Getting a Windows 7-like taskbar in Ubuntu

I have been playing with the Windows 7 beta since yesterday afternoon, and while the OS is still, well, Windows, the new taskbar is just plain awesome.

Is there a way to approximate the new Windows 7 taskbar in Ubuntu without installing a dock that needs compositing to function?

There are basically two things I like:

1. Like a dock, each application gets only one icon in the taskbar, and you can "stick" certain icons to the taskbar to function as launchers.

1. When you hover over an application, you see all the open windows for that application, and you can close them or right-click for other options.

WOW! Microsoft JUST figured this one out?? WOW!!

In the taskbar preferences you can select to group windows, so that each application only gets one button. You've been able to do this in Gnome, KDE and indeed, Windows, for many years now.

ajcham said: In the taskbar preferences you can select to group windows, so that each application only gets one button. You've been able to do this in Gnome, KDE and indeed, Windows, for many years now.

Yes, they group with labels. What the OP is wanting is like...

[IMG]http://www.winsupersite.com/images/win7/win7_preview_2_02.jpg[/IMG]

I'm sure the Window List applet could be modified to remove the text labels and only show the icons.

sydbat said: WOW! Microsoft JUST figured this one out?? WOW!!

If Ubuntu'd figured it out then this thread wouldn't exist, now would it? ):P

Perpetual said: Yes, they group with labels. What the OP is wanting is like...

I'd mis-read the OP as saying he didn't want to install any additional docks or panels, so I assumed he wanted to approximate the function with the standard panel app. I see now he is only averse to docks that require compositing, so maybe there are alternatives he could use.

FuturePilot said: I'm sure the Window List applet could be modified to remove the text labels and only show the icons.

I remember seeing a gnome module here on the forums which does this already. I can't remember where though. :(

that windows 7 taskbar is so ugly :|

XFCE has supported that for ages, not to mention that it's pretty much similar to what NextSTEP (and similiar window managers like Window maker) used to do and what Apple already also uses on OSX..

Nice going, Microsoft. One more amazing new feature that's actually ages old stuff from other operating systems.. ;)

Anyway, I'd still like to see something like that for Gnome's panel, the current Window List applet isn't really usable with vertical panels and that is the only reason why I still need to use a horizontal panel on my desktop.. Sadly, even AWN doesn't help as it can't be moved to side of the desktop.

Perpetual said: Yes, they group with labels. What the OP is wanting is like...

[IMG]http://www.winsupersite.com/images/win7/win7_preview_2_02.jpg[/IMG]

The problem being-which are application shortcuts, which are open applications, and which are minimized applications, and which are applications with windows simply buried beneath other windows? I honestly cannot tell.

Yea-I suppose the "super bar" is slick and visually "simple". But it makes things far more convoluted and unclear. But it DOES make for a great demo-like the Mac Dock.

Skripka said: The problem being-which are application shortcuts, which are open applications, and which are minimized applications, and which are applications with windows simply buried beneath other windows? I honestly cannot tell.

It doesn't matter. A shortcut turns into an open or minimized application, just like on a dock. Easy peasy.

I would prefer to do this with the built-in panel rather than a dock app, but I'll take what I can get. The main difference is that I know I cannot get the above functionality with the panel. Launchers stay launchers.

I guess my basic need is a way to drop the text labels so I can have just icons. If there is a module for that, I would love a link.

50words said: It doesn't matter. A shortcut turns into an open or minimized application, just like on a dock. Easy peasy.

I would prefer to do this with the built-in panel rather than a dock app, but I'll take what I can get. The main difference is that I know I cannot get the above functionality with the panel. Launchers stay launchers.

I guess my basic need is a way to drop the text labels so I can have just icons. If there is a module for that, I would love a link.

it actually does matter. on the mac os x dock there is a triangle under the icon to show if the program is running/minimized. so you can tell.

Skripka said: The problem being-which are application shortcuts, which are open applications, and which are minimized applications, and which are applications with windows simply buried beneath other windows? I honestly cannot tell.

I don't know how Windows 7 fixes this (if at all), but I'd put a border around the taskbar icons (but not application shortcuts), and darken the selected app, with open (but not minimised) apps slightly less darkened. Like the Way KDE4 does it (and I assume KDE3.5 and Gnome, though honestly I didn't notice until just now that it differentiated between Open but not selected apps, and minimised apps, and can't remember if they all do this)

sydbat said: WOW! Microsoft JUST figured this one out?? WOW!!

they had the dock before mac OS did...

um...no they didnt? apple has patented their dock, ive seen screenshots of every windows release and its always had the little taskbar thing.

Polygon said: it actually does matter. on the mac os x dock there is a triangle under the icon to show if the program is running/minimized. so you can tell.

Now that I am paying attention, I see that running apps have a border around them, so they look like a button instead of just an icon on a background. It is pretty easy to find running apps.

Edit: look at the screenshot, above. IE, WMP, and the calculator are running. Mail and Messenger are not.

Can we just leave out the OS bickering? I am running Windows 7 in VirtualBox because I want to see what it is like. Everyone copies the best features from each other these days, which is fine by me. Derivation and innovation are both important.

50words said: Now that I am paying attention, I see that running apps have a border around them, so they look like a button instead of just an icon on a background. It is pretty easy to find running apps.

Edit: look at the screenshot, above. IE, WMP, and the calculator are running. Mail and Messenger are not.

Oh, well we digress.

Polygon said: um...no they didnt? apple has patented their dock, ive seen screenshots of every windows release and its always had the little taskbar thing.

Microsoft didn't have it, but 3rd party Windows interfaces did. So did OS/2, NeXTStep and Acorn Computers actually. Apple's patent is a joke.

