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design:appfinder [2011/11/27 10:56] – [Comments] cancidesign:appfinder [2012/02/17 12:32] – [Panel Plugin] andrzejr
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   * We always use the default web browser. I am not sure we want to integrate something like "Open With" in the appfinder. Probably not. --- //[[jannis@xfce.org|Jannis Pohlmann]] 2011/06/04 00:17//   * We always use the default web browser. I am not sure we want to integrate something like "Open With" in the appfinder. Probably not. --- //[[jannis@xfce.org|Jannis Pohlmann]] 2011/06/04 00:17//
     * I actually like the idea. --- //[[stephan@xfce.org|Stephan Arts]] 2011/08/18 13:26//     * I actually like the idea. --- //[[stephan@xfce.org|Stephan Arts]] 2011/08/18 13:26//
 +
 +===== Panel Plugin =====
 +
 +A button, which looks like the Applications Menu button and toggles visibility of an AppFinder widget.
 +
 +The AppFinder widget is displayed next to the panel (like applications menu), without window borders and without "Preferences", "Close", "Launch" buttons. Optionally it has an additional padding.
 +
 +AppFinder preferences are available through a plugin context menu.
 +AppFinder plugin preferences (icon, visibility of a label etc.) are also available through the context menu. (a separate dialog?)
 +
 +==== Implementation ====
 +
 +[[dev:appfinder-plugin|Appfinder panel plugin]]
 +
 +
 +==== Implementation Constraints ====
 +  * To save memory the panel applet shares the model (app data) with the xfce4-appfinder process (if any). Possible solution:
 +    * The plugin requests opening the widget over DBUS.
 +    * The widget is rendered by the xfce4-appfinder process.
 +    * The widget is embedded in a widget opened by the plugin in order to add some padding, hide the widget etc.
 +    * (alternative) The widget is not embedded and its position and visibility is controlled over DBUS.
 +  * The panel plugin is shipped with AppFinder (building and installation should be optional and enabled by default).
 +
 +==== Comments ====
 +
 +  * I don't see what makes this easier then popping up the window. I feel more for a verve-like launcher for this.  --- //[[nick@xfce.org|Nick Schermer]] 2012/02/07 14:13//
 +    * Well I think it's mostly about the look'n'feel of traditional appmenus like Windows used to promote them (but it seems they're perishing anyway). About the verve-idea: I don't see what makes it easier to put keyboard-focus into a panel-plugin than to hit a keyboard-combo to launch appfinder ;) No, seriously, I think "power-users" don't need any of that. The straight-forward appfinder would be enough for them. It might still be worth to do such a plugin if it's not too much effort.  --- //[[simon.steinbeiss@univie.ac.at|Simon Steinbeiß]] 2012/02/07 14:38//
 +    * Answering the "why" question: think of it as of a better (at least for some users) applications menu. It can be bound to a key but it is still useful to have it in the panel - if only for discoverability for new users (just like the menu). Besides, "why _not_"?, appfinder is here and is pretty good, why not expose it a bit more.  --- //[[ndrwrdck@gmail.com|Andrzej]] 2012/02/07 18:27//
 +  * Two observations related the dbus support in appfinder: 1) xfce4-appfinder doesn't install a .service file, 2) it doesn't have a --daemon command line option for starting only the service (without showing a window). --- //[[ndrwrdck@gmail.com|Andrzej]] 2012/02/07 18:51//