Popup message on gnome/x-windows

zensunni · 11-04-2010, 02:12 PM

Disclaimer: I know nothing of x-windows or gnome interface, but I am an novice programmer.

I was curious if there is a simple way to run a popup window that appears in front of all other windows and interrupts the user.

It would be cool to find a pre-made python/perl script or something of the like.

I've tried these:
http://bytes.com/topic/perl/answers/...p-message-perl

But I think those were for windows...

jkzfixme · 11-04-2010, 03:51 PM

no need for perl just use xmessage

Quote:

xmessage -button ok -center file - "stop with the facebook, boss is on the way around the corner !"

Regards,
JKZfixme

jkzfixme · 11-04-2010, 03:57 PM

all joking aside what are you trying to do with it ? If you are trying to get a program to ask before it does something as in the link you provided try this

Quote:

#uses xmessage to ask first.
answer=$(xmessage -button ok -center file - "Are you sure you want to do whatever ? " -buttons yes,no -print)
if [ $answer = "yes" ]
then
# Do whatever after this line

arizonagroovejet · 11-04-2010, 04:45 PM

zenity is also worth a look http://library.gnome.org/users/zenity/stable/
if you're after something that fits in to GNOME aesthetically.

You cannot guarantee that a zenity pop up will appear on top of all other windows. I don't know if you can force xmessage windows on top. If you are will to get in to writing python or perl you can use the GTK bindings and set the window you create to always be on top, but that's quite advanced.

Incidentally, notify-send is good for passive pop up messages in GNOME http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/...ts-notify-send

zensunni · 11-04-2010, 07:19 PM

jkzfixme:

I'm just giving myself a warning before automatic shutdown.

What's the path to xmessage?

BTW, how do you find the path for any command? (perl, python, shutdown, etc). Is there a simple lookup place?

I'm using Ubuntu 10.04

[edit] I found my answer. I just type: "which <command you wanna know the path to>".
Very, very helpful.

zensunni · 11-04-2010, 07:56 PM

Arg,

Not working from Cron...

I'm using:

Code:

/usr/bin/xmessage -button ok -center file - "George Takai: Helooooo"

Not sure what's wrong...

arizonagroovejet · 11-05-2010, 06:14 AM

Something running from cron isn't going to have access to your display, or even know what the display is

Try saving this somewhere and calling from cron. Don't forget to set execute permission on it.

Code:

#!/bin/bash
export DISPLAY=:0.0;
export  XAUTHORITY=$(ps h $(pidof X) | awk '{print $11}');
/usr/bin/xmessage -button ok -center file - "George Takai: Helooooo";

That's what I use in a script which has to be called from cron and display something on the user's X session.

zensunni · 11-05-2010, 11:05 AM

Wow, thanks.

It's frustrating knowing you can do anything on linux, but not having the competence to do so.

I've been putting off really learning exactly how linux works, since ubuntu is so easy to use. But eventually, I'll have to sink some time into it.

Thanks again. This was very a helpful fix.