gDesklets

Ug · #1 9th March 2004, 11:11 PM

This is a brief tutorial telling you how to get gDesklets up and running on Fedora Core 1 with the GoodWeather display and sensor.

First of all make sure that you have the Gnome Python 2 Gconf application installed, as super user run the following command:

Code:

rpm -qa gnome-python2-gconf

You should get a result back with the name "gnome-python2-gconf-2.0.0-2" or a higher version. If you have not got it installed then insert your Fedora Core 1 CD 3, change directory to the RPMS folder

Code:

cd /mnt/cdrom/Fedora/RPMS

and then install the gconf application through RPM.

Code:

rpm -Uvh gnome-python-2.0.0-2.i386.rpm

Once the package is installed surf over here to download the Fedora Core 1 RPM of gDesklets. Once you've downloaded it, install the rpm

Code:

rpm -Uvh gdesklets-0.26-0.rhfc1.dag.i386.rpm

Now head over to the gDesklets site Sensors and Display page to find a display you want for your desktop. For the purposes of this tutorial we're going to download and install the GoodWeather display and sensor. This shows the current weather and a 5 day forecast. Download the GoodWeather display tarball from here. Unpack the tarball in a directory in your /home partition, other people prefer elsewhere but its strictly a personal decision. So as super user:

Code:

 tar -xjvf GoodWeather-0.4.tar.bz2

in your /home directory.

Now change into the generated folder GoodWeather

Code:

cd GoodWeather

and run the Install sensor script.

Code:

./Install_GoodWeather_Sensor.bin

This will install the GoodWeather Sensor. Now exit super user mode and load the display with

Code:

gdesklets GoodWeather.display

This will load the gDesklets and the GoodWeather display. You will now be able to move the display around the desktop to where you want it to be. Right click on the desklet and select configure, set up the options how you like. Making sure that you replace the Weather.com co-ordinates with your ones. (A quick tip if your a non-US user like me, make sure you search for your location through the Travel section for a compatible co-ordinate).

That's it! You are now ready to sit back and enjoy weather forecasts on your desktop. When you log out, gdesklets will save its current configuration and you will be able to load it up again from Accessories --> More Accessories menu. Here's a screenshot of my desklet in action.

mhelios · #2 10th March 2004, 03:15 PM

I thought it may be appropriate to point out the availability of rpm packages for sensors such as goodweather.
For example, goodweather packages are available here:
http://dag.wieers.com/packages/gdesklets-goodweather/
To load it:

Code:

gdesklets-add-GoodWeather-display

Ug · #3 10th March 2004, 03:19 PM

I prefer to use, the tarball with the sensors. I just find it more convienient personally.

mhelios · #4 10th March 2004, 03:30 PM

Okely Dokey.

salvatore · #5 19th March 2004, 04:10 PM

Caveat: Im a fresh newbie when it comes to gDesklets.

What about wanting to run them at startup each time? Do I have to include a separate 'gdesklets Goodweather.display' command for each *.display sensor?

Ug · #6 19th March 2004, 04:50 PM

Yes, but they should automatically load up when you restart the computer.

salvatore · #7 19th March 2004, 06:26 PM

I'll try it this evening when I get back to the FC1 machine.
Thanks.

salvatore · #8 19th March 2004, 11:50 PM

This all appears to work except for actually displaying the gDesklet.

Here's the console output:
***
[salvatore@incom GoodWeather]$ gdesklets GoodWeather.display
gDesklets 0.26
Copyright (C) 2003, 2004 Martin Grimme, Christian Meyer, Jesse Andrews

This software is licensed under the terms of the GNU GPL.

OPTS:: [] REST:: ['GoodWeather.display']
***

But nothing shows up on the desktop; Ive seen gDesklets before so I know what to look for, but nothing happens in this case.

Im using Fluxbox 0.9.8, does that matter?
Thanks.

salvatore · #9 22nd March 2004, 07:14 PM

Anyone?

salvatore · #10 23rd March 2004, 02:47 AM

I was able to get this to work, and I can now see the GoodWeather gdesklet on the desktop.

The only obstacle now is removing it from the task list in fluxbox. Meaning, I can see whatever apps Im running (term, firefox, et cetera), and gdesklets also shows up in the list. Is it possible to start it in the background (Im already using 'gdesklets &') so it doesnt take up space on the task bar?

Thanks again.

grommer · #11 26th March 2004, 09:07 AM

Quote:

I was able to get this to work, and I can now see the GoodWeather gdesklet on the desktop.

how did you actually get it work, mine doesnt want to show up either. great how to though. haha, man I need to rtfm sometimes. sorry, got it now.

Ug · #12 26th March 2004, 09:36 AM

Rofl.

salvatore · #13 26th March 2004, 01:41 PM

To be honest, Im not certain what I was doing wrong the first time. I tried it again the next day and the GoodWeather gDesklet popped right up.
I stuck it in ~/.fluxbox/startup and its now there everytime fluxbox runs.

Ug · #14 26th March 2004, 06:12 PM

Good, good.

buldir · #15 30th March 2004, 08:38 AM

I think I installed it all correctly, but when I run "gdesklets GoodWeather.display" in the Goodweather directory (as normal user) I get this at the command prompt, but nothing on the desktop:

gDesklets 0.26.1
Copyright (C) 2003, 2004 Martin Grimme, Christian Meyer, Jesse Andrews

This software is licensed under the terms of the GNU GPL.

Any thoughts? Thanks.