Re-enable Opacity, Brightness and Saturation plugin by default

[David Prieto]

Binary package hint: compiz

I have noticed that two of compiz's plugins that were most useful to me have been disabled in Intrepid: opacity and magnifier.

Both offer basic but very useful functionality that, in my opinion, should be there from the start. Please re-enable them.

[David Prieto (frandavid100-gmail)]

I see the magnifier plugin has been re-enabled in Jaunty, but opacity hasn't. Is there any chance to have it back?

[Robert Ancell (robert-ancell)]

Thank you for your bug report. What is your argument for having the opacity plugin enabled by default? Note that it can be easily enabled using the CompizConfig settings manager.

[David Prieto (frandavid100-gmail)]

Well, it was one of Compiz's flagship plugins when it first came out. It's recognisable and has a high "wow" effect, meaning it can be used to quickly demonstrate Ubuntu's compositing to people unfamiliar with it.

That aside, it is extremely useful to keep track of passive windows while interacting with another app. It has always made my interaction with Ubuntu much more satisfactory for me. I understand it can be enabled from CCSM (provided you install it first) but, then again, so can every other plugin.

Finally, the alt+scroll combination is not used for anything else so there is little gain in disabling it IMO.

[David Prieto (frandavid100-gmail)]

Any news on this?

[Robert Ancell (robert-ancell)]

I'm not convinced this plugin has merit. It could be easily bumped which would confuse users (why have my windows gone transparent). I don't see the "wow" value to it. Windows fading appropriately to events is wow, e.g. when applications become unresponsive. I think this is an advanced feature that will not be discovered or used by the majority of users.