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QuickStart
A quick start guide to Google Gadgets for Linux.
Project Description
Google Gadgets for Linux provides a platform for running desktop gadgets under Linux, catering to the unique needs of Linux users. We are compatible with the gadgets written for Google Desktop for Windows as well as the Universal Gadgets on iGoogle. Following Linux norms, this project is open-sourced under the Apache License.
The Windows and Mac versions of Google Desktop has provided gadget hosting functionality on Windows and Mac for a while now and the Linux version of Google Gadgets will extend this platform to Linux users. By enabling cross-platform gadgets, a large library of existing gadgets are immediately available to Linux users. In addition, gadget developers will benefit from a much larger potential user base without having to learn a new API.
There's two main components to the application: one is a common gadget library responsible for running and presenting a gadget, and the other is a host program that allows the user to choose gadgets and run them on the desktop. Currently we have hosts written for GTK+ and QT, with the GTK+ host offering a sidebar similar to that of Google Desktop for Windows.
Quick Start Guide
Thank you for your interest in Google Gadgets for Linux. Here's some pointers to get started:
Building and Running the Code
All of the code are stored in our Subversion repository. You can get instructions on downloading the code here:
http://code.google.com/p/google-gadgets-for-linux/source/checkout
Once checked out, you'll want to build the code in order to run it. Read the building instructions Wiki page for details.
ggl-gtk is the output binary name for the GTK+ host. To run the code with default settings, type:
/usr/local/bin/ggl-gtk
(Assuming it's installed in the default prefix: /usr/local)
This brings up a simple window with a button allowing you to add gadgets to be run. All added gadgets are displayed right on the desktop. Try it and see how things go!
We also have a sidebar host that should be familiar to anyone who has used the Google Gadgets for Windows. The sidebar is a vertical bar where gadgets can attach on the side of the screen. To run the sidebar:
/usr/local/bin/ggl-gtk -s
In order to run it in background mode, just use -bg option, such as:
/usr/local/bin/ggl-gtk -s -bg
For best results, we recommend a recent system with software and hardware support for alpha-blended windows. Specifically, X Windows with the XComposite extension installed and a version of GTK+ greater or equal to 2.10 are preferred. Otherwise, the gadgets will show up on an opaque background that doesn't convey the same glitz that a newer system would.
Contributing to the Project
Finally, if you're interested in actively contributing the project, you might be interesting in setting up a SVK infrastructure on your machine. This makes it easier to do some things like code reviews. We have a Wiki page to help you with that.
(And this page might be useful if you would like to send us code to review.)
Note: We'll allow external developers as soon as the developer related documentations are ready.
Feedback
Even if you don't wish become a contributor, we would still like to hear your feedback. The project is still evolving, so all comments are important. Go here to file them:
http://code.google.com/p/google-gadgets-for-linux/issues/list
Our public discussion group for users is also a good place to ask questions and share experiences with other users.
And that's it, enjoy playing with the gadgets!
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or .rpm with openSuSE build service
While google sometimes provides a deb this is really the job of your distribution. I'd be surprised not to see it show up in Ubuntu Intrepid and then in Hardy backports. This is beta code known to be missing functionality, though, and it's not really ready for prime time (at least, so they say.)
THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST
I Know that is only a Beta,but i think the .deb and the .rpm is essential for invite the people to partecipate on this beta... I hope in you...
"I Know that is only a Beta,but i think the .deb and the .rpm is essential for invite the people to partecipate on this beta... I hope in you..."
I'm sure someone will pop up on the respective forums with a package for you, when you are too lazy to build it yourself.
simple step by step instructions to install in ubuntu (hardy) so do you dont have to read through all the detail
An icon should show in the top right status bar, right click and add gadget!
cheers Jubal
Configured, compiled, installed on Hardy, but running ggl-gtk gives me no "simple window with a button". There's a bunch of stuff in the terminal indicating that it's running, but no window. So I tried the -s option, and the sidebar worked. I added a couple of gadgets, quit ggl, tried ggl-gtk (no -s) again, and even though the gadgets I'd just added showed up in their own little windows, there was still no little "simple window with a button." So it half works, and I can't really complain--it is beta, and at least I have working gadgets on my desktop--adding more is just a bit of a pain. But here's what I'm happiest about: Seeing one of the biggest names on the interwebs supporting Linux. This, ladies and gentlemen, is huge. I love it.
