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GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
This thread is for the discussion of the GNOME Classic and GNOME Flashback sessions in development only. Please refer to my Precise notes for released versions. Support questions for released versions should be posted in the Desktop Environments section of the forums.
My personal focus is on the Flashback w/Metacity session but I welcome comments regarding the new GNOME Classic and Flashback w/Compiz sessions. No PPA is needed to test the new GNOME Classic session since Ubuntu GNOME Saucy but WebUpD8 still has the best description I've found.
By now most Ubuntu users know that beginning with Oneiric (11.10) Ubuntu switched to GNOME 3/GTK+ 3 as it's base with Unity as the default desktop environment using the Compiz window manager whereas GNOME themselves used the new GnomeShell DE with the Mutter window manager. As a "fallback mode" for hardware that wouldn't support the Compiz window manager Ubuntu offered the Unity-2D session using the Metacity window manager in both Ubuntu Oneiric and Precise but they dropped Unity-2D in Quantal.
GNOME themselves offered a "fallback" session that was presented as "GNOME Classic" which used the Compiz window manager or "GNOME Classic (no effects)" which used the Metacity window manager at login in Ubuntu Oneiric, Precise, and Quantal if the package 'gnome-panel' was installed and, while the GNOME devs never intended to provide long term support for their "fallback session", Edubuntu will continue to maintain the "flashback w/metacity" session in order to support their LTSP installs.
There has however been continued session renaming to facilitate GNOME's new Classic session that runs on top of the Mutter window manager, but the safest and sanest way to install the "GNOME Flashback" sessions in Ubuntu or Ubuntu GNOME is still to install the package 'gnome-panel' which has a very light footprint. Of course if you want to run the Compiz session in Ubuntu GNOME you'll additionally need to install the packages 'compiz' and presumably 'compizconfig-settings-manager'.
There have been a number of changes/improvements since Precise, most notably I had not recommended installing 'gnome-tweak-tool' because it had a very heavy footprint but that's improved greatly, and there have been many changes due to the deprecation of gconf. So after installing 'gnome-panel', logging out, selecting the desired session, and logging back in you may wish to install any of the following packages:
'indicator-applet' and/or 'indicator-applet-session' - as an alternative to 'indicator-applet-complete'
'gnome-tweak-tool' - because it's quite convenient for general theming tweaks such as having the old-style icons appear on the desktop, setting the key sequence for killing X, and changing themes.
'shiki-colors-metacity-theme' - because it provides a rather retro window management button theme
'sensors-applet' - to display system temps
Update notifications now show up in the "window list" applet so no tweak is needed in that regard.
With the ability to add 'gnome-tweak-tool' w/o a bunch of bloat that leaves very few "tweaks" that actually require the use of the CLI:
#1: Moving the window-management buttons back to the right:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences button-layout :minimize,maximize,close
#2: Disabling the overlay-scrollbars:
Code:
gsettings set com.canonical.desktop.interface scrollbar-mode normal
#3: Possibly disabling the Firefox and/or Thunderbird global menu add-ons???????????? I'm unsure about this. I need to play around with fresh profiles and check that out.
#4: Possibly disabling the Unity webapps:
http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.p...6&d=1386605099
Code:
gsettings set com.canonical.unity.webapps integration-allowed false
#5: Restoring the missing menu icons:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface menus-have-icons true
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface buttons-have-icons true
Known Issues:
The most troubling thing I've encountered is the inability to backup or restore configurations:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...0#post12986410
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Edit: I wanted to add a couple of valuable links:
https://wiki.gnome.org/Projects/GnomeFlashback
https://mail.gnome.org/archives/gnome-flashback-list/
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
@kansasnoob
Can I make a few points?
1) Plenty of people are installing or upgrading to the latest Ubuntu release (13.10)
2) Plenty of people want what they call "Gnome Classic."
3) Gnome 3 DE and Gnome 3 Shell are under continued development.
4) Ubuntu is under continued development and is becoming less of a Gnome respin and more of a Linux distribution with its own code base as well as its own design.
I conclude that there is a need for Ubuntu+1 testers to pioneer the way into Ubuntu 14.04 and 14.10 to help bridge the gulf that could possibly form between Ubuntu and those distributions based upon Ubuntu whose developers have their own map into the future. I would say that you have identified a valid Ubuntu+1 testing/research project.
Regards.
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
grahammechanical
@kansasnoob
Can I make a few points?
1) Plenty of people are installing or upgrading to the latest Ubuntu release (13.10)
2) Plenty of people want what they call "Gnome Classic."
3) Gnome 3 DE and Gnome 3 Shell are under continued development.
4) Ubuntu is under continued development and is becoming less of a Gnome respin and more of a Linux distribution with its own code base as well as its own design.
I conclude that there is a need for Ubuntu+1 testers to pioneer the way into Ubuntu 14.04 and 14.10 to help bridge the gulf that could possibly form between Ubuntu and those distributions based upon Ubuntu whose developers have their own map into the future. I would say that you have identified a valid Ubuntu+1 testing/research project.
Regards.
It's all a bit daunting actually ;)
When I originally pursued that "fallback" thing I fully expected that session to die when Precise reached it's EOL, but it now looks like Edubuntu is going to keep it alive so I need to get on the ball :)
I've been spending a lot of time in Ubuntu GNOME using the standard gnome-shell DE with no PPA's simply because I like it, but I maintain 43 other PC's within a 50 mile radius and many of the users prefer a truly "classic" desktop paradigm. To further complicate things some of those PC's have multiple users and one user may prefer Unity while another may prefer "fallback" or even 'lubuntu-core'.
And I'm kicking myself for overlooking bugs like these during the Saucy dev cycle:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...s/+bug/1245209
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...r/+bug/1245915
Both still effect Trusty at this point, although I'm unsure about converting/blending Ubuntu and Ubuntu GNOME ATM since they use different default settings.
Regardless there is plenty of work to do :D
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Many thanks to whoever approved this. My step #1 is to clear up any confusion about the sessions :)
So I'm thinking about posting a thread in Desktop Environments titled:
Confusion surrounding GNOME classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Then I'll continue with text somewhat like this:
I've noticed a few posts lately indicating some confusion surrounding the new GNOME session options available at login so I hope to clear that up a little bit if possible. A brief history lesson is needed so bear with me.
Beginning with Oneiric (11.10) Ubuntu switched to using GNOME 3 as it's base and Unity as the default desktop environment using the Compiz window manager whereas GNOME themselves used the new GnomeShell DE with the Mutter window manager.
As a "fallback mode" for hardware that wouldn't support the Compiz window manager Ubuntu offered the Unity-2D session using the Metacity window manager whereas GNOME themselves offered a "fallback" session that was presented as "GNOME Classic" or "GNOME Classic (no effects)" at login in Ubuntu if the package 'gnome-panel' was installed.
The GNOME devs had never intended to provide long term support for their "fallback session" so during Ubuntu's Raring dev cycle they sounded the death knoll for the "fallback" session, but then Edubuntu dev announced their intent to keep it alive in order to support their LTSP installs:
http://jonathancarter.org/2013/02/05...anel-is-alive/
In the meanwhile Red Hat put some pressure on the GNOME devs to create a new Classic session that runs on top of the Mutter window manager. It should in no way be confused with the earlier "fallback" that Ubuntu called "classic" though. You can get a glimpse of the new "Classic" here:
http://www.webupd8.org/2013/02/a-qui...e-classic.html
In order to make the new Gnome Classic mode distinguishable from the the older "classic" mode during the Raring dev cycle the name "classic" was replaced with "fallback", then in Saucy the name was changed from "fallback" to "flashback".
