I am starting a project to build a flexible update indicator - more than just system updates.
There are lots of reasons why several of us believe this is needed. This is not the place to have that debate.
But please do join us over in the repo. Feel free to fork and submit suggestions.
The project home for now is at klmcwhirter/upd-indicator. I do hope to find someone more available than I to take the project over. But for now, we can get it going there.
The idea is for a custom GNOME extension that will provide the functionality.
The current plan is for 2 phases:
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Phase 1 - monitor the output of my script looking for new commits in cpython:3.14 branch and provide a status area indicator of that fact. When the indicator is clicked some summary of the update will be displayed. This will be a proving ground for the more flexibile implementation in phase 2.
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Phase 2 - add configuration for the icon, blinking rate and a “rule editor” so that the user can add their own rules based on what they care about.
The rules will have at least these properties (detailed design TBD):
- name
- icon
- enabled
- command to monitor
- expected response that means “updates available”
- comments to display with the output (might be reminder of a command to run, docs, etc.)
The user will have the ability to disable / enable any rule individually. And add their own rules.
There will also be a global “Do not disturb” button to disable / re-enable monitoring.
We welcome all feedback. I know what my use cases are. But I do not necessarily know yours.
Thanks.
EDIT: FYI we are discussing design at upd-indicator design discussion.