50words said: Now that I am paying attention, I see that running apps have a border around them, so they look like a button instead of just an icon on a background. It is pretty easy to find running apps.

Edit: look at the screenshot, above. IE, WMP, and the calculator are running. Mail and Messenger are not.

Yeah, they are 'stacked' which gives them a 'glow'. it reminds me of Win 3.1 where they had a rude dock/task bar where running apps sat...

[IMG]http://www.guidebookgallery.org/pics/gui/system/managers/running/win31.png[/IMG]

I like the windows 7 taskbar. And it's take on the win 3.1 'taskbar' predates Mac's dock I do believe.

Perpetual said: Yeah, they are 'stacked' which gives them a 'glow'. it reminds me of Win 3.1 where they had a rude dock/task bar where running apps sat...

[IMG]http://www.guidebookgallery.org/pics/gui/system/managers/running/win31.png[/IMG]

I like the windows 7 taskbar. And it's take on the win 3.1 'taskbar' predates Mac's dock I do believe. I don't remember those icons sitting in any sort of taskbar in 3.1 - they just sat on the desktop. In any case here is a picture of an early dock, as implemented in the Arthur OS for the Archimedes (1987): [ATTACH]99492[/ATTACH]

While the functionality of the W7 taskbar doesn't excite me as much as I thought it would, I've yet to see a prettier-looking one.

Call me shallow but I do enjoy my eye candy.

ajcham said: Microsoft didn't have it, but 3rd party Windows interfaces did. So did OS/2, NeXTStep and Acorn Computers actually. Apple's patent is a joke.

Probably you also know that the dock in OS X is a direct follower of the one used in NeXTstep (NeXT was founded by Steve Jobs). Apple bought NeXT in 1996, at the same time when Jobs returned to work for Apple.

So whatever you think of Apple's way of doing business, at least they didn't _steal_ the dock, they bought it with the company that developed it..

(Sure, the patent is a joke. I agree with that. So are all software patents, and major part of all US patents..)

By the way, Win 3.1 didn't have a dock, a task bar or even a start menu. It had single icon on the desktop that opened "Program Manager", single normal window with shortcuts to all your programs. Really elegant solution, while you were able to have a wallpaper it was most of the time hidden behind the Program manager window.. :P http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Windows_3.0_workspace.png. If I remember right minimized programs were just iconified to bottom of the screen (or possibly inside the PM window?)

mcduck said: So whatever you think of Apple's way of doing business, at least they didn't _steal_ the dock, they bought it with the company that developed it..

I wouldn't claim that they stole the dock - they, and NeXT before them, did what is natural in computing, which is to take an existing idea and expand on and improve it. It's just a shame that they feel the need to try and block others from doing likewise.

EDIT: I fear we've strayed from the topic and should probably allow this thread to return to the original query.

Just to clarify it for everyone: Apple's patent is on the algorithm that zooms the icons on the dock, not for a dock in general.

Polygon said: um...no they didnt? apple has patented their dock, ive seen screenshots of every windows release and its always had the little taskbar thing.

And we know that every software patent is perfectly legitimate, right?

Yes, Windows 3.1 did not have a dock or taskbar but when windows were minimized they went to the bottom of the screen where currently taskbars and docks reside. It had the same 'basic' functionality.

Perpetual said:

I like the windows 7 taskbar.

As do I. It's nice to use.

Maybe it's just me, but that thing looks fugly.

Why did they dress icons as buttons? If it's a button, it should look more like the traditional Win95/98/2K/XP/Vista button. If it's an icon, it should look more like the Aqua Dock, or AWM, etc.

cardinals_fan said: And we know that every software patent is perfectly legitimate, right?

Aye, whenever you break a patent, the universe divides itself by zero and slowly, yet fastly (it becomes a word when this happens) sucks everything into the middle. Nobody knows which part is the middle...

Frak said: Aye, whenever you break a patent, the universe divides itself by zero and slowly, yet fastly (it becomes a word when this happens) sucks everything into the middle. Nobody knows which part is the middle...

The middle is the part between the sides, of course :)

Just to get back on topic. The first poster asked how to emulate the feature of the Windows 7 taskbar.

The taskbar is an improvement but it doesn't really address the main wonky problems of navigation in Windows. It just kinda...keeps compatibility.

Basically what this user wants is:

• Launchers to be able to keep the same icon for when the program is running

• Right-clicking a launcher/running program reveals the same list of common tasks for that program, regardless of if its running or not. E.g. recently used files.

• No text labels.

Now as far as opinions go - I think it stinks having no text labels. I think its a very good idea keeping the same icons for running programs and shortcuts though - where its specified. The notification tray is silly. If anything, programs which use the notification area should use their launcher icon instead of sitting in that area. Or...the notification area should have dormant icons, which could possibly indicate when their program is running.

How to do it:

This functionality could easily be done by creating a special gnome tray applet which holds icons/launchers. When an application is run out of that tray applet, it could hijack the icon's perception of the notification area. The special gnome applet could tell the running program 'hey your notification area icon should be -HERE-' which points to its launcher icon.

Difficult for a power user to create though, but easy for a programmer willing to break/fork from existing standards.

weblordpepe said: Now as far as opinions go - I think it stinks having no text labels. I think its a very good idea keeping the same icons for running programs and shortcuts though - where its specified. The notification tray is silly. If anything, programs which use the notification area should use their launcher icon instead of sitting in that area. Or...the notification area should have dormant icons, which could possibly indicate when their program is running.

The Windows 7 taskbar does allow for text labels. It's a setting in the taskbar properties.

Giant Speck said: The Windows 7 taskbar does allow for text labels. It's a setting in the taskbar properties.

