[Bio-Linux] A Unity Lens (ie. a better applications menu) for Bio-Linux

[Tim Booth]

Dear All,

How are Bio-Linux 7 users getting on with the new Unity desktop
interface?  After using it for several months now I've got quite used to
it, especially after learning a few keyboard shortcuts.  The most
essential is Ctrl+Alt+<Arrow key> to switch between the virtual
desktops, as using the switcher icon is a pain.  I also like the
enhanced Alt+Tab functionality.

Once of the shortcomings of the current Bio-Linux 7 desktop is that,
since the old heirarchical applications menu is not shown in Unity,
there is no good way to see a list of bioinformatics applications.  I
put a folder of applications on the desktop but this is only good for a
stop-gap measure and only works for new user accounts.  I've therefore
taken a few days while things are quiet before Christmas and I've made a
package that adds a bioinformatics section (or a lens, as they are
called) into the main menu panel.  It looks like this:

http://nebc.nerc.ac.uk/downloads/bl7_only/newlens.jpg

To install it, apt-get install bio-linux-unity-lens, then log out and
back in again.  Of course, this is only going to work if you use Unity,
so users of NX need not apply.  I hope this is useful.  Any comments?

Cheers,

TIM

-- 
Tim Booth <tbooth at ceh.ac.uk>
NERC Environmental Bioinformatics Centre 

Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Maclean Bldg, Benson Lane
Crowmarsh Gifford
Wallingford, England
OX10 8BB 

http://nebc.nerc.ac.uk
+44 1491 69 2705