MX Linux Forum

As I have progressed with this I have filled up one panel with my stuff and system stuff at Panel Preferences/Display Tab/Measurements 30 pixels max.
That's pretty tiny!
If I set "rows" = 2, I get one row with bigger icons and many are below the bottom and no idea how to access them.

What am I doing wrong?

If you go to the Items tab in that dialog, where is your Docklike Taskbar located in the list?
If you move it up or down it will change the area of the apps in the panel. Also, that docklike area has its own sizing too if need it. ( right click on it and go to properties )

Very confused by that docklike taskbar - where is it, what is it.

krism3 wrote: Sat Jun 10, 2023 5:21 pm As I have progrssed with this I have filled up one panel with my stuff and system stuff at Panel Preferences/Display Tab/Measurements 30pixels max.
That's pretty tiny!
If I set "rows" = 2, I get one row with bigger icons and many are below the bottom and no idea how to access them.

What am I doing wrong?

Screenshot_2023-06-10_17-20-39.jpg

I would tell you (based on my biases) that you are just being sloppy. The easy and clean way to fix the mess is to create keybindings for those apps/ items you really need, get the odd stuff 'the long way' whenever necessary. Don't keep used items around to mess up your Desktop. I would go so far as to say keep your desktop and menus clean. Truly not everything needs to clutter a desktop or menu bar. But then you should probably take my recommendations with a HUGE grain of salt. I'm just an old geek with 50 years of software experience and I'm too opinionated.

manyroads wrote: Sat Jun 10, 2023 6:57 pm

krism3 wrote: Sat Jun 10, 2023 5:21 pm As I have progrssed with this I have filled up one panel with my stuff and system stuff at Panel Preferences/Display Tab/Measurements 30pixels max.
That's pretty tiny!
If I set "rows" = 2, I get one row with bigger icons and many are below the bottom and no idea how to access them.

What am I doing wrong?

Screenshot_2023-06-10_17-20-39.jpg

I would tell you (based on my biases) that you are just being sloppy. The easy and clean way to fix the mess is to create keybindings for those apps/ items you really need, get the odd stuff 'the long way' whenever necessary. Don't keep used items around to mess up your Desktop. I would go so far as to say keep your desktop and menus clean. Truly not everything needs to clutter a desktop or menu bar. But then you should probably take my recommendations with a HUGE grain of salt. I'm just an old geek with 50 years of software experience and I'm too opinionated.

only 50? what was your first machine? Mine was/were a 7070, 1401, 1620. Pieces of a 650 on its way out the door.

Okay I hear your solution for you.

I am used to having a bunch of icons so I can see at a glance what I have, and looking for a way to easily display those icons. "2 rows" does not give me 2 rows but a wider single row. How can I actually get 2 rows?(oh, I see, the system icons go sorta into 2 rows. 3 rows produces 4 haphazard rows and huge user icons.
Be well!

krism3 wrote: Sat Jun 10, 2023 6:47 pm Very confused by that docklike taskbar - where is it, what is it.

Screenshot_2023-06-10_18-45-59.jpg

The Docklike Taskbar is the area where apps appear when running. It is a different area then the panel, but it sits ON the panel. Your pic, looks like either you are creating application launchers on it, or your squeezing it smaller (I cannot tell from the pic. )

It looks like your trying to create a bunch of application launchers. If I might suggest, this is why I run cairo-dock. And I run it on the bottom of my screen. ( Left side is panel, bottom is launchers - and I keep it hidden until I need / want it )


If you dont want to run cairo dock, then possibly a second dock at the bottom of the screen with your Launchers on it - you can configure it anyway you like, including making it hidden until mouse over too.

Either of these would resolve the issue of 'two rows' , give you MUCH more flexibility I think.

I'd suggest to do a combination of things.
1 - Put your most used in Keyboard>Application Shortcuts.

2 - Put some in your panel, maybe create two panels if necessary.
2a – Add some Launchers to your panel as you can add as many of the apps in it as you'd like, thereby saving panel space.
You can even add commands in "Add an empty new item"

I don't know if it's true, but I've seen recommendation in this forum to use MX Tweak to move the panel, as opposed to moving it through the panel itself IF you're going to move it.
You can save/backup you panel settings too.

I don't have any experience with this, but possibly consider adding Cairo Dock: cairo-dock.
viewtopic.php?t=75440

3 - Put your favorites in MX Menu Editor Favorites, you can change the number in favorites, size too.
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The Docklike Taskbar displays what is currently running.

And I've been incorrectly "helping" some on this forum by giving advice to add a Docklike Taskbar when I meant a Launcher – apologies.
HTDH Hope This Didn't Hurt.

=====================================================
Just saw your last post. Do you want two rows or two panels?
I don't know for sure, but I think two rows may work better if the panel is horizontal – I'd move with MX Tweak.
Two panels from panel preferences. You could make some panels always visible, some not, etc.

Since you like to view a lot, possibly consider cairo-dock.

One additional note about cairo-dock, you can setup folder 'breakouts' so that you can see files and folders just by hovering over them if you want. it provides a GREAT way to see and 'single click' into or open items - I use it A LOT ! ( especially on busy folders with lots in it. )

Sorry for the long pause - reset panel, looking at cairo and trying to figure how to make it mesh with MX Panel w/o just duplicating things, and not finding a list of key combinations, like "win" key = MX Menu, F4 = terminal, PrtScr = screenshot, but there must be a ton of others. Looking line y line thru the manual now... like MX apps menu?

HUGE THANKS for all your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cairo got stuck, had to reboot.