Joseph Brower

I recently upgraded to Ubuntu 10.10 and figured I would take the time to really analyze my workflow and see how I could improve. One thing I discovered is that a good portion of my time was taken searching for windows. I usually have about 8 skype windows open, netbeans, a few file browsers, empathy, filezilla, some spreadsheets, and a few web browser windows. That meant my time was slowly being chewed up by me hunting for windows.

I installed Avant Window Navigator using the software center and fired it up. It didn’t take long before it was installed and ready to run. After I used it for a short while, I decided I would go all out and start using it. I removed the panels (using gconf) and have been quite happy since. There are a few things I have learned though.

First… For some reason, my super key combinations (those using the windows key) don’t work anymore. I changed the shortcuts and they work. If anyone knows why, please let me know.

Second… You will want to install gnome-do. The menu applet that is available for AWN has a “Launch” feature that requires it.

Third… Install the extra plugins, they are well worth it. It really lets you add some nifty extras like a Pandora applet.

In short, I have tried many docks, but none has had the appeal to me that AWN has had. I have been using it for a few weeks and have had no issues at all. If you are a dock person, or have some time to test out a dock, I would strongly suggest giving it a shot.