We really should send one of our Linux GUI people o'er to Redmond, and teach them how NOT to cut off their big menu button on the bottom of the monitor :).

Skripka said: We really should send one of our Linux GUI people o'er to Redmond, and teach them how NOT to cut off their big menu button on the bottom of the monitor :).

And the program buttons stand up like they are not part of the taskbar either.

BlueSkyNIS said: And the program buttons stand up like they are not part of the taskbar either.

That's the notification tray. I had it opened to show it, but because the mouse isn't drawn whenever you take a screenshot in Windows, it looks like it's just floating there. :)

I really dont think this is innovative at all, after all OSX had similar in the past. I rather keep an old fashioned taskbar anyway. I just dont like it when these companies say its innovation when really its not, after all linux never claimed to be innovative itself so whats the point.

Well I hope they keep the Windows Classic theme as the "superbar" drives me crazy.

SunnyRabbiera said: I really dont think this is innovative at all, after all OSX had similar in the past.

I rather keep an old fashioned taskbar anyway. I just dont like it when these companies say its innovation when really its not, after all linux never claimed to be innovative itself so whats the point.

The point is to get people to spend money....the easiest way is to that is to redo a GUI and sell features which have been around for years as new-it is less work that way.

i hope they don't charge extra for using that new taskbar or they might come up with something like you can dock only 5 icons/applications in taskbar 6th one will cost you 1$.am i giving them ideas lol.

Sorry for being off from the main topic

Skripka said: The problem being-which are application shortcuts, which are open applications, and which are minimized applications, and which are applications with windows simply buried beneath other windows? I honestly cannot tell.

[IMG]http://fc91.deviantart.com/fs40/f/2009/027/6/c/Win7_Bar_by_Roberticus.jpg[/IMG] Should clear some things up. WMP and Winamp are not launched, so those icons are just shortcuts.

It is possible to use the Bar like old times (almost). [IMG]http://fc32.deviantart.com/fs41/f/2009/027/0/8/Old_way_Win7_Bar_by_Roberticus.jpg[/IMG]

The only thing right now that upsets me about the new taskbar is that active windows have a light background and white text.

Hard. To. See.

Giant Speck said: The only thing right now that upsets me about the new taskbar is that active windows have a light background and white text.

Hard. To. See.

Well, change it then :P

Muhahahahaha :D

Delever said: Well, change it then :P

Muhahahahaha :D

:roll:

mcduck said:

By the way, Win 3.1 didn't have a dock, a task bar or even a start menu.

You need to go back further.

[IMG]http://www.kernelthread.com/mac/vpc/images/win101.gif[/IMG]

nick09 said: Well I hope they keep the Windows Classic theme as the "superbar" drives me crazy.

The theme and taskbar functionality are separate. You can use the new taskbar with the classic theme and you can use the old taskbar with the Aero theme.

smartboyathome said: I remember seeing a gnome module here on the forums which does this already. I can't remember where though. :(

It's the Task Dock applet, which I submitted the original code for. While I'm not actively programming it myself, I did just accept a patch yesterday.

off the topic:is there already aero shake feature for ubuntu?

am i alone in my thinking that the windows 7 taskbar is complete crap?

the grouping windows thing is retarded

how can anyone actually like the way it groups all of your minimized windows in with your quick launch icons

it just complicates things more then necessary

tjwoosta said: am i alone in my thinking that the windows 7 taskbar is complete crap?

the grouping windows thing is retarded

how can anyone actually like the way it groups all of your minimized windows in with your quick launch icons

it just complicates things more then necessary

The only thing I don't like about it is that if you want to open a new instance of a program, you have to right click it and select the program from the jump menu, instead of just clicking on a Quick Launch icon.

Giant Speck said: The only thing I don't like about it is that if you want to open a new instance of a program, you have to right click it and select the program from the jump menu

Hold shift and then left-click.

Or middle click if your mouse has a scroll wheel.

geoken said: Or middle click if your mouse has a scroll wheel.

HOLY CRAP! SWEETNESS!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

It's like opening a new tab in Firefox! I love finding new uses for the middle click. :)

tjwoosta said: am i alone in my thinking that the windows 7 taskbar is complete crap?

the grouping windows thing is retarded

how can anyone actually like the way it groups all of your minimized windows in with your quick launch icons

it just complicates things more then necessary

I think it makes it easier. I have a large quick launch bar because the start menu is highly annoying for me, and now windows 7 just makes the open program list and the quick launch bar the same thing. i personally love it

they just need to have it so you can adjust the size of the icons, the bar is going to fill up quick since the icons are so big :O

There's a Gnome applet, DockBar. Download a deb package here . This is the project page http://gnome-look.org/content/show.php/DockBar?content=97822 [IMG]http://gnome-look.org/CONTENT/content-pre1/97822-1.png[/IMG]

I have NOT read all the 50 odd posts here. But I got sufficiently aggravated after reading a few.

I am NOT a Windows fanboy. Frankly, I hate Vista, I have trouble adjusting to XP (for its aging looks and features/apps).

I feel that Windows 7 has been a step towards the positive. After years of failures from Windows, they finally came up with a decent OS. It isn't necesary to create some pseud new features, it isn't necesary for flashy stuff to make an OS give you the awe.

All that is needed, is robustness, doing what needs to be done quickly and efficiently. Apart from this if it has eye-candy all the better. That too on hardware of lower end type!

The web is moving towards it, OS's are moving towards it - EYE-CANDY. Why? Marketability and FRANKLY it has a psychological impact of working on a clean, modern and sweet system. This does loads to improve the average person's productivity.

I see most of the people craving for eye-candy, at some or the other time. The fact that Ubuntu comes bundled with it (as compiz) is testement to this.

