MX Linux Forum

This poll is for forum members who are interested in MX19-KDE.

You may be someone who's already using Plasma anyway, whether in MX or in another distro. Or, you may be someone currently using our flagship MX-XFCE who may be interested in switching to MX-KDE, but may not be as used to the Plasma interface compared to XFCE.

The Dev Team would like some indication of members' preferences and usage habits when it comes to the application menu in Plasma.

Note that this is not a binding vote, meaning that the option with the most votes might not necessarily be the final choice for MX19-KDE, but it would certainly be helpful in our decision-making.

I prefer and always switch to the more old fashioned Application Launcher from the default "slab".

uncle mark wrote: Sat Jul 25, 2020 11:06 am I prefer and always switch to the more old fashioned Application Launcher from the default "slab".

Is that the alternative menu? Did you vote in the poll because I still see only 4 votes, which was the number before you posted.

asqwerth wrote: Sat Jul 25, 2020 11:14 am

uncle mark wrote: Sat Jul 25, 2020 11:06 am I prefer and always switch to the more old fashioned Application Launcher from the default "slab".

Is that the alternative menu? Did you vote in the poll because I still see only 4 votes, which was the number before you posted.

When I responded the actual poll wasn't displayed. I just now did with

Switch to the preinstalled alternative menu (name = "Application Menu: launcher based on cascading popup menus")

The beta shows the MX KDE edition is shaping up excellently, if only a little too close to KDE defaults for my liking. I refrained from stating my preferences in the feedback thread, perhaps i can indulge here ? Would the devs please consider:

• switching to the traditional application menu i/o the launcher (to look more like the XFCE edition)
• enabling Alt-Tab cover-switch effect (to look less like the XFCE edition ;-)
• changing the konsole defaullt color-scheme (to say solarised or breeze) and make its font slightly bigger
• shipping with LibreOfice v6.4

I voted for "Others (you may wish to post what you do/choose in this thread)" Add the Whisker menu to KDE.

baldyeti wrote: Sat Jul 25, 2020 2:24 pm The beta shows the MX KDE edition is shaping up excellently, if only a little too close to KDE defaults for my liking. I refrained from stating my preferences in the feedback thread, perhaps i can indulge here ? Would the devs please consider:

• switching to the traditional application menu i/o the launcher (to look more like the XFCE edition)
• enabling Alt-Tab cover-switch effect (to look less like the XFCE edition ;-)
• changing the konsole defaullt color-scheme (to say solarised or breeze) and make its font slightly bigger
• shipping with LibreOfice v6.4

Please keep to the topic. Those other suggestions belong in the feedback topic.

richb wrote: Sat Jul 25, 2020 2:38 pmPlease keep to the topic. Those other suggestions belong in the feedback topic

well, they're not bugs to be corrected - anyway moderate away if you so wish

In Desktop Folder Settings -

Wallpaper-
Layout to Desktop Containment Settings

and

Mouse Actions -
Right-Button to Application Menu
Left-Button to Standard Menu

To get a Openbox like right-click menu.

Rob

Getting back to the poll question: I like the default one, the "alternative" one reminds me too much of Windows 95 or so, yuck! (I realize that some people are nostalgic)

Adrian wrote: Sat Jul 25, 2020 3:27 pm Getting back to the poll question: I like the default one, the "alternative" one reminds me too much of Windows 95 or so, yuck! (I realize that some people are nostalgic)

It reminds me of MEPIS 8.0 with KDE 3. Yeah, I'm really nostalgic.

I voted for the kickoff menu (the menu on the betas).

mostly because the search function is better. and the favorites are easier to read.

I would have liked to try the Excalibur menu from the KDE Store as from the screenshot it looks a lot like Whisker. Unfortunately the developer hasn't updated it in two years and it doesn't work in Plasma versions newer than 5.12.

https://store.kde.org/p/1172867/
https://cdn.pling.com/img/8/f/6/a/17c65 ... 8c8213.png

It still appears to work on Plasma 5.14, as I've been testing it (though only superficially). But it's not maintained, and does not appear to be localised at all (ie it only comes in English). And for all I know, there may be issues if used with certain Plasma themes.

It's probably a good option for English-speakers, but not something that can be offered as the default choice on the iso.

I did vote for other (Excalibur Menu) in this case but since its lacking translations and not been updated in a while, then whatever

antechdesigns wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2020 9:22 am I did vote for other (Excalibur Menu) in this case but since its lacking translations and not been updated in a while, then whatever

mxMenu-min.jpg

I'm seriously tempted by excalibur myself. the only thing not translated in it is the configuration menu. and even then only half of it (but I think the other half is KDE standard stuff)

the only thing not translated in it is the configuration menu

I like it too. Could we cover the remainder through Transifex? Would that even work to have to localization sources?

dolphin_oracle wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2020 9:24 am

antechdesigns wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2020 9:22 am I did vote for other (Excalibur Menu) in this case but since its lacking translations and not been updated in a while, then whatever

mxMenu-min.jpg

I'm seriously tempted by excalibur myself. the only thing not translated in it is the configuration menu. and even then only half of it (but I think the other half is KDE standard stuff)

I like Excalibur too, but as JayM pointed out is not developed anymore and doesn't work with newer versions, what if we update KDE at some point, or in any case is it wise to use something that is discontinued?

I voted for the standard menu. I like sticking with what is "KDE standard stuff" as D_O put it. And it's a simple matter to switch to the alternate if I want it. If a whisker menu can be added as one of the "alternates" that would also be nice.

Seaken64

How can the gtk3 whisker be added as a menu widget in plasma?

asqwerth wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2020 12:11 pm How can the gtk3 whisker be added as a menu widget in plasma?

