erratic ubuntu

[kinglee]

gonna go back to vista at this rate!
am getting annoyed at ubuntu having two desktops, i really really only need one! where i am using a touch pad on a laptop, i'll move the mouse pointer slightly and im on the second desktop, which is now really doing my head in. also when i move the mouse pointer , the web page i am browsing will scroll up n down, controlled by the mouse pointer. i love linux and its simplicity but am getting to end of my tether with these two quirks. pls help me someone!!

[jpeddicord]

To turn off multiple desktops, right-click on the two boxes on the bottom-right of your screen (see attachment, mine has 3), then go to Preferences. Set Number of Workspaces to 1, close the window, and you now only have one workspace.

[SmokinJuan]

Jacob is right about the desktops (though its not "workspaces" on my machine, but rather columns).

As for the scrolling, most laptops I've used (all Microsoft) have a synaptics touchpad whose driver allows you to set a region on the right side and bottom of the pad to do "virtual scrolling" in applications. Look for something in your System/Preferences or System/Administration menu for your touchpad to see if theres a scrolling setting.

[coffeecat]

SmokinJuan is right. You've strayed into the vertical scrolling area of the touchpad. This is not a Linux issue. Exactly the same happens in Windows. Go to System > Preferences > Mouse > Touchpad and untick Enable vertical scrolling.

Personally, I prefer scrolling on. I've just learnt to be careful where I put my fingers.

Seems like a good lesson for life in general. :p