Install Mac style launcher on Ubuntu

Step 1

Install cairo/dock program:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:cairo-dock-team/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install cairo-dock cairo-dock-plug-ins



Step 2

First launch by running command:

cairo-dock &

Caveat: On the first launcher, Cairo-Dock prompts whether to enable OpenGL but the OpenGL can be badly supported by your video drivers though most of them support it well.


Step 3

Allow cairo-dock to start automatically after login Ubuntu:

Type in command 'gnome-session-properties '
or
Open System Tools -> Preferences -> Startup Applications,

Click the “Add” button -> name your item “Cairo Dock” and in the command box type “cairo-dock” without the quotes. You can leave the comments field blank. Then click Add.


Step 4 (optional)

Hide the system default launcher panel:

Right click on desktop -> choose 'Change Desktop Background' -> in the Appearance setting window, go to Behavior tab -> switch on 'Auto-hide the launcher'

Press Alt+F2 will bring up the system launcher window.



Reference

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/CairoDock

http://glx-dock.org/ww_page.php?p=First%20Steps&lang=en