KXDocker
Encyclopedia
KXDocker is a program
for the Linux
operating system
created by Ing. Stefano Zingarini. It resembles the "Dock
" of Mac OS X
in that it is mainly used as an application launcher. It supports themes
, plugins and a few extra features (there is documentation on creating your own themes). Other such docks available for Linux and KDE
include Kiba-dock (implements physics simulation allowing the application icons to be dragged around and initially looked to be more suitable for the GNOME
desktop environment), Kooldock and Ksmoothdock. While Kiba-dock is popular for its tag-along with 3D window managers (i.e. AIGLX
with Beryl
), KXDocker seems to be the choice for those who seek "simple yet powerful" alternatives.
KXDocker was made for Linux distributions using KDE. However, KXDocker also works with GNOME, as outlined by the author. It is free software
released under the terms of the GNU General Public License
.
According to the project's website, KXDocker is, or soon will be, discontinued, giving way to its successor - "XQDE". However, it seems currently there is not much stated in the XQDE project page (aside from a few insights) and thus we can assume it is still in its infancy. It will be built upon Qt 4 and the author writes "it will gain all Compiz
(Beryl) power", which may mean it will have better integration with the compositing window manager
.
Computer program
A computer program is a sequence of instructions written to perform a specified task with a computer. A computer requires programs to function, typically executing the program's instructions in a central processor. The program has an executable form that the computer can use directly to execute...
for the Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
created by Ing. Stefano Zingarini. It resembles the "Dock
Dock (computing)
The Dock is a prominent feature of the graphical user interface of the Mac OS X operating system. It is used to launch applications and switch between running applications...
" of Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
in that it is mainly used as an application launcher. It supports themes
Theme (computing)
In computing, a theme is a preset package containing graphical appearance details, used to customize the look and feel of an operating system, widget set or window manager....
, plugins and a few extra features (there is documentation on creating your own themes). Other such docks available for Linux and KDE
KDE
KDE is an international free software community producing an integrated set of cross-platform applications designed to run on Linux, FreeBSD, Microsoft Windows, Solaris and Mac OS X systems...
include Kiba-dock (implements physics simulation allowing the application icons to be dragged around and initially looked to be more suitable for the GNOME
GNOME
GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software...
desktop environment), Kooldock and Ksmoothdock. While Kiba-dock is popular for its tag-along with 3D window managers (i.e. AIGLX
AIGLX
Accelerated Indirect GLX is an open source project founded by Red Hat and the Fedora community, led by Kristian Høgsberg, to allow accelerated indirect GLX rendering capabilities to the X.Org Server and DRI drivers...
with Beryl
Beryl (window manager)
Beryl was a compositing window manager for the X Window System which forked from Compiz in September 2006 and was re-merged in 2007, under the name of Compiz Fusion.-Origin:...
), KXDocker seems to be the choice for those who seek "simple yet powerful" alternatives.
KXDocker was made for Linux distributions using KDE. However, KXDocker also works with GNOME, as outlined by the author. It is free software
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
released under the terms of the GNU General Public License
GNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
.
According to the project's website, KXDocker is, or soon will be, discontinued, giving way to its successor - "XQDE". However, it seems currently there is not much stated in the XQDE project page (aside from a few insights) and thus we can assume it is still in its infancy. It will be built upon Qt 4 and the author writes "it will gain all Compiz
Compiz
Compiz is one of the first compositing window managers for the X Window System that uses 3D graphics hardware to create fast compositing desktop effects for window management. The effects, such as a minimization effect and a cube workspace are implemented as loadable plugins...
(Beryl) power", which may mean it will have better integration with the compositing window manager
Compositing window manager
A compositing window manager is a type of window manager. A window manager is software that draws a graphical user interface on a computer display – it positions windows, draws additional elements on windows , and controls how windows interact with each other, and with the rest of the desktop...
.