Build "show me the desktop" mini-app that adds a show desktop button to Launcher

[Paul Sladen]

Keyboard shortcut to minimise all windows required.

Description:

Ubuntu used to have a button on the bottom left corner of the screen that minimised all windows. This button was equivalent to a button that used to exist in MS Windows prior to the advent of Vista/Windows 7. In Unity this button has been removed, however a 'minimise all' function is still useful to allow users to go directly to their desktop.

Competitive analysis:

Minimise all windows functionality in other operating systems.

Windows 2000 & Windows XP: Button on desktop and "Windows Logo+D" key combination
Window 7: Clickable area (difficult to discover) in the bottom-right of the screen and "Windows Logo + D" key combination. (compare comments #10-#12)
OSX: "Option-Command-M" Key combination only

Change request:

- Create a small application that when clicked minimises all windows. Users who would like a 'minimise all windows' button can then add this application to their launcher. This app will not be in the Launcher by default.

- It should be possible to drag and drop the 'Show Desktop' icon to place it into any position in the Launcher

------------------------------------
Preferred method of enabling Show Desktop icon in Launcher

- A user would add the app to the launcher via either installing it from the software centre or by dragging and dropping it from the dash. It should be possible to change it's position in the Launcher by dragging and dropping in the same manner as any other application. This mini-app can also be run directly from the dash. Note that mini-app *should not* be a ccsm option.

------------------------------------
Fallback method of enabling Show Desktop icon in Launcher

- Add checkbox to 'System Settings / Appearance / Behaviour' to enable workspaces

- See attached image "behaviour_panel.png" for layout details.

------------------------------------
To include the Desktop Launcher icon to the launcher you now need to:

- Edit the gsetting key "favorites" in com.canonical.Unity.Launcher
- Add there a favorite named "unity://desktop-icon"

[Mark Shuttleworth (sabdfl)]

 importance medium

I think this warrants a task on ayatana-design, and flagging for John
Lea. John, since we're actively using the desktop as a folder, we need a
savvy way to get to it. Thinking hats on!

Mark

[Paul Sladen (sladen)]

Thinking about this overnight, my own hunch is sticking the "minimise all windows" button back in bottom-left (rather than the trash), and perhaps placing the trash back on the accordian.

This would re-use several years of existing muscle memory for swoosh-mouse-to-bottom-left-pixel-and-click (several operations per day/hour for minimise all vs. several operations per week/month for trash).

[Paul Sladen (sladen)]

See also: bug #672431 which notes that the key combos for hide-all-windows and lock screen changed in Maverick.

[Mark Shuttleworth (sabdfl)]

I like the idea of putting it in the bottom left of the launcher. For
Ubuntu Lite, we could skip the use of the Desktop Folder and keep the
Windows Switcher in the bottom left.

[Kyle Clarke (kyleclarke)]

What if you were to have an icon simlar to this one?

Window switcher, show desktop and trash all in one. Have it pinned at the bottom of the launcher in place of the current trash. This would break the ability to drag files into the trash. But maybe for future version of Ubuntu/Unity it would be up a contextual overlay menu that would allow you to drag the file into a the trash can, or a different workspace.

[Paul Sladen (sladen)]

I've been observing my own (current non-) use of Show Desktop; the key thing seems to be that Show Desktop is reversible; so that the state and position of all of the windows is restored on a second click/toggle. This makes it possible to "nip to the desktop" for a couple of seconds but still keep the complete working state. At the moment, without Show Desktop being available, minimising all of the windows manually loses the window state/position /and/ Alt-tab stack position.

To make it reversible, "Show Desktop" probably means that it should keep its own tri-state icon.

Regarding "Trash" and its purpose. Other than looking pretty and cute, why is Trash so different from any of the other "Special" locations in the filemanager... What makes "Trash" different enough from the other items shown on the left-hand-side of Nautilus ("Desktop" "File System" "Network" "Rubbish Bin" "Documents" "Music" "Pictures" "Videos" "Downloads") so that it needs its own single-use icon? (Clicking the Trash icon keeps loading copies of Nautilus, rather than toggling).

[Paul Sladen (sladen)]

nb. The multi-opening Trash icon is bug #692444.

[Xavier Guillot (valeryan-24)]

I agree with the need of a "Show desktop / Minimize all" button : icon.

I know there has been discussions on change or not desktop behavior, ie keeping it like now as a folder, or just allow background + widgets showing.

