the song title was. Being able to see that information without calling up the mighty jukebox is a superior choice. Rogue Check-boxes The rouge and somewhat misaligned 'play' option irritates me. Part because I love symmetry and part because it just looks so haphazard. There is no discernible reason for it to be jutting out... I also find the fact it is labelled 'Play' when playing or not a misnomer - Titling it "Pause" during playback would be an infinitely more sane correction. I'm not the bluntest tool in the box but I have had to think a few times about whether or not I needed to click it...

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