I have no idea. I don't even know how gtk3 works. I suspect it is not actually possible. But maybe a "Whisker type" or Whisker-adjacent type menu?

Seaken64

I didn't even twig to the fact that the application menu could be changed. But, now that I know .... well I like the cascading popup menu as it greatly reduces the amount of clicking required. The fact that submenus popup during a mouse roll-over - that's gold. And the search function seems to be just as good (maybe better) than the "stock" alternative.

I don't know if 29 votes is really representative... should we post a link to this in the Beta2 feedback thread, maybe people missed this thread.

Adrian wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 2:16 pm I don't know if 29 votes is really representative... should we post a link to this in the Beta2 feedback thread, maybe people missed this thread.

Should I post on Facebook? There are quite a few forum members there.

Chris

chrispop99 wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 2:26 pm

Adrian wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 2:16 pm I don't know if 29 votes is really representative... should we post a link to this in the Beta2 feedback thread, maybe people missed this thread.

Should I post on Facebook? There are quite a few forum members there.

Chris

Sure, why not, thanks.

As long as I can remember, I've always switched to the alternative because the default KDE Application launcher simply drives me nuts. I don;t know if anyone else has reported this, but switching the menu results in loss of the beautiful MX icon and we're left with a meaningless KDE icon in it's place, which is not restored when switching back.

m_pav wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 3:44 pm As long as I can remember, I've always switched to the alternative because the default KDE Application launcher simply drives me nuts. I don;t know if anyone else has reported this, but switching the menu results in loss of the beautiful MX icon and we're left with a meaningless KDE icon in it's place, which is not restored when switching back.

yes, and we have a fix...plasma-modified-defaults-mx is in the repo. right now all it does is do the icon thing and reset the favorites. more changes will come down the road as themeing, etc... is decided, including this threads question of default application menu.

I always swap to the alternative menu, that default menu is just too fidgety.

Racer24 wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 4:36 pm I always swap to the alternative menu, that default menu is just too fidgety.

Unlike the Whisker menu, I find turning off hover makes it more usable.

Chris

m_pav wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 3:44 pm As long as I can remember, I've always switched to the alternative because the default KDE Application launcher simply drives me nuts. I don;t know if anyone else has reported this, but switching the menu results in loss of the beautiful MX icon and we're left with a meaningless KDE icon in it's place, which is not restored when switching back.

You can always change that back to the default MX icon. I think this is it -- Right click on the dotty icon, Properties, right click on the icon, search for MX under all icons. Or something like that.

dolphin_oracle wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2020 9:24 am

antechdesigns wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2020 9:22 am I did vote for other (Excalibur Menu) in this case but since its lacking translations and not been updated in a while, then whatever

mxMenu-min.jpg

I'm seriously tempted by excalibur myself. the only thing not translated in it is the configuration menu. and even then only half of it (but I think the other half is KDE standard stuff)

I can help with the translation of Excalibur, as I have done with all the MX in Transifex if you consider it possible.

Every one has something good, something bad.
Or in other words, every one has his own comfort zone.

I like the simple menu, but not in its default state, where applications are in right and Application group name in left like whisker.
I think simple menu is a good combination of old kde and new plasma start.

But if it's going to selected, please consider to switch application to right and list to left.
Some time I think, the default is made so to differentiate from windows, but merely in purpose of to distinct, I can't read from right to left.

So my vote to Simple menu (others)
Else my 2nd option is:- B. Application Menu: launcher based on cascading popup menus

I've tried this alternative on the KDE desktop and it works well. Why don't you try it? It looks great.
https://www.kdeblog.com/como-tener-la-b ... apple.html

Gerson wrote: Wed Jul 29, 2020 7:29 am I've tried this alternative on the KDE desktop and it works well. Why don't you try it? It looks great.
https://www.kdeblog.com/como-tener-la-b ... apple.html

It looks good, a simple Latte duck.
But what makes problem is not the style but the intention. When you skin your self like apple, but inner you are GNU Linux, it don't go well.( Though personally one has all freedom to skin own, and it shows GNU Linux capabilities of a desktop)

Second
Kde has developed a new file or application menu bar, with hamburger menu. I like it or not, but global menu don't go well with usage. Many prefer individual menu bar for each windows, and kdes hamburger menu style is a balance to it. It does take additional space but give control of full menu in a button.

hello asqwerth, thanks for asking, and everyone
Give them all. use, move, ignore, delete

-choose alternate . maybe not.
-learn to add widgets . mostly. even not knowing of alternatives button the adding might find A.Menu. i fit here with kde5 always have added Application Menu to my choice of location and use it; leaving the A.Launcher slide-y default hooked to the keyboard superwindowkey.
-learn to delete widget . some will. some will ask in forum, how to remove ... ?

To the delight of some users find excitement about discovering the clear navigation of Application Dashboard that includes an All Applications category and easy access to widgets.
image shows
original A.Launcher. Application Menu; added. The desktop widget represents A.Dashboard style; added. ; the Show Desktop widget goes with that (is always cool anyway.); added.

one vote for each; i leave the A.Launcher. i add and always use the A.Menu. i promote trial other. Oooh.



. &Oooh. Some part of the look of Application Menu is rather Windowsteneskque.

Either one is fine. Easy enough to change if you want. The default menu is a little busy for me. But then again I'm getting older).

RE: (from MX FB page: "The MX devs are deciding which type of menu to make the default for MX19-KDE - the standard KDE one that is a bit like Whisker, or one that is more like a classic menu.")
The primary numero uno reason I prefer Xfce over KDE is the Whisker Menu, so...