EVEN geeks secretly crave for it. (not all the geeks, apologies, but many or at least many "linux" users. I am a geek, in love with eye-candy :P).

But when someone comes and tells that windows did something awesome, people through it away as if it was a piece of cake. HAVE you coded that?

I agree that linux did something similar, but it ain't of the SAME QUALITY. PERIOD.

IS there ONE Aero-glass imitation that matches the effect of Windows's? (PLEASE tell me if there is!!! :P)

AND PLEAAAASE stop talking about the panels and all in Gnome, KDE whatever. They serve purposes different from windows's. And hence, the effect they provide is different from windows's.

The bottom line is, Windows programmers have a brain, mind and most importantly THEY CARE what their customers think. So, that is good.

(I think windows is here to stay for more time! They aren't a-givin' in!) KEEP CODING!

P.S. :P I guess this went *pretty *out of context. Anyway, mods please reconsider before movin' the post to elsewhere!

Fist fights are strictly forbidden. Ping (PM) me if u have personal scores to settle due to my li'l post up here!

Roberticus said: Sorry for being off from the main topic

[IMG]http://fc91.deviantart.com/fs40/f/2009/027/6/c/Win7_Bar_by_Roberticus.jpg[/IMG] Should clear some things up. WMP and Winamp are not launched, so those icons are just shortcuts.

It is possible to use the Bar like old times (almost). [IMG]http://fc32.deviantart.com/fs41/f/2009/027/0/8/Old_way_Win7_Bar_by_Roberticus.jpg[/IMG]

Looks exactly like KDE4 there, with some minor tweaks.

Maybe maybe, but for me Win7 works better than KDE4*.. :/

*tested KDE4.2 in Opensuse, Fedora and Kubuntu.

Roberticus said: Maybe maybe, but for me Win7 works better than KDE4*.. :/

*tested KDE4.2 in Opensuse, Fedora and Kubuntu.

Windows 7 is still beta, KDE4 is new granted but its going to probably be more stable and less resource hoggy then windows 7 when windows 7 goes final. KDE 4.2 is quite stable, despite its slowdown and plasma (plasma is almost where I need it to be)

Roberticus said: Maybe maybe, but for me Win7 works better than KDE4*.. :/

*tested KDE4.2 in Opensuse, Fedora and Kubuntu.

But not latest kdemod, i found it to be uncannily rock solid

Also not using kubuntu and installing kde 4.2 seems to run smoother in my experience.

Roberticus said: Maybe maybe, but for me Win7 works better than KDE4*.. :/

*tested KDE4.2 in Opensuse, Fedora and Kubuntu.

Bingo.

Certain things just beg for annoyance and pain and suffering. Filling your car tires with water....Putting you finger in an electrical outlet....Drinking 2 month old milk....Or running Kubuntu.

Can you get rid of the text labels in KDE?

My problem with KDE is that you see less in the main menu at once, so it takes longer to find things. Is there a way to make the KDE main menu more like the Gnome one, or make the Gnome taskbar more like the KDE (or Windows 7) one?

For people who aren't aware there is a 'Windows 7' style panel already for Gnome

http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/DockbarX?content=101604

Nifty! But the launchers don't turn into active application buttons when active, I'll report it as a bug.

The old version doesn't have this bug: http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/DockBar?content=97822

Looks like someone is working to make it more like W7: http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/DockbarX++Experimental+Windows+7+style?content=104644

Skripka said: The problem being-which are application shortcuts, which are open applications, and which are minimized applications, and which are applications with windows simply buried beneath other windows? I honestly cannot tell.

Yea-I suppose the "super bar" is slick and visually "simple". But it makes things far more convoluted and unclear. But it DOES make for a great demo-like the Mac Dock. It's easy to make assumptions like this without actually using it first.

Open applications and "shortcuts" are easy distinguishable because of the clearly visible border around the icon.

You can easily see what's "buried" by simply hovering your mouse over the icon and looking at the popups.

That's definitely not all, there's much more to the Super Bar then meets the eye.

Ok, so this thread got horribly off topic. Maybe I can help it back in the right direction, since I'm looking for much the same thing as the original poster. First, I've actually been using Windows 7 for a few weeks now, and maybe I can clear up some of the "whys" that people might have. To start, yes, for being so "pretty" it is dog ugly. Huge and sticks out like a sore thumb. But I also find it quite handy.

To start, on traditional taskbars I can't stand the grouping. Most annoying thing because you first have to find the right group to click to find (and most likely guess) the right specific window to click. Ungrouped you just have to find the right specific window, which my mind automatically remembers via chronological order and the like (older windows will naturally be farther left). But with the W7 taskbar, first it groups them. Which gets rid of some clutter. But then they go farther and give you window previews which HELPS take care of the whole "which window is which" situation. Of course, Ubuntu has had that for a while, no big whoop right? See, here's the kicker, when you hover over the preview it then brings the window to the front giving you a fullscreen preview instead of a little 1" box, of course only giving it focus if you click on it. Otherwise things just go back to the way they were. This makes grouping actually useful and somewhat productive, I think. This is what I'd like to see in Ubuntu, somehow.

If someone knows how to do this, please please please please please tell me? I don't care if I have to use Compiz, or a different dock, or what. I found this feature incredibly useful, and would love to have it on my Ubuntu box. Thanks in advance.

Why don't you use awn?

Did you try gnome-do?. It has the nicest dock I've seen.

Viva said: Why don't you use awn?

Because it isn't even close to the Windows 7 taskbar.

fjf said: Did you try gnome-do?. It has the nicest dock I've seen.

I haven't given it a shot, yet. It looks pretty much like AWN, but it might do the trick. I am waiting for it to hit the repos, though.

