Messaging Menu support for Thunderbird is coming

The Narwhal may have only just gotten a name but it's already going to please users of Mozilla's 'Thunderbird' e-mail client: Messaging Menu integration is coming.

For the moment users wishing to get Thunderbird messaging menu integration can manually install this admittedly ace extension. This method is hardly taxing but it would be better if the extension was automatically added when a user installs Thunderbird.

Who do we have to thank for this over-due but oh-so-welcome addition? Ubuntu ace Chris Coulson who's keen to get an extension in tip-top condition ready to go in time for 11.01, stating on IRC that "thunderbird will be in the messaging indicator for sure next cycle". 

Thanks to the bug crusher extraordinaire ;)

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GmailWatcher - Another way to get GMail alerts in the Ubuntu Messaging Menu

If Evolution is overkill for your needs than a simple Gmail notification application is ideal.

There are plenty of solutions available - in fact we've reviewed two such applications previously.

Say hello to another, then, as we peek at GMailWatcher - a simple Messaging Menu application for alerting you to new mails in your inbox right on your desktop.

It allows you to use multiple accounts, shows notification pop ups on new messages, has a configurable checking interval and, perhaps most notably, sports Google Apps support too.

The application is still quite young - as can been gleaned from the spartan configuration window with 'to do' written in the middle of it.

To close the application you need to click on the entry in the messaging menu and, in the pop up window that follows, close the app using the window button. This makes for a rather confusing set-up to an otherwise excellent application.

Thankfully none of the above issues affect the application's purpose which delivers mail notifications and alerts with aplomb. 

Install
GMailWatcher has, like most applications these-days, its own PPA. This makes installing the application a wheeze. Open up a terminal and enter the following commands carefully: -

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:loneowais/ppa
• sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gmailwatcher

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Add Google Voice alerts to the Ubuntu Messaging Menu

Users of Google Voice will be thrilled to learn that thanks to the work of Ken Van Dine you can now receive instant notifications of new voicemail, SMS’s and other Google Voice messages directly to your desktop via the Ubuntu messaging menu.

Finally!

I’ve wanted to blog about this application for a little while now but having just read via the mighty Jorge Castro’s blog that it now has a PPA I could resist no longer!

Somewhat weirdly for me I'm enthusing about this application solely on the basis that it is a great idea made real. I don’t use Google Voice so I'm at a disadvantage in offering up a comprehensive - nay informed - review of the Gvoice-Nofitier but being such a massive fan of the Messaging Menu - and blogging routinely about applications that make use of it - I couldn’t help but point this out for users who do use.

Installation

Installation is made easy thanks to Ken Van Dine packaging it up in a PPA . Open a terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal ) and enter the following commands carefully in order to get the indicator installed and up-and-alerting.

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ken-vandine/notifiers
• sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gvoice-notifier

Once installed you’ll find the notifier sat in your Messaging Menu just waiting to be configured.

Report bugs @ https://bugs.launchpad.net/gvoice-notifier

Via | Jorge Castro (who I've also stolen the screeny from)

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Add more apps to the Ubuntu Messaging Menu

Over the last few weeks we’ve blogged about various different applications that slot neatly into the Ubuntu Messaging Menu, giving you an easy way to stay on-top of alerts and notifications.

For those that may have missed them here’s a concise run-down of the top 5: -

GMail

Users who don’t use the default Ubuntu mail application ‘Evolution’ but web-based mail service ‘GMail’ can get timely alerts of new mail by adding GMail Notifier to the Messaging Menu.

The application also makes use of Ubuntu’s notify-osd 'notification bubbles' on new mail meaning you’ll never miss a mail again.

Liferea

Users of desktop feed-reading application Liferea can be alerted to new RSS updates via the Ubuntu Messaging Menu thanks to a patch by Maia Kozheva.

Install

You can install this nifty patched version of Liferea from Maia’s PPA: -

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sikon/liferea-libindicate
• sudo apt-get update && sudp apt-get install liferea

Zimbra Web

Zimdicator is a simple messaging menu indicator for use with the open source Zimbra Collaboration Suite.

Created by Mitja Pagon to ‘scratch an itch’ (so to speak) it provides Zimbra users with convenient desktop integration – albeit basic – alerting them to new mail from all of their Zimbra e-mail accounts.

Install Zimdicator

Zimdicator, like most things in life nowadays, can be installed via a PPA. The PPA contains only Zimdicator so you’re free to add it without fear of getting some buggy development library as part of the experience. The PPA is Lucid only.

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sect2k/zimdicator
• sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install zimdicator

Bug reporting and feedback should be left on the Launchpad page @ https://launchpad.net/zimdicator

Thunderbird

Thunderbird user? You can add Thunderbird to the messaging menu with a quick-and-easy dirty hack.

Install

See our tutorial @ http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/05/how-to-add-thunderbird-to-messaging.html

Google Reader, Hotmail & More

Those wanting Google Reader, hotmail, twitter (and more) updates should check out 'CloudSN' - a multi-service notification applet that integrates with the Ubuntu Messaging Menu.

