Linux Docks – 5 Mac OS X Docks for Ubuntu and Other Linux Distros
Why is the Dock becoming more and more popular? It’s probably got something to do with clever window management, doesn’t it? Well, in my opinion it’s just the eye candy, though I’m sure that people appreciate the psychological trick; every tried to open 2 instances of a program with a Dock? 
Now here’s a list of 5 different Docks you can use on Linux. They have different system requirements. Rock out!
5. SimDock
I’ll start off with a little low.end dock. Just enough to get you started. While SimDock isn’t extremely advanced, it offers a full-fledged dock, all in one little .deb package and no window compositing effects required, which means you’ll be able t run it on low-end machines without any problems.
4. Ksmoothdock
Smooth zooming, low requirements. I like SimDock, but many users tell me Ksmoothdock looks and works better with their KDE DE.
3. Kiba Dock
Small, nice, free. What more could you ask for? Kiba-dock was originally a project meant to demo the Akamaru physics engine, but it ended up being a separate project.
2. Engage Dock (for Enlightenment)
Ever wondered how the gOS dudes made a smooth little dock for the gPC? Well, here’s your answer. It’s cool even without the Green theme I heard it can run without Enlightenment, too. Dreamlinux uses it with XFCE, for instance.
The big guy. This is the Dock with the bad-ass themes, icons and plugins. Everyone who has compositing turned on uses AWN these days. Why? It’s powerful, customizable and pretty. I use it sometimes, although it affects Ubuntu’s loading time. (it’s Compiz’ fault, really). If you got the power, go for it! Also, check out the AWN wiki.
Update:
0.5 Cairo Dock
Another cool dock, which also requires compositing effects.
and Cairo Dock?
It’s a good dock… but the Title says ‘5′
These are the top 5 in my opinion 
Hi,
I’m a developer for Awn/Awn Extras. Thanks for showing off Awn in your list of Linux docks. I agree with the previous comment – it is a little odd that cairo-dock isn’t listed. Probably an oversight.
Anyway, the reason that I’m commenting is that I think it would be great if you could link to Awn’s wiki (as you linked to kiba-dock and simdock’s websites). It contains a comprehensive installation guide and FAQ list, among other things:
http://wiki.awn-project.org/
Thanks!
OK, udated the post. Thanks for your comments guys!
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[...] de la aburrida barra, ponele onda. 5 Mac OS X Docks for Ubuntu and Other Linux Distros CompartiloÂ: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover [...]
I am glad to say this is not true.
I use composting and no dock. I dunno why people like these things, they are just unorganized mess, that looks sort of pretty, but not exactly the best alternative. Anyways, if I had to use a dock I would stick to simdock.
It depends on what kind of a user you are. Docks are perfect for me, for instance, because I use about 6 different applications.
[...] you has chosen Mac over Linux, just because Mac OSX has a beautiful dock, then this list of Linux dock might make you rethink your [...]
[...] Internetling « Automatix, el gestor de instalaciones, [...]
[...] Fuente: Internetling [...]
I would really love to install AWN on my UBUNTU 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon distro, but the link to reacocard.asc, which is an important part of the ehole dock thing is dead. The whole installation process is therefore useless. Does anybody know of another way of installing AWN?
Hi,
You can use our semi-official PPA via our quick installation guide on the wiki:
http://wiki.awn-project.org/DistributionGuides#Testing_Package_Archive
(I should note that we’re currently trying to solve a small problem with building the applets, so their availability may be intermittent.)
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask questions on our forum ( http://awn.planetblur.org/ ) or our IRC channel, irc://irc.freenode.net/#awn .
“I like SimDock, but many users tell me Ksmoothdock looks and works better with their KDE DE.”
KDE DE = K Desktop Environment Desktop Environment.
[...] lokum er hér slóð á nokkrar Linux útgáfur af sambærilegum [...]
I really have a problem with the whole “dock” thing. I personally do not use them..Why you may Ask…well it takes so much effort for anyone to set up their dock to run exactly like they want without problems, and then finding dock icons that actually are the same size if you are anal retentive like I am. Also I have yet to find a dock on Linux that has the ability to be positioned anywhere I want on my desktop….I choose Key bindings any day over docks…I like simplicity and cleanliness when it comes to my desktop….Too much clutter I guess when it’s all said and done!
