Author Topic: My own Kmenu  (Read 3809 times)

Offline Xenaflux

  • PCLinuxOS Tester
  • Hero Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 3829
My own Kmenu
« on: July 30, 2012, 12:31:05 AM »
For now, this is only a question ( or short discussion )

We have the Kmenu , chosen by the developers.
I have no problem with that, neither do I have comments, advice or criticism.

However, I would like to know if it is possible to create my own personal Kmenu without disturbing the present one .

Also, this means I need another (extra ) icon in the bottom left corner, next to -PC-

If there is documentation about this....I didn't find it.
So, links to ...there1 and there2 and there3 are welcome.

I do understand how to edit Kmenu as we have it presently, but I want to create another one, not edit present one.

If anyone thinks this is an idea that is similar to inviting trouble and problems, please do not hesitate to tell me.

note: Looking into FullMonty crosses my mind, but I am not sure I understand.

I have a good ( strictly personal ) reason for wanting to do so.

Thanks in advance

Xena

The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand,
as in what direction we are moving.
                                                    (Oliver Wendell Holmes )

Offline muungwana

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6266
Re: My own Kmenu
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2012, 12:53:26 AM »

you can start by looking at this document

http://standards.freedesktop.org/menu-spec/latest/

In theory, i think all you will have to do to create your own kmenu is to implement the spec and then just parse the menu structure on the system you are running to display it.

different distros may have their own tweaks so you may need to look around for their menu structure if you want to create a distro independent menu.
.. 3 things are certain in life : death, taxes and software bloat ..
.. tell me something i don't know, something i can use as i struggle to reason with the world around me ..

Offline Xenaflux

  • PCLinuxOS Tester
  • Hero Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 3829
Re: My own Kmenu
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2012, 01:19:42 AM »
Quote
you can start by looking at this document

Thanks a lot.

I had a look already in /etc/xdg/  and /etc/xdb/aplications-merged/mandriva-wine.menu
They refer to same.
I could try to modify /etc/xdg/applications.menu  ......but am pretty sure I will mess up things.
Another way is to free up a partition and use that to......try, mess up and try again.
But some more info on the subject will probably save me time and headaches  ;D

Thanks again
The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand,
as in what direction we are moving.
                                                    (Oliver Wendell Holmes )

Offline menotu

  • PCLinuxOS Tester
  • Super Villain
  • *******
  • Posts: 15508
  • ┌∩┐(◕_◕)┌∩┐
Re: My own Kmenu
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2012, 08:48:41 AM »
You could add a new Section to your existing KMenu, placing (or copying) all the apps you like within that section.

Then using either the Lancelot Menu or the Shelf Widget (which is "part" of the Lancelot menu) "drag it out onto the panel...."

So by setting up a new section holding all your items that can then be "placed" on the panel.

Note, dragging them out doesn't move the section out of KMenu it makes a "copy"

As a very quick example, the image below is the KMenu Archive section and the Graphics section "dragged out" and dropped on the panel using the Shelf Widget which creates the green icon for Archives and the Palette icon the Graphics "



« Last Edit: July 30, 2012, 08:51:15 AM by menotu »
PCLinuxOS 32bit KDE 4.10.4; kernel-3.4.11-pclos1.bfs & 64bit 3.4.38bfs; NVidia GeForce 8400GS 1GB 310.19 driver

Sony Vaio SVE1513A4ESI Laptop, Intel Core i5, 2.6GHz, 6GB RAM, 750GB, 15.6" Intel HD Graphics 4000

Offline Xenaflux

  • PCLinuxOS Tester
  • Hero Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 3829
Re: My own Kmenu
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2012, 09:07:58 AM »
menotu

I will try that first thing tomorrow.
Right now, it far past my snoring time and I am going to hit the shutdown button

Thanks
Xena
The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand,
as in what direction we are moving.
                                                    (Oliver Wendell Holmes )

Offline Xenaflux

  • PCLinuxOS Tester
  • Hero Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 3829
Re: My own Kmenu
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2012, 10:47:55 PM »
Editing the KMenu or adding a section and expanding that section to what I want doesn't seem to be a problem.
I just wished I could ...hide and unhide...the original.
Searched the net, but found nothing like that.
Following your advice and creating personalized menus is certainly an option.
It looks very nice and atractive

However, I just have made a package request for a <<Stupid file browser menu>> ( yes, that's the name given by the author).
This may be more suitable for the (much) younger generation.
I am playing with different options
Ahum......got carried away with other things.

