webianproject / shell

Webian Shell - A graphical shell for the web (desktop version)

Webian Shell 0.3

Webian Shell is a graphical shell for the web.

Getting Started

To get started hacking on Webian Shell first make sure that you have Git, NodeJS and NPM installed.

Then simply clone the Shell repository from GitHub and run it.

$ git clone https://github.com/webianproject/shell.git
$ cd shell
$ npm install
$ npm start

This will launch Webian Shell in a new window and also open developer tools.

This desktop version of Webian Shell is powered by Electron.

Note: On Linux you may need to install libgconf-2-4.

$ sudo apt-get install libgconf-2-4

Copyrights, Trademarks and Licensing

© Ben Francis 2012

Webian is not affiliated with Firefox which is a registered trademark of the Mozilla Foundation, or Debian which is a registered trademark of SPI.

Webian Shell is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

Webian Shell is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.

You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with Webian Shell in the LICENSE file. If not, see http://www.gnu.org/licenses/.

shell's Issues

Share this...

As a user I'd like to be able to select something I see in a web page (e.g. text or image) and share it via another site

Suggested by kamathln on GetSatisfaction http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/integrate_sharing

I suggest that if Shell integrates with proprietary services like Facebook, Twitter and Google +1 then these should be optional addons for users who actually choose to use these services, not built in by default.

Web Search

As a user I want to search the web so I can find the resource I'm looking for if I don't know its address

Google, Yahoo, Bing etc.

kamathln suggests DuckDuckGo http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/integrate_ducduckgo

Zoomworld

As a user I want to "zoom out" to see thumbnails of all the pages I currently have open and select the one I want to view

Jon Koops on GetSatisfaction recommends looking at Blackberry gestures (http://helpblog.blackberry.com/2011/04/blackberry-playbook-gestures/) http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/my_opinion_on_a_perfect_webos-1hq5s9

Also suggested by akami117 http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/toggle_button_to_maximize_tabs_into_multi_window_format

http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/small_preview_window_when_hovering_over_a_tab

Suggestions

As a user I want the address/search/command bar to make suggestions as I type based on previously entered terms

Suggested by Jeremi http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/real_estate-1084dt

Automatic OS updates

As a user I want the system to automatically update itself with new features and fixes so I know the system is always up to date.

Set privacy options

I would like to be able to set privacy options

Suggested by imbradman; http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/privacy_settings_and_bookmarks

OS

As a user I'd like to install an operating system which uses Webian Shell as its default front end.

Roy Benn on Facebook suggests looking at Raspberrypi.org for a lean Linux kernel

Command Line

As a user I'd like to issue commands via the address bar in natural language so I can tell the browser what I want to do in my own words

GetSatisfaction user says:
Currently, it seems like using all that space just to type in URLs is a bit wasteful. If you'd like another example, also look to Vimperator/Pentadactyl which combines the status bar/URL bar, and autohides the command line (which it uses for pretty much everything). Essentially, make sure the chrome is doing all it can.

Good luck, and I'm looking forward to hearing more about the project on the Mozilla Weblog.

Also mentioned by Jono https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!topic/webian/63gBNzBcTP4

Allow windowed mode

I would like to be able to have webian-shell as a windowed application instead of fullscreen.
This could be added to the preference settings when implemented.

Multi-touch gestures

Suggested by Patrick Rodacker on GetSatisfaction http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/mutlitouch_gestures_interface

Canas Ricardo suggested multi-touch support with MacBook trackpads http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/multitouch-1as3ao

Also need to consider gestures which would work with a mouse http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/mouse_gestures_speed_dial_extensions

Process Manager

As a user I'd like to see a list of currently running processes and resource usage so I can quit things if necessary

Suggested by jibjba on GetSatisfaction http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/processmanager_viewer

Customise Layout

As a user I want to customise the layout of the browser chrome so I can configure it to my tastes/needs

Suggested by Jeremi http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/real_estate-1084dt

Bookmarks

I would like to be able to bookmark websites for later viewing.

Suggested by imbradman; http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/privacy_settings_and_bookmarks

Also suggested by Dade http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/bookmark_your_webapps

Child Safe Mode

As a user I'd like to let a child use the system but in a restricted child-safe mode which protects the system from having settings modified and protects the child from inappropriate sites and apps

Suggested by kamathln http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/integrated_xmpp_client_webappstore_kid_safe_mode_multi_user_login_calendar

Complete interface customisation

As a user I'd like to be able to completely customise my browser interface including all of the browser controls so I can customise it to suit my needs

Suggested by Natanael on GetSatisfaction http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/widgetized_desktop

Natanael suggests that all interface elements should be replaceable widgets with APIs, with a gallery of addons which can replace or supplement functionality. Notes that may need dependency management as certain addons may require particular APIs. Suggests looking at KDE's Plasma desktop system and "plasmoids" for inspiration.

Modularisation also suggsted by Reezer http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/extensibility_and_modularity

Volume control

As a user I want to change the volume of audio so I can set it to a comfortable level.

Create User Account

As a user I'd like to have several users be able to log in to the system with different accounts so I can share the system with others

Multiple accounts suggested by kamathln on GetSatisfaction http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/integrated_xmpp_client_webappstore_kid_safe_mode_multi_user_login_calendar

App Store

As a user I'd like an app store so I can find apps to install

Also suggested by kamathln on GetSatisfaction http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/integrated_xmpp_client_webappstore_kid_safe_mode_multi_user_login_calendar

Authenticate (HTTP)

As a user I want to enter my username and password for a web site

(HTTP auth)

Favicon fails after viewing google search

After using Google to search, any links clicked won't update the favicon in the tabs list.