Personally, I use very often desktop as a folder to save the files I need only temporary or that I use just right now (before saving them in another folder, like my desktop in rela life, where documents and papers I need are there). Desktop is my default download folder of Firefox, I copy files from USB devices here etc...

So I miss a lot the "Show desktop" panel button which allowed me to get desktop in one click.

Perhaps it's possible to have as option a dock icon with same behavior (Minimize all windows / show desktop).

[Mark Shuttleworth (sabdfl)]

It's really quite important that we have a clean "get me to the desktop" option, please John!

[Mario Vukelic (kreuzsakra)]

In case it makes a difference for the design team, I want to add that the initial description is incorrect wrt to Windows 7. You cannot just use '"Windows Logo + D" key combination only' to show the desktop. There is still a (difficult to discover) clickable area in the bottom-right of the screen - I don't call it a "button" because it's not recognizable as such. See, e.g., http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/01/14/how-to-show-desktop-in-windows-7-quick-launch-alternative/

[Mario Vukelic (kreuzsakra)]

Sorry, forgot to add: once discovered, the functionality of this area is actually quite nice. Hovering on it makes all windows transparent, allowing a quick peek. Clicking it performs the well known "show desktop", with a second click restoring the windows.

[Mark Shuttleworth (sabdfl)]

Thanks Mario, those are useful pointers.

[Alex Launi (alexlauni)]

I'm sorry but could someone please provide a defense of this functionality in the first place? Why is it useful to get to the desktop? Doesn't the dash pretty much facilitate any reason you'd have for getting to the desktop?

[Mark Shuttleworth (sabdfl)]

No, we added back the desktop file store in 11.04 because the Dash file
management pieces were removed.

Super-D is the key.

Mark

[Xavier Guillot (valeryan-24)]

Hello,

In my case, I use very often and a lot desktop, as a desktop IRL, to
store temporarily lots of files and open them (to read, print...) -
downloads from Firefox, quick work on file from USB to send by mail...

So I frequently need to switch on desktop to manage them.

Of course you can access to deskto via "Place" menu or Nautilus or Dash
(and put it as a favorite folder), or by the virtual desktop switcher if
you have one of the 4 still empty, but it needs at least 2 clicks, and
it is very useful to have possibility to minimize all windows in only 1
quick click : before on Gnome panel there was a "show desktop" button,
which was perfect for that.

So IMHO the best would be to have ability to add an icon launcher in
Unity dock which would do exactly the same.

Best regards,

Xavier

On 09/03/2011 17:13, Alex Launi wrote:
> I'm sorry but could someone please provide a defense of this
> functionality in the first place? Why is it useful to get to the
> desktop? Doesn't the dash pretty much facilitate any reason you'd have
> for getting to the desktop?

[Paul Sladen (sladen)]

Alex: A toggable "Show me Desktop" button allows file access without losing working state. Alt-tabbing or opening a new copy of the file-manager changes state. Manual minimisation by individually focusing and minimising one window at a time (note, currently two steps under Unity) all twenty windows reverses the order of the stack and requires another twenty clicks to even attempt to undo.

By comparision, in GNOME v2 Panel it was possibly to address a particular window (such as the Terminal containing your email) by its positional location on the task bar (for me it was always the first one). That is no longer the case, the only predictable axis remaining under Unity is the vertical stack z-ordering.

My scratch space for files used to be the Desktop. I could save stuff there, I could easily visit it (and return). Under Unity getting the files "on the Desktop" requires:

  1. Top-left (open the Launcher)
  2. Open Nautilus by either the File Manager or Trash buttons
  3. Find and click on "desktop"

The icons on these screen are not laid out like the desktop; the background colour is wrong. The window size and position is different every time. Type a-head does not work because the focus is still left on the word "Desktop" in the left-hand listbox.

Predictable. Fast. Non-intrusive.

[Claire Newman (claire-newman)]

I agree 100% with Xavier.

