[workspace switcher] Cannot configure workspace layout

[Adolfo R. Brandes]

Although one can configure a 2x2 workspace layout with unity-2d and metacity, it involves opening an instance of gnome-panel, setting workspace switcher preferences, and then closing it. It would be much preferrable to be able to do so through unity-2d itself.

(I realize running compiz would solve this, but as of yet the latter introduces other problems, such as a double title bar.)

[Olivier Tilloy (osomon)]

Note that configuring the workspaces layout involves two separate mechanisms:

 - the total number of workspaces, set by metacity and stored in the GConf key /apps/metacity/general/num_workspaces

 - the layout of the desktop, set using the _NET_DESKTOP_LAYOUT atom on the root window (see http://standards.freedesktop.org/wm-spec/wm-spec-latest.html#id2550891)

[Adolfo R. Brandes (arbrandes)]

So THAT's why I couldn't find a gconf key for number of rows...

In the meantime, I'm going to try and find a standalone workspace switcher. Failing that, I'm going to try one of the standalone docks: I hear the latest version of docky has a switcher.

(also, I just found out you can remove the title bar of maximized windows with compiz, so I'll possibly be using that; hopefully the compiz-integration branch will be merged into trunk soon)

[Adolfo R. Brandes (arbrandes)]

I'm trying to convince George to make his new workspace indicator work with metacity. It currently only does compiz, but it would be a perfect match for unity-2d:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/indicator-workspaces/+bug/696712

[Olivier Tilloy (osomon)]

That would be neat indeed!