UPDATE: Google has released version 0.10.1, this guide is based on the 0.10.0 code but there should not be any major deviations. As always post on the Google Gadgets for Linux message board if you run into problems.
I was never a fan of desktop gadgets/widgets as most of the ones available performed horribly and had few useful programs. Google Sidebar is considerably less obtuse, it sits on the side quietly acts how you want it to. When I would boot into Ubuntu I found myself missing some of the gadgets I had found to be handy, like Scratchpad for jotting down random notes and thoughts, and Laptop Monitor for viewing system information.
Like I imagine most Ubuntu nubs do, I quickly googled for “Ubuntu Google Sidebar” which brought up a myriad of results, eventually leading me to the Google Gadgets for Linux project page. Apparently the folks at Google want their gadgets cross platform as much as I do.
The problem is the program is still in the early development stages, which means if you absolutely need your Google Sidebar in Ubuntu you must be willing to open up a console and get your hands dirty with the more intimate parts of Linux. Its not as bad as it sounds.
You should be aware of 3 things before using this guide:
1. First, dependancies. These are the packages that you will need to install using the Synaptic Package Manager (under System -> Administration):
- libdbus-1-dev
- libmozjs-dev
- libxml2-dev
- libgstreamer0.10-dev
- libgstreamer-plugins-base0.10-dev
- libltdl3-dev
Now you need to decide which API toolkit you want to use, GTK, or QT… this is one of those issues that Unix people like to endlessly debate but is only really important to developers. Go ahead and flip a coin, I went with GTK.
GTK:
- libxul-dev
- libgtk2.0-dev
- librsvg2-dev
- libcurl4-openssl-dev
QT:
- libqt4-dev
- libqtwebkit-dev
2. Compile time! Download the binaries from here and extract them to a folder on your desktop (although they can be saved anywhere, this makes the path to them a little easier). Now open a console and enter the following:
cd /home/[YOUR_USERNAME]/Desktop/[FOLDER WHERE GOOGLE CODE IS]
sh autotools/bootstrap.sh
Once that is done, and provided you don’t get any errors, proceed and enter:
mkdir -p build/debug
cd build/debug
../../configure — enable-debug
make
If you run into problems during this step its likely that one of the necessary packages is not installed. The log should tell you what is missing.
Finally enter:
sudo make install –prefix=/usr/local
Take a moment to sit back and feel like a l33t h@x0r while seemingly random text fills your console window.
When its complete, and provided you didn’t receive any cryptic errors, go ahead and enter ggl-gtk (or if you went with QT, ggl-qt) in the console window. You should see the Google sidebar pop up and you can rejoice.
3. One last optional step if you don’t want to have to go through opening the sidebar through the console every time.
Create a Shortcut:
- Right-Click -> Create a new Launcher
- Command: ggl-gtk or ggl-qt
Autostart on bootup:
- System -> Administration -> Sessions
- Click Add
- Command: ggl-gtk or ggl-qt
Cool stuff! Thanks!