desktop focus interferes with conky

[Sam_]

Have conky specs:
own_window yes
own_window_class Conky
own_window_type normal
own_window_transparent yes
own_window_hints undecorated,below,sticky,skip_taskbar,skip_pager

Open an application (e.g. gedit or system-settings) and close it again, desktop doesn't automatically take focus.
User needs to left click on conky window to focus desktop in order to invoke shortcuts to switch workspaces (ctrl+alt+arrow) or alt+f2.
own_window_type desktop doesn't help.

Alternativeley open and close the dash with <super> allows shortcuts to switch workspaces.

After latest updates above workarounds don't help any longer.
Now there is no option to make shortcuts invoke their functions.

## This was fixed in Oneiric bug 871277 #7.
## Monitoring bug 953089 since the description of 4) meets exactly latest behaviour here, except 'If no program is visible on the screen'.
## A workaround for this bug was found by #15

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.04
Package: compiz 1:0.9.7.0~bzr2995-0ubuntu4
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.2.0-16.25-generic 3.2.6
Uname: Linux 3.2.0-16-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: wl
.tmp.unity.support.test.0:

ApportVersion: 1.91-0ubuntu1
Architecture: amd64
CompizPlugins: [core,composite,opengl,compiztoolbox,decor,imgpng,obs,gnomecompat,snap,screenshot,regex,grid,resize,move,animation,place,mousepoll,session,winrules,workarounds,wall,expo,fade,ezoom,scale,unityshell]
CompositorRunning: compiz
Date: Fri Feb 17 14:14:07 2012
DistUpgraded: Fresh install
DistroCodename: precise
DistroVariant: ubuntu
DkmsStatus:
 bcmwl, 5.100.82.38+bdcom, 3.2.0-14-generic, x86_64: installed
 bcmwl, 5.100.82.38+bdcom, 3.2.0-15-generic, x86_64: installed
 bcmwl, 5.100.82.38+bdcom, 3.2.0-16-generic, x86_64: installed
GraphicsCard:
 Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI RS880M [Mobility Radeon HD 4200 Series] [1002:9712] (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
   Subsystem: Hewlett-Packard Company Device [103c:1475]
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 12.04 LTS "Precise Pangolin" - Alpha amd64 (20111129.1)
MachineType: Hewlett-Packard HP 625
PackageArchitecture: all
ProcEnviron:
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 LANG=de_DE.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-16-generic root=UUID=bab9ac13-843a-4289-a0f2-b254b2dda7d3 ro
SourcePackage: compiz
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 12/07/2010
dmi.bios.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
dmi.bios.version: 68DVA Ver. F.06
dmi.board.asset.tag: Base Board Asset Tag
dmi.board.name: 1475
dmi.board.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
dmi.board.version: KBC Version 72.0E
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: CNU1080QP1
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnHewlett-Packard:bvr68DVAVer.F.06:bd12/07/2010:svnHewlett-Packard:pnHP625:pvr:rvnHewlett-Packard:rn1475:rvrKBCVersion72.0E:cvnHewlett-Packard:ct10:cvr:
dmi.product.name: HP 625
dmi.sys.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
version.compiz: compiz 1:0.9.7.0~bzr2995-0ubuntu4
version.ia32-libs: ia32-libs N/A
version.libdrm2: libdrm2 2.4.30-1ubuntu1
version.libgl1-mesa-dri: libgl1-mesa-dri 8.0~rc2-0ubuntu5
version.libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental: libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental N/A
version.libgl1-mesa-glx: libgl1-mesa-glx 8.0~rc2-0ubuntu5
version.xserver-xorg-core: xserver-xorg-core 2:1.11.4-0ubuntu3
version.xserver-xorg-input-evdev: xserver-xorg-input-evdev 1:2.6.99.901+git20120126-0ubuntu2
version.xserver-xorg-video-ati: xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.14.99~git20111219.aacbd629-0ubuntu2
version.xserver-xorg-video-intel: xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.17.0-1ubuntu4
version.xserver-xorg-video-nouveau: xserver-xorg-video-nouveau 1:0.0.16+git20111201+b5534a1-1build2

[Sam_ (and-sam)]

Issue worsened after latest updates (term.log), when closing an application also other keybindings aren't responding any longer, neither by left click on desktop or conky.
The <super> and ctrl+alt+arrow keys show no reaction like opening the launcher, dash or switching workspaces.
In order to make keybindings respond at all it needs an open application.
Since launcher is set to autohide it also means after login the user needs to push to left side in order to view the launcher and being able to open an application. The desktop simply has no focus after login.
compiz:
  Installed: 1:0.9.7.0+bzr3035-0ubuntu1
  Candidate: 1:0.9.7.0+bzr3035-0ubuntu1
  Version table:
 *** 1:0.9.7.0+bzr3035-0ubuntu1 0
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

[Sam_ (and-sam)]

In order to get focus on desktop it needs conky option force_to_background, then a left click on conky (not on desktop) displays in panel 'ubuntu workspace', this also makes keybindings responsive again.

