Linux Online Aware Taskbar

With Linux for desktops gaining momentum amongst the masses, the need of
going online is increasing. BigBoard, a built-in feature in the upcoming Fedora
8, is meant for online and desktop apps and further gets integrated with Google
and Mugshot. It is an online panel which at present can only be incorporated
with Linux GNOME desktops. It is considered as a replacement of the current
working panels as it provides access to the installed application in categorized
form, shows online friends and photos, and the daily schedule. Here we show how
to install and configure it for your needs.

Installation

Copy the following installation files from 'PCQ Professional CD' onto your
PC:

1. bigboard-0.5.5-1.fc7.i386.rpm

2. hippo-canvas-0.2.24-1.fc7.i386.rpm

3. hippo-canvas-python-0.2.24-1.fc7.i386.rpm

4. mugshot-1.1.55-1.fc7.i386.rpm

Before installing BigBoard on Fedora 7 you need to install some dependencies
for BigBoard. But if you already have these dependencies installed, the first
three commands need not be run. Execute the following commands to install:

#rpm -ivh hippo-canvas-python-0.2.24-1.fc7.i386.rpm

#rpm -ivh hippo-canvas-0.2.24-1.fc7.i386.rpm

#rpm -ivh mugshot-1.1.55-1.fc7.i386.rpm

#rpm -ivh bigboard-0.5.5-1.fc7.i386.rpm

Bigboard's panel depicting the recently used apps and the schedule getting updated with the online integrated apps

Starting Up

After installation, open 'Run Application' window by pressing 'Alt+F2' and
start BigBoard by initiating the command 'bigboard.' A slidebar appears. There
are two login options: first is to login using GNOME online account. Using this
you can provide your public information such as name, choose picture, and upload
photo. This is also required for integrating e-mail account and IM with
Bigboard's panel. The only catch is that only the users using these apps through
BigBoard can see and interact with each other. So a user using GTalk through
BigBoard can only see other users who are also using GTalk through BigBoard. The
second login is using Gmail account, which is required if you have integrated
Gmail to the online panel 'BigBoard.' After login, it shows the online apps and
the files shared online. It also lists apps and documents you often use and
provides a search option which helps you find multiple elements within your
desktop and Internet.