Are you confused yet? I'm almost dizzy just trying to explain it.
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
I have noticed one difference between Ubuntu Gnome and Ubuntu and the other flavours. And that difference maybe affecting things. May be not. GDM and not lightdm.
When I was testing running with Xmir on Ubuntu and all the flavours Ubuntu Gnome was the only one that did not use Lighdm and Ubuntu Gnome was the only one I could not run with Xmir.
I also found out that Lightdm does more than manage the login screen. It manages the display from quite early one. I guess that GDM does the same. Anyway by switching to Lightdm I was able to get Ubuntu Gnome running on Xmir. I lost the fine Ubuntu Gnome login screen in the process and I gave up trying to get it back. It did my head in searching for stuff.
So, if flashback (no effects) works in Edubuntu and Ubuntu but not in Ubuntu Gnome there has to be a reason.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2183871
Regards.
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
grahammechanical
I have noticed one difference between Ubuntu Gnome and Ubuntu and the other flavours. And that difference maybe affecting things. May be not. GDM and not lightdm.
When I was testing running with Xmir on Ubuntu and all the flavours Ubuntu Gnome was the only one that did not use Lighdm and Ubuntu Gnome was the only one I could not run with Xmir.
I also found out that Lightdm does more than manage the login screen. It manages the display from quite early one. I guess that GDM does the same. Anyway by switching to Lightdm I was able to get Ubuntu Gnome running on Xmir. I lost the fine Ubuntu Gnome login screen in the process and I gave up trying to get it back. It did my head in searching for stuff.
So, if flashback (no effects) works in Edubuntu and Ubuntu but not in Ubuntu Gnome there has to be a reason.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2183871
Regards.
Thanks, that gives me cool idea to try :D
I mean regarding this bug:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...s/+bug/1245209
It does look like the X-session is not starting properly so I should try lightdm with all available greeters. Now I need to pull up my notes on lightdm :)
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
grahammechanical
I have noticed one difference between Ubuntu Gnome and Ubuntu and the other flavours. And that difference maybe affecting things. May be not. GDM and not lightdm.
When I was testing running with Xmir on Ubuntu and all the flavours Ubuntu Gnome was the only one that did not use Lighdm and Ubuntu Gnome was the only one I could not run with Xmir.
I also found out that Lightdm does more than manage the login screen. It manages the display from quite early one. I guess that GDM does the same. Anyway by switching to Lightdm I was able to get Ubuntu Gnome running on Xmir. I lost the fine Ubuntu Gnome login screen in the process and I gave up trying to get it back. It did my head in searching for stuff.
So, if flashback (no effects) works in Edubuntu and Ubuntu but not in Ubuntu Gnome there has to be a reason.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2183871
Regards.
@graham,
Could you clarify please. Are you talking about the Edubuntu Desktop (downloadable from the repos) or the Edubuntu.iso? because these two are horses of a different colour, the prior bringing in problems and the latter being an extremeley large .iso.
regards..
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
grahammechanical
@kansasnoob
Can I make a few points?
1) Plenty of people are installing or upgrading to the latest Ubuntu release (13.10)
2) Plenty of people want what they call "Gnome Classic."
3) Gnome 3 DE and Gnome 3 Shell are under continued development.
4) Ubuntu is under continued development and is becoming less of a Gnome respin and more of a Linux distribution with its own code base as well as its own design.
I conclude that there is a need for Ubuntu+1 testers to pioneer the way into Ubuntu 14.04 and 14.10 to help bridge the gulf that could possibly form between Ubuntu and those distributions based upon Ubuntu whose developers have their own map into the future. I would say that you have identified a valid Ubuntu+1 testing/research project.
Regards.
I have gnome-flashback working flawlessly in Trusty. Of course it is a higher end machine but I may try it on lower end form factors. There is a need for gnome (no -effects) and thats good news about Edubuntu because some teachers who are transitioning from Windows to Ubuntu (Ed) need the (no-effects) while teaching young children, otherwise it it too complex.
regards..
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
How factually correct do you think this is:
Quote:
I've noticed a few posts lately indicating some confusion surrounding the new GNOME session options available at login so I hope to clear that up a little bit if possible. A brief history lesson is needed so bear with me.
Beginning with Oneiric (11.10) Ubuntu switched to using GNOME 3 as it's base and Unity as the default desktop environment using the Compiz window manager whereas GNOME themselves used the new GnomeShell DE with the Mutter window manager.
As a "fallback mode" for hardware that wouldn't support the Compiz window manager Ubuntu offered the Unity-2D session using the Metacity window manager whereas GNOME themselves offered a "fallback" session that was presented as "GNOME Classic" or "GNOME Classic (no effects)" at login in Ubuntu if the package 'gnome-panel' was installed.
The GNOME devs had never intended to provide long term support for their "fallback session" so during Ubuntu's Raring dev cycle they sounded the death knoll for the "fallback" session, but then Edubuntu dev announced their intent to keep it alive in order to support their LTSP installs:
http://jonathancarter.org/2013/02/05...anel-is-alive/
In the meanwhile the GNOME devs responded to user discontent with GNOME Shell by creating a new Classic session that runs on top of the Mutter window manager. It should in no way be confused with the earlier "fallback" that Ubuntu called "classic" though. You can get a glimpse of the new "Classic" here:
http://www.webupd8.org/2013/02/a-qui...e-classic.html
In order to make the new Gnome Classic mode distinguishable from the the older "classic" mode during the Raring dev cycle the name "classic" was replaced with "fallback", then in Saucy the name was changed from "fallback" to "flashback".
End of history lesson.
Now let's do a recap:
In Ubuntu & Edubuntu Oneiric, Precise, and Quantal if you installed the package 'gnome-panel' you'd then find the additional login options "GNOME Classic" and "GNOME Classic (no effects)". The standard "Classic" session uses the Compiz window manager whereas the "(no effects)" session uses the Metacity window manager.
In Ubuntu, Edubuntu, and Ubuntu GNOME Raring once the package 'gnome-panel' is installed you'll then find the additional login options "GNOME Fallback" and "GNOME Fallback (no effects)". The standard "Fallback" session uses the Compiz window manager whereas the "(no effects)" session uses the Metacity window manager.
In Ubuntu GNOME Saucy you will find a new "GNOME Classic" session when you login without adding any additional packages, but this session is in no way related to the earlier classic or fallback sessions! The new GNOME Classic session runs on top of the Mutter window manager and could be best described as a 'gnome-shell' session using a popular collection of GNOME Shell Extensions.
In Ubuntu, Edubuntu, and Ubuntu GNOME Saucy once the package 'gnome-panel' is installed you'll then find the additional login options "GNOME Flashback" and "GNOME Flashback (no effects)". The standard "Flashback" session uses the Compiz window manager whereas the "(no effects)" session uses the Metacity window manager.
I'm particularly concerned with saying, "The new GNOME Classic session runs on top of the Mutter window manager and could be best described as a 'gnome-shell' session using a popular collection of GNOME Shell Extensions". Do you think that's accurate and truthful?
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ventrical
I have gnome-flashback working flawlessly in Trusty. Of course it is a higher end machine but I may try it on lower end form factors. There is a need for gnome (no -effects) and thats good news about Edubuntu because some teachers who are transitioning from Windows to Ubuntu (Ed) need the (no-effects) while teaching young children, otherwise it it too complex.
regards..
