Functional Programming in C++

Post 4.2 features - part 2 [update]

Published by Ivan Čukić in the KDE development section, on 22 February 2009

There are a couple more feature requests marked as FINISHED in Lancelot’s TODO file.

1. Wasted space

In previous versions of Lancelot, when using the no-click activation, there was some space between the lists while browsing the applications. The space was needed because of extenders and scroll-bars. Scroll-bars, obviously, still need the space like before, but the extenders don’t.

The initial proposal was to make the extender inside the list item itself, so it would be an /intender/, and not extender. :) This wasn’t that great idea since that would induce a lot of accidental activations - you hover the end of an item, the /intender/ pops right below the cursor, and since it is hovered, it activates.

The alternative was to allow the extenders to go outside the list, and that is exactly what is going on now. The extenders now can overlap the space of the neighbouring list. So, in a nutshell, the extenders from one list, and the scroll-bar of another are sharing the same space.

2. More than breadcrumbs

The second requested feature that was implemented today was to show the trail in the application browser, not only in the breadcrumb bar, but also in the lists. This worked before when using keyboard for navigation through the application browser (aka PassagewayView), but not when using the mouse. It now works for mouse too.

3. Why do I search for empty strings?

This one is the smallest change for today - instead of showing you the message ‘Search query is empty’, Lancelot returns to the Applications section.

UPDATE: I was too lazy to create another post… and not enough news for one.

4. I want to hide my tracks!

It is now possible to right-click and item in Recent Documents, and remove it, as well as to clear the whole document history.

5. Race the Dolphin through the hoops

There were a few requests to make Lancelot use Dolphin’s places. I thought it will be tricky to do that since L separates devices from places, but fortunately it was not the case. Dolphin stores the places information in a XBEL formated file (bookmarks format) and provides a nice distinction between the devices and places. Note that the places are not automatically reloaded. I could do that easily, but IMHO reserving an iNotify slot for just that would be a waste.

This also means that there is now a XBEL-based model for Lancelot. It doesn’t support bookmark folders, but it will eventually.

Ed
I switched to lancelot a few days ago and found it pretty good.
The only 'problem' I encountered is that when I search for an application, the result can't be dragged onto a plasma panel
litb
Hello Ian. I have one question (if it's not already in). Can you please add an option to reduce the width of the left icon pane? It's so width and wastes space. As you see, space for content is important. Look at the breadcumb bar which is already quite jammed. Having some less wide icons or alternative way to change the section one is in would be really appreciated.
One other point: I don't really like how the content is opaque, but the outside background is not. It looks somewhat weird. But maybe it's just be. Maybe if the edge between content and translucent background would be not so sharp, i would like it too.
Other than that, you've done a great job. Thanks dude
Ivan Čukić
@<a href="#comment-7683" rel="nofollow">Ed</a>: Yes, I forgot to add that, thanks for reminding me.
@<a href="#comment-7684" rel="nofollow">litb</a>: That will be altered, but exactly how, I can not tell you now :) (I haven't yet decided)
The second /issue/ depends on the chosen theme. Problem with making the main part of the window transparent is that it makes the text almost unreadable. (Which is not that important for border since you know what is located on the border :) )
Torsten Rahn
Sorry, but the current almost fully transparent border just looks buggy and faulty. It makes an otherwise nice application look very amateurish. :-(
Ivan Čukić
@<a href="#comment-7686" rel="nofollow">Torsten Rahn</a>: As I said, it is not /current/ L's look, it is the theme that I use - Spoons Lite which is under heavy development. The rest of the themes look just as they looked in 4.2.
Tim
Wow that's a bad UI. I don't want to criticise, but it's so cramped not even the short menu items (e.g. system) are fully visible.
Methinks the layout could do with some work!
Ivan Čukić
@<a href="#comment-7689" rel="nofollow">Tim</a>: Have you ever used it, or you're speaking solely based on this screenshot?
See the screencast of pre-1.0 version (http://lancelot.fomentgroup.org/screenshots). There are many changes since then, but you'll get the general idea about why and when the items get squeezed.
Ivan Čukić
@<a href="#comment-7680" rel="nofollow">Kishore</a>: Feature 4 for today: It is now possible to right-click and item in Recent Documents, and remove it, as well as to clear the whole history.
cosmocat
Very good work. I just switch to Lancelot today and the 2 issues I made is already corrected/implemented.
A big big thanks to you!!!
Keep up the very good job (even if for me it's already perfect :) )!!!
Kishore
I really like Lancelot ad prefer it over kickoff but there is currently only one reason why i come back to kickoff. kickoff allows you to clear the recently used programs and documents while lancelot does not offer that option.
In fact, i think it should a kde global option if recent documents is to be logged!