[Sam_ (and-sam)]

Tested on pc it wasn't the force_to_background option, instead own_window_class Conky needs to be commented out. Unresponsive shortcuts remain.

[Sam_ (and-sam)]

Out commenting own_window_class didn't help after logout and reboot.
Now after login there is no option to invoke any shortcut.
It needs a mouse move to view the hidden launcher, then open for example gedit again in order to open the dash via super-key or switch workspaces.

[Sam_ (and-sam)]

Although bug 953089 is fixed, after closing a window, desktop hasn't automatically focus, super-key and other shortcuts aren't recognized.
The initial issue remains also which is that it needs a left click on conky in order to invoke shortcuts and achieve desktop focus.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

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

[WhyNotHugo (whynothugo)]

*All* global hotkeys break, including xbindkeys', so I'm not sure if this is 100% a compiz bug.
This issues does, however, completely break desktops that use compiz as a standalone WM.

[Lothar Fausthenze (fausthenze)]

I am also affected. No global hotkey works after I closed all open windows except conky. Contrary all hotkeys do work right after login. Once all windows are closed, I have to click conky to regain global hotkey access.

I am using LightDM and Gnome's fallback mode with Compiz, thus no unity.

Hardware/System:
Lenovo Thinkpad T410i
NVIDIA Corporation GT218 [NVS 3100M]
Ubuntu 12.04.2 LTS (precise)

Relevant packages:
compiz 1:0.9.7.12-0ubuntu1
conky 1.8.1-6
gnome-session-fallback 3.2.1-0ubuntu8
lightdm 1.2.3-0ubuntu2.1
linux-image-generic-lts-quantal 3.5.0.32.39
nvidia-current 304.88-0ubuntu0.0.2
xorg 1:7.6+12ubuntu2
xserver-xorg-core-lts-quantal 2:1.13.0-0ubuntu6.1~precise3
xserver-xorg-lts-quantal 1:7.7+1ubuntu4~precise1

Conky is set up as follows:
own_window yes
own_window_argb_visual yes
own_window_class conky
own_window_hints undecorated,below,sticky,skip_taskbar,skip_pager
own_window_transparent yes
own_window_type normal

[Martin Jelen (martyj)]

When you change own_window_type to "override" shortcuts work. But conky has black background.

[Sam_ (and-sam)]

@ Martin Jelen
Thank you very much for the hint, it helps, now the left upper corner displays Ubuntu desktop and behaves like it.
Not sure when the background is black, here it's a transparent conky "own_window_transparent yes", admitting the whole desktop cube is transparent.

For me "own_window_type override" solves the bug.

[Sam_ (and-sam)]

Revert "own_window_type override", no solution, the letters start to overlap when switching desktops - now on trusty.
compiz:
  Installed: 1:0.9.11.2+14.04.20140714-0ubuntu1
  Candidate: 1:0.9.11.2+14.04.20140714-0ubuntu1
  Version table:
 *** 1:0.9.11.2+14.04.20140714-0ubuntu1 0
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty-updates/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     1:0.9.11+14.04.20140409-0ubuntu1 0
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty/main amd64 Packages

conky-all:
  Installed: 1.9.0-4
  Candidate: 1.9.0-4
  Version table:
 *** 1.9.0-4 0
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty/universe amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

[GrouchyGaijin (1pt1nq88tv-w3bd-8aho930n7s)]

I am on 14.04 64bit.

When I set the conky window to override I also get something similar to overlapping letters.
When the conky updates it looks as though letters are written on top of letters that were already there - this makes it very difficult to read what conky is displaying.

[GrouchyGaijin (1pt1nq88tv-w3bd-8aho930n7s)]

I recently installed the Compiz Settings Manager and using their Window Rules option I was able to tell Compiz to never focus on my Conky window. I needed to restart for the change to take effect, but that has totally solved the problem on my system.

[Lothar Fausthenze (fausthenze)]

Thanks for the hint, GrouchyGaijin. I could also wipe the problem with a window rule in ccsm (compizconfig settings manager). I added class=conky in the 'No focus' field on the 'Matches' tab of the 'Window Rules' module. The window's class name may differ depending on the personal conky configuration.

[Sam_ (and-sam)]

@#15 many thanks for this workaround. Finally the desktop is focused as expected.

[Hankie Shahs (shaansweb)]

CCSM matching workaround didn't work for me. Lothar and Sam, can you share your own_window config settings?

[Sam_ (and-sam)]

Hope it helps.
ccsm - window rules - no focus: class=Conky
conkyrc: own_window yes