Ditto here. I started with the Oct 21 iso image and other than a slight hiccup with the "extras" repo things are now pretty much OK :D
But the reason I asked permission to do this thread is that I also need to follow up on some Saucy bugs with "classic/fallback/flashback" because I didn't even try it until Saucy was released :(
The beauty of having an Ubuntu +1 thread is that we can test continuously from one cycle to another so this thread should hopefully allow us to record the changes as they occur, I just got lazy about testing the Metacity session so now I have to catch up before the release of Trusty :)
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Continuity is a benefit, by no means a hindrance...
Eagerly (a)waiting to see development of promised thread...
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
But the reason I asked permission to do this thread is that I also need to follow up on some Saucy bugs with "classic/fallback/flashback" because I didn't even try it until Saucy was released :(
Just for others. The new package is gnome-session-flashback https://wiki.gnome.org/GnomeFlashback
gnome-session-fallback just installs the above package.
Any Saucy related bugs and fixes needs to go in here > http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2182038
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
I think it belongs here because we clearly say that this is not a standard support forum.
The notice in this forum is to try and forestall some of those coming here after searching and finding threads started during the dev period.
For example - we've got 6 months worth of Raring followed by 6 of Saucy - shortly we'll have 6 months of Trusty - we don't want people dragging Saucy threads up once we are into Trusty.
This forum is not really the right place for Tutorials of any sort - for one thing just as we made a change and kept the forum open - we could in future decide it doesn't work and go back to previous procedure and close forum at dev end.
If you want to actually run with a Tutorial for it - and keep it up to date then I'm happy enough to move the thread to the correct place and clean it up a bit.
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
Ditto here. I started with the Oct 21 iso image and other than a slight hiccup with the "extras" repo things are now pretty much OK :D
But the reason I asked permission to do this thread is that I also need to follow up on some Saucy bugs with "classic/fallback/flashback" because I didn't even try it until Saucy was released :(
The beauty of having an Ubuntu +1 thread is that we can test continuously from one cycle to another so this thread should hopefully allow us to record the changes as they occur, I just got lazy about testing the Metacity session so now I have to catch up before the release of Trusty :)
Much needed! and many thanks kansasnoob.
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Elfy
The notice in this forum is to try and forestall some of those coming here after searching and finding threads started during the dev period.
For example - we've got 6 months worth of Raring followed by 6 of Saucy - shortly we'll have 6 months of Trusty - we don't want people dragging Saucy threads up once we are into Trusty.
This forum is not really the right place for Tutorials of any sort - for one thing just as we made a change and kept the forum open - we could in future decide it doesn't work and go back to previous procedure and close forum at dev end.
If you want to actually run with a Tutorial for it - and keep it up to date then I'm happy enough to move the thread to the correct place and clean it up a bit.
NO! I have nothing worthy of a How To ATM :(
Repeating myself; I expected the "fallback" session to die when Precise reached EOL in April 2017, but many things have changed :)
If I can't discuss the changes here please move this thread to "recurring" so almost no one will see it and users can remain uninformed.
Another huge reason for having this thread where it's at is that I need feedback from other active testers, but I have no choice other than to live with the forum mods decisions.
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
philinux
I understand the difference between Saucy and Trusty .............. at this point Trusty is little more than Saucy with some cherry-picked packages ;)
There are no official daily's for the flavors so a user can only upgrade from Saucy to Trusty, but this thread has to do with the evolution of the various gnome sessions available in the repos!
Like it or not 'gnome-panel' is in the repos and Edubuntu uses it:
Attachment 247423
But the changes are not well documented and unless the next UDS results in killing this session we need to work on improving both the session itself and the documentation.
It's also impossible to NOT mention any previous releases when working on documentation or bugs.
It's also worth mentioning that 12.04.4 is coming soon - probably with a Saucy hardware-enablement-stack :)
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
NO! I have nothing worthy of a How To ATM :(
Repeating myself; I expected the "fallback" session to die when Precise reached EOL in April 2017, but many things have changed :)
If I can't discuss the changes here please move this thread to "recurring" so almost no one will see it and users can remain uninformed.
Another huge reason for having this thread where it's at is that I need feedback from other active testers, but I have no choice other than to live with the forum mods decisions.
I am just suggesting in kind, that , perhaps you could ask the mods to drop the {evolution of gnome classic} and try for somthing like 'Edubuntu/gnome classic/fallback/flashback session Trusty'. This way I think the moderating powers that be may find it more palatable for U+1, it would be a real plug for Edubuntu (which is a diamond in the rough) and you could interject your hypothesis and work with bug fixes without fragmenting the echo.
You said "I need feedback". Please do not take offence at my words. I am hoping to be a helper here. :)
regards..
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
@kansasnoob,
I am currently downloading 13.10 Edubuntu.iso, then will attempt to upgrade that to trusty tahr and run it on gnome flashback .. etc. Just in case if your thread gets moved I'll start another thread on Edubuntu/Gnome/Flashback (which should get a little more recognition) but I do not want to supersede the moderators either.
regards..
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
I see where they are going now .. absolutely awesome.
I am in live session now about to install.
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Install went great. Now in gnome flashback (no effects). Now to upgrade it to trusty. if possible ??
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ventrical
I am just suggesting in kind, that , perhaps you could ask the mods to drop the {evolution of gnome classic} and try for somthing like 'Edubuntu/gnome classic/fallback/flashback session Trusty'. This way I think the moderating powers that be may find it more palatable for U+1, it would be a real plug for Edubuntu (which is a diamond in the rough) and you could interject your hypothesis and work with bug fixes without fragmenting the echo.
You said "I need feedback". Please do not take offence at my words. I am hoping to be a helper here. :)
regards..
No offense taken ... ever :)
The reason I want to work on this here is because we true testers are critics by nature, and only well reasoned criticism results in a good outcome :)
I don't remember the exact words I used to open this thread, but it was something like "May I pursue the 'evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions' here?
Then one of the mods shortened the title so I took that as acceptance of pursuing my goals :)
Will we sometimes get off-topic? Absolutely!
Once again look at:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1873765
Had we been Ubuntu +1 then that thread could still be alive, but time rolls on so we have to adapt and as testers it's beneficial to the entire Ubuntu community to share what we know in the most appropriate manner possible.
Appropriate is the key word there. If I'm providing inappropriate or misleading info that's NO GOOD to anyone, and certainly harmful to the project. So I need to share what I plan on doing or saying with a trusted community ............... Ubuntu +1 is that trusted community.
Does that make sense?
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
No offense taken ... ever :)
The reason I want to work on this here is because we true testers are critics by nature, and only well reasoned criticism results in a good outcome :)
I don't remember the exact words I used to open this thread, but it was something like "May I pursue the 'evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions' here?
Then one of the mods shortened the title so I took that as acceptance of pursuing my goals :)
Will we sometimes get off-topic? Absolutely!
Once again look at:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1873765
Had we been Ubuntu +1 then that thread could still be alive, but time rolls on so we have to adapt and as testers it's beneficial to the entire Ubuntu community to share what we know in the most appropriate manner possible.
Appropriate is the key word there. If I'm providing inappropriate or misleading info that's NO GOOD to anyone, and certainly harmful to the project. So I need to share what I plan on doing or saying with a trusted community ............... Ubuntu +1 is that trusted community.
Does that make sense?
Absolutely and it is also of great importance in the next 6 months to have Gnome_flashback working properly and effectively because there are several million people who just do not have the economic means to throw out their old computers at this time and buy new ones. It is imperative that gnome-flashback be effective across a wide spread of legacy form-factors. Iv'e been able to use most recent kernels on Lucid very effectively . I don't see why it (gnome-flashback) cannot be given the same amount of attention as Unity.
