Ubuntu
gnome-desktop package

Apps don't get focus correctly when started from a different app.

Asked by bartje

When an app gets started from another app, or have seperate windows, like Gimp, there seems to be a problem when switching from one app (window) to another.

One example is Gimp. It uses several windows. When drawing onto the canvas I want to switch brush, I then try to select another brush by just clicking on it, but it doesn't happen. I first thought it was because I didn't select the window with the list of brushes first, but when I do, I still can't pick my brush. I have to select the window with the image, and then back to the window with my brushes to get access to my brushes. This means, I think, the window with the brushes doesn't get the right focus.

I first thought this was a Gimp issue, but a similar thing happens when firefox starts from for example Pidgin, when clicking a link. Firefox loads, then I want to type something in an entry field but it doesn't happen. I have to minimize firefox, then maximize again to be able to enter text in a form field. I noticed the text in the top bar of the window is grayed out when this happens, and it even remains grayed out when I select the window top border, though I can move it, minimize it etc..

What is going on?

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Answered
For:
Ubuntu gnome-desktop Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
marcus aurelius (adbiz) said : 		#1

You'll need to log a bug.

I have the same problem with firefox.

I suspect it has something to do with the latest ghome desktop manager.

go into terminal by pressing CTL+ALT+T, then type

ubuntu-bug gimp

Revision history for this message
Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#2

Issue is discussed there.
http://blog.ubuntu-tweak.com/2011/05/17/the-good-and-bad-of-unity-part-1-useless-application-menu.html

Focus+unity has some known issues. Maybe have a look through bug reports.
Example.
Bug #717354

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/unity?field.searchtext=focus&orderby=-importance&search=Search&field.status%3Alist=NEW&field.status%3Alist=INCOMPLETE_WITH_RESPONSE&field.status%3Alist=INCOMPLETE_WITHOUT_RESPONSE&field.status%3Alist=CONFIRMED&field.status%3Alist=TRIAGED&field.status%3Alist=INPROGRESS&field.status%3Alist=FIXCOMMITTED&field.assignee=&field.bug_reporter=&field.omit_dupes=on&field.has_patch=&field.has_no_package=

http://askubuntu.com/search?q=unity+steal+window+focus

## There is maybe also a conflict between apps, such as gimp, pidgin and
quote
'Unity is aimed at full screen applications'
http://www.markshuttleworth.com/archives/383

Revision history for this message
marcus aurelius (adbiz) said : 		#3

i'm using 10.04 LTS and do not have unity. it is not a unity issue in my case.
i doubt unity is the culprit in bartje's case as well.

Revision history for this message
bartje (bart-deruyter) said : 		#4

I don't think it is a Unity issue either, since I use classic mode in 11.04. I've noticed way to much bugs in Unity to be usable for me (disapearing buttons, autohide that stops functioning, pinned apps that don't stay, no way to setup icons for apps that are manually installed, etc...)

If it would be a Unity issue anyway, blame on unity, a user interface is needed for all apps. If it can't handle all apps, don't release it, and most certainly not in an open source community where several user interfaces exist!!! If Ubuntu becomes a system where only canonical approved apps work well, I'm out of here and switch to debian.

bug report has been made by the way.

Can you help with this problem?

Provide an answer of your own, or ask bartje for more information if necessary.

To post a message you must log in.