Valeryan_24 wrote:
> Hello,
>
> In my case, I use very often and a lot desktop, as a desktop IRL, to
> store temporarily lots of files and open them (to read, print...) -
> downloads from Firefox, quick work on file from USB to send by mail...
>
> So I frequently need to switch on desktop to manage them.
>
> Of course you can access to deskto via "Place" menu or Nautilus or Dash
> (and put it as a favorite folder), or by the virtual desktop switcher if
> you have one of the 4 still empty, but it needs at least 2 clicks, and
> it is very useful to have possibility to minimize all windows in only 1
> quick click : before on Gnome panel there was a "show desktop" button,
> which was perfect for that.
>
> So IMHO the best would be to have ability to add an icon launcher in
> Unity dock which would do exactly the same.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Xavier
>
> On 09/03/2011 17:13, Alex Launi wrote:
>> I'm sorry but could someone please provide a defense of this
>> functionality in the first place? Why is it useful to get to the
>> desktop? Doesn't the dash pretty much facilitate any reason you'd have
>> for getting to the desktop?

[mlaverdiere (mlaverdiere)]

Maybe it's not really the same problem/issue, but what I do miss in Natty (Alpha 3 + daily builds) is the possibility to click on the app. icon on the Unity launcher bar to minimize the app., not only to start/restore it. This is standard behaviour on other desktops (at least on KDE, XFCE, Windows - don't know for Mac), and I think this should be implemented as well on Natty/Unity. I'm considering opening an other bug/whishlist report if necessary for this.

(That being said, having the "show/restore desktop button" integrated in Natty/Unity would be the priority for me!)

Thanks.

[Joris Van den Bossche (jorisvandenbossche)]

Hello,

I'm not a developer, but I'm using ubuntu for almost 5 years and I was very excited about the forthcoming new release with Unity, so I decided not to wait (and to contribute a very little bit) by testing it.

And after a few days, one of my main problems/frustrations is indeed the missing of a 'show desktop'/'minimize all'- button, as outlined above. I am also user of the desktop for storing recent files , something I find very handy, because, till now, you could very quickly see and access them.
I know there is already a shortcut with super-D, but I think that for a lot regular users you cannot rely on keyboard-shortcuts only, but that you also have to have a button-alternative.

And maybe not really on topic, but to come back on the last post of mlaverdiere: I also experienced the same. I tried intuitively to click on the icon of an app in the sidebar to minimise it when that app was the active app. I noticed it didn't work like that, but that was what I intuitively thought and tried.

Best regards,
Joris

[Mark Shuttleworth (sabdfl)]

Joric, thanks for the comments. Super-D should work for you, and we will
add a more visible way to do this in Oneiric. Suggestions welcome on the
Ayatana list.

[mlaverdiere (mlaverdiere)]

So it seems that we'll have to wait for Oneiric... I do like Natty/Unity so far, but I fear that without the inclusion of some basic utilities/features (show desktop is one of them IMHO), many users (& reviewers!) will be turned off...

Anyway, while waiting for Oneiric, am I right thinking that there's a possibility for a wise user to create a launcher pointing to script triggering the same process as Super-D does, then placing it on Unity bar, to have a custom show me desktop button? I'll investigate this and come back with a solution if I find one, but in the meantime, all suggestions are welcomed.

[Mark Shuttleworth (sabdfl)]

If someone has the ability to whip up a patch to insert "the desktop" at
the start of the alt-tab queue, so alt-shift-tab gets you there, the
patch would be welcome.

Mark

[mlaverdiere (mlaverdiere)]

@Mark: You know, relying on alt-shift-tab instead of super-D is not really a satisfying option for users who manage things with mouse, instead of keyboard...

Now, I'm still searching for a poor man's show me desktop button/mouse gesture while waiting for the real thing to appear some day in Ubuntu/Unity... No one knows if we could use one of the Compiz settings/plugins to achieve this, with a screen corner? I've looked at this but found nothing so far.

[mlaverdiere (mlaverdiere)]

OK, using compizconfig-settings-manager (available via apt-get), the solution (well, workaround...) is quite easy. It's possible to assign a screen side/corner to the "show desktop" function, the same way as the super-d key combinations is. So, it's quite easy to use the mouse to clear all windows and get to the desktop (and vice-versa). There's some extra Compiz plugins (also available via apt-get) to further tweak the effects, etc.

For more info, see: http://wiki.compiz.org/GeneralOptions

[Mark Shuttleworth (sabdfl)]

We could make that an FAQ, it's a neat solution to the problem. I think
hot corners that change focus are risky at this stage for Natty, but see
how you get on and if it works well we can consider it for Oneiric.

The obvious "mouse only" solution would be something in the launcher. We
haven't done that because launcher slots are precious, but we could test
that too, and a patch for that in a PPA would be most welcome.

