Optional Widget for Linux Lite 3.2

[Jerry]

Spent most of the day on this.
Note, you can only get rounded corners with transparency.

[LL-user]

There is no doubt that kernel version is a very important information to have.

The question for me regarding the widget is: How often is it necessary to warrant such a high priority/ in your face position?
As I doubt that - especially new/normal - users need that information every single day I would not display it.

In case of support they need to provide a lot more information and are usually advised to run inxi anyway.

My 2c

[Ottawagrant]

I'd also like to have a vote for the kernel information to stay.

[trinidad]

update status: last update 00/00/00 would be good

TC

[torreydale]

I vote for the kernel version to stay.  If you installed a fresh copy of LL 2.8, you started with the 3.19 kernel.  But if you upgraded to LL 2.8 from LL 2.6, you still have the 3.13 kernel.  Even experienced forum contributors forget this.  "I just reinstalled Linux Lite 2.8, and it isn't working like it used to," they say.

I have only been a full time Linux user since about the time I joined this forum last year.  I didn't know much about a kernel either, but at least knowing what version I was on was the beginning of my education on it.  It has helped me be aware of what I mentioned in my first paragraph, and it has helped me help others because of it.

I vote for the kernel version to stay.

[Jerry]

Updates status now colorized.

[Jerry]

@LL-user, agreed. I've changed it accordingly, thank you

[LL-user]

Jerry, I still can't get rid of that bit of confusion on the first glance caused by the horizontal lines. I'd suggest to move the line, preferably like the one on the right:

       

[Jerry]

Latest iteration:

[Jerry]

Only thing I think might be helpful is the updates info. Can it be in the panel? If not, can it be minimized or closed then autostart at boot up? Would want to be able to make background transparent.

For those who have compositing enabled and working, our widget will be transparent.
This is a desktop widget, so it can't sit in the panel or be minimized. It will autostart at boot up for those who want it to. Cheers.

[Coastie]

Only thing I think might be helpful is the updates info. Can it be in the panel? If not, can it be minimized or closed then autostart at boot up? Would want to be able to make background transparent.

[LL-user]

Sounds perfect to me!

Nice info out of the box, but easy to adjust/configure for people who can edit a text file/ already run conky.

Unfortunately not proficient in python...

[Jerry]

Great initiative, Jerry!

Especially addressing the update notification discussion again and keeping it as light as possible.

A few questions/ideas:

• How often will there be a check for updates? Might it be even configurable?
• Considering the main target (Windows refugees) and even for seasoned Linux users, is it really that helpful to see the kernel used? I utilize conky extensively on almost half of my desktop to be able to check all kinds of system parameters - not kernel version and LL version though (next point).
• Same applies for Linux Lite version?
• The time and date information is redundant and easier/always visible via the panel. So why really displaying it here again?
• Isn't there a panel plugin to show the very basic system information (CPU/memory) which is no doubt helpful?
• Leaves us with the update notification Isn't there a chance to utilize Shaggy's awesome work he's done already on that part? It's just a little but always visible icon on the panel and can be configured. And one good specific tool for one specific task

The widget will be configurable in so far as people's ability to work with conky. The update check will be set at a default of 180 mins, it really only needs to check when you start your computer, LL isn't a server OS that stays on 24/7 and needs to check for updates at regular intervals.
I'm happy to leave the kernel version out, agreed most Windows folk would look at it and go wtf is a kernel The Linux Lite version will stay, it serves a couple of purposes there.

What do others think about having the time and date in there?

The update notification you're referring to is written in python, one of my weaker languages. It is GPL2, so there is the possibility there for someone to take on the project.

Thank you for your feedback

[Jerry]

Great Idea ! Maybe some rounded edges on the widget ?

Yeah, I was thinking of subtly rounding the edges, give it some polish. It may even end up with a suitable background image

[technomancer]

Great Idea ! Maybe some rounded edges on the widget ?