New panel framework

[Jeff Franks]

Jasper Huijsmans wrote:

>Hey all,
>
>I have just created and experimental branch for the panel, into which I 
>imported the sources of a new panel framework that I've been working on 
>for, well, for a long time ;)
>
>It may disappoint you to learn that it doesn't do anything useful yet. 
>In fact, there is a lot of basic functionality still missing. But, it 
>should be possible for a developer to get a good idea of the general design.
>
>To test it do the following:
>
>1) ./autogen.sh --prefix=/somewhere/safe && make && make install
>
>2a) mkdir -p ~/.local/share/xfce4
>2b) ln -s /somewhere/safe/share/xfce4/panel-plugins \
>	  ~/.local/share/xfce4/panel-plugins
>
>(This is need for the new panel to find its plugins. Disaster awaits 
>otherwise).
>
>3) LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/somewhere/safe/lib:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH \
>	/somewhere/safe/bin/xfce4-panel &
>
>4) Play around with it. Be sure to right-click on the items.
>
>5) /somewhere/safe/bin/xfce4-panel -x  (if it didn't crash earlier)
>    Try '/somewhere/safe/bin/xfce4-panel -h' for more available options.
>
>After that, please also have a look at the code and see if it makes 
>sense to you. For the plugin system read README.Plugins first.
>
>It does support a lot of cool things already, but most of the 
>implementation is incomplete:
>* multiple panels
>* both internal and external plugins (an example of each is included)
>* transparency, autohide, size, monitor settings, fixed width
>* either a fixed position or floating with horizontal or vertical
>   orientation
>
>
>I'd like to know a few things:
>
>* Does it work?
>  
>
Yes!

>* Does the dialog design and the available options look useful.
>  
>
Yes.

>* Does the panel plugin system look like it will be able to support all
>   current functionality?
>  
>
I had a good look through the code. Well laid out, clean and easy to 
undestand... well done!

>
>I don't think it is time yet to start porting plugins, but it shouldn't 
>be very hard to do. Again, information about the plugin system is 
>available in README.Plugins.
>
>I know it sometimes crashes on exit. It probably has to do with 
>GtkSockets being destroyed while they are being removed from the panel. 
>Or something.
>  
>
How do you exit? I couldn't see any way except to kill it.

>So, for anyone who has some time to waste and would like to help me 
>create a new panel for 4.4, here is your chance. Enjoy!
>
>  
>
Jeff.