I say hahahaha to Andy….I was thinking the same thing “KDE DE” ??????? Quite redundant…Just gining you a hard time Mister Post Master….Any way I Like docks but do not like the fact that there are soooo many docks out there…Sometimes Quality is better than Quantity. I think maybe if some of these creators get together for a collaborated project and throw their ideas into one big melting pot….maybe just maybe we here Linux users could have something really worth bragging about!!!! Just my Thoughts!!!
i was tryin to actually understand the whole duck thing cos i had poblems putting it on my ubuntu 8.01.can iget leads on wat to do?
[...] far as I know, this is the only Mac OS X-like dock clone which provides the same full functionality as its Apple counterpart, which means you can [...]
[...] More: If you have time and wish to change your own Linux distro’s theme to something more Mac OS X-like, you can maybe take a look at my list of Linux Docks. [...]
i tried Kiba dock last year and if memory serves me right it made my pentium 4 (i welcome donations for a new pc)feel like a p2. i have been using awm and i think kiba did more but i am happy with my awm. i use a dock purely for look, and i have kinda got use to the bouncy icon on app start and i agree with developers combining efforts for a super awesome awm-kiba-sim-cairo-k dock
[...] Linux Docks – 5 Mac Os X Docks for Linux [...]
Cairo Dock get my vote. Looks awesome, works very well, lots of possibilities for customization. It also has great Dbus and Xfce (I use Xfce as my default GUI) support.
[...] Linux Docks – 5 Mac OS X Docks for Ubuntu and Other Linux Distros [...]
What about bbdock ? http://bbdock.nethence.com/ great for old pcs.
[...] Usability nach dem sich alles richten muss?). So mußten andere Lösungen gefunden werden. Ich habe 5 Docks getestet, leider waren alle z.T. Potthäßlich (ja, man ist nun einmal Ästhet), trotz tausender sinnloser [...]
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I know a better dock that is in progress and you don’t have to install it you simply download it and it is already waiting on bootup after the first time you open and use it and it is smaller in size but larger in features and can support 48 icons in one small sized tabbed dock, and it is coming along quite fine indeed, why it is THE HAWK’S DOCK, only soon to be the best on the market.
There’s another mac osx-like doc using only imlib2: http://code.google.com/p/wbar/
Nice opensource eyecandy without using your whole ressources
There is a new kid on the block, Gnome do .8 has Docky. a theme for Do that adds a dock. I’m a long time user of AWN but I’m always looking for something better. Docky is very close to perfect but lacking some display options. as far as setup is concerned you just install Gnome Do .8 and change the theme to Docky. it changes Do to a dock and still acts like Do
[...] Linux Docks – 5 Mac OS X Docks for Ubuntu and Other Linux Distros
“every tried to open 2 instances of a program with a Dock?”
Mac’s are document centric, meaning there is no reason to ever open two of the same program to get two documents open. Windows is Program centric, so depending on how the app was written, you very well may need two copies open.
Ars explains it very well while comparing the Apple and Windows 7 docks here:
http://arstechnica.com/software/news/2009/01/dock-and-windows-7-taskbar.ars
The mac dock is for simplicity. Note there is not a start menu!
I think AWN is not fully work in ubuntu linux, but if you had this problem , SimDock is the right choise.
^^
[...] Cairo Dock is a cool alternatice to AWN or Gnome Do’s Docky. It is basically a launcher bar with plug-in and compositing support. Read more about it in this article I wrote last year. [...]
why do i get pinned t
Thank you so much! Very helpful post!
Gnome-Do has ‘docky’ now, fairly imba.
CAIRO DOCK is better than any of these…………..!!!
cairo dock is cool.
but a real mac is better :p
ps some dude made a full in one package so you can turn the total look and behaviour into macos. check this link
http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Mac+OSX+Leopard+10.5+Full+pack?content=72425
thanks for the tips,
amonfog
Hi,
Have you considered wbar? Its the one used on the gOS 3.1.
AC
Avant window is the nicest looking. I love Ubuntu
[...] Usability nach dem sich alles richten muss?). So mußten andere Lösungen gefunden werden. Ich habe 5 Docks getestet, leider waren alle z.T. Potthäßlich (ja, man ist nun einmal Ästhet), trotz tausender sinnloser [...]
How about daisy
http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php/Daisy?content=102077