Supercharge Ubuntu Unity Dash: Top 5 Lenses & Scopes

Extending Ubuntu’s Dash Functionality

Ubuntu’s Unity desktop incorporates a dash feature, enabling users to locate applications, files, music, and video content. However, its capabilities aren't fixed at these core functions.

The dash can be significantly enhanced through the installation of custom lenses and scopes, adding a wider range of features.

Finding Additional Lenses and Scopes

Currently, the majority of these supplementary lenses and scopes are not distributed through the standard official repositories.

This means users must look elsewhere to find and install them.

Availability for Ubuntu 12.04

Regrettably, several particularly helpful lenses are not yet packaged as PPAs (Personal Package Archives) specifically for Ubuntu 12.04.

Among those currently unavailable are the dictionary lens, the books lens, and a lens designed for integration with Tomboy notes.

These lenses, while beneficial, require alternative installation methods or are not presently compatible with this version of Ubuntu.

Leveraging Lenses and Scopes in Ubuntu

Users of Ubuntu employing the standard Unity desktop environment are likely acquainted with initiating searches for applications via the Dash icon. Beyond application searches, the Dash also facilitates searches for files and folders, as well as music and video content, by clicking the corresponding icons. Each of these distinct search interfaces is designated as a “lens.”

Within a lens, selecting the "Filter results" link refines your search criteria. The available options are specific to the lens being utilized. For instance, the video lens, first appearing in Ubuntu 12.04, enables users to designate the video platforms they wish to include in their search.

Understanding the Capabilities of Lenses

This illustrates the versatility of lenses – they are capable of searching both online resources and the files stored on your local computer. The functionality extends beyond simple keyword matching, offering targeted results.

Scopes function as the search mechanisms that power the lenses. Consider the music lens; it incorporates scopes for applications like Rhythmbox and Banshee, allowing it to index and search within these music players.

Further customization is possible by adding scopes. For example, a Spotify scope can be integrated into the music lens, enabling searches directly within your Spotify library from the Unity Dash.

Key takeaway: Lenses provide the user interface, while scopes handle the actual search process.

• Lenses are the visual search panes within the Unity Dash.
• Scopes are the backends that provide data to the lenses.
• Adding scopes expands the search capabilities of each lens.

Lens Activation in Unity

Upon installation of new lenses and scopes, Unity does not immediately recognize their presence. These newly installed components will not become available for use until a full restart of the Unity environment is performed.

This restart necessitates a complete log-out from your current Unity session, followed by a subsequent log-in to re-establish the connection and allow Unity to detect the updated software.

Understanding the Process

The system requires a refresh to properly integrate the new lenses and scopes into its operational framework. Simply refreshing the Unity editor is insufficient; a complete session reset is crucial.

This ensures that all necessary files and configurations are reloaded, enabling Unity to accurately identify and utilize the installed extensions.

• Restarting Unity is essential for recognizing new lenses.
• Log out of your current session.
• Log back in to complete the activation.

Failure to follow these steps will result in the lenses and scopes remaining unavailable within the Unity interface.

Ask Ubuntu Lens for Unity Dash

The Ask Ubuntu lens functions as a dedicated search tool for the Ask Ubuntu website. Users encountering issues with Ubuntu, or those seeking answers to Ubuntu-related questions, can leverage this lens to directly access information from within the Unity dash.

Installation Process

To integrate the Ask Ubuntu lens into your system, a terminal-based installation is required. This involves adding a Personal Package Archive (PPA) and subsequently installing the lens itself.

The following commands should be executed sequentially in a terminal window:

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:markjtully/ppa – This command adds the necessary PPA to your system’s software sources.
• sudo apt-get update – Updating the package list ensures the system recognizes the newly added PPA.
• sudo apt-get install unity-lens-askubuntu – This final command installs the unity-lens-askubuntu package, completing the installation of the Ask Ubuntu lens.

Once these steps are completed, the Ask Ubuntu lens will be available for use through the Unity dash, providing quick access to the Ask Ubuntu community’s knowledge base.

Reddit

The Reddit lens provides a way to access and navigate Reddit content directly within the Dash interface. Furthermore, it integrates Reddit posts into your home lens, ensuring you are presented with fresh updates from Reddit each time the Dash is activated.

This allows for convenient access to Reddit’s vast array of information without leaving your primary Ubuntu environment.

Installation Instructions

To install the Reddit lens, the following commands should be executed in the terminal. If the required Personal Package Archive (PPA) has already been added, you can proceed directly to the installation step.

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:markjtully/ppa: This command adds the PPA containing the Reddit lens to your system’s software sources.

• sudo apt-get update: Updating the package list is crucial after adding a new PPA.

• sudo apt-get install unity-reddit-lens: This final command initiates the installation of the unity-reddit-lens package.

These steps will successfully integrate the Reddit lens into your Ubuntu Dash, providing seamless access to Reddit content.

Calculator Scope for Ubuntu

The Calculator scope automatically recognizes mathematical expressions entered directly into the Unity dash search bar and promptly presents the solution. No specific configuration or activation is required for this functionality.

This scope leverages the robust calculation engine found within GCalctool, a standard calculator application included with Ubuntu distributions.

Installation Instructions

To integrate the Calculator scope into your Ubuntu system, execute the following commands in a terminal window.

• First, add the necessary Personal Package Archive (PPA): sudo add-apt-repository ppa:scopes-packagers/ppa

• Next, update the package lists to reflect the newly added PPA: sudo apt-get update

• Finally, install the required packages: sudo apt-get install unity-lens-utilities unity-scope-calculator

These commands will download and install the unity-lens-utilities and unity-scope-calculator packages, enabling the Calculator scope within your Unity dash.

Upon completion of the installation, the Calculator scope will be immediately available for use.

Simply begin typing a mathematical equation into the dash search box to see the results displayed in real-time.

Urban Area Details

The city scope functionality is triggered upon inputting a city name, subsequently presenting relevant details concerning that location, such as current weather conditions and the local time. Alongside the calculator plugin, this demonstrates the expanded capabilities of Unity and the dash beyond simple search operations.

These tools highlight the potential for a more interactive and informative user experience.

Installation Instructions

The following commands are utilized to install the lens and scope. Should the associated PPA already be configured, proceed directly to the sudo apt-get install instruction:

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:scopes-packagers/ppa

• sudo apt-get update

• sudo apt-get install unity-lens-utilities unity-scope-cities

Executing these commands will integrate the city scope into your system.

This allows for quick access to city-specific information directly from the dash.

Gwibber

Locate unity-lens within the Ubuntu Software Center, and the Gwibber lens is the sole lens discoverable in the standard repositories.

Gwibber functions as the pre-installed social media client for Ubuntu, offering compatibility with platforms like Twitter and Facebook, among others.

Setting Up Gwibber

Configuration is initiated by clicking the mail icon situated on the panel at the screen’s upper-right corner, then selecting 'Set Up Broadcast Accounts'.

This lens conducts searches within your Gwibber feed for status updates, pictures, and diverse content.

Refine your searches by utilizing the available filters to pinpoint specific information types.