Install

For installation and configuration instructions see ou rprevious post @ http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/05/get-google-reader-updates-ubuntu.html

Facebook integration is being mooted for the next release – so it’s worth keeping your eye on this one!

Other apps

There are more applications adding Messaging Menu integration all the time.

Pino twitter application has basic support for it as does IRC application XChat-GNOME.

Know of any more? Share in the comments!

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Get Google Reader updates in the Ubuntu messaging menu

Users wishing to get handy desktop-bound updates of E-mails, tweets and un-read items in Google Reader should check out 'CloudSN' - a multi-service notification applet that integrates with the Ubuntu Messaging Menu.

Currently it allows you to receive notifications for: -

• GMail
• Google Reader
• Twitter
• Identi.ca
• POP3
• IMAP

New updates are also displayed via the native Ubuntu NotifyOSD "growl like" bubbles, too, although you are able to manually set the maximum number of bubbles a service shows to limit 'flooding'. 

CloudSN can also be used as a regular GNOME panel applet: -

Installation

CloudNS, like everything else cool in life, has a PPA supporting both Lucid and Karmic and is the recommended way to install it, ensuring you are also kept up-to-date with update

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:chuchiperriman/cloudsn
• sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install cloudsn

You can now run CloudSN from the Applications > Internet menu. 

Turn on Messaging Menu integration

By default CloudSN uses a bog-standard boring GNOME applet. To get the cool Messaging Menu integration you need to do the following: -

• Right click on the CloudSN tray icon
• Choose 'Preferences'
• In the accounts window that just opened go to Edit > Preferences
• Under the 'General' tab choose 'Indicate status with: Indicator Applet'.

Future

Facebook support is targeted for inclusion in later editions of CloudSN, providing Facebook notifications of:

• New friend request
• New event request
• New wall posts
• Photo comments/tag

Thanks to LaPeGa

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Wouldn't it be cool if... there was a Facebook-only Messaging Menu notifier?

Like most “mainstreamers” my sister wastes spends a massive amount of her time on social networking site Facebook. Guaranteed that whenever she’s on her netbook working, watching a film or just leaving it sat idle (!) there ever-omnipresent Facebook will be the only tab open in Chrome.

I recently asked her why she spends so much of her time on Facebook and the answer surprised me. She isn’t continually poking, messaging or declining group invitations as I thought but simply “keeping an eye” out for updates.

I pointed out that she could receive alerts via her e-mail and she pointed out she turned off the e-mail alerts because she got far too many, far too frequently! The fact she’d need to keep Gmail open to ‘stay aware’ rendered the suggestion moot anyway.

Now, one solution or her would be to link her Facebook account with Gwibber and receive alerts that way, but since she doesn’t use Twitter or Identi.ca or any other Gwibber-compatible service this is not the most elegant solution, particularly since she would probably still open her browser to ‘act’ on any notifications received.

The ideal solution, in her case, would be a simple Facebook Notifier tucked away in the messaging menu along with her IM client, something similar to the Gmail notifiers we showed you a few weeks back.

Were I able to click my fingers this is what my sister would be using: -

Such an application would provide the following: -

• Be integrated with the Ubuntu Messaging Menu
• Would provide notifications with expectation that interaction happens in-browser
• Notifications links would open in default browser and be marked ‘read’ after clicking on them

It already exists?

A notification application like this already exists – for OS X.  It’s an official Facebook application and is essentially –exactly- the type of service my sister would love to use (had she a Mac).  

The amount of notifications in the screenshot above is excessive and impractical, but certainly demonstrates the kind of notification system that is possible. Another feature of this official notification application is a status update box: -

Imagine being able to drag n’ drop an image in that box and have it upload it to Facebook…

Back to Ubuntu

Several applications exist that semi-fit-the-bill, such as Wallbox, which we’ve discussed a few times previously.

Wallbox is a great application and fulfils a lot of the mental checkboxes i have in mind BUT it is not, sadly, either an elegant or ideal solution – but it is a start. As such I shall be installing it on my sisters netbook in the next few days…

In the mean time if anyone knows of an application, or has skills/desire/be interested in developing an application as described above, do let me know!

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Add Zimbra support to the Ubuntu messaging menu with Zimdicator

Zimdicator is a simple messaging menu indicator for use with the open source Zimbra Collaboration Suite.

Created by Mitja Pagon to ‘scratch an itch’ (so to speak) it provides Zimbra users with convenient desktop integration – albeit basic – alerting them to new mail from all of their Zimbra e-mail accounts.

“Zimbra? What’s that?”

Although this post is far from designed to ‘sell’ Zimbra as a service, for those that don’t know much about it the official spiel describes it as an “email and calendar server.” with the benefit of “…outpacing traditional desktop application performance and working in the web browser, Zimbra gives you a better messaging and collaboration experience plus zero desktop lock in.”

