There is a feature gap where once a user has used panel the system
admin is no-longer able to alter that users panel effectively. I've
tried to do a lot of research and talk to a number of ppl but I still
don't think I've talked to any one who knows the whole story.
The main hurdle for users is documentation, this always applies.
Gconf says you can, but there is nothing to indicate it's a fools
errand. A document describing using gconf defaults with gnome-panel
would be much appreciated. From what I can tell the existing
templates are either written by panel developers or hacked together
using trial and error.
The main problem is list(s) in gconf are not vary malleable in the
defaults or mandatory areas. There is no way to simply insert or
remove a list item w/o replacing the whole list. Every one agrees
that this does not work when trying to install new objects into
existing users panels, it simply can't work w/o some fancy python
script that will not function in all cases and be problematic. This
approach, although *deployed, should be avoided.
* Ubuntu's add_indicator_applet
Can we alter the way panel's default_setup is used?
What would be nice/needed.
1. A method to indicate legacy behavior of not altering users panels,
perhaps normally a good thing.
2. A method to jump-over panel names, I.E. "This should be on the top
panel(or left panel if there is none) justified right at position 30"
Where 32 is defined as being just after the clock(30) but before the
notification area(34)... like SysV init. Perhaps we also need a
simple "This should go left-of, or above, the clock if there is one,
else put it here"
3. The main issue still remains, what to do about applet_id_list.
Obviously it must be optional, until there is better handling of lists
in gconf.
I believe these items can be placed along side the existing settings in
/apps/panel/applets/* and use a special value to indicate the usage of
the new features. There should also be some user configurable values,
like I've moved this or I've deleted it that should not be placed in
defaults but may be placed in mandatory.