Get Windows 7 like task bar in Ubuntu with DocbarX

I personally liked the task bar of Windows 7 and wanted it in my Ubuntu as well. Not only because of it’s looks but also because of it’s features. DocbarX is exactly the same thing I was looking for. You can launch, close, mange all your windows from one place using the DocbarX. It also allows you to preview your Windows before bringing them to the front. So if you have opened multiple windows of same application, you don’t get confused between them.

Screenshot:

Installation:

1. Install python-wnck, python-gnomeapplet and python-numpy (DockbarX might be able to run without python-numpy, but it shouldn’t hurt).
$ sudo apt-get install python-gnomeapplet python-wnck python-numpy

1b. For previews libgtk2.0-0, libgx11-6 and libxcomposite1 needs to be installed (if they aren’t already). For recent and most used files you need zeitgeist. None of these are needed for DockbarX to run and can safely be ignored if you are not interested in theses features.
$ sudo apt-get install libgtk2.0-0 libx11-6 libxcomposite1 zeitgeist

2. Change directory to where you unpacked dockbarx and run the setup.py install
$ sudo ./setup.py install

3. Add DockBarX applet to panel (kill gnome-panel first if necessary)

You can also run dockbarx in window (meant for debugging purposes, mostly):
$dockbarx_factory.py run-in-window

Also visit the Developer’s page for more info and FAQ

http://tipsfromgeek.com