Plank Reloaded, a modern fork of the original Plank dock, has been introduced to enhance compatibility with the Cinnamon desktop environment and incorporate contemporary features. The project aims to maintain the simplicity of its predecessor while addressing previous limitations and integrating new functionalities.
The original Plank dock was celebrated for its minimalist design, providing users with a straightforward application launcher. However, as desktop environments evolved, particularly Cinnamon, users encountered issues such as malfunctioning docklets and system crashes. Development of the original Plank slowed, leaving these problems unresolved. In response, lead developer Josh Ellithorpe and a team of open-source contributors initiated Plank Reloaded to rejuvenate the dock’s utility and ensure its relevance in modern Linux distributions.
A significant enhancement in Plank Reloaded is its improved compatibility with the Cinnamon desktop. Users had previously reported that docklets—mini-applications within the dock—either malfunctioned or caused system instability. The updated version ensures that all docklets function reliably, eliminating these frustrations. Additionally, the Clock docklet has been refined to prevent settings-related crashes and now features a calendar accessible upon clicking the clock.
The Battery docklet has also undergone a substantial upgrade. By integrating modern UPower support, the docklet now provides more accurate battery status information, displays appropriate battery icons, and updates reliably without manual intervention. This improvement enhances the user experience, particularly for laptop users who rely on precise battery monitoring.
In terms of aesthetics, Plank Reloaded offers refreshed themes. The existing ‘Matte’ theme has been updated for a more modern appearance, and a new ‘MatteLight’ theme, based on the Arian theme, has been introduced. These themes provide users with a clean and contemporary look, allowing for greater personalisation of their desktop environment.
Despite these advancements, Plank Reloaded remains true to its foundational philosophy of simplicity. The application continues to provide just what a dock needs and nothing more, ensuring that it remains lightweight and efficient. Moreover, it maintains API compatibility with the original Plank, supporting all existing themes and configurations. This compatibility ensures a seamless transition for users migrating from the original dock to Plank Reloaded.
Installation of Plank Reloaded varies depending on the Linux distribution. For Arch Linux users, the application is available in the Arch User Repository and can be installed using the command:
“`bash
yay -S plank-reloaded-git
“`
Users of other distributions, such as Ubuntu and Linux Mint, can build the application from source. The process involves removing any existing versions of Plank, installing necessary dependencies, cloning the Plank Reloaded repository from GitHub, and compiling the application. Detailed instructions are available on the project’s GitHub page.