I will re-read some of your reports and try to get a better handle on it because you spent so much personal time on the project previously.
I am an experimenter that likes to try exploratory testing and some people get frustrated with my method and understandably so, so I will try to keep on topic as best as I can while still having fun ! :)
Regards..
edit..
Oy ..I basically said the same thing back then in the old thread :)
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...9#post11418769
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Absolutely and it is also of great importance in the next 6 months to have Gnome_flashback working properly and effectively because there are several million people who just do not have the economic means to throw out their old computers at this time and buy new ones.
I will agree with that but we should go further, right into 14.10 because that is where the big, big, changes to Ubuntu are going to come. Perhaps we should say that this is Testing Flashback on Ubuntu+1. Does that cover all the bases, as they say in baseball?
I would also limit this Flashback testing to: a) Ubuntu, because it is the base code for the flavours. b) Ubuntu Gnome, because Gnome shell is the natural home of Gnome Flashback. c) Edubuntu, because? Well, Ventrical said: it would be a real plug for Edubuntu (which is a diamond in the rough)
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
grahammechanical
I will agree with that but we should go further, right into 14.10 because that is where the big, big, changes to Ubuntu are going to come. Perhaps we should say that this is Testing Flashback on Ubuntu+1. Does that cover all the bases, as they say in baseball?
I would also limit this Flashback testing to: a) Ubuntu, because it is the base code for the flavours. b) Ubuntu Gnome, because Gnome shell is the natural home of Gnome Flashback. c) Edubuntu, because? Well, Ventrical said: it would be a real plug for Edubuntu (which is a diamond in the rough)
kansasnoob can change the title of the thread by editing the original post then choosing advanced.
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Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
This is not even half-baked but I've been keeping some notes while testing Trusty and Saucy. Remember it's only a work in progress and some of it could be incomplete or even inaccurate :)
GETTING STARTED
This applies to all supported versions
Code:
sudo apt-get install gnome-panel
Note: There is a reason to simply install 'gnome-panel' rather than a specific "gnome" or "session" package, specifically the session and package names have changed frequently to accomodate the addition of GNOME's new classic session. This becomes obvious when you log into the new session.
LOG INTO THE APPROPRIATE NEW (no effects) SESSION
In versions 12.04, 12.04.1, 12.04.2, 12.04.3 and 12.10:
Log out, click on the Ubuntu emblem next to your username, select the "classic (no effects)" session, and then enter your password.
In version 13.04:
Log out, click on the GNOME emblem next to your username, select the "fallback (no effects)" session, and then enter your password.
In versions 13.10 and 14.04:
Log out, click on the GNOME emblem next to your username, select the "flashback (no effects)" session, and then enter your password.
CHANGE TERMINAL THEME
Applies to all supported versions
If you find the default terminal theme (white text on a purple background) as atrocious as I do just open the Terminal, click on Edit > Profile Preferences. Then click on the Colors tab and uncheck "Use colors from system theme", then select "Black on white" from the Built-in schemes.
ADDING ADDITIONAL "indicator-applet" OPTIONS
This applies to all supported versions
You may want to install these so they'll be available for placement in the panel (only 'indicator-applet-complete' is installed by default):
Code:
sudo apt-get install indicator-applet indicator-applet-session
You can compare the difference between the three indicator applets here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...7#post11900657
RESTORE THE "Run Command Prompt" FUNCTION
This applies to version 12.04 only
I wanted to get the "Run Command Prompt" back by pressing Alt+F2 just as it was in Gnome 2. This can be quite useful if you should ever do something silly like remove both panels and need to launch the terminal or another application without being able to access the menu(s).
It really couldn't be much simpler, just go to System Tools > System Settings > Keyboard > Shortcuts > System and highlight the line that says "Show the run command prompt". Then just follow the instructions at the bottom of that window.
This can also be done using the CLI:
Code:
gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/global_keybindings/panel_run_dialog" --type string "<Alt>F2"
To revert that to the default setting run:
Code:
gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/global_keybindings/panel_run_dialog" --type string "disabled"
I think this was the default setting in 12.10 and 13.04, but it changed again in 13.10 and 14.04 due to the further depraction of gconf.
DISABLE THE SCREEN LOCK
This applies to all supported versions
I find the screen lock very annoying, I live alone and don't like having to enter my password everytime the screensaver acivates. So you can just go to System Tools > System Settings > Brightness & Lock and select Lock = Off.
This can also be done using the CLI:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.screensaver lock-enabled false
To revert that to the default setting run:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.screensaver lock-enabled true
DISPLAY UPDATE-NOTIFICATIONS IN PANEL
This applies to 12.04, 12.10, and 13.04 only:
In Unity the update-notifications now show up in the Launcher but without the Launcher we now get no persistent update notifications. Still no worries, I got it to show up in either 'indicator-applet' or 'indicator-applet-complete' in gnome-panel by running the command:
Code:
gsettings set com.ubuntu.update-notifier auto-launch false
You can revert that by running:
Code:
gsettings set com.ubuntu.update-notifier auto-launch true
In 13.10 and 14.04 the update notifications now appear in the "window list" when using flashback so no change is required.
MOVE WINDOW-MANAGEMENT BUTTONS TO THE RIGHT
In version 12.04 only:
Code:
gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/general/button_layout" --type string ":minimize,maximize,close"
Note: to restore the defaults run:
Code:
gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/general/button_layout" --type string "close,minimize,maximize:"
In versions 12.10, 13.04, 13.10, and 14.04:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences button-layout :minimize,maximize,close
To move them back to the left:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences button-layout close,minimize,maximize:
IMPROVE WINDOW-MANAGEMENT BUTTON APPEARANCE
In version 12.04 only:
Code:
sudo apt-get install shiki-colors-metacity-theme
Code:
gconftool-2 -s --type string /apps/metacity/general/theme Shiki-Colors-Metacity
To restore the default theme just run:
Code:
gconftool-2 -s --type string /apps/metacity/general/theme Ambiance
In versions 12.10, 13.04, 13.10, and 14.04:
Code:
sudo apt-get install shiki-colors-metacity-theme
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences theme Shiki-Colors-Metacity
Or to restore the Ambiance theme:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences theme Ambiance
DISABLE OR REMOVE THE OVERLAY-SCROLLBARS
This applies to all supported versions, and there are two options:
Option #1, safest:
I found the overlay-scrollbars to be inconsistent and annoying in the classic DE and I'd previously recommended just removing them altogether but I believe I've found a much better way to disable them on a per-user basis. Simply run one command:
Code:
echo export LIBOVERLAY_SCROLLBAR=0 >> ~/.xprofile
Then just log out and log back in for that change to take effect.
If you should later wish to revert that just run:
Code:
sed -i 's/^export LIBOVERLAY_SCROLLBAR.*/#&/' ~/.xprofile
Option #2, more permanent, possibly very permanent, so proceed with caution:
Should you wish to remove them permanently you can run the following command, but be warned - just reinstalling those packages does NOT restore them correctly - so you may never be able to get them back if you change your mind:
Code:
sudo apt-get purge liboverlay-scrollbar-0.2-0 liboverlay-scrollbar3-0.2-0 overlay-scrollbar
RESTORE THE MISSING MENU AND BUTTON ICONS
This applies to all supported versions
I also dislike the missing menu and button icons so I run:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface menus-have-icons true
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface buttons-have-icons true
HAVE FILE MANAGER HANDLE THE DESKTOP
This applies to all supported versions
This one is the hardest for me to explain. By default the GNOME 3 desktop is set to NOT display any icons, but it's possible for the desktop to display any combination of these icons/"actors":
Computer...........(computer-icon-visible)
Home...............(home-icon-visible)
Network............(network-icon-visible)
Trash..............(trash-icon-visible)
Mounted volumes....(volumes-visible)
But to do so you must first set the "stage" by running:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.background show-desktop-icons true
But that only sets the "stage" for the "actors", now you must decide which actors you want on the stage. You're now the director.