Mark

[mlaverdiere (mlaverdiere)]

Thanks Mark for providing these clarifications. It helps to understand how this issue is handled "up there".

So far, using the bottom left corner works great and appears natural, even if it's the same spot as the trash can on launcher.

[areteichi (areteichi)]

@mlaverdiere

Thanks for the input! I'm now doing the same. I guess this will do until we get a proper solution.

[Consumology (hans-georg-schmid)]

Mmmmmmmh, I'm running 11.04 on a Tablet PC and this is really a key feature for me, as I use the Desktop as a folder. I need something I can touch with a finger, otherwise I have to go back to DockbarX and simulate Unity which were really a pitty...

[Mark Shuttleworth (sabdfl)]

.... tablets are not a Natty priority, I'm afraid. I've outlined how
this could be achieved, a patch would be welcome, otherwise, give us
another cycle.

Mark

[mlaverdiere (mlaverdiere)]

For those like Consumology who need a button to show the desktop, here's a dirty and imperfect workaround , while we wait for the real thing (... in Oneiric):

1. Install xdotool (apt-get install xdotool) - this is a utility to fake keyboard/mouse input, window management, and more

2. Create a launcher, with wahtever name ("show desktop "should do the job!) with this command (this will fake the same as super+d on the keyboard): xdotool : xdotool key super+d super

3. Place this launcher on the Unity launcher bar.

It works... most of the time, with the caveat that you can't toggle quickly between desktop and windows/apps, since once you click on the launcher, you have to wait for the "glowing" effect to stop before you can reclick on it... Also, it may sometimes open the Ubuntu menu. Any improvement suggestion is welcomed.

Bottom line, if you don't use a tablet/touchscreen device, you better rely on the Compiz tweak suggested above and use a screen corner...

[Consumology (hans-georg-schmid)]

@mlaverdiere: Thank you for pointing me to that patch. Most of the time it is working instantly, if it does not you just have to wait till it stops blinking and then press it again - not a big deal compared to swiveling the screen around to get to the physical keyboard when in tablet mode...
SImilar instructions are here: http://askubuntu.com/questions/29969/is-there-a-unity-equivalent-of-the-gnome-panel-show-desktop-applet

@Mark Shuttleworth: I am just a copy-paste ex-windows-user, I had no idea that this function seems to be so difficult to implement. If it will be there in 11.10 I can live with the above patch (and still hope for a plugin...).
Using Tablet PCs since 2005 and switching from Windows exactly one year ago I just wanna point out that Ubuntu with Unity is really great for Tablet PCs already. All I am missing is that button and a native virtual keyboard integration. 11.04 is great stuff!

[Saaz Rai (saaz-rai)]

While Super+D was working a while back, it has not been working past few weeks.

[Mark Shuttleworth (sabdfl)]

Seems to work here, are you fully up to date?

[Marco Biscaro (marcobiscaro2112)]

Super + D is not working here too, but Ctrl + Alt + D (as in maverick) is working fine.

[Consumology (hans-georg-schmid)]

When I'm not in tablet mode I use Super + D and it also is not working every time at first - just like with the button workaround. Unlike with the button workaround you can try it immediately for a second time and then it always works. I use Natty since alpha 3 and I think it was not there from the beginning but shortly after with some upgrade/update (which ignited my wish for a button...)

[Mohsin Falak (fi8er1)]

Super + D is working perfectly in the Natty Narwhal Beta.
what i would like to recommend was if we place the mouse pointer on the Ubuntu-button (for a second) it should make all windows transparent.
But, it would be better to place a small button on the extreme upper-left corner of the screen, near the Ubuntu-button. Which by clinking on it shows the desktop and by simply putting the pointer on (for a second) makes all the windows transparent. This will surely look better and would be more comfortable.

[Michael (mstrelan)]

As per Saaz Rai and Marco Biscaro my settings were somehow set to Ctrl + Alt + D in CCSM. Changing to Super + D works except it launches the launcher every time I press it. Very annoying. This is on Natty from an upgrade from Maverick.

[Marcelo (marceloramone-gmail)]

Hello,

SUPER + D to show the desktop does not works to me. The others shortcuts works but really I can not show the desktop with SUPER+D.

I Don't know why but does not works.

Ubuntu 11.04 64 bits final, all updates installed and Unity running as default (unity --reset command apply)

Any idea please?

