Xystray

What is it?

Xystray is a simple implementation of freedesktop.org systray specification (a.k.a notification area) for XWindow system. It is meant for use in simple desktop environments which does not provide such facility by default eg. FVWM. It may also run under GNOME or KDE but the default tray programme has to be disabled then.

Examples

Xystray with Psi and XMMS icons.

This is an example screenshot made under FVWM with the following style settings in .fvwm2rc

Style "Xystray" NoTitle, StaysOnTop, Sticky, NoHandles, WindowListSkip

and started with following command line options:

$ xystray -bg gray60 -iconrows 1 -iconcols 4

Installation

Is very simple. Just download, untar, make and copy xystray where you like (/usr/X11/bin, ~/bin/ etc.). Then make your window manager start it automatically when you start your session.

Bugs & (absent) features ;-)

Fixed number of icons. Xystray can't resize itself to accept more icons than you choose at startup.
Icons are not left- or right-aligned. If you chose to close a programme that owns an icon somewhere in the middle, an empty space will be left. However, next time you run that or another programme that space will be filled with new icon.
No balloon messages as described in the specification.
Works only on screen 0
Documentation, none.

I will be glad to receive any feedback or patches that may make this software better. Of course you'll get a credit. Try to reach me by mail.

These and other issues can be found at github.

Those who helped

Mohammed Sameer. His peksystray inspired me to write something that works and suits my needs better (-; Peksystray is a great piece to start if you want to create your own systray.

Command line options

-iconmax n

Sets xystray to contain maximum of n arranged in one row or column depending on -vertical option. It is a synonym for -iconcols n -iconrows 1.

-iconrows n

Sets the number of rows to keep icons (default: 2).

-iconcols n

Sets the number of columns to keep icons (default 4).

-iconpadding n

Sets the spacing around icons (default: 0).

-iconsize n

Sets the size of each icon. The default value is 22 pixels. It is not recomended to change it.

-vertical

Now it is useful only with -iconmax option. When used both, Xystray form its window a single column of icons.

Since Xystray uses Xt Toolkit it also accepts generic options like -bg or -geometry.

Downloads

Visit the releases page to find the lates release.

Legal stuff

This software is provided AS IS with no warranty of any kind. Xystray is a free software and is distributed under GPL licence. This means you can freely use and modify it provided that if you modify it you have to distribute it under the same conditions.