After running that command either reboot or log out and log back in. When you get back to a blank DE background decide what you want displayed. (Hint, the "true" or "false" at the end of these commands is the key):
To show the Computer icon run:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop computer-icon-visible true
To hide the Computer icon run:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop computer-icon-visible false
To show the Home icon run:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop home-icon-visible true
To hide the Home icon run:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop home-icon-visible false
To show the Network icon run:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop network-icon-visible true
To hide the Network icon run:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop network-icon-visible false
To show the Trash icon run:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop trash-icon-visible true
To hide the Trash icon run:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop trash-icon-visible false
To show Mounted Volumes run:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop volumes-visible true
To hide Mounted Volumes run:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop volumes-visible false
DISABLE THE FIREFOX AND THUNDERBIRD GLOBAL MENU ADD-ONS:
This applies to all supported versions
You may or may not find that you need to disable the Firefox and/or Thunderbird global menu add-ons. To do so in Firefox just go to Tools > Add-ons > Global Menu Bar integration and select Disable. You'll then be prompted to restart Firefox. I don't use Thunderbird so I can't be sure of the specific procedure with it, but I'd think it's similar.
-
Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
philinux
kansasnoob can change the title of the thread by editing the original post then choosing advanced.
Thanks for the hint :D
-
Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
grahammechanical
I will agree with that but we should go further, right into 14.10 because that is where the big, big, changes to Ubuntu are going to come. Perhaps we should say that this is Testing Flashback on Ubuntu+1. Does that cover all the bases, as they say in baseball?
I would also limit this Flashback testing to: a) Ubuntu, because it is the base code for the flavours. b) Ubuntu Gnome, because Gnome shell is the natural home of Gnome Flashback. c) Edubuntu, because? Well, Ventrical said: it would be a real plug for Edubuntu (which is a diamond in the rough)
Well said....and you know how hard polishing diamonds can be. :)
-
Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
T...
No offence but this is where I get lost in following the theme of the thread. First I have to admit that I had experiemented with gnome-shell .etc.. and I know how many are endeared to it.. but I am a Unity man and gnome-flashback type geek. :)
I am going to just keep reading and working on Edubuntu Trusty Gnome Flashback and if I have anything significant to add, I will.
Also ... I need to ask a question. Would you like us to test some of the above ideas you are documenting for this project.?
thanks in advance
edit..
Ok .. I had a second read and understand your meanings now. Most of all those things are in Edubuntu Trusty by default (gnome-no-effects).
Also .. just to make a side note.. I run another machine for Overclocking purpose that uses Gnome-Flashback (with effects) Trusty Tahr, and that was installed on an original Ubuntu (Unity) install and it works seamlessly.
-
Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
Then one of the mods shortened the title so I took that as acceptance of pursuing my goals
I was the one pruning as I often do in order to get a short and precise title. Especially when a growing part of the audience is using mobile devices it's important to be brief.
There's no hidden interpretation in that.
-
Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
With a lot of fanagaling I was able to get gnome (noeffects) to work in 32bit but Ubuntu Trusty on THIS graphics card:
Code:
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA Corporation NV34GL [Quadro FX 500/600 PCI] (rev a1)
ventrical@ventrical-P25G:~$
-
Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
-
Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Re-opened.
While this forum is a 'rolling' one at present - it is for the dev version and we want to keep it as that.
We would rather that this thread deals with the development version only, if it needs to be about more than one then it will need to be moved elsewhere - at which point no discussion of trusty in it until next year.
I've not edited this post to remove references to released versions, preferring to keep it as it is. But please make sure to keep ontopic for the forum going forward.
Thanks for understanding.
-
Re: evolution of gnome classic/fallback/flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Elfy
Re-opened.
While this forum is a 'rolling' one at present - it is for the dev version and we want to keep it as that.
We would rather that this thread deals with the development version only, if it needs to be about more than one then it will need to be moved elsewhere - at which point no discussion of trusty in it until next year.
I've not edited this post to remove references to released versions, preferring to keep it as it is. But please make sure to keep ontopic for the forum going forward.
Thanks for understanding.
Many thanks :)
Do the mods agree with my renaming?
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Flashback sessions
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Flashback sessions
BTW I'll prune my OP to reflect the change once I know the mods approve of my title change :)
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Flashback sessions
@ventrical
I am sorry that I failed to reply to a question you asked of me. I have only just seen it. This comment was based upon the results that you and kansasnoob had declared. I was just thinking aloud.
Quote:
So, if flashback (no effects) works in Edubuntu and Ubuntu but not in Ubuntu Gnome there has to be a reason.
I have now done a little testing of my own. I have just installed Ubuntu Gnome (Trusty) from yesterday's QA ISO image. Things seemed to go well. I get an option for Gnome Classic but no option for Gnome classic (no effects). Which is not consistent with what I found on Edubuntu (saucy converted to trusty - no trusty iso image as of yesterday). I have not yet installed gnome-panel on Ubuntu (trusty).
Now here is a weird thing. The Gnome classic session looks classic enough as I remember it all those years ago. :) But when I move the mouse into the top left corner of the screen the Gnome 3 shell appears as if I had done that action in a Gnome 3 shell session. I suppose that is because Gnome Classic on Gnome 3 shell is a set of Gnome 3 extensions.
So, I am guessing that there are code differences between Ubuntu Gnome - Gnome Classic and Edubuntu and Ubuntu Gnome Flashback. I would also guess that as far as the Gnome Devs are concerned Gnome Classic (no effects) is dead and gone.
I do not use alternative desktops. They bring in more than the User Interface. I am of the opinion that they have reached a point to be too top heavy to be practical.
Regards.
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
grahammechanical
@ventrical
I am sorry that I failed to reply to a question you asked of me. I have only just seen it. This comment was based upon the results that you and kansasnoob had declared. I was just thinking aloud.
I have now done a little testing of my own. I have just installed Ubuntu Gnome (Trusty) from yesterday's QA ISO image. Things seemed to go well. I get an option for Gnome Classic but no option for Gnome classic (no effects). Which is not consistent with what I found on Edubuntu (saucy converted to trusty - no trusty iso image as of yesterday). I have not yet installed gnome-panel on Ubuntu (trusty).
Now here is a weird thing. The Gnome classic session looks classic enough as I remember it all those years ago. :) But when I move the mouse into the top left corner of the screen the Gnome 3 shell appears as if I had done that action in a Gnome 3 shell session. I suppose that is because Gnome Classic on Gnome 3 shell is a set of Gnome 3 extensions.
So, I am guessing that there are code differences between Ubuntu Gnome - Gnome Classic and Edubuntu and Ubuntu Gnome Flashback. I would also guess that as far as the Gnome Devs are concerned Gnome Classic (no effects) is dead and gone.
I do not use alternative desktops. They bring in more than the User Interface. I am of the opinion that they have reached a point to be too top heavy to be practical.
Regards.
That is exactly what I've been trying to address :D
Classic is now 'gnome-shell' with some cherry picked extensions to make it look like gnome 2, but it's truly gnome-shell running on top of Mutter.