Thanks.-

[Eric Appleman (erappleman)]

Same. Super+D does not work.

[Eric Appleman (erappleman)]

Yet CTRL+ALT+D does.

O_o

How do I change this?

[Lokard (darkdadaah)]

Will it be possible to place the show desktop icon at the bottom-left? Below or in place of the trash icon?

[Kyle Clarke (kyleclarke)]

A show desktop horizontal strip under the trash, similar to the vertical one to the right of the windows 7 taskbar.

Sent from my Windows Phone
________________________________
From: Lokard
Sent: 18/11/2011 7:20 a.m.
To: <email address hidden>
Subject: [Bug 681348] Re: Build "show me the desktop" mini-app that adds a show desktop button to Launcher

Will it be possible to place the show desktop icon at the bottom-left?
Below or in place of the trash icon?

--
You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
report.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/681348

Title:
  Build "show me the desktop" mini-app that adds a show desktop button
  to Launcher

Status in Ayatana Design:
  Triaged
Status in Unity:
  Triaged
Status in “unity” package in Ubuntu:
  Triaged

Bug description:
  Keyboard shortcut to minimise all windows required.

  Description:

  Ubuntu used to have a button on the bottom left corner of the screen
  that minimised all windows. This button was equivalent to a button
  that used to exist in MS Windows prior to the advent of Vista/Windows
  7. In Unity this button has been removed, however a 'minimise all'
  function is still useful to allow users to go directly to their
  desktop.

  Competitive analysis:

  Minimise all windows functionality in other operating systems.

  Windows 2000 & Windows XP: Button on desktop and "Windows Logo+D" key combination
  Window 7: "Windows Logo + D" key combination only
  OSX: "Option-Command-M" Key combination only

  Change request:

  - Create a small application that when clicked minimises all windows.
  Users who would like a 'minimise all windows' button can then add this
  application to their launcher. This app will not be in the Launcher
  by default.

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ayatana-design/+bug/681348/+subscriptions

[Mark Shuttleworth (sabdfl)]

No, I think we'll have it as Just Another Launcher Icon. Most will, I
think, remove it.

Mark

[Lokard (darkdadaah)]

That's too bad. I really wish that the user could customize this bottom-left part instead of being stuck with the trash icon (that I never use, in my case). But this may be the subject of another "bug".
Anyway, thanks for your work.

[PresuntoRJ (fabio-tleitao)]

Sorry, but there is still a BUTTON on Windows 7 for that, just not with an
icon on it... the right most portion of the start bar, past even the
clock/date, if you hover it show a "preview" of the desktop making the
windows transperant, if you click, you get them all minimized (i.e. the
desktop)

2011/11/17 John Lea <email address hidden>

> ** Tags added: udp
>
> ** Description changed:
>
> Keyboard shortcut to minimise all windows required.
>
> Description:
>
> Ubuntu used to have a button on the bottom left corner of the screen
> that minimised all windows. This button was equivalent to a button that
> used to exist in MS Windows prior to the advent of Vista/Windows 7. In
> Unity this button has been removed, however a 'minimise all' function is
> still useful to allow users to go directly to their desktop.
>
> Competitive analysis:
>
> Minimise all windows functionality in other operating systems.
>
> Windows 2000 & Windows XP: Button on desktop and "Windows Logo+D" key
> combination
> Window 7: "Windows Logo + D" key combination only
> OSX: "Option-Command-M" Key combination only
>
> Change request:
>
> - 1) Implement a "Super+D" keyboard shortcut to minimise all windows.
> -
> - 2) Create a small application that when clicked minimises all windows.
> + - Create a small application that when clicked minimises all windows.
> Users who would like a 'minimise all windows' button can then add this
> - application to their launcher.
> + application to their launcher. This app will not be in the Launcher by
> + default.
>
> ** Changed in: unity
> Status: Fix Released => Confirmed
>
> ** Changed in: ayatana-design
> Status: Confirmed => Fix Committed
>
> ** Changed in: ayatana-design
> Status: Fix Committed => Triaged
>
> ** Changed in: ayatana-design
> Assignee: (unassigned) => John Lea (johnlea)
>
> ** Summary changed:
>
> - Add "show me the desktop" keyboard or Unity dock shortcut
> + Build "show me the desktop" mini-app that adds a show desktop button to
> Launcher
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to a
> duplicate bug report (758468).
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/681348
>
> Title:
> Build "show me the desktop" mini-app that adds a show desktop button
> to Launcher
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ayatana-design/+bug/681348/+subscriptions
>

--
Fábio Leitão
..-. .- -... .. --- .-.. . .. - .- --- ...-.-

[Mark Shuttleworth (sabdfl)]

We could consider letting people put their own preferred icon in the
bottom, pushing the Trash into the set of flowing icons. But that would
be a separate bug report.