Back to Kmenu . Sorry.
Thanks

Xena

« Last Edit: July 31, 2012, 01:45:52 AM by Xenaflux »
The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand,
as in what direction we are moving.
                                                    (Oliver Wendell Holmes )

Offline Xenaflux

  • PCLinuxOS Tester
  • Hero Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 3829
Re: My own Kmenu
« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2012, 08:51:07 PM »
I am going to put this one on ice for a few days or a week.
I have to think about this.

Editing the Kmenu is a piece of cake.
But , my final goal is to have a separate menu which I can backup and re-install as easy as my Bookmarks.
And it has to be easy for absolute beginners too.
The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand,
as in what direction we are moving.
                                                    (Oliver Wendell Holmes )

Offline Crow

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8819
  • OBJECTS IN MIRROR... ARE LOSING
Re: My own Kmenu
« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2012, 10:55:13 PM »
I know you are talking about Kmenu but there are several application launchers in widgets, have you tried any? maybe some can do what you want
I shall pass this way but once;
any good therefore that I can do,
or any kindness that I can show
let me not defer nor neglect it,
for I shall not pass this way again.

Linux User #330412

Offline Xenaflux

  • PCLinuxOS Tester
  • Hero Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 3829
Re: My own Kmenu
« Reply #8 on: July 31, 2012, 11:44:18 PM »
Quote
I know you are talking about Kmenu but there are several application launchers in widgets, have you tried any? maybe some can do what you want

The problem with these are that they depend on the same KmenuEdit.
If you change something on the one, it also changes on the other.
So, that doesn't help me.
Unless of course, something is not quite right here on my setup

Yes, I have tried both as at first I thought that's the solution.

Quote
I am going to put this one on ice for a few days or a week.
I have to think about this.

Forget about the ice and the thinking   ;D ;D
I probably found a satisfactory solution .
That is, ....for me....not for noobie noobs  :D
I will have to reinstall in a spare partition as I most probably am going to < nuke > a few things a few times.
But, it will be good fun.

If it works out, I will need some one ( like Leiche or Pinoc or <you> ) to write a small batch file
The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand,
as in what direction we are moving.
                                                    (Oliver Wendell Holmes )

Offline Just17

  • PCLinuxOS Tester
  • Super Villain
  • *******
  • Posts: 11057
  • MLUs Forever!
Re: My own Kmenu
« Reply #9 on: August 01, 2012, 01:54:46 AM »
Would not something simple like this do for your needs?

remove the Application Launcher Menu from the tray
add a different launcher and add to the new one ONLY those items you wish to be available

There are several different methods you can use for the new launcher menu.

One I have used in the past (for a convenient group of apps) has been a folder view widget pointing to a folder I created in my /home/user which has in it copies of the .desktop files for the apps.

It is easy to admin and copy etc .....  only one folder in my /home/user

It does have limitations of course .... but maybe the idea can be built on to suit your needs, while keeping everything simple.


MLUs rule the roost!

Linux XPS 3.4.48-pclos1.bfs  64 bit
Intel Core2 Quad CPU Q9450 @ 2.66GHz
4 GB RAM
MCP51 High Def Audio
GeForce GTX 550 Ti
PHILIPS  ‎DVD+-RW DVD8701
‎Logitech ‎BT Mini-Receiver
Afatech DTT

Offline aguila

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1206
  • soaring high = no Windows here :-D
Re: My own Kmenu
« Reply #10 on: August 01, 2012, 02:09:40 AM »
I was about to suggest the same as Just18, but instead of the "folder view" widget I would. go for the "Quick Access" widget as it allows you to browse in the folder structure.