If you search around there's a ppa that's pretty easy to find.

the Windows 7 bar is kinda ugly. why would ya wanna replicate it?

nolliecrooked said: the Windows 7 bar is kinda ugly. why would ya wanna replicate it?

Because it being ugly is your opinion, and he wants to replicate it because he likes it?

CJ Master said: Because it being ugly is your opinion, and he wants to replicate it because he likes it?

not just my opinion dude, pretty much everyone I know whose tried has said the same thing.

nolliecrooked said: not just my opinion dude, pretty much everyone I know whose tried has said the same thing.

I find it an excellent and elegant tool-especially when compared to the mess it replaced.

So there you go. Opinions are like......

nolliecrooked said: not just my opinion dude, pretty much everyone I know whose tried has said the same thing.

So your opinion and your friends opinion count for all of ours? That's good to know, thanks.

well the fancy tasks plasmoid looks promising in KDE4 for those who like OS XI, err I mean windows 7 :D

CJ Master said: So your opinion and your friends opinion count for all of ours? That's good to know, thanks.

nope, but the fact that about 90% of those people think its ugly kinda says something...

50words said: I have been playing with the Windows 7 beta since yesterday afternoon, and while the OS is still, well, Windows, the new taskbar is just plain awesome.

Is there a way to approximate the new Windows 7 taskbar in Ubuntu without installing a dock that needs compositing to function?

There are basically two things I like:

1. Like a dock, each application gets only one icon in the taskbar, and you can "stick" certain icons to the taskbar to function as launchers.

1. When you hover over an application, you see all the open windows for that application, and you can close them or right-click for other options.

theirs a widget called Stasks for kde 4. example attached(just ignore the non toolbar part, its part of vistar7)

carlee said: theirs a widget called Stasks for kde 4. example attached(just ignore the non toolbar part, its part of vistar7)

why are you trying to replicate Windows 7?

go use the real thing.

nolliecrooked said: why are you trying to replicate Windows 7?

go use the real thing.

Tell me again, why does it matter what someone else uses?

Crimeny, some people need a hobby.

Replicate an OPERATING SYSTEM

examples include: Windows XP DOS Linux Windows 3.1 etc

nolliecrooked said: why are you trying to replicate Windows 7?

go use the real thing.

Maybe he/she likes the look of Vista but also likes the benefits of Linux?

I mean, that's not *that* difficult to understand, is it?

I find these "conversations" fascinating.

Looking at the Windows 7 taskbar in the screenshots in this thread, I find that it is a bit tall. This wouldn't bother me if entry-level panel resolutions were going *up* from 800 px tall. But newer systems are getting 16:9 screens, with 1366 px width and 768 px height (down 32 px, or about 8 px more than a default Gnome panel).

So tell me this, if you can.

1. How does the Windows 7 taskbar look when positioned vertically, along the left or right edge of the screen?
2. Can the Windows 7 taskbar scale independently of screen resolution?

the windows 7 taskbar is the first windows taskbar that looks just as good vertically as it looks horizontally, im using it on the right edge of the screen and its great.

I miss that on gnome, tbh.

As far as scaling goes, i think its pretty much like previous versions of windows.

Where to download this Windows 7 Theme..?

You can easely make the Win7 taskbar about 50 % smaller as in previous Windows versions. It just uses normal sized icons and the Start Menu looks like more like Vista ;)

Ok I haven't gone through the entire thread but this is what I think will help you achieve the closest solution without a dock (although I highly recommend one, Cairo is breezing ahead with its development and the newest version is nothing like the one in the 9.04 repos).

Anyway, goto synaptic and install the window picker applet (its like window list but only uses the icons and a full title for the active window, it was made for the ubuntu netbook remix), then put this on a dedicated panel and increase the size of that panel to like 40+ pixels or however fat you want it. Then enable window previews in compiz and give them a window like border with title and an increased size (all there as option in compiz>window previews).

This will give you similar functionality except it won't group the tasks (and hence their previews) which is not too bad, actually better in a way, cuts down on one step while trying to find you window.

You can have your launcher icons on the left and the window picker applet on the right after a separator.

You wanna imitate Windows? Maybe you also want to buy an activation code for $250? It will also call home every day, the finest spyware ever made...

Anyway, if you want a wide taskbar in Ubuntu 9.04, goto Panel Properties and set size to 50 pixes.

Rebelli0us said: You wanna imitate Windows? Maybe you also want to buy an activation code for $250? It will also call home every day, the finest spyware ever made...

Anyway, if you want a wide taskbar in Ubuntu 9.04, goto Panel Properties and set size to 50 pixes.

thanks for bumping the thread with such a nice post

Rebelli0us said: Anyway, if you want a wide taskbar in Ubuntu 9.04, goto Panel Properties and set size to 50 pixes.

Yeah... that totally makes it the exact same thing.

Why wanna look like windows I wonder

pizza-is-good said: Why wanna look like windows I wonder

Why not actually try looking back a few pages before asking the same that's been asked many, many times yet again. :)

I'm lazy.... plus, that question cannot be asked enough times in this forum

pizza-is-good said: I'm lazy....

plus, that question cannot be asked enough times in this forum

Lazy enough to have other people do the work...?

It has and it is. Some people simply like the looks better. But they like running linux. Why is that hard to understand?

CJ Master said: Lazy enough to have other people do the work...?

It has and it is. Some people simply like the looks better. But they like running linux. Why is that hard to understand?

However, this thread isn't about trying to duplicate the *look* of Windows 7. It's about trying to duplicate a *functionality *of Windows 7.

After reading all these misinformed comments in this thread... I feel like slapping someone. :o

The closest that I've seen is the STasks plasmoid for KDE4: http://kde-look.org/content/show.php/STasks?content=99739

@the_person_who_bumped_the_thread_from_it's_hibernation

Please don't post if you have nothing of value to say. Thanks.