Okay, after reading Jubal's comment, I realize something--it's not a "simple window with a button" that I should be looking for--it's an item in the system tray. However, since I'm using Openbox, and not Gnome or KDE, I have no system tray. Thus no little ggl icon. Not a biggie.
> sudo apt-get install zlib1g-dev libmozjs-dev libcurl4-openssl-dev libxml2-dev libdbus-1-dev libmozjs-dev libgstreamer-plugins-base0.10-dev libcurl3-openssl-dev libdbus-1-dev libxul-dev libcurl3 libcurl3-dbg libcurl3-gnutls libcurl4-openssl-dev libcurl-ocaml libmozjs0d libmozjs0d-dbg libmozjs-dev g++-4.2-multilib g++ libqt4-dev
It's for Ubuntu. What needed packages for Fedora 8 or 9 ?
Ubuntu Hardy Packages (The Easy Way - A PPA)
It works, but its not finished. I figured releasing something now was better than everything struggling with compiles :p
http://launchpad.net/~googlegadgets/+archive
It is much simpler to install with ppa!!
Add this to your sources: deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/googlegadgets/ubuntu hardy main
And then: sudo apt-get install google-gadgets
Now you can run it by typing alt+F2 and entering: ggl-gtk
See all the detailed explanation in: http://www.ubuntu-unleashed.com/2008/06/introducing-official-google-gadgets-for.html
But that is pretty much it!!
Why don't Google make packages for the popular distros? This is a real pain to install.. still not working here on Fedora 8.
:( Pukes on make. "configure" doesn't complain though. Lots of errors similar to the following:
/usr/include/js/jscntxt.h:252: error: expected ‘;’ before ‘’ token /usr/include/js/jscntxt.h:300: error: ISO C++ forbids declaration of ‘PRLock’ wi th no type
Any ideas? Running a source based distro (Arch). kthxbai!
@notanatheist Did you also see errors like "pratom.h: No such file or directory"? It yes, the error might be caused by incorrect js library pkgconfig file on your system lacking nspr dependency.
Super :) , it works fine ...do install all the dependencies required first in case of UBUNTU ...then add a new session with the command ggl-gtk -s -bg and enjoy
Since 0.9.3 the sidebar is enabled by default - if you don't like it, you can use "ggl-gtk -ns" to start.
It built! I updated everything to the latest versions available via the package manager and while all requirements were supposedly above the minimum it was still failing. Updating glibc, gcc, gtk2, xulrunner, and possibly a few other critical packages finally got make to finish!
On linux - adding the facebook gadget
ERROR: Script error in gadget /home/breu/.google/gadgets/downloaded_gadgets/34775F35-19CB-4174-92A4-DB9ABEFF9636.gg: plugin.js:335: ReferenceError?: ActiveXObject is not defined
The function is: function openLink(url) {
}Any way around this?
great job~
This is great. Running it on Fedora 9. So far only found one gadget that doesn't work; "Stock Market Tracker" doesn't load. I was looking for the google finance stock tracker but didn't see it in the list.
Keep up the great work.
@joe.breu: ActiveX... hmmm... isn't that microsoft... i think it is. that facebook gadget just shows a Microsoft ActiveX applet then. sorry, but it won't work, complain to facebook or ms. it ain't google's fault, they can't fix it.
@developers: great work!
Not working on Fedora 9 either... why is Google leaving this to the elite?
Procedure for openSUSE here
http://www.susegeek.com/multimedia/how-to-install-configure-google-desktop-gadgets-in-opensuse/
@Soundz Because its a beta