workspace switcher keyboard shortcuts are unoptimal

[Amit Kucheria]

Binary package hint: unity

I've been using unity for a few weeks now. The new workspace switcher with 4 workspaces arranged in a 2x2 grid breaks the keyboard UI.

Previously, I would have to only to a Ctrl-Alt-<Left> or <Right> to navigate my workspaces w/o having to keep looking at the screen to see where I was since I'd pass through each of them. Now I have to use all four arrow keys to navigate through them, all the while looking to see where I am and which key to use (up, down, left, right) to get to the workspace I want to.

Regardless of how you show the workspace switcher graphically (2x2 is fine), the shortcuts should be reverted to Ctrl-Alt-<Left> or <Right> that will cycle through all workspaces.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.04
Package: unity 3.6.0-0ubuntu1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.38-5.32-generic 2.6.38-rc6
Uname: Linux 2.6.38-5-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
Architecture: amd64
CompizPlugins: [core,bailer,detection,composite,opengl,decor,mousepoll,vpswitch,regex,animation,snap,expo,move,compiztoolbox,place,grid,gnomecompat,wall,ezoom,workarounds,staticswitcher,resize,fade,scale,session,unityshell]
Date: Wed Mar 2 14:03:41 2011
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" - Alpha amd64 (20110201.2)
ProcEnviron:
 LANGUAGE=en_US:en
 PATH=(custom, user)
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
 LC_PAPER=a4
SourcePackage: unity
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

[Timothy Kross (timkross)]

Perhaps both keyboard shortcuts should be kept, with this I mean: pressing any Ctrl-Alt-Arrow_Key combination in succession should cycle through the workspaces, Left, Right, Up or Down.

[Lew Riley (lriley)]

This is a configuration issue.

To enable wraparound, run CompizConfig Settings Manager (you may have to install it):

Desktop -> Dekstop Wall -> check the Allow Wrap-Around box at the top

Then, it will behave as you suggest above with both left/right and up/down wrapping.

[sompoch_ubuntu (mjko68)]

thank you

[Amit Kucheria (amitk)]

Doesn't the UX team think of this as a usability problem?

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Amit, I believe the design team were probably the ones who requested the 2x2 layout. But they also have never responded to this bug.

If you prefer a flat 4x1 layout as I do, then you can set it in CCSM:
  General Options > Desktop Size > Vertical Virtual Size = 1, Horizontal Virtual Size = 4

Then you will only need to use Ctrl+Alt+Left/Right to access all the viewports.