Set Ubuntu 12.04 Dash's default lens to its application lens and some other tweaks!

Question

Here are the questions about persistent dash customization for my Ubuntu 12.04 LTS:

1. Assign the Application Lens as the default lens selected when the dash is called with Super or other assigned key OR, assign a different lens as my dash home;

2. Show the full list of the installed applications as in the snapshot below (I am looking for a customization where full app list would be the default);

3. The Filter results should too come up pre-selected with the dash.

Answer 1

This is quite a hacky answer.

I would suggest you assign this script to another key, such as a function key. I went for F3 because it doesn't do much in any applications I use.

You need to install xdotool:

sudo apt-get install xdotool

First run the commands

touch .dashopen
gedit .dashopen

and write into it

closed

And the commands

touch .filteropen

Now you need to create a cron job. Run:

crontab -e

and into it, write

@reboot echo 'closed' > .filteropen

then do

touch dasha.sh
gedit dasha.sh

into that you need to put the following:

#! /bin/bash

#DASHOPEN

# get the state of the dash.
do=$(<.dashopen)
fo=$(<.filteropen)

# if it is closed:
if [ $do = 'closed' ]; then
    # open the applications pane
    xdotool key super+a
    # and record that it is open
    echo 'open' > .dashopen
# if it is open
else
    # close it with the super key
    xdotool key super
    # record that it is closed
    echo 'closed' > .dashopen
fi

#FILTEROPEN

# if it is closed:
if [ $fo = 'closed' ]; then
    # get the mouse location
    eval $(xdotool getmouselocation --shell)
    # move to the filter button and click
    xdotool mousemove 1000 60 # CHANGE THIS LINE TO WORK ON YOUR SCREEN.
    # click after 1 second
    sleep 1 && xdotool click 1
    # and record that it is open
    echo 'open' > .filteropen
    # move back to original location
    xdotool mousemove $X $Y
fi

make it executable:

chmod +x dasha.sh

Now you need to add the keyboard shortcut:

Open system settings, and click keyboard.

Click Shortcuts, then custom shortcuts.

Click [+] then type the following:

Dash Application

./dasha.sh

Click disabled and press your chosen shortcut key:

_{Please comment if I've made a mistake}