Mark

[Omer Akram (om26er)]

bug 761155 is on a related issue. design proposition there is to not allow trash to be moveable, I guess that could change.

[Marco Trevisan (Treviño) (3v1n0)]

Mh, so how would you implement this? Adding just a fake .desktop file to be trashed on the panel that performs the show-desktop thing or adding a new kind of "applet" (like the trash) to be enabled from settings?

Otherwise, to save vertical space, showing the active desktop by Middle-clicking over the workspace switcher is really a non-sense?

[John Lea (johnlea)]

@Treviño;The issue with a middle click on the workspace switcher is that we already have a number of show desktop options that are hidden, when is requested here is a permanently visible option. Also workspaces will become optional in 12.04, so not everybody will have the workspace icon.

[Mark Shuttleworth (sabdfl)]

I suspect this needs to be (a) a special launcher capability, not
another binary, and (b) carefully coordinated between the Dash Apps lens
(so it shows up there) and the launcher and Bamf.

This would be a fun project for someone who wants to dig into the
internals of all the parts of Unity, or who already knows them.

Similarly with the bug about adding Places to the Home folder quicklist.

Mark

[John Lea (johnlea)]

Hyia, just noticed you are working on this item, ping me when you have a
moment so we can discuss.

thanks,
John

On 05/12/11 16:30, Andrea Azzarone wrote:
> ** Changed in: unity
> Status: In Progress => Fix Committed
>
> ** Changed in: unity (Ubuntu)
> Status: In Progress => Fix Committed
>

--
John Lea | Ubuntu Desktop User Experience Lead
Canonical www.canonical.com | Ubuntu www.ubuntu.com
27th Floor, 21-24 Millbank Tower, London, SW1P 4QP
Tel: [phone] | Email: <email address hidden>

[TomaszChmielewski (mangoo-wpkg)]

@Didier: "Fix released" - how it can be used?

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

This bug was fixed in the package unity - 5.0.0-0ubuntu1

---------------
unity (5.0.0-0ubuntu1) precise; urgency=low

  [ Didier Roche ]
  * New upstream release.
    - compiz crashed with SIGSEGV in __dynamic_cast() (LP: #853038)
    - unity-panel-service crashed with SIGSEGV in panel_service_show_entry()
      (LP: #861144)
    - unity-panel-service crashed with SIGSEGV in
      panel_indicator_entry_accessible_get_n_children() (LP: #869816)
    - Launcher - Launcher icon for Dash does not highlight when the Alt+F1 key
      shortcut is pressed (LP: #849561)
    - compiz crashed with SIGSEGV in unity::PanelTray::FilterTrayCallback()
      (LP: #868868)
    - [regression] Compiz: Visible tearing is worse in 11.10 than 11.04, even
      when "Sync To VBlank" is enabled, but only when Unity is active.
      (LP: #880707)
    - [regression] All apps have a lower frame rate under Unity. (LP: #861061)
    - compiz crashed with SIGSEGV in
      nux::Property<nux::color::Color>::operator=() from
      unity::switcher::SwitcherController::OnBackgroundUpdate() (LP: #887465)
    - DashSearchBarSpinner.cpp:56: Conditional jump or move depends on
      uninitialised value(s) (LP: #901610)
    - quicklist shows in incorrect position when launched from workspace
      switcher (LP: #914251)
    - Build "show me the desktop" mini-app that adds a show desktop button to
      Launcher (LP: #681348)
    - Select quicklist items with just one right click (LP: #688830)
    - cannot change volume by scrolling on the icon when the SoundMenu is
      opened (LP: #722082)
    - [a11y] Unity launcher buttons are not Actionable (LP: #772573)
    - Ubuntu Start launcher item doesn't start dash with keyboard navigation
      (LP: #825037)
    - multimonitor , window management - Multi-Monitor Maximized Difficulty
      (LP: #843958)
    - [regression] Drag and drop inside dash is very slow with Active Blur
      activated (LP: #851172)
    - Activating an alt-tab icon that holds initially unminimized windows
      should unminimize all windows (LP: #854595)
    - Dash - The Dash category headers are positioned incorrectly
      (LP: #839467)
    - Missing global menu with a semi-maximized window dragged to the right.
      (LP: #861279)
    - Launcher - Dragging and dropping a running application in to the Trash
      should quit the application and (if the app is pinned to the Launcher)
      un-pin the application from the Launcher (LP: #870143)
    - top bar, integrated menu - when a application is first launched, the
      integrated menu should be displayed for 2 seconds before fading out of
      view (LP: #874254)
    - Window control buttons are not shown when an indicator is opened and the
      pointer is over the top-left corner (LP: #890970)
    - Quicklist item using some special chars doesn't show at all
      (LP: #899677)
    - PanelView.cpp:370: Conditional jump or move depends on uninitialised
      value(s) (LP: #901602)
    - unityshell.cpp:1982,1984: Conditional jump or move depends on
      uninitialised value(s) (LP: #901603)
    - Dash Search spinner sometimes doesn't spin at all (LP: #903090)
    - Point of tooltip is misaligned to focused ap...

