Linux Mint Forums

Hi!
This is my first time using XFCE, and I am trying to customize my desktop. I would like to insert a lateral panel that works like a dock, I mean, something like Unity or Cairo dock with only launchers. I was thinking install something like Docky or Cairo, but it will install a lot of gnome stuff. What I want is that when desktop its empty this dock appears, and when not it works like autohide option. Is there a way to do it with XFCE panel? Is there a lightweight dock that works with XFCE?

Sorry my english, hope its all clear, if not feel free to ask please

I'm not sure if this is what you want or if it's the opposite of what you want but:

Right Click the Panel and select: Panel > Panel Preferences > Display > Automatically show and hide the panel.

From then on you have to hover over the panel area to expose it.

Not exactly, I would like something "more intelligent", that no need to hover over it if the screen is empty, like Ubuntu Unity. I don't want a list of applications like in Ubuntu, for that reason I ask for something like a plugin for xfce panel, or maybe a light dock. I'm lookin tint2, but seems so complicated for me

Also Looking/Wanting that feature!

For whats it's worth...
I remember someone writing a script (back in Xfce 4.6 or 4.4 era) that would check the windows displayed (widow buttons display I believe) and if blank/nul changed the 'show panel' setting to on. Auto started and with a timer (checked every second or 2) so behaved liked deamon.
Only bad thing was windows not covering whole sreen (like calculator) also deactivated panel!

More work but I simulate the effect by making launchers on desktop and also make a auto-hide panel that copies those launchers and placement.

J.Jay

maybe for a similar effect of what you want, you could try this:

set your normal panel to auto hide for now, to get it out of the way, and forget about it.

right-click desktop >> desktop settings >> icons tab >> icon type "minimised application icons".

this will set your desktop to your running apps, instead of using a traditional taskbar. they will be icons with writing underneath. as a result of this change, the desktop wont manage file/folder/launcher icons, it will purely show you running tasks.

to go back to previous setting:

settings manager >> icons tab >> icon type "file/launcher icons"