Mark running applications

[tvst 2010-06-04]
In my view, open applications are a job for task bars, docks, exposé, and so on. But I am open to hearing other people's arguments for it.

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[inquata 2010-06-04]
Ok, the own category is probably a bit overshot. But slightly marking running application (having a selection similar to the mouse-over, but a bit more transparent) would already help making the menu more integrated. I additionally use DockbarX, but marking it in the menu would still be very useful.

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[tvst 2010-06-06]
Adding an indicator next to apps that are currently open is not a simple thing to implement. See, for example, how Docky is often wrong about which windows are open and which are not. So right now, I think my time is better spent elsewhere, but if anyone would like to contribute the code for this, I would consider adding it.

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[frederik.nnaji 2010-06-10]
Handle through "Emblems"!?
Perhaps a little emblem like the emblems in Nautilus can solve this.
we don't need to know much.. only if an instance of e.g. gedit is already active or not.
e.g.:
$ ps -C [command name]
would return the PID and command name.
This information could serve to decide wheter to give the respective icon an "active/open" emblem or not.
This information could also be used to kill the application via right-click.
I find it extremely useful to know, if an app i am about to launch is ALREADY running.
IMO a must-have feature that the Applications menu never came up with.