[John Lea (johnlea)]

Reverting to in-progress because it is not integrated into Software Center and the show desktop behaviour is not yet correct.

[Giovanni Mellini (merlos)]

Don't know if this is the right place to report my problem, but with the an up-to-date Precise, wich is supposed to use the super-D shortcut to show the desktop, I cannot see this shortcut work.
I had this issue since alpha1 but compiz today update reports that now super-D should work.
How I can help debugging?

Tks
GIovanni

[Andrea Azzarone (azzar1)]

@John There is no way to disable the pulsing so we cannot properly implement the "show me the desktop" mini-app.

[Andre (ajx)]

Dear All,

I just discovered the option to turn on a "show desktop"-button in the Launcher via the application MyUnity. MyUnity is available in the repositories of Precise (from where I tested it), and via PPA: http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/02/unity-tweaking-tool-gets-new-look-new-features/ . I will attach a screenshot taken today on Precise (daily) in MyUnity 3.0: on the tab "desktop" it is possible to activate "active Show Desktop icon". Is that what we are looking for here?

[Michael Rawson (michael.rawson)]

It's in CCSM too, presumably it's been done in Unity.

[philinux (philcb)]

I activated it via myunity 3.0.

It seems to need clicking twice to get it to work.

[Mikkel Kamstrup Erlandsen (kamstrup)]

Just FYI; I started a thread on unity-dev to figure out a solid long term solution of how to enable access to some of the advanced features of the wm/system that may require some stateful negotiation with the system. See the thread "RFC: syslets" here https://lists.launchpad.net/unity-dev/msg00438.html

[Mario Vukelic (kreuzsakra)]

Super-D still does not work for me at all on up-to-date 12.04. It does nothing now, but it worked in previous versions on the same computer. (The installation on this computer was done with 11.04 (Natty) and was upgraded to 11.10 (Oneiric) during alpha/beta and then 12.04 after release.)

It seems from the comments that Super-D didn't work or work unreliably for several users up to at least Feb 2012 in the development version of Precise, but my impression is that it is supposed to work now? It does not for me, at least.

[Jesse Porter (triforcelzg)]

On 12-08-09 06:24 PM, Mario Vukelic wrote:
> Super-D still does not work for me at all on up-to-date 12.04. It does
> nothing now, but it worked in previous versions on the same computer.
> (The installation on this computer was done with 11.04 (Natty) and was
> upgraded to 11.10 (Oneiric) during alpha/beta and then 12.04 after
> release.)
>
> It seems from the comments that Super-D didn't work or work unreliably
> for several users up to at least Feb 2012 in the development version of
> Precise, but my impression is that it is supposed to work now? It does
> not for me, at least.
>
Try Ctrl-Super-D.

--
Jesse Porter

[Mario Vukelic (kreuzsakra)]

Ctrl-Super-D fails as well. Ctrl-Alt-D works and is listed in the shortcut overview that can be summoned by holding Super. However, in the overvies it says "Ctrl-Alt-D == Minimizes all windows", which might be semantically different. And anyway, what I gathered from the comments is that Super-D should work; not sure if I read that correctly.

[Hans Ginzel (hans-matfyz)]

Doubleclicking the dash button is not mapped to any action. Please use it for minimising all windows/showing desktop.