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.