That way you could create a folder that QuickAccess points to when you click the icon and some subfolders with links to applications, documents, websites or whatever you prefer.

remove the KMenu icon from the panel.  It's only a widget. Right clicking on your desktop you can change the desktop settings. Somewhere in the dialogue box you can set the menu to show on right click on the desktop, just like. in Openbox or XFCE.

HTH
All that is is good. PCLinuxOS is.

Thinkpad X61 Tablet, Core2Duo 1.66 MHz, 4 GB Ram, Intel onboard Graphics, Plextor PX-256M3 256 GB SSD; Thinkpad R61i, Core2Duo 1.66 MHz, 2 GB Ram, Intel onboard graphics, 120 GB HDD

Offline Just17

  • PCLinuxOS Tester
  • Super Villain
  • *******
  • Posts: 11057
  • MLUs Forever!
Re: My own Kmenu
« Reply #11 on: August 01, 2012, 02:48:54 AM »
aguila,
               Yeah!
That is a much better widget ......  and what I wanted for my own use too ......

I have a directory under user with three subdirectories of the apps I want grouped ......  communication, browser and video apps.

The QuickAccess widget is much more suitable for me than what I have currently  ;D

The only thing missing for me is the expandable folder view.
« Last Edit: August 01, 2012, 02:54:09 AM by Just18 »
MLUs rule the roost!

Linux XPS 3.4.48-pclos1.bfs  64 bit
Intel Core2 Quad CPU Q9450 @ 2.66GHz
4 GB RAM
MCP51 High Def Audio
GeForce GTX 550 Ti
PHILIPS  ‎DVD+-RW DVD8701
‎Logitech ‎BT Mini-Receiver
Afatech DTT

Offline aguila

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1206
  • soaring high = no Windows here :-D
Re: My own Kmenu
« Reply #12 on: August 01, 2012, 04:03:29 AM »
You're welcome :)

It's always a pleasure to help make somebody's life a little bit better. :D :D
All that is is good. PCLinuxOS is.

Thinkpad X61 Tablet, Core2Duo 1.66 MHz, 4 GB Ram, Intel onboard Graphics, Plextor PX-256M3 256 GB SSD; Thinkpad R61i, Core2Duo 1.66 MHz, 2 GB Ram, Intel onboard graphics, 120 GB HDD

Offline Xenaflux

  • PCLinuxOS Tester
  • Hero Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 3829
Re: My own Kmenu
« Reply #13 on: August 01, 2012, 04:09:42 AM »
Thanks all for reply and advice.

I am going to explore all options ( and make notes , as this is really imnportant to me ).

For now, I am busy with Kmenu editor.
You can change easily by dragging and dropping.
I am checking now if it behaves correctly when adding, deleting and upgrading.
I just got that feeling you can change ( about ) anything you want.
The original settings are stored elsewhere as a read only file, I guess.
The updated menu file can be backed up

So, I am out of my << yesterday's feeling: can I.......>>
So, I am in my todays feeling : play play play

I let you know .
The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand,
as in what direction we are moving.
                                                    (Oliver Wendell Holmes )

Offline aguila

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1206
  • soaring high = no Windows here :-D
Re: My own Kmenu
« Reply #14 on: August 01, 2012, 06:47:23 AM »
Now that's KDE:

Unlimited configurability. Let the user decide what he wants. I'm lovin' it.

Have fun and I hope you can achieve what you're aiming for.
All that is is good. PCLinuxOS is.

Thinkpad X61 Tablet, Core2Duo 1.66 MHz, 4 GB Ram, Intel onboard Graphics, Plextor PX-256M3 256 GB SSD; Thinkpad R61i, Core2Duo 1.66 MHz, 2 GB Ram, Intel onboard graphics, 120 GB HDD