Thread: How To → Fix The Indicator Applet and Me-Menu...the (relatively) easy way.

overall problem: me menu , indicator applet large, don't work thunderbird, don't give appropriate notifications new mails or chats, , difficult customize. , others have complained in various places.

below best solution find (almost all) of problems. if follow instructions, can remove me-menu , mail tray icon while increasing functionality.

(1)create new mail indicator thunderbird

problem: indicator applet not work thunderbird, new mail indicator useless in regard.

solution: see it, have 2 separate options.

first, if want keep indicator applet, can use following hack on this post. no guarantees me didn't try it. check thread , see other say. there other solutions out there well. search bit.

second, if want rid of indicator applet's mail icon (which did because annoys me) can download thunderbird add-on called firetray. add-on nice little linux-specific addition found, creates thunderbird tray icon , inidicator of many new messages have. also, might download mozilla notification extensions, better integrate new mail bubble notifications thunderbird gnome.

(note: 1 problem had firetray new mail count includes unread mail in every subscribed folder – including junk, trash, et cetera. bit of problem @ first. answer easy. on left hand table in thunderbird mail folders listed, right-click on appropriate folder , choose “subscribe...”. list of of associated mail folders show up. un-check folders not want firetray count. you'll find, it's imperfect solution, it's best find after weeks of searching easy answers.)

(2)better indication new chat icons (empathy)

problem(s):

new chat indications: people not “new incoming chat” indicator in indicator applet. hate it. under customized theme, turns mail icon light shade of gray dark shade of gray. subtle , consequently miss lot of chats.

change status/quit: functionality empathy split between indicator applet , me menu. means must have both applets running in order have basic functionality.

solution(s): again, there appear 2 separate solutions.

first, if problem poor indication of incoming im., might try changing theme. posts suggest problem theme specific. if aren't using lot of gray on panels, won't have problem. (i use lot of gray because reduces strain on eyes after hours of computing. not work me.) change theme, go system → preferences → appearance , choose available themes.

second, , did, give on empathy altogether , go pidgin. available in ubuntu software center , empathy can do. there range of available plug-ins allowing libnotify pop-ups , better message notification. better yet, runs off of own tray icon don't need 2 large screen-hogging applets run case empathy. also, find indicators easier see.

(3)volume control & battery indicator applet

problem: tray indicator volume control tied indicator applet. battery indicator. find annoying because not mail/chat indicator , want gone.

solution: go synaptic , find package “indicator-messages”. mail tray icon. right-click , “mark removal”. voilà! it's gone. volume control , battery indicator still there. also, indicator applet tied several other applications including rhythmbox , transmission. getting rid of altogether not option unless want lose functionality applications.

said, might not use rhythmbox or transmission. or might use them without using tray icon. if want have volume control, solution easy. got system → preferences → startup applications → add. type “gnome-volume-control-applet” command line. voilà!

(4)the me-menu obnoxious

if you've done above, remove altogether. don't need anymore because can change status pigdin tray icon. depending upon set-up, might find need add “shut down” button. that's easy. right-click on panel → add panel → shut down... give button allows shut down, suspend, re-start, , hibernate.

(5) unsolved: awkward spacing on indicator applet

may have noticed, still need indicator applet several applications including volume control, battery, , miscellaneous other applications. spacing between these icons awkward , obnoxious. have no idea how fix this.

i have noticed when me-menu (aka "indicator applet session") removed, 2 new entries (logout , shutdown) magically appear in menu bar->system menu. no real need additional shutdown applet unless must have hibernate entry.

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