viewport/workspace switcher breaks desktop

[Luxx]

@ slooksterpsv: I was thinking along those lines, but wanted to make sure what seemed to be working was actually consistent.

me@unknown:~$ gnome-shell --replace
Window manager warning: Log level 16: Unable to register authentication agent: GDBus.Error: org.freedesktop.PolicyKit1.Error.Failed: An authentication agent already exists for the given subject
Gjs-Message: JS LOG: Failed to register AuthenticationAgent
Gjs-Message: JS LOG: GNOME Shell started at Tue Jan 21 2014 23:57:30 GMT-0700 (MST)

me@unknown:~$ compiz --replace
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: core
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: core
compiz (core) - Info: Loading plugin: ccp
compiz (core) - Info: Starting plugin: ccp
compizconfig - Info: Backend     : gsettings
compizconfig - Info: Integration : true
compizconfig - Info: Profile     : default

...the rest is really long, just compiz (core) loading plugins, except text failed.


I enabled text in CCSM, no more failed plugins, but compiz only works while running in terminal. I cannot coax it to stay. I can get it to look like it will, but when I close the terminal I get a blank vanilla desktop with the computer icon on it, just like when I first logged into the new account, only this one already has folders all over it. I can't launch applications except via terminal which has to be launched with Ctrl+Alt+T. This appears to be consistent with the other gnome classic varieties I tried, and in both accounts. Yet, Gnome-shell (Gnome 3) seems to be working normally in both accounts.

I believe the best course of action here would be to go with Gnome 3.

So what I have done is installed all the gnome-shell components (I'll list them later), including Gnome Tweak tools and I have my basic configuration back to normal. Instead of a classic shell, there are settings you can change in Tweak Tool to get close to a classic look and function. My workspaces work. I can log in and out smoothly and my windows open in my current window. The only things missing are adding app launchers to the top panel, but the Applications menu with the Activities overview kind of takes care of having things where I can find them, though less elegant imo. I can work now.

[slooksterpsv]

If you want to continue using a Gnome 2 like look, there's always the fork MATE. I believe that's what you were doing is using a gnome 2 style look and functionality.

[Luxx]

Mate was so extremely limited I couldn't use it. It's not a matter of aesthetics, like the devs seem to think. It's actually a matter of function. I've been customizing my computer to FUNCTION the way "I" want it to for 7 years and now I can't, except maybe I if go back to Fluxbox as my DE, which I might when I find the time to customize everything, but that's a big job.