EDIT: Whoops! Forgot to search the thread. It was already mentioned.

Giant Speck said: However, this thread isn't about trying to duplicate the *look* of Windows 7. It's about trying to duplicate a *functionality *of Windows 7.

Functionality of the taskbar I also consider looks, although I realise that's not technically correct.

If your looking for a non compositing dock that is similar, you could try itask-ng.

I'm not sure if you have to switch to E17 to use this or not, but its worth looking into.

Here are some links to info to get you started.

http://www.opendesktop.org/content/show.php/itask+ng?content=63394

http://code.google.com/p/itask-module/wiki/ItaskNG

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=420718

http://forum.intilinux.com/desktop-manager-30/itaskng-solved!!!/

I did actually come across a solution that does replicate this functionality rather well, but it looks quite ugly. It may be one of the solutions mentioned above, unfortunatly I'm at work (forced to use Windows :() right now so can't check.

I stopped using it anyway - I thought it looked good, but I actually found it confusing to have lots of icons/buttons there for programmes that aren't open (same reason I don't use a dock, even though they look so pretty). It's quicker to find the program you're after if you have fewer icons to look through, and the chances are the program you want is one that's already open. I prefer to keep my shortcuts in the main menu, and don't even have any quick launch icons now.

Speaking of main menus (and of replicating windows functionality), have you guys tried the main menu from Linux Mint? I'm loving it!

Polygon said: it actually does matter. on the mac os x dock there is a triangle under the icon to show if the program is running/minimized. so you can tell.

I Windows 7, the open applications are in a specific location and are indicated by mouse-over because upon mouse over, a little box opens below the icon with a current view of the application and if there is more than one instance of that application there will be additional boxes.

Personally, I'd love to save space on my panel's window list by having icon-only representations of each application (no text), much like Windows 7's new taskbar concept. All of the other taskbar functionality seem's great too, but simply removing the text from applications in the panel would probably be much easier to implement.

I'm sure there's an easy to make this happen with the gnome panel, right? :)

joedulin said: Ok, so this thread got horribly off topic. Maybe I can help it back in the right direction, since I'm looking for much the same thing as the original poster. First, I've actually been using Windows 7 for a few weeks now, and maybe I can clear up some of the "whys" that people might have. To start, yes, for being so "pretty" it is dog ugly. Huge and sticks out like a sore thumb. But I also find it quite handy.

To start, on traditional taskbars I can't stand the grouping. Most annoying thing because you first have to find the right group to click to find (and most likely guess) the right specific window to click. Ungrouped you just have to find the right specific window, which my mind automatically remembers via chronological order and the like (older windows will naturally be farther left). But with the W7 taskbar, first it groups them. Which gets rid of some clutter. But then they go farther and give you window previews which HELPS take care of the whole "which window is which" situation. Of course, Ubuntu has had that for a while, no big whoop right? See, here's the kicker, when you hover over the preview it then brings the window to the front giving you a fullscreen preview instead of a little 1" box, of course only giving it focus if you click on it. Otherwise things just go back to the way they were. This makes grouping actually useful and somewhat productive, I think. This is what I'd like to see in Ubuntu, somehow.

If someone knows how to do this, please please please please please tell me? I don't care if I have to use Compiz, or a different dock, or what. I found this feature incredibly useful, and would love to have it on my Ubuntu box. Thanks in advance.

I also agree with you. Also one feature I am missing when I'm using Ubuntu (installed it a week ago, still have a dual boot with W 7) is the option to right click and see recent documents, and the ability to PIN recent documents to become Frequent documents, all in the same menu, like:

Frequent documents------------ My budget.doc [X] -Recent documents------------- SO credentials.doc (X) other one.doc (X)

nolliecrooked said: nope, but the fact that about 90% of those people think its ugly kinda says something...

I will reply this one, but actually, i'm replying all of this kind of answers that have seen in this post (from all of them, only a few were really useful as an answer to the first question).

First of all, we use Ubuntu because you can choose to. Its free, its your election.

If there were any other Linux that is better, I'm sure you will switch. That has happened always.

Its a matter of choice and because "you like it". I can say that having used C=64, with and without Geos, DOS 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Linux Slackware 1, Windows 1, 2, 3, 3.1, 3.11, NT 35, NT 4, OS/2 2.0, OS/2 Warp, W2K, XP, Vista and now W7 and Ubuntu, W7 "so-called-superbar" is the one that allows me to handle all my "frequent" work right there. Like it or not, this is it. THis is me, and a lot of people I know that is using it. Although I use Ubuntu most of my time now, I miss that feature from W7 (that I used for 6 months, from early RCs).

Having said that there were some good options that I am going to test, but, first, a question about them: DockbarX is a forks of Dockbar?

aaaantoine said: Looking at the Windows 7 taskbar in the screenshots in this thread, I find that it is a bit tall. This wouldn't bother me if entry-level panel resolutions were going *up* from 800 px tall. But newer systems are getting 16:9 screens, with 1366 px width and 768 px height (down 32 px, or about 8 px more than a default Gnome panel).

So tell me this, if you can.

1. How does the Windows 7 taskbar look when positioned vertically, along the left or right edge of the screen?
2. Can the Windows 7 taskbar scale independently of screen resolution?

I have been using it like that, at my left and it behaves perfect. I will dual boot just to take screenshots.

I am not sure why you could not do this in gnome. Gnome has Application launcher & Window Selector. The 7 bar is both.

It Acts like a launcher when there is no app running. And when the app is running it acts like window selector. And lets you select the windows related to that app.