The new "classic" is in no way related to the fallback/flashback sessions ;)
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
BTW I'll prune my OP to reflect the change once I know the mods approve of my title change :)
Title fine as elfy said. Dont forget to post any saucy bugs with workarounds in here http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2182038
Cheers. Now back on topic. ;)
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
BTW I'll prune my OP to reflect the change once I know the mods approve of my title change :)
Several of the staff discussed the thread, and we all give our approval.
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
grahammechanical
@ventrical
I am sorry that I failed to reply to a question you asked of me. I have only just seen it. This comment was based upon the results that you and kansasnoob had declared. I was just thinking aloud.
So, I am guessing that there are code differences between Ubuntu Gnome - Gnome Classic and Edubuntu and Ubuntu Gnome Flashback. I would also guess that as far as the Gnome Devs are concerned Gnome Classic (no effects) is dead and gone.
I do not use alternative desktops. They bring in more than the User Interface. I am of the opinion that they have reached a point to be too top heavy to be practical.
Regards.
@graham
OK.. Thank you grahammechanical for replying to my question. The reason I asked is so that I can better synchronize my responses while doing a duplicate proceedure. Also .. I just wanted to note that the alternative desktops (xubuntu-desktop,kubuntu-desktop, lubuntu-desktop..etc..) are not officially supported by Canonical (although they may have modules and components that are).
Regards..
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
BTW I'll prune my OP to reflect the change once I know the mods approve of my title change :)
Thats a lot better title kansasnoob.! :)
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Flashback sessions
Ok, I am moving on. I have just installed gnome-session-flashback through the software centre. I now get the option of Gnome Flash back and Gnome Flashback (no effects) as well as Ubuntu. And the Launcher does not make an appearance. So, apart from the Unity type notifications Gnome Flashback seems to be insulated from Unity.
I noted that software centre describes gnome-session-flashback as built on Gnome Panel 3. And also that Gnome Shell is a separate package as is Gnome Shell Classic. I see that the actual package for Gnome Shell Classic is gnome-shell-extensions.
So, Gnome Shell Classic is for Gnome Shell and is different from Gnome Flashback (gnome-session-flashback) which is for Unity based versions of Ubuntu. Which Edubuntu now is. This is my thinking.
Regards.
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Flashback sessions
Most recent update for Edubuntu wiped gnome-flashback (no effects) . Will not come up.
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Flashback sessions
I'm running Ubuntu Trusty here and all is well so far :)
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Flashback sessions
Something cool I discovered is that since Precise 'gnome-tweak-tool' now has much lighter demands:
Quote:
Commandline: /usr/sbin/synaptic
Install: gir1.2-gdesktopenums-3.0:i386 (3.8.0-1ubuntu1, automatic), gnome-tweak-tool:i386 (3.8.1-0ubuntu1), gnome-shell-common:i386 (3.8.4-0ubuntu5, automatic), gir1.2-gnomedesktop-3.0:i386 (3.8.4-0ubuntu1, automatic)
So when I redo that guide I think I'll include it. It looks like that actually changed sometime in Quantal and I didn't even notice :(
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
I'm running Ubuntu Trusty here and all is well so far :)
Ok.. after a 'hardboot' it came up.
false alarm..
edit .. with exception that no indicators came up on right side top panel.
.. i know there is another thread..:)
regards..
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Flashback sessions
Just to update here:
I am using Edubuntu and testing gnome-flashback (both). Gnome-flashback (both) work fine on Ubuntu. The current problem is with Edubuntu. I removed unity-system-compositor, but, to no avail. Apport will not send internal error report flagging unity-system-compositor.
I will use the method of creating a new user and see what happens there.
edit:
Nope .. no go, no indicators on top right panel.(Edubuntu 64bit).
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Flashback sessions
Edubuntu fine here, even after to day's update (13th) which brought in a kernel update.
I ran a little memory usage experiment using System Monitor right after loading. Ubuntu = 389 MiB; Flaskback = 335 MiB and Flashback (no effects) = 316 MiB. Total RAM = 1GB.
I have also noticed that when using the flashback session the screen lock log back in screen has a top panel like the one in Gnome 3 Shell. And another thing, Flashback has a Background utility similar to the one in gnome 3 shell but Ubuntu presents the normal Ubuntu Appearance utility. Also this Edubuntu has Ubuntu Web Browser (Browser) as well as Firefox.
Edubuntu is quite a remix! Now, a combination of Edubuntu and Ubuntu Studio would be something. Imagine how long it would take to install that remix.
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Flashback sessions
For some reason I decided to use synaptic to download gnome-core, which , of course, is gnome-shell... so.. I'll be looking at fixing this one .. umm.. soon :) lol
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
I hope the mods are OK with the latest title change.
It's clear to me now that step #1 in this endeavor needs to be defining the difference between what is now "classic" and the "flashback" sessions.
My personal focus will remain on "Flashback (no effects)" but I welcome comments about the other sessions :)
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
I hope the mods are OK with the latest title change.
It's clear to me now that step #1 in this endeavor needs to be defining the difference between what is now "classic" and the "flashback" sessions.
My personal focus will remain on "Flashback (no effects)" but I welcome comments about the other sessions :)
No problems here with the title change. ;-)
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Something I had not noticed until Trusty is how much they've improved the dependencies for 'gnome-tweak-tool'.
In Precise it required installing all of this:
Quote:
The following NEW packages will be installed:
gir1.2-accountsservice-1.0 gir1.2-caribou-1.0 gir1.2-clutter-1.0
gir1.2-cogl-1.0 gir1.2-coglpango-1.0 gir1.2-folks-0.6
gir1.2-gdesktopenums-3.0 gir1.2-gee-1.0 gir1.2-gjsdbus-1.0 gir1.2-gkbd-3.0
gir1.2-json-1.0 gir1.2-mutter-3.0 gir1.2-networkmanager-1.0
gir1.2-telepathyglib-0.12 gir1.2-telepathylogger-0.2 gir1.2-upowerglib-1.0
gir1.2-xkl-1.0 gjs gnome-contacts gnome-icon-theme-full gnome-shell
gnome-shell-common gnome-themes-standard gnome-tweak-tool libcaribou-common
libcaribou0 libclutter-1.0-0 libclutter-1.0-common libcogl-common
libcogl-pango0 libcogl9 libgjs0c libmozjs185-1.0 libmutter0 mutter-common
0 upgraded, 35 newly installed, 0 to remove and 1 not upgraded.
Need to get 16.8 MB of archives.
After this operation, 38.1 MB of additional disk space will be used.
In Trusty 'gnome-tweak-tool' only installs this:
Quote:
Installed the following packages:
gir1.2-gdesktopenums-3.0 (3.8.0-1ubuntu1)
gir1.2-gnomedesktop-3.0 (3.8.4-0ubuntu1)
gnome-shell-common (3.8.4-0ubuntu5)
gnome-tweak-tool (3.8.1-0ubuntu1)
So I definitely need to add 'gnome-tweak-tool' as an optional package to install :)
That makes many of the general theming tweaks much easier for those who prefer using the GUI :D
Just installing 'gnome-panel' is the easiest and lightest way to get started:
Quote:
Installed the following packages:
alacarte (3.10.0-1)
gir1.2-gconf-2.0 (3.2.6-0ubuntu1)
gir1.2-panelapplet-4.0 (1:3.6.2-0ubuntu15)
gnome-applets (3.5.92-0ubuntu3)
gnome-applets-data (3.5.92-0ubuntu3)
gnome-media (3.4.0-1ubuntu1)
gnome-panel (1:3.6.2-0ubuntu15)
gnome-panel-data (1:3.6.2-0ubuntu15)
gnome-session-flashback (1:3.6.2-0ubuntu15)
gstreamer0.10-gconf (0.10.31-3+nmu1ubuntu3)
indicator-applet (12.10.2+13.10.20130924.2-0ubuntu1)
indicator-applet-complete (12.10.2+13.10.20130924.2-0ubuntu1)
libgnome-media-profiles-3.0-0 (3.0.0-1ubuntu1)
libpanel-applet-4-0 (1:3.6.2-0ubuntu15)
metacity (1:2.34.13-0ubuntu2)
notification-daemon (0.7.6-1)
Then optionally 'indicator-applet', 'indicator-applet-session', 'gnome-tweak-tool', or 'shiki-colors-metacity-theme' as desired.
