Openbox Bonsai - How to configure taskbar?

[erbad]

Within Windows and I've noticed on a couple of versions of PC Linux OS, you can configure the task bar to group similar icons together.  In other words, if you have 3 copies of Firefox open, the task bar will only show one Firebox icon followed by a (3) after it.

I can't figure out how to configure Openbox Bonsai so that I can get this feature.  I should mention that I am using the 263MB Mini Version.

Could someone please assist me.

Thank you

[erbad]

Anyone know?

[gseaman]

This is a feature of KDE. I don't remember which task bar Openbox Bonsai uses, but I do not think it has any option to change this. (I have not run it in a little while, so I can't check to be sure.) I am current running LXDE and it does have this option but it is not enabled by default.

Galen

[djohnston]

Generally speaking, fbpanel, lxpanel and tint2 are used as Openbox panels, although there are a few others that will work. If you have the most recent Bonsai version, you have a tint2 panel. If there's no menu button on the left of the panel, it's tint2. In previous versions, Melodie used lxpanel, the same as used with LXDE.

In any case, the short answer is that neither one will group similar tasks. If you want to configure tint2, you can edit the config file, ~/.config/tint2/tint2rc. If you'd rather have a GUI to use, install the tint wizard from Synaptic. If you have the tint2 panel, but would rather use the lxpanel, edit the file ~/.config/openbox/autostart.sh. Find the section at the top of the file that begins with the line "# a panel is useful". Comment the tint2 & line and uncomment the lxpanel & line. Then log out and log back in.

(~ = your home directory)

[melodie]

If you'd rather have a GUI to use, install the tint wizard from Synaptic. If you have the tint2 panel, but would rather use the lxpanel, edit the file ~/.config/openbox/autostart.sh. Find the section at the top of the file that begins with the line "# a panel is useful". Comment the tint2 & line and uncomment the lxpanel & line. Then log out and log back in.

(~ = your home directory)

Hi,

It's not use to install tintwizard from the repos anymore, but it's necessary to install pygtk2.0 in order to launch the tintwizard provided by tint2. And be careful with it, it's very easy to mess the configuration, with the help of this tool.  

To make it more simple, I'd suggest to replace tint2 by Lxpanel in Bonsai, if Lxpanel is able to provide the feature you want. It will be more simple.

Then once installed, to start it instead of tint2, switch one to the other by commenting one line and uncommenting the other in the file autostart.sh, under /home/user/.config/openbox

You will also need a logout command for the menu button, you can install pygtk-shutdown, and change the command in the menu button. A right-click to the button should lead to the command to change. (the command lxde-logout should be replaced by the command pygtk-shutdown, and all this will avoid installing more packages from Lxde, such as Lxsession and eventually others... )

[ka9yhd]

Melodie:

Have you thought about changing to a different task bar or are staying with tint2?

[melodie]

Hi,

My personal systems have tint2. For Openbox full I wanted Lxpanel, to make it easier for newcomers to find their menu entries mainly, and see something they are familiar with. Openbox Bonsai seemed to me to be closer to people who would have some knowledge, or could manage to get the needed knowledge to change it themselves if they want to.

I am not sure about what you meant exactly with this question : does my above answer bring what you were looking for ?

[ka9yhd]

Melodie:
I was just curious.  That is all.  I am happy with Bonsai.

[Yankee]

Generally speaking, fbpanel, lxpanel and tint2 are used as Openbox panels, although there are a few others that will work.

Just FYI I installed the XFCE panel on OpenBox just to see if it would
work.   Worked fine, but I think the LXPanel has just a few more
features.   Someone might like it better.

[Yankee]

Within Windows and I've noticed on a couple of versions of PC Linux OS, you can configure the task bar to group similar icons together.  In other words, if you have 3 copies of Firefox open, the task bar will only show one Firebox icon followed by a (3) after it.

Hi,

To get the task bar to group as you specify the XFCE4-panel from
Synaptic could be installed.   Once installed you can start it from
a regular terminal by typing xfce4-panel and press enter.   Add the
task list item to the panel and the settings you like are all there.
Edit /home/user/.config/openbox/autostart.sh so it starts at boot.

Very good other plug-ins for that panel are available in Synaptic as well,
and appear as items in the panel item selection list.

I'm using it right now with grouping, etc. and it works OK.

Have a good one.

[djohnston]

I'm using it right now with grouping, etc. and it works OK.

Good to know. 

[Yankee]

I'm using it right now with grouping, etc. and it works OK.

Good to know. 

I just discovered the lxpanel does it also, the
setting is in the window list setting box.   erbad
could easily use the lxpanel also...

[melodie]

I just discovered the lxpanel does it also, the
setting is in the window list setting box.   erbad
could easily use the lxpanel also...

Hello,

I don't see quite well what window this is. Would you make a little screenshot please ?

[djohnston]

I'm using it right now with grouping, etc. and it works OK.

Good to know. 

I just discovered the lxpanel does it also, the
setting is in the window list setting box.   erbad
could easily use the lxpanel also...

I never noticed that before now. Right-click lxpanel. Select "Task Bar (Window List)" Settings. Check Combine multiple application windows into a single button. Voila.

[Yankee]

I don't see quite well what window this is. Would you make a little screenshot please ?

One screenshot.  FYI.