Zimdicator features

Zimdicator 0.1 provides users with the following features: -

• periodically checks users entire mailbox (all folders) for new mail messages
• opens Zimbra Web Client in web browser on "All folders" click
• configuration tool
• secure communication with server (optional)
• auto-start on login (optional)
• secure password storage in Gnome Keyring
• user settable mail check interval

Notify-OSD support is planned for version 0.2.

Install Zimdicator in Ubuntu

Zimdicator, like most things in life nowadays, can be installed via a PPA. The PPA contains only Zimdicator so you’re free to add it without fear of getting some buggy development library as part of the experience. The PPA is Lucid only.

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sect2k/zimdicator
• sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install zimdicator

Bug reporting and feedback should be left on the Launchpad page @ https://launchpad.net/zimdicator

Thanks to Mitja Pagon

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Add Liferea feed reader to the Ubuntu messaging menu

Users of desktop feed-reading application Liferea can be alerted to new RSS updates via the Ubuntu Messaging Menu thanks to a patch by the very cool Maia Kozheva.

Download

The patch is due to go upstream but for the time being you can install Liferea from the following .debs, available from Maia’s PPA.

First install this .deb: liferea-data_1.7.4-2~llfsyncfix1+sikon6_all.deb

Now choose the appropriate .deb for your system:

• liferea_1.7.4-2~llfsyncfix1+sikon6_amd64.deb
• liferea_1.7.4-2~llfsyncfix1+sikon6_i386.deb

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How to add Thunderbird to the Ubuntu messaging menu

Many Ubuntu users don’t use the default Ubuntu mail application Evolution and prefer to swap it out with popular alternative Mozilla Thunderbird.
Sadly, for Ubuntu 10.04 users, this means that you lose functionality in the Ubuntu Messaging Menu as Thunderbird doesn’t show up there.
Thankfully x-shane-x over on the Ubuntu forums has hacked around a near-perfect working solution: you can now add Thunderbird to the Ubuntu messaging menu! Hurrah!

How to add Thunderbird to the Ubuntu Messaging Menu (version #1)

First we need to add a few things to the thunderbird.desktop file contained within /usr/share/applications.
Press ALT+F2 and in the window that pops up type the following carefully: -

• gksu nautilus /usr/share/applications

You’ll be asked to enter your password. Do so and then relevant location will then open in nautilus.
Now locate the thunderbird.desktop file, right click on it and choose ‘open with gedit’. Once open replace the contents with the following: -

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Thunderbird Mail
GenericName=Mail Client
Comment=Manage your email and contacts
Exec=thunderbird %u
Icon=evolution
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Application;Network;Email;
StartupNotify=true

X-Ayatana-Desktop-Shortcuts=Compose;Contacts

Name[en_GB]=thunderbird.desktop

[Compose Shortcut Group]
Name=Compose New Message
Exec=thunderbird mailto:
OnlyShowIn=Messaging Menu

[Contacts Shortcut Group]
Name=Contacts
Exec=thunderbird -addressbook
OnlyShowIn=Messaging Menu

Save and exit. 

Next we need to add a text file in /usr/share/indicators/messages/applications named ‘thunderbird’.
Create a text file (Applications > Accessories > Text Editor) with the following inside: -

• /usr/share/applications/thunderbird.desktop

Save the file as ‘thunderbird’ and exit the text editing application. Place this in the messages/applications folder. To get to it press ALT+F2 and enter the following carefully: -

• gksu nautilus /usr/share/indicators/messages/applications

Now log out of Ubuntu and log back in.

How to add Ubuntu to the messaging menu (version #2)

Alternatively, if you’re feeling brave, there is an experimental plug-in available for Thunderbird which does all of the above for you.

To get it you will need to use bzr – a distributed revision control system.

• sudo apt-get install bzr notify-send python-indicate
• bzr branch lp:libnotify-mozilla/experimental-indicator
• cd experimental-indicator

You can now proceed to install the add-on as per any other.

Using Thunderbird 2? You may also want to…

Sadly, as Shane points out in the forum post with this tip in, this doesn’t inform you of new messages. One way to stay notified of new messages is to install the Thunderbird Ubuntu Notification Bubble Extension (that’s not the extensions real name but it saves an extra sentence explaining that’s what it does!)

You can get that @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/11530

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Lucid adds green messaging alert. REALLY green messaging alert.

I'd imagine the new message indicator alert in Lucid would say something like this if it could speak: - "You've got a message waiting, yo. It might be an IM or a tweet - i'm not gonna pry. But I can't afford to be discreet cos you'll just pretend i'm being too subtle to notice like before. So here it is. Green. BRIGHT green. Enjoy."

Thanks to Melvin

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Messaging Menu Adds running application indicators

How many times has an IM conversation popped seemingly out of nowhere after you were sure you had closed Empathy? In an update to the messaging menu today you will finally be able to tell which Messaging Menu applications are running by the presence of a small indicator arrow to the left of it. Ignore the slightly squashed icons. The inclusion of the 'running app' arrow has nudged them along slightly. It'll likely be fixed in the blink of an eye. Lifesaver.

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