So if the app was firefox. All windows running related to firefox would show up in the selector assigned to firefoxs app launcher.

I have to say it would be nice to have such a thing in gnome panel.

P.S. the lager icons on the task bar are for touch screen monitors.

You could try dockbarx for gnome and smooth tasks for kde.

ElSlunko said: You could try dockbarx for gnome and smooth tasks for kde.

and for xfce?

The icon launcher option for smooth tasks is possible but it needs help from KDElibs, me I can deal without it as you can make a new panel and make it act like a dock

@psumi

I've heard about people running dockbarx on xfce, but it's not the perfect solution. I've been thinking about porting dockbarx to xfce (removing the gconf-depency and build on xfce-applet - or what ever it's called - instead of gnome-applet) but I've got too much on my plate right now for it.

M7S, DockbarX developer

Se this

http://ubuntuweblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/windows-7-like-superbar-in-ubuntu-9-10/

The weird thing about this thread is that I bought a Windows 7 machine in October when my previous machine crapped out. I hated the Windows 7 task bar, and everything else about Windows 7 so much that I dug in to finally, seriously install and learn linux. Now, after 6 weeks of learning my way around and using Jaunty and Karmic, I have deleted the Windows partition entirely.

Each version of Windows has gotten progressively harder to use and control. The more MS tries to make it's software think for me, the more frustrated I have become and I cannot understand the mentality that wants a linux distro to be more "Windows-like". Windows is Windows and Linux is something else entirely. Trying to impose the disutility of Windows on top of the clean and predictable behaviour of Linux seems like an exercise in insanity to me.

ssj6akshat said: Se this

http://ubuntuweblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/windows-7-like-superbar-in-ubuntu-9-10/

Thanks.. ^^ It works like a charm.. :guitar:

budi_indira said: Thanks.. ^^

It works like a charm.. :guitar:

http://ubuntuweblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/screenshot_013.png

This screenshot doesn't look all that different than a normal ubuntu screenshot, where's dockbarx? If it's that icon list down at the bottom, then that's nothing like Windows 7 at all. It would be nicer to show a "deck of cards" effect like windows 7.

I'm not complaining though, since I don't NEED this feature.

Psumi said: http://ubuntuweblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/screenshot_013.png

This screenshot doesn't look all that different than a normal ubuntu screenshot, where's dockbarx? If it's that icon list down at the bottom, then that's nothing like Windows 7 at all. It would be nicer to show a "deck of cards" effect like windows 7.

I'm not complaining though, since I don't NEED this feature.

I believe it's actually the one at the bottom. But what you say can be done via themes, and the size is completely adjustable together with the panel. Also, you can use awn as a panel, and dockbarx is also available as an addon to awn

orlox said: I believe it's actually the one at the bottom. But what you say can be done via themes, and the size is completely adjustable together with the panel. Also, you can use awn as a panel, and dockbarx is also available as an addon to awn

You mean awn 0.4, right? Is there a deb for it? Or do I have to make from source? :| I really don't want to make from source.

The awn-testing ppa is the simplest way.

Psumi said: http://ubuntuweblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/screenshot_013.png

This screenshot doesn't look all that different than a normal ubuntu screenshot, where's dockbarx? If it's that icon list down at the bottom, then that's nothing like Windows 7 at all. It would be nicer to show a "deck of cards" effect like windows 7.

I'm not complaining though, since I don't NEED this feature.

You mean like mine here? (plain gnome-panel with dockbarX)

[[img]http://g.imagehost.org/t/0332/Screenshot_5.jpg[/img]](http://g.imagehost.org/view/0332/Screenshot_5)

TheNessus said: You mean like mine here? (plain gnome-panel with dockbarX)

[[img]http://g.imagehost.org/t/0332/Screenshot_5.jpg[/img]](http://g.imagehost.org/view/0332/Screenshot_5)

No one told me that the "New" theme was as such. So... I figured that dockbarx didn't have such a theme.

Psumi said: No one told me that the "New" theme was as such. So... I figured that dockbarx didn't have such a theme.

this is Tonkybar theme, but I forgot where I got it. just google it.

I just read that dockbarx doesn't work with the latest versions of awn :P

TheNessus said: this is Tonkybar theme, but I forgot where I got it. just google it.

I got shinybar instead.

Psumi said: I got shinybar instead.

good, just the same, except that in tonkybar the active program is lit bright orange.

TheNessus said: good, just the same, except that in tonkybar the active program is lit bright orange.

I don't really need that, but it would be nice if you hovered over an icon, it would grab colors from the icon (just like Windows 7.)

Also, this bugs me: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gnome-panel/+bug/441727

carlee said: a widget called Stasks for kde 4

Thank you very much indeed for suggesting this particular widget/taskbar. Not only does it fulfil the request of the original poster, but oddly enough it also happens to have solved an entirely unrelated issue for me.

From what I can tell, Stasks is like the regular KDE4 taskbar, but somewhat improved and a bit more configurable (for those seeking a Win7-like taskbar, it can easily look/act a lot like that), and as an added bonus for me it got rid of the problem mentioned at the thread "Closed windows stuck in taskbar in KDE4".

Well for me, the solution is simple and I enjoy using it. In Ubuntu, on the bottom taskbar (panel), I have 16 workspaces. I leave all my apps opened for quick access. Aside from that and without the need to install other applications (docks) and use fancy effects, I installed several "drawers" on the top taskbar (panel) that show icons and offer quick access to much used applications. I just stick with Ubuntu's basics. It works fine for me...

Ew, Windows 7 taskbar is gross.

Docky's panel mode probably does what you want.

Oh yes, it would and it does. Lots of people ask questions without first looking for answers themselves. The grouping function has been available in Gnome, KDE en Xfce for many years.