Update notifications now show up in the "window list" applet so no tweak is needed in that regard.
With the ability to add 'gnome-tweak-tool' w/o a bunch of bloat that leaves very few "tweaks" that actually require the use of the CLI:
#1: Moving the window-management buttons back to the right:
Code:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences button-layout :minimize,maximize,close
#2: Disabling the overlay-scrollbars:
Code:
echo export LIBOVERLAY_SCROLLBAR=0 >> ~/.xprofile
#3: Possibly disabling the Firefox and/or Thunderbird global menu add-ons???????????? I'm unsure about this. I need to play around with fresh profiles and check that out.
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
#2: Disabling the overlay-scrollbars:
Code:
echo export LIBOVERLAY_SCROLLBAR=0 >> ~/.xprofile
Code:
gsettings set com.canonical.desktop.interface scrollbar-mode normal
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
zika
Code:
gsettings set com.canonical.desktop.interface scrollbar-mode normal
Thanks, I'll check that out :D
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
Thanks, I'll check that out :D
If You go with dconf-editor on that address You can choose from 3 different settings, or You can list that switch with the same tool as above.
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
zika
If You go with dconf-editor on that address You can choose from 3 different settings, or You can list that switch with the same tool as above.
Right, I need all the help I can get :)
I've just been trying to document the deprecation of gconf:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...4#post12850034
It may seem anal to look backwards but users will ask silly questions and it's beneficial to have a well documented answer easily at hand :D
BTW once I'm satisfied that documentation of the history of the "gnome-panel + metacity" GNOME 3 session is complete enough I need to do some house-keeping on my test box so I can move ahead effectively in Trusty testing. I could really use a couple of new hard drives and some other new hardware, but dental bills and vet bills make that impossible ATM.
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
I've been searching w/o success, is anyone aware of an upstream bug report requesting that window management buttons be movable in 'gnome-tweak-tool'?
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
As compared to the past metacity settings have now been totally deprecated from gconf:
Attachment 247909
I think that's a good thing :)
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
zika
If You go with dconf-editor on that address You can choose from 3 different settings, or You can list that switch with the same tool as above.
Found it:
Attachment 247910
Time to play :)
Many thanks again.
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Since gnome-session-flashback is dependant on gnome-screensaver being installed there is no way to get a working screensaver (xscreensaver) in Saucy 13.10 or Trusty 14.04.
I came up with a little work around that leaves gnome-screensaver installed while using xscreensaver.
I entered this in a text editor and saved it as killscreensaver in my home directory.
PHP Code:
#! /bin/bash
sleep 60
killall gnome-screensaver
Made it executable via sudo chmod +x /home/cavsfan/killscreensaver.
Then added /home/cavsfan/killscreensaver to my startup applications as well as xscreensaver.
It seems to like 60 seconds. I tried 20 and less and that didn't work. But 60 seconds will work every time.
It is mentioned here.
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Wild thought:
OK, GSF needs GS to be installed as a dependency for GSF-install. But You do not need it for DM to run, don't You?
So, editing /etc/xdg/autostart/gnome-screensaver.desktop, or renaming GS, making a symlink or similar is also a possibility...
Editing /etc/xdg/autostart/gnome-screensaver.desktop looks like a simplest way of all. Just one line to be edited.
Take a look also in ~/.config/autostart ...
It is better not to let GS to wake up, then to kill it... ;)
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
zika
Wild thought:
OK, GSF needs GS to be installed as a dependency for GSF-install. But You do not need it for D to run, don't You? So, renaming it, making a symlink or similar is also a possibility...
Another way that did work is Mc4man's method of editing the control file for GSF and removing the dependancy, saving the deb file and dpkging it. That worked for me on 13.10.
It is also in the 13.10 work around link at the bottom of my previous post.
But this is much easier and it works every time. Nothing else I've tried worked.
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Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
zika
Wild thought:
OK, GSF needs GS to be installed as a dependency for GSF-install. But You do not need it for DM to run, don't You?
So, editing /etc/xdg/autostart/gnome-screensaver.desktop, or renaming GS, making a symlink or similar is also a possibility...
Editing /etc/xdg/autostart/gnome-screensaver.desktop looks like a simplest way of all. Just one line to be edited.
Take a look also in ~/.config/autostart ...
It is better not to let GS to wake up, then to kill it... ;)
I'm not quite sure I understand, but if GSF = the flashback session, and if GS = gnome-shell, then that's not quite true ATM :)
On my Trusty if I install 'gnome-panel' I get a working flashback (no effects) session w/o 'gnome-shell':
Code:
Commit Log for Wed Oct 30 00:15:43 2013
Installed the following packages:
alacarte (3.10.0-1)
gir1.2-gconf-2.0 (3.2.6-0ubuntu1)
gir1.2-panelapplet-4.0 (1:3.6.2-0ubuntu15)
gnome-applets (3.5.92-0ubuntu3)
gnome-applets-data (3.5.92-0ubuntu3)
gnome-media (3.4.0-1ubuntu1)
gnome-panel (1:3.6.2-0ubuntu15)
gnome-panel-data (1:3.6.2-0ubuntu15)
gnome-session-flashback (1:3.6.2-0ubuntu15)
gstreamer0.10-gconf (0.10.31-3+nmu1ubuntu3)
indicator-applet (12.10.2+13.10.20130924.2-0ubuntu1)
indicator-applet-complete (12.10.2+13.10.20130924.2-0ubuntu1)
libgnome-media-profiles-3.0-0 (3.0.0-1ubuntu1)
libpanel-applet-4-0 (1:3.6.2-0ubuntu15)
metacity (1:2.34.13-0ubuntu2)
notification-daemon (0.7.6-1)
shiki-colors-metacity-theme (4.6-1ubuntu2)
Even installing 'gnome-tweak-tool' no longer installs 'gnome-shell':
Code:
Commit Log for Sun Nov 10 12:08:56 2013
Installed the following packages:
gir1.2-gdesktopenums-3.0 (3.8.0-1ubuntu1)
gir1.2-gnomedesktop-3.0 (3.8.4-0ubuntu1)
gnome-shell-common (3.8.4-0ubuntu5)
gnome-tweak-tool (3.8.1-0ubuntu1)
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Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Cavsfan
Since
gnome-session-flashback is dependant on
gnome-screensaver being installed there is no way to get a working screensaver (
xscreensaver) in Saucy 13.10 or Trusty 14.04.
I came up with a little work around that leaves
gnome-screensaver installed while using
xscreensaver.
I entered this in a text editor and saved it as
killscreensaver in my home directory.
PHP Code:
#! /bin/bash
sleep 60
killall gnome-screensaver
Made it executable via
sudo chmod +x /home/cavsfan/killscreensaver.
Then added
/home/cavsfan/killscreensaver to my startup applications as well as
xscreensaver.
It seems to like 60 seconds. I tried 20 and less and that didn't work. But 60 seconds will work every time.
It is mentioned
here.