Reported by eloy; http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/favicon_changing

3G modem support

As a user I'd like to configure a 3G modem so I can connect to the Internet when I'm away from home/office

Suggested by Natanael on the Google Group https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!topic/webian/xSet1RZ90as

Add widget

As a user I want to add a new widget to my home screen to give quick access to certain information

See http://www.w3.org/TR/widgets/

Full Screen Mode

As a user I want to hide the browser controls so that the entire screen is available for a web app/web site, then show it again when I need it

Jeremi suggests thinking of the chrome as an overlay rather than a window frame and having a button to show/hide the chrome http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/real_estate-1084dt

Andres suggests auto-hiding the address bar then showing it when a tab is clicked http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/hide_url_bar?utm_content=topic_link&utm_medium=email&utm_source=new_topic

Also suggested by Suggested by Shawn https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/webian/eCyAAPsjVsE

Also suggested by akami117 http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/a_hide_everything_toggle

Also Jono suggests a handle to re-show the hidden interface elements but raises the issues of spotting Phishing scams if can't see the address bar https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/130482adeaa53a87

Check in dependencies (Chromeless)

Pause video

As a user I want to pause a video so I can come back to it later.

Widgets should have keyboard shortcuts

I would like to be able to assign keyboard shortcuts to my home screen widgets to launch them without visiting the home screen.

Suggested by h.pawan; http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/resident_apps_on_the_home_screen

Open a new tab on window.open

As a developer I want to open a new window

The Browser API has an event for this.

Was: When sites open a new window...

When sites open a new window, open the window inside your UI, perhaps as a sub-tab of the one that opened it.

Preferences Button

As a user I want to click a button to configure my browser preferences/settings so I can configure it to my tastes/needs

Suggested by ivo http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/abetterexperience

"privacy, cookies, proxy" http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/veeeery_nice_program_but_some_default_things_must_work

"DNS"
http://twitter.com/#!/johnmclear/status/97973760950419456

Network status

As a user I want to view the status of my network connection.

Dual screen support

I would like to be able to set whether webian-shell uses both screens or one screen on a dual monitor setup.

Suggested by Aleshy Obornik; http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/dual_screen_support-1dhv31

and Mark Kollasch https://groups.google.com/d/topic/webian/F8eLIKrQ2To/discussion

and Bob Burnett http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/span_full_screen_across_multiple_monitors

Calendar Widget

As a user I'd like to see a calendar so I can find out what date it is and look up other dates

Suggested by kamathln http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/integrated_xmpp_client_webappstore_kid_safe_mode_multi_user_login_calendar

Addition to clock or a widget?

Install web app

As a user I want to install an installable web application so I can pre-approve app permissions and keep a local repository of the applications I use

Guest Login

As a user I'd like to allow another person to log in as a guest so that they can use my system without accessing my private data

Suggested by kamathln on GetSatisfaction http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/integrated_xmpp_client_webappstore_kid_safe_mode_multi_user_login_calendar

GPS status

As a user I want to view the status of my GPS receiver so I know whether or not it's currently active.

Play locally stored media

As a user I'd like to play music/video/documents files which are stored locally

Also suggested by evandro.ugliana http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/gostei

Play video

As a user I want to play a video

Open Web Apps Support

Add support for open web apps

Was: Apps Screen
As a user I want to see a list of all my installed applications so I can open them.

Tab Preview on Hover

As a user I'd like to see a thumbnail preview of a tab when I hover over it so I can see the contents of the tab without opening it.

Internationalisation

As a user I'd like to use Shell in my own language

Suggested by Michael Moroni on Facebook (suggested possibly using Launchpad to achieve this)

Sync

As a user I would like to synchronise my apps and data between Webian devices and desktop browsers so I can access all of my data from any device

Suggested by a.podgrebelny http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/add_firesync_pls

Spell check fields

I would like web form fields to be spell checked

Suggested by Thillai Anand; http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/can_u_add_these_things

Jump to a point in video

As a user I want to jump to a particular time in a video so that I can quickly skip to the part I'm interested in.

Split screen

As a user I would like to view two or more tabs at the same time by splitting the screen so I can view two resources at the same time without having to switch between them.

Support Mozilla Addons

"Adblock for example" http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/veeeery_nice_program_but_some_default_things_must_work

Addons also requested by Reezer http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/extensibility_and_modularity

Full screen video

As a user I want to view a video full screen so I'm not distracted by buttons and toolbars.

Live CD/USB drive

As a user I'd like to boot Webian as a live CD so I can try it out as a full operating system without installing it on my device.

Suggested by Natanael on the Google Group https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!topic/webian/xSet1RZ90as

Close inactive tab

As a user I'd like to close a tab without having to select it first to save time

Suggested by Daniel Puig on the Google Group https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!topic/webian/eCyAAPsjVsE

Notifications

As a user I'd like to receive notifications from apps

As a developer I'd like to be able to send notifications to the homescreen from my app

Was: Monitor email/social networks
As a user I'd like to monitor email accounts and social networks

Suggested by Daniel Puig on the Google Group https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!topic/webian/eCyAAPsjVsE

Shut down from anywhere

As a user I'd like to shut down the system without having to go to the home screen first, to save time.

Suggested by Daniel Puig on the Google Group https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!topic/webian/eCyAAPsjVsE

Circular tab bar design

Switch tabs by holding the mouse button and moving the mouse in the direction of a tab in a semi-circular arrangement

See http://getsatisfaction.com/webian/topics/alternative_to_tab_bar_design_for_open_pages