/desktop-hinting

Hint providers from Desktop environments to provide DE specific enhancements without compromising on Cross DE support

Desktop Hinting for Linux Desktop Environments

Problem

As a developer, it is hard to develop nice UI features (transparency & blur support etc) into applications without building against some wide assumptions (EG/ all DE's support that feature, that ONLY kde supports that feature or that your users only use KDE with those specific features enabled / supported)

Solution

An interface that works across all systems so that developers can develop against a more concrete API while DE developers can incrementally introduce features etc.

Proposed API

org.desktop.hints

Properties

  • Supports String[] Read only

    List of features that are supported by the current DE

    • Example return value "gaussian blur","launcher api","transparency","client side decorations"

  • CurrentEnvironment String Read Only

    Lists the current setup (DE, WM & versions)

    • Example return value "Gnome:3.30;Mutter:3.30"

  • Disabled String[] Read Only

    System/Desktop Environment explicitly disabled this value

    • Example return value "appindicators"

  • UserDisabled String[] Read Only

    User explicitly disabled this value

    • Example return value "client side decorations"
Possible properties, these are just ideas
  • Experimental String[] Read Only
    Exposed for building against experimental features
    • Example return value "wobbly windows","clicking a button causes kernel panic"