Binary package hint: firefox
There is an annoying bug with Firefox in Ubuntu 11.04 with the Unity desktop: frequently when I try to access context menus (either right-click menus or the URL drop-down) they disappear as soon as I move the mouse. It also often takes several clicks to get the menu to come up at all. For example, to open a link in a new tab, I right click on the link, and would normally then click on 'Open Link in New Tab' but cannot, as the menu disappears. Instead, I have to right-click and then type 'T'.
The bug is reproducible on my machine. It occurs whenever I have Firefox running in one workspace, and have switched to another workspace (perhaps to check email in Thunderbird), if I use the keyboard to move back to Firefox's workspace (i.e. using Ctrl+Alt+arrow keys). Usually Firefox is the only open window in its workspace.
On the other hand, if I use the Unity Launcher to return to firefox, the bug never occurs. (And I can resolve the issue if I navigate away from Firefox to another workspace, and then return by clicking on Firefox in the launcher.) While this does provide a workaround, it's not ideal for two reasons:
1. When the bug does occur, it's very frustrating to have the menu disappear on me.
2. Keyboard navigation is practically instant, whereas launcher-based switching takes more time - I have to switch to the mouse, then unhide the Launcher, and then click on the firefox icon.
Somehow if I use the keyboard to switch to Firefox's workspace, the window is not getting the right mouse focus - although left-click and scrolling seem to work fine.
ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.04
Package: firefox 4.0.1+build1+nobinonly-0ubuntu0.11.04.3
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.38-8.42-generic 2.6.38.2
Uname: Linux 2.6.38-8-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: fglrx
Architecture: amd64
Date: Mon Jun 13 18:01:14 2011
FirefoxPackages:
firefox 4.0.1+build1+nobinonly-0ubuntu0.11.04.3
flashplugin-installer N/A
adobe-flashplugin N/A
icedtea-plugin 1.1~20110420-0ubuntu1
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" - Release amd64 (20110427.1)
ProcEnviron:
LANGUAGE=en_US:en
LANG=en_US.UTF-8
SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: firefox
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
I can reproduce this, but only if the Firefox window is first moved to a new workspace. If the Firefox windows is kept in the workspace where it was opened I do not see this bug. So the steps to reproduce in my case are:
1) Open Firefox
2) Move the Firefox window to a new workspace
3) Switch workspace with a keyboard shortcut
4) Switch back to workspace where Firefox is located with a keyboard shortcut
What should happen? Contextual menus should work. What happens actually? Contextual menu cannot be clicked, they dissapear after the mouse is moved to click one of the options.
As Sean says, when the switch to the workspace where Firerfox is located is done clicking on the Firefox icon in the Unity launcher, this does not happen. This also fixes the problem temporarily, as when it starts happening no contextual menu cannot be clicked in Firefox (so move to any workspace and go back by clicking on the launcher).