Nautilus list view is constantly adjusting size of the columns

[Jukka Haaramo]

When browisng the nautilus in full-screen using list mode (Ctrl+2) a folder containing 1131 files with file names varying to 60-80 characters, the size of "Name"-column changes constantly if the width is not set by hand to a fixed value. Other visible columns are File size, File type and Changed date (default settings).

This bug happens every time when window gets focused, for example when using Alt+Tab to switch to Web browser inbetween. It might be that the adjustment is calculated every time even if nothing has changed in directory.

Bug affects 12.10, in 12.04 works ok.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.10
Package: nautilus 1:3.5.90.really.3.4.2-0ubuntu4
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.5.0-17.28-generic 3.5.5
Uname: Linux 3.5.0-17-generic i686
ApportVersion: 2.6.1-0ubuntu6
Architecture: i386
Date: Thu Nov 1 14:15:15 2012
GsettingsChanges:
 b'org.gnome.nautilus.window-state' b'geometry' b"'844x341+939+-904'"
 b'org.gnome.nautilus.window-state' b'maximized' b'true'
 b'org.gnome.nautilus.window-state' b'sidebar-width' b'139'
InstallationDate: Installed on 2012-02-03 (272 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.10 "Oneiric Ocelot" - Release i386 (20111012)
MarkForUpload: True
SourcePackage: nautilus
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to quantal on 2012-10-24 (8 days ago)

[Jukka Haaramo (jukka-haaramo-r)]

This does only affect 12.10, in 12.04 works ok.
Below is a script that reproduces the issue by creating a folder containing filenames long enough.

#!/bin/bash

# Script to reproduce bug 1073913 in launcpad

mkdir bug
cd bug
for i in {1..100}
do
   TMPFILE=`for i in $(seq $i); do echo -n 'a'; done`
   touch "$TMPFILE"
done

[Jukka Haaramo (jukka-haaramo-r)]

Script to reproduce the bug

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[Karl Kropf (ksk-clara)]

I've experienced the same behaviour. It is on a fresh install of 12.10. Potentially relevant packages installed include ccsm, advanced settings and the faience theme. The jumping of the columns seems to stop if the widths are changed but if the view is changed (Ctrl+1) and changed back (Ctrl+2) the strange behaviour starts again. It's mainly a problem when right clicking but still happens with the left click.

It seems a minor issue but is very noticeable and I most often use the list view with lots of files.

This comment has also been posted to Ubuntu “nautilus” package Bugs Bug #1078942, which appears to be another duplicate

[Karl Kropf (ksk-clara)]

A perhaps less than satisfactory work around is to upgrade to Nautilus 3.6. The downside is the loss of features such as split pane etc. but there is no auto-adjust and jumping columns

[Sebastien Bacher (seb128)]

Thank you for your bug report, closing the ticket since 3.6 is in raring and it fixes the issue, it doesn't seem likely the bug will qualify for a stable update though since it's mostly cosmetic

[Karl Kropf (ksk-clara)]

[corrected for typo] My original workaround was to install 3.6.3 (on a fresh install of 12.10 - the package in synaptic is 1:3.6.3-0ubuntu2~ubuntu12.10.1). It was not a problem at first but I now find (after a recent update) that the problem affects this version as well. The resizing occurs in the following situations:
- switching windows with the alt+tab
- bringing the window up with the launcher
- moving the window with the title bar
- left clicking items in the list
- using the global menu (home folder)

[joehahn (joehahn)]

This issue is not cosmetic. Every time the columns readjust their size, it steals focus. Example: if the user is in the middle of creating or renaming a folder, the re-sizing will steal the keyboard focus and either create no folder, or create a folder named with whatever portion of the name the user was able to type before focus was stolen. This also creates a problem in the Save-As dialog when downloading files in web browsers.

[Element Green (jgreen-users)]

I discovered that this bug is GTK theme specific. From what I can tell, the issue does not occur with the HighContrast theme, but occurs with most others I tried including the default Adwaita theme. The only other theme I have found so far that does not have this issue is the DarkMint theme. I suspect there is a particular theme option with the GtkTreeView widget that is causing this.

[Eromatic (eromatic)]

I can confirm under Ubuntu 12.10 (Unity) that using the HighContrast theme does prevent the Nautilus list view from constantly adjusting size of the columns.

[Ola Liljedahl (ola-liljedahl)]

This bug makes me crazy!

I am running Ubuntu 12.10/64-bit (always up-to-date) with Unity and Nautilus on an Atom D525/ION netbox (Asus EEE Box) with the latest NVIDIA proprietary graphics driver (318.26 as of today), I need the HW-accelerated video decoding.
I have a large folder on a network drive (SMB/CIFS-mounted) so access is quite slow to start with. Then Nautilus takes forever scanning and displaying the folder contents, constantly repainting the window with different column sizes.

I installed and tried the Marlin file manager but seemed to get the same crazy behavior there as well.

I will try using the HighContrast theme as suggested above.

[Kari Haapanen (karsta62)]

Not only makes one nuts, but is dangerous.

Anyway, seems like it settled down when i changed the order of visible columns

from:
Name-Size-Type-Date Modified

to:
Name-Size-Date Modified-Type.

[Dustin Wyatt (dustin-wyatt)]

Not merely a cosmetic bug.

It steals focus from activities being performed. The big issue for me is that you can't create "dead space" to right click and make a new folder. The Name column resizes to make the columns take the whole width of the window, and thus there is no where to right-click without bringing up the context menu for the specific line you're right clicking on.

Regardless, this bug is still present in 13.04.

[G9283 (b8732-deactivatedaccount)]

Yep, still affects 13.04 (version 3.6.3)

Can never understand why these bugs are not blockers. "He's some new shiny *great* features we all worked so hard on (some more bugs too), enjoy. **By the way, all those bugs you submitted, yeah, we're fixing none of those. But look!!! It's shiny new stuff, yay.**"

[sioban (launchpad-sioban)]

I have to agree G9283 comment...

Ubuntu need to be more coherent...

[przekop (przekop)]

High contrast theme don't help while quick search as you type (new shiny feature). Bug still occur.

[Cavia Porcellus (caviaporcellus)]

Those still with problems are probably affected by this:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gtk3-engines-unico/+bug/1018718

[Andrea Denzler (andreaplanet)]

I really hate this bug. Months that it's affecting me.... at least give us a workaround :(

[jpka (jopka)]

+1 G9283 (b8732)
(Almost) none of serious/blocking usability bugs was fixed since Hardy Heron. Instead, professional stuff just kicked from mainstream, include: dark color theme; btnx; Compiz color filter; gnome sensors applet. I wonder if someone still can use latest Ubuntu's for something more complicated than two minute session in cafe mode.