I personally wonder why anyone wants an actual screensaver running ATM :confused:
I disliked the change to just a blank screen initially but with few CRT monitors left in the world a blank screen makes sense to me now :)
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Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
I'm not quite sure I understand, but if GSF = the flashback session, and if GS = gnome-shell, then that's not quite true ATM :)
I'm sure that you have realised by now that GS = gnome-screensaver, not gnome-shell.
I agree with you that a blank screen now makes a lot more sense than a 'traditional' screensaver
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Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Alan F
I'm sure that you have realised by now that GS = gnome-screensaver, not gnome-shell.
I agree with you that a blank screen now makes a lot more sense than a 'traditional' screensaver
No I didn't :redface:
If you google "thick" you'll find a link to "thick minded" with a picture of me :)
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Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
I personally wonder why anyone wants an actual screensaver running ATM :confused:
I disliked the change to just a blank screen initially but with few CRT monitors left in the world a blank screen makes sense to me now :)
You want no screensaver? Well I do and that is the only way to accomplish having Xscreensaver work.
I tried killing gnome-screensaver via system monitor but it would re-spawn on it's own. I didn't want to have to do anything manually any way.
Besides it is not a blank screen, at least not on any of my installs. It displays date and time.
This works for those that wish to have a working screensaver. ;)
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Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Cavsfan
You want no screensaver? Well I do and that is the only way to accomplish having Xscreensaver work.
I tried killing gnome-screensaver via system monitor but it would re-spawn on it's own. I didn't want to have to do anything manually any way.
Besides it is not a blank screen, at least not on any of my installs. It displays date and time.
This works for those that wish to have a working screensaver. ;)
Just "wanting it" is a valid enough reason for me :D
So when I do this Trusty "retro" thread I will try to include a link to "how to enable xcreensaver" :guitar:
I'm still trying to wrap my mind around how I should do this. ATM I'm thinking "bite-size" instead of a huge thing like this:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1966370
Right now I'm still in "figuring out what to do" mode ;)
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Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
Just "wanting it"
is a valid enough reason for me :D
So when I do this Trusty "retro" thread I will try to include a link to "how to enable xcreensaver" :guitar:
I'm still trying to wrap my mind around how I should do this. ATM I'm thinking "bite-size" instead of a huge thing like this:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1966370
Right now I'm still in "figuring out what to do" mode ;)
+1 on that there. ;)
I'm still puzzled by the lack of interest in having a working screensaver in Gnome Flashback. It seems fairly simple to remove the requirement for gnome-screensaver as a dependency of gnome-session-flashback.
I opened this thread http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2160563
and mc4man showed me how to edit the deb file and remove the dependency and I'll admit I was pretty slow about understanding how to do it but, I did finally manage it. That is how my Saucy install is right now and it works well.
Jeremy Bicha also mentioned on that thread that it wouldn't be that hard to do. But, since the fix was never put into production I just edited the deb file on Saucy after final release.
I just experimented with the script idea and that seemed like a more simple solution.
Here is the bug with me and 2 others https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...l/+bug/1199074
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Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Cavsfan
+1 on that there. ;)
I'm still puzzled by the lack of interest in having a working screensaver in Gnome Flashback. It seems fairly simple to remove the requirement for
gnome-screensaver as a dependency of
gnome-session-flashback.
I opened this thread
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2160563
and
mc4man showed me how to edit the deb file and remove the dependency and I'll admit I was pretty slow about understanding how to do it but, I did finally manage it. That is how my Saucy install is right now and it works well.
Jeremy Bicha also mentioned on that thread that it wouldn't be that hard to do. But, since the fix was never put into production I just edited the deb file on Saucy after final release.
I just experimented with the script idea and that seemed like a more simple solution.
Here is the bug with me and 2 others
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...l/+bug/1199074
I'm glad we're on the same page :D
While having a working screensaver is not important to me it is important to you. So I think I'll try and link to each individual "tweak" rather than lumping it all into one thread.
That should also make it easier for someone to wikify this.
Right now my biggest challenges are:
(a) Documenting the deprecation of gconf:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...4#post12850034
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...7#post12851127
(b) The renaming of sessions:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2185161
(c) What was (c) ............... oh yeah, my mind ain't so sharp :(
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Cavsfan
I'm still puzzled by the lack of interest in having a working screensaver in Gnome Flashback. It seems fairly simple to remove the requirement for gnome-screensaver as a dependency of gnome-session-flashback.
gnome-screensaver is needed for screen lock functionality. If dependency will be removed than gnome-screensaver wont install when installing gnome-session-flashback. This will make new bug/regression.
So I am pretty sure gnome-screensaver won't be removed as dependency for gnome-session-flashback.
And I think Jeremy Bicha solution probably wont work. Checked gnome-panel code. Gnome screensaver provides dbus service which is required in gnome-panel for lock functionality. In this case it does not matter that XScreenSaver provides lock functionality too.
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kansasnoob
(c) What was (c) ............... oh yeah, my mind ain't so sharp :(
LoL I'm right there with you on that point! I've had this neurological disorder for the last 12+ years and take some heavy anti-seizure medication which takes a lot out of me.
I don't like to get out but when I do I get wore out fairly easy. I've been messing with computers since I was 19 and that is probably what keeps me alive today. Always messing with something on here. :)
I can't drive which is frustrating but I ride a bike for exercise and am wore plum out after that. :D
On top of that in a couple months I'll be elgible for a senior citizens discount. :o So, I know exactly where you're coming from. The only thing that could be worse is if I had OCD. And I am not absolutely sure I don't.
Good luck on your goals! :)
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Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
albertsmuktupavels
gnome-screensaver is needed for screen lock functionality. If dependency will be removed than gnome-screensaver wont install when installing gnome-session-flashback. This will make new bug/regression.
So I am pretty sure gnome-screensaver won't be removed as dependency for gnome-session-flashback.
And I think Jeremy Bicha solution probably wont work. Checked gnome-panel code. Gnome screensaver provides dbus service which is required in gnome-panel for lock functionality. In this case it does not matter that XScreenSaver provides lock functionality too.
Gnome-screensaver is worthless IMO. It only provides a lock and I don't like having time and date displayed on my monitor forever when I could have Xscreensaver and many of it's addons displaying a working screensaverr.
Besides that Xscreensaver is being maintained while Gnome-screensaver is not. If it were this would not be a problem.
When I want my screen to lock I can just check the box on Xscreensaver. It locks just fine here.
Tell that to Jeremy Bicha. I am not sure what happened I never heard back from him. But Xscreensaver, which works can be used on Unity, Flashback, etc. and it actually works. So taking out that dependency is simple and will cause no harm that I see.
My saucy install has had the dependency removed and it works well. On Trusty I just have the script to kill gnome screensaver and they both work to my satisfaction.
-
Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Cavsfan
Tell that to Jeremy Bicha. I am not sure what happened I never heard back from him. But Xscreensaver, which works can be used on Unity, Flashback, etc. and it actually works. So taking out that dependency is simple and will cause no harm that I see.
My saucy install has had the dependency removed and it works well. On Trusty I just have the script to kill gnome screensaver and they both work to my satisfaction.
Removing dependency will make part of gnome-panel to not work. If I am not wrong than lock button applet will not work, Lock/Switch Account probably too. If it is not problem for you, it may be for others.
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Re: Trusty GNOME Classic & Flashback sessions
Jeremy Bicha is no longer doing development work on Ubuntu Gnome. Or very little. Personal reasons.
http://jeremy.bicha.net/
Quote:
I’m sad to announce that due to immense personal and family responsibilities, I simply won’t have the time or ability to contribute to the Ubuntu GNOME effort much longer.
Regards.