Hello,

this is yet another alpha release of the kpanel, called 0.3

Although there is some funcitionality implemented, it it still
not really usable!!! This is just a release for Co-developers.

kpanel still isn't capaple of drag'n'drop (this will come in 0.4)
and still uses its own execute-engine. (kpanel-0.4 will also 
use kfm's execution-engine, that understands URL's and
several arguments. This is not the same as calling
kfmclient openURL /apth/to/kdelnk/file, since openURL doesn't
understand any additional arguments )

kpanel still cannot be configured with a nice dialog GUI, this will
come soon too. You CAN move all items around the panel yet with the
mouse and change the location. You can also add new menuitems (folders
and applications) with menu-entries.  These are stored in the
.kpanelrc using Kconfig.  Kpanel's look and size can be set in the
.kpanelrc. Several sample .kpanelrcs are included in the
"sample_kpanelrcs"-folder of this distribution. 

Also communincation with kwm concerning the windowlist and 
the virtual desktops is still missing. Stay tuned!


Installation / Compilation
--------------------------

Note that you need kfm>=0.42 and kfmclient in your $PATH
to use the KDE Desktop Entry properties-editor and to make
the menu-entries "Home" and "Trash" work.

If you like to have a nice button on the panel for example for "Trash"
you have to create a KDE Desktop Entry that contains the execution
line:
  Execute=kfmclient openURL file:$HOME/Trash

That's all :-)
When kpanel will be capaple of drag'n'drop such a Trashcan will also
work!


You also have to set the Path to the icons in the Icons-
section of your.kderc. For example:
          [Icons]
          Path=/where/ever/pixmaps

This property is also read by kfm. Just copy the 
few sample pixmaps  ./pixmaps/*.xpm into 
this directory.

You may also set your favorite terminal in your .kderc:
          [Terminal]
          terminal=kvt


You will also have to set the paths to the Desktop Entries, for example:

          [KDE Desktop Entries]
          PersonalPath=Personal Stuff
          Path=/home/ettrich/Applications

You may copy the "Application" directory to the specified 
directory then, and also the "personal_apps" folder from the
distribution to the PersonalPath.


Since it is still so small, I also included a Linux-binary.



What you can do yet with it
---------------------------

LeftMouseButton: invokes button-items 
                 invoke submenus of menu-items

             The exit/lock/virtual-desktop group
             can also be moved around. The virtual
             desktop buttons still don't do anything.

MiddleMouseButton: allows to DRAG the items around, with 
             reasonable autopositioning after you dropped it.
             Great fun IMO :-))

RightMouseButton:
         on items: shows a popup that let you
                   modify this item

     You may already remove items with these popups, edit
     isn't yet implemented.  

     It is also possible to position the panel on the
     top, bottom, left or right. (KDE->panel->orientation->*)



Please read README.concept for further information.



Greets,

 Matthias
