Written by Aielyn the 2 Sep 12 at 13:32.

With the advent of Webkit and related browser libraries, it is easier than ever to incorporate internet-style interfaces to things. Why not do this for the Desktop? It shouldn't be too hard to create Javascript scripts that pull information, such as the files found in the ~/Desktop folder, and put links on the resulting root window browser. I believe it should also be possible to create a pipeline system to allow OS commands to be run by the browser (there would, of course, be heavy security restrictions by default, such as only allowing OS commands to be run when viewing a *local* page).

From here, it should be possible to effectively recreate the kind of Desktop created by Nautilus... however, such a modification would enable far more control over the Desktop by the user. It could, for instance, incorporate the ability to play audio and video files directly from the Desktop using HTML5. More broadly, it should become possible to have customised Desktops with features decided by the user, or the company.

A very special example would be in-Desktop functionality made available by the user going between web pages. Imagine this: the basic Desktop looks much like what Nautilus produces, with icons on a wallpaper. On that Desktop, one icon is for "Videos". The user clicks on "Videos", and it takes them to a second Desktop page, with its own wallpaper, a list of videos in their ~/Videos folder on the left side, and a HTML5 player on the right that will play any video that they click on. There could even be browser games built right into the desktop.

It would also be possible to browse to external web pages in the Desktop itself... but as I noted, it would not allow OS commands to be generated unless the security restriction is intentionally lifted. And you would also be able to have browser apps and widgets that work on the Desktop itself.

With the advent of Webkit and related browser libraries, it is easier than ever to incorporate internet-style interfaces to things. Why not do this for the Desktop? It shouldn't be too hard to create Javascript scripts that pull information, such as the files found in the ~/Desktop folder, and put links on the resulting root window browser. I believe it should also be possible to create a pipeline system to allow OS commands to be run by the browser (there would, of course, be heavy security restrictions by default, such as only allowing OS commands to be run when viewing a *local* page). From here, it should be possible to effectively recreate the kind of Desktop created by Nautilus... however, such a modification would enable far more control over the Desktop by the user. It could, for instance, incorporate the ability to play audio and video files directly from the Desktop using HTML5. More broadly, it should become possible to have customised Desktops with features decided by the user, or the company. A very special example would be in-Desktop functionality made available by the user going between web pages. Imagine this: the basic Desktop looks much like what Nautilus produces, with icons on a wallpaper. On that Desktop, one icon is for "Videos". The user clicks on "Videos", and it takes them to a second Desktop page, with its own wallpaper, a list of videos in their ~/Videos folder on the left side, and a HTML5 player on the right that will play any video that they click on. There could even be browser games built right into the desktop. It would also be possible to browse to external web pages in the Desktop itself... but as I noted, it would not allow OS commands to be generated unless the security restriction is intentionally lifted. And you would also be able to have browser apps and widgets that work on the Desktop itself. Effectively, the Desktop becomes your own personal homepage. And because web development is much less complicated than writing programs for the root window, custom Desktops should be much easier to create. In theory, it could also produce frameless windows with properties like "always on top", allowing widgets and panels to be handled by the Desktop as well. But that's a discussion to be had if the main idea is actually implemented.

Written by chr1st0scli the 6 Oct 12 at 01:02.

I think that the new presenation model adopted by Windows 8 and some smartphone platforms might be more efficient and the way to go. Unity could be redesigned or improved with this in mind. Groups of links to my applications could be in the foreground giving me quick access and insight of what is there with just a glance. Of course, these screens could also be customizable so that the current desktop's customization ability isn't lost.

In other words, could it be true that the beloved Desktop as we know it, is really a useless entity, a heritage of no value?

I think that the new presenation model adopted by Windows 8 and some smartphone platforms might be more efficient and the way to go. Unity could be redesigned or improved with this in mind. Groups of links to my applications could be in the foreground giving me quick access and insight of what is there with just a glance. Of course, these screens could also be customizable so that the current desktop's customization ability isn't lost. In other words, could it be true that the beloved Desktop as we know it, is really a useless entity, a heritage of no value?

Written by AdlerHorst the 28 Feb 13 at 10:00.

Replace Desktop with Dash transfer the category icons to the Panel and made the dash background transparent.
If someone use the dash button move the dash on top. Color the background black. If the dash lose the focus move it background an clear the background.

Replace Desktop with Dash transfer the category icons to the Panel and made the dash background transparent. If someone use the dash button move the dash on top. Color the background black. If the dash lose the focus move it background an clear the background.

Written by rhersel the 28 Feb 13 at 19:21.

In times of convergence of Ubuntu on all devices (PC, tablet, phone, TV) the PC's desktop should not be an exception. My suggestion is close to Solution #1 with some small differences:

Replace desktop with dash (completely; no more wallpaper etc). There is nothing below the dash; dash cannot be switched off.

Enable a kind of personas (or underlying designs) for the dash as a replacement for wallpapers.

Keep categories and lenses where they are because the panel is already occupied by the central menu and the right hand indicators.

The dash button becomes the same as the 'show desktop' button (Super+D). So, one of them is redundant.

If the dash lose the focus move it to background and leave it as it is (optional: darken or blur it).

Dash may not overlap the Launcher but Launcher always overlaps the Dash and stays functional when Dash has the focus.

In times of convergence of Ubuntu on all devices (PC, tablet, phone, TV) the PC's desktop should not be an exception. My suggestion is close to Solution #1 with some small differences: Replace desktop with dash (completely; no more wallpaper etc). There is nothing below the dash; dash cannot be switched off. Enable a kind of personas (or underlying designs) for the dash as a replacement for wallpapers. Keep categories and lenses where they are because the panel is already occupied by the central menu and the right hand indicators. The dash button becomes the same as the 'show desktop' button (Super+D). So, one of them is redundant. If the dash lose the focus move it to background and leave it as it is (optional: darken or blur it). Dash may not overlap the Launcher but Launcher always overlaps the Dash and stays functional when Dash has the focus.

Written by chr1st0scli the 14 Oct 12 at 09:05.

An icon should be highlighted when the mouse cursor is exactly over it.

At the same time I would like to propose that this void space could be used as follows. I could click on it, keep the mouse button pressed, move the mouse and thus have an alternative and easy way of scrolling through the dashboard's contents. This combines well with the particularly small white scrollbar of the dashboard.

Thank you.

An icon should be highlighted when the mouse cursor is exactly over it. At the same time I would like to propose that this void space could be used as follows. I could click on it, keep the mouse button pressed, move the mouse and thus have an alternative and easy way of scrolling through the dashboard's contents. This combines well with the particularly small white scrollbar of the dashboard. Thank you.