50words said: Now that I am paying attention, I see that running apps have a border around them, so they look like a button instead of just an icon on a background. It is pretty easy to find running apps.

Edit: look at the screenshot, above. IE, WMP, and the calculator are running. Mail and Messenger are not.

Can we just leave out the OS bickering? I am running Windows 7 in VirtualBox because I want to see what it is like. Everyone copies the best features from each other these days, which is fine by me. Derivation and innovation are both important.

After you get used to it the win7 task bar is actually pretty efficient especially when SUPER multi tasking

Since I have been using win7 a bit, I see that docbarx is probably the best solution for gnome

It also has win7 theme here http://levviathor.deviantart.com/art/Shinybar1-3-for-DockbarX-135875506:D

I actually echo the wants of an older post...I just want the gnome panel window list w/o text labels. Is there anyway way to do this?

My goal is to have the top panel always running with Application Launchers, and then a 40px bottom panel with iconized windows list set on autohide and centered on the screen.

Seems like it would be a good lightweight alternative to a dock/superbar interface. I'm very use to the superbar and just want to get some similar functionality in Gnome, but don't want compositing/extra package from dockbarx.

aznguyphan said: I actually echo the wants of an older post...I just want the gnome panel window list w/o text labels. Is there anyway way to do this?

My goal is to have the top panel always running with Application Launchers, and then a 40px bottom panel with iconized windows list set on autohide and centered on the screen.

Seems like it would be a good lightweight alternative to a dock/superbar interface. I'm very use to the superbar and just want to get some similar functionality in Gnome, but don't want compositing/extra package from dockbarx.

You could try the Talika gnome-panel applet.

Awesome thank you. Is there rep or something on these forums

Edit: It doesn't resize very well, so set your panel size first and then add it. Resizing with it on the panel causes it to freeze

Edit2: It turns out it's freezing my Gnome panel a lot. Any one know why? This is on Ubuntu 9.10/Panel 2.28.0

Edit3: couldn't figure out what was wrong with Talika, just gonna use DockbarX applet version. It's 10mb's heavier but a bit more feature rich

Sorry for being a n00b but on DockBarX how do i make it show a list of windows for programs which has more than one window open?

Thanks. :)

Doesn't dockbarx do that automatically when you hower the group button?

Hi people,

at first let me thank all of your helpful posts about DockbarX :D I have been using Windows 7 and Linux a lot in the past. Now with all that compiz effecty thingies I wanted the Windows 7 taskbar, because I got used to it and it satisfies my requirements of usability. DockbarX with Shinybar theme is perfect for that.

@ RambJoe: I think DockbarX does that automatically, like M7S said. I just checked the Properties and couldn't find any setting to turn that behaviour off.

greets, darkshines

ssj6akshat said: Se this

http://ubuntuweblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/windows-7-like-superbar-in-ubuntu-9-10/

cheers dude works a treat an live previews appears to be working on gnome

Maybe you want avant window navigator. It's better.

50words said: When you hover over an application, you see all the open windows for that application, and you can close them or right-click for other options.

Okay I think I understand what you're getting at. I have a client of mine who wanted the same thing you're after. He likes to be able to see a thumbnail preview of the contents of his many browser windows that are open and choose the one he needs at a glance. If that's what you're after indeed, then you should try KDE 4. It has this functionality.

I personally like Gnome better but whatever, people like what they like. Who am I to judge?

DockbarX. I am not sure if it will require compositing or no, but it is a Gnome-panel app.

I am not sure if this has been discussed/said already but I am too lazy to read through 15 pages of replies.

Scott

Bumping this with some new info I didn't see posted reading through the rest. I landed in this thread looking to get some of the better features of the new Aero taskbar.

If you open up the Compiz Settings Manager and check *"Window Previews"* under Extras then you'll get a preview of open windows when you hover over them in the task bar. It's not as functional as Windows 7's as there's no close button and it doesn't bring the window to the front for a preview but it's better than nothing.

On a side note to the previous posters...

I had to read through 15 pages of posts, over half of which were whiny self absorbed elitists doing nothing but slamming people for wanting a feature. Nothing more, nothing less. It's just a feature. Who cares where it came from?

Get over yourselves. You've officially made this forum that much less helpful by making me sift through a bunch of childish complaining to get to the actual helpful posts by people who are constructive to this community.

Congratulations. You've made the internet just a little bit worse.

Kde?

HittingSmoke said: I had to read through 15 pages of posts, over half of which were whiny self absorbed elitists doing nothing but slamming people for wanting a feature. Nothing more, nothing less. It's just a feature. Who cares where it came from?

Get over yourselves. You've officially made this forum that much less helpful by making me sift through a bunch of childish complaining to get to the actual helpful posts by people who are constructive to this community.

Congratulations. You've made the internet just a little bit worse.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Linux users :D.

50words said: I have been playing with the Windows 7 beta since yesterday afternoon, and while the OS is still, well, Windows, the new taskbar is just plain awesome.

Is there a way to approximate the new Windows 7 taskbar in Ubuntu without installing a dock that needs compositing to function?

There are basically two things I like:

1. Like a dock, each application gets only one icon in the taskbar, and you can "stick" certain icons to the taskbar to function as launchers.

1. When you hover over an application, you see all the open windows for that application, and you can close them or right-click for other options.

Hi, i dont have time to read through 15 pages of comments, but i had the same opinion as you. the window 7 taskbar is really cool. install dockbarX to have it. it has all the same feature as window7 taskbar. and IMO, its more stylish as you can download your own theme for it, and its more customizable.

http://gnome-look.org/content/show.php?action=content&content=101604&PHPSESSID=bb42fd90601746938c2e474575476876