Add more apps to the Ubuntu Messaging Menu

Over the last few weeks we’ve blogged about various different applications that slot neatly into the Ubuntu Messaging Menu, giving you an easy way to stay on-top of alerts and notifications.

For those that may have missed them here’s a concise run-down of the top 5: –

GMail

Users who don’t use the default Ubuntu mail application ‘Evolution’ but web-based mail service ‘GMail’ can get timely alerts of new mail by adding GMail Notifier to the Messaging Menu.

The application also makes use of Ubuntu’s notify-osd ‘notification bubbles’ on new mail meaning you’ll never miss a mail again.

Liferea

Users of desktop feed-reading application Liferea can be alerted to new RSS updates via the Ubuntu Messaging Menu thanks to a patch by Maia Kozheva.

Install

You can install this nifty patched version of Liferea from Maia’s PPA: –

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sikon/liferea-libindicate
• sudo apt-get update && sudp apt-get install liferea

Zimbra Web

Zimdicator is a simple messaging menu indicator for use with the open source Zimbra Collaboration Suite.

Created by Mitja Pagon to ‘scratch an itch’ (so to speak) it provides Zimbra users with convenient desktop integration — albeit basic — alerting them to new mail from all of their Zimbra e-mail accounts.

Install Zimdicator

Zimdicator, like most things in life nowadays, can be installed via a PPA. The PPA contains only Zimdicator so you’re free to add it without fear of getting some buggy development library as part of the experience. The PPA is Lucid only.

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sect2k/zimdicator
• sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install zimdicator

Bug reporting and feedback should be left on the Launchpad page @ https://launchpad.net/zimdicator

Thunderbird

Thunderbird user? You can add Thunderbird to the messaging menu with a quick-and-easy dirty hack.

Install

See our tutorial @ http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/05/how-to-add-thunderbird-to-messaging.html

Google Reader, Hotmail & More

Those wanting Google Reader, hotmail, twitter (and more) updates should check out ‘CloudSN’ – a multi-service notification applet that integrates with the Ubuntu Messaging Menu.

Install

For installation and configuration instructions see ou rprevious post @ http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/05/get-google-reader-updates-ubuntu.html

Facebook integration is being mooted for the next release — so it’s worth keeping your eye on this one!

Other apps

There are more applications adding Messaging Menu integration all the time.

Pino twitter application has basic support for it as does IRC application XChat-GNOME.

Know of any more? Share in the comments!