Noob question: crossplatform 'system tray'

[fsalingen]

Hi,

I probably cannot find it because it's called differently, but I'm looking for a way to put an application in the Windows 'system tray' (right bottom of the screen), Mac OS X menu bar (right top of the screen) and Linux ??? somewhere depending on the Gui toolkit/Windows manager.

It should be an icon that I can change from the application while running based on different statuses.

Is that possible and if yes could someone direct me to documentation or examples about that?

Thank you,

Frank

[Mark]

Hi Frank,

In the read my files that accompany Revolution, you will find some information about the icon menu. The icon menu allows you to set the system tray menu on Windows and a dock menu on Mac OS X. The top-right menubar icons are a different breed. This tutorial might help you.

Best,

Mark

[fsalingen]

Thanks for your answer! I guess I should study those files more then.

But there is no way to make this crossplatform with Rev? Because I hoped it were possible
to do that. As to my understanding the system tray is equal to Mac OS X right-side of the
menu bar, not to the doc menu?

[Mark]

fsalingen ,

Mac OS X and Windows are two completely different beasts. I think you should just be happy to know that there is a way to do what you want. You can make your app look cross-platform.

Best,

Mark

[FourthWorld]

But there is no way to make this crossplatform with Rev? Because I hoped it were possible
to do that. As to my understanding the system tray is equal to Mac OS X right-side of the
menu bar, not to the doc menu?

Not quite. The OS X HIG suggests using what they call "Menu Bar Extras" for "items that provide feedback on and access to certain hardware or network settings.":

http://developer.apple.com/mac/library/ ... 6-CHDFJEAC

For more general-purpose (not related to hardware or network settings) the Dock menu is the way to go.

In Win 7 the HIG refers to the region formerly called the "System Tray" as the Notification Area, suggesting it's to be used for user notifications rather than just launchers and the like as in the more haphazard days of XP and earlier. Unless your app needs to provide faceless notifications you may find the Task Bar menu sufficient on that platform too.

FWIW, I believe the icon menu is also supported in Gnome panels, so you've covered on Linux too.