Ubuntu / Linux news and application reviews.

Fix For Some Apps Starting Behind Focused Windows In Ubuntu (Compiz)

| Date: November 19, 2015 | View Comments | Tags: compiz, customization, fix, ubuntu, unity

In Ubuntu (w/ Unity), some applications/windows open behind focused windows which can be annoying in some cases. Here are a few examples:
  • clicking the "open containing folder" in the Firefox downloads menu, the file manager pops up behind the focused window;
  • activating applications through indicators doesn't always bring them to the foreground, for instance Pidgin chat windows, the file manager opened via the "Open Dropbox folder" Dropbox AppIndicator menu item, Rhythmbox from the Ubuntu Sound Menu, etc.;
  • if there's already a fileroller window open (Archive Manager, a compress/extract job, etc.), the second window you open is not focused.

How To Use Compiz In Ubuntu MATE 14.04 Or 14.10

| Date: November 21, 2014 | View Comments | Tags: compiz, mate, ubuntu, ubuntu mate

If you're using Ubuntu MATE 14.04 LTS or 14.10, here's a quick guide for how to install and configure Compiz. If something goes wrong or you're not satisfied with Compiz, the article includes instructions for reverting the changes.

Ubuntu MATE Compiz

Unity Spread Gets Support For Filtering Windows By Title, Live Window Resize [Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr]

| Date: February 18, 2014 | View Comments | Tags: compiz, Trusty Tahr, ubuntu, unity

Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr: Unity 7 and Compiz were updated again today, bringing two improvements: support for filtering windows by title in Unity Spread and "live" window resize mode.

How To Install Emerald In Ubuntu 13.10, 13.04, 12.10 Or 12.04 [PPA]

| Date: May 24, 2013 | View Comments | Tags: compiz, emerald, eyecandy, ubuntu, unity

Emerald Window Decorator development may have stopped and the package is no longer available in the Ubuntu repositories for a few releases, but there are users who want to continue using it, so to make it easier to install, I uploaded Emerald to the main WebUpd8 PPA, for Ubuntu 13.10, 13.04, 12.10 and 12.04.

Emerald is a window decorator for Compiz that allows full composite window decorations. There are many themes out there that come with frames, titlebars, buttons and so on that you won't see in other window decorators, this being the main reason why Emerald was so popular a while back. Emerald is also highly customizable.

Because it requires Compiz, Emerald doesn't work in GNOME Shell, but it should work with Unity (3D), GNOME Classic with Compiz or Xfce with Compiz for instance.

Here are a few of the many Emerald themes available on Gnome-Look, DeviantArt and so on:

HalfTime Emerald theme

How To Set Up Compiz In Xubuntu 14.10, 14.04 Or 12.04

| Date: November 01, 2012 | View Comments | Tags: compiz, eyecandy, linux, ubuntu, xfce, xubuntu

xubuntu compiz

This article shows how to set up Compiz in Xubuntu (w/ Xfce) 14.10, 14.04 or 12.04.

Ubuntu Multi-Monitor Tweaks (Full Screen Flash Fixes, Span Wallpaper Across Monitors, More)

| Date: October 11, 2012 | View Comments | Tags: compiz, flash, linux, multiple monitors, tips n tricks, tweak, ubuntu, unity

If you are using a multi-monitor setup in Ubuntu, here are a few tips which should help you fix some annoyances, like:
  • get full screen flash videos to be displayed on any monitor
  • get flash videos to remain full screen while working in the other desktop
  • a tweak to move windows to a different display using keyboard shortcuts
  • how to extend the wallpaper across monitors or use a different wallpaper for each monitor

How To Reset Unity And Compiz In Ubuntu 14.04, 13.10 Or 13.04

| Date: October 02, 2012 | View Comments | Tags: compiz, linux, Quantal Quetzal, tips n tricks, ubuntu, unity

unity

In Ubuntu 14.04, 13.10 and 13.04, Unity (and Compiz) are using Gsettings and because of this, the "unity --reset" command used to reset Unity in previous Ubuntu versions doesn't work anymore. In case some settings are messed up and you want to reset Unity and Compiz to their default settings, here's a new way of doing this that works with Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr, 13.10 Saucy Salamander and 13.04 Raring Ringtail.

Update: this article was initially for Ubuntu 12.10 and 13.04. I subsequently tested new Ubuntu releases and these instructions work with Ubuntu 13.10 and 14.04 as well.


Fix GNOME Panels On Top Of Fullscreen Flashplayer Bug In Ubuntu 12.04 Classic GNOME Session

| Date: June 18, 2012 | View Comments | Tags: classic desktop, compiz, fix, linux, ubuntu

compiz classic gnome session bug

Currently, there are a couple of annoying bugs in the Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin Classic GNOME session when using Compiz:
  • For some fullscreen windows such as Flashplayer (this doesn't happen for HTML5), the GNOME panels are displayed over the fullscreen window, like in the screenshot above;
  • When a window is displayed on two virtual desktops, if the window loses focus, its position is randomly changed to somewhere on the first virtual desktop.

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