This plugin enables the embedding of arbitrary application windows into the Xfce panel. The window is resized into the panel space available, and the associated program can be automatically launched if it is not open.
Example uses include embedding an instant messaging buddy list, a mail client's new mail ticker, a simple media application, or a fancy clock or timer. Combining with Xfce's ability to auto-hide panels can make this very convenient.
Upon creating the plugin in a panel, the preferences dialog will pop up, where you can set an optional launch command, window selection criteria (if any), label formatting and font, and the plugin size. Hover your mouse over any item for extra information.
The plugin works as follows:
If you have a label (even if it is just a space), you can left-click it once to change keyboard focus to the embedded window (since panels do not give keyboard focus by default), and double-click it to pop the window out and in. You can do the same along with accessing the plugin preferences in the menu that pops up if you right-click the label.
The following are some sample configurations. Any selection criteria not mentioned are assumed to be blank, and any specified labels are only suggestions; they can certainly be modified to taste.
pidgin
pidgin
^Buddy List$
gtkrc-2.0
file to your ~/.purple
directory to adjust the buddy list colors to match your panel, such as the following for the greybird theme:style "buddylist_style" { text[NORMAL] = "#ffffff" text[PRELIGHT] = "#ffffff" base[ACTIVE] = shade(.7,"#686868") base[NORMAL] = shade(.7,"#686868") bg[ACTIVE] = shade(.7,"#686868") bg[NORMAL] = shade(.7,"#686868") bg[PRELIGHT] = shade(.7,"#686868") } widget "*pidgin_blist*" style "buddylist_style"
gvim –socketid %s ~/path/to/note/file
Notes
xterm -into %s
%t
Embedding Pidgin's buddy list into the panel:
Embedding Claws Mail's new mail ticker into a thin panel (the ticker moves, so the entire author/subject/folder can be read):
The label right-click menu:
The top of an example deskbar panel with a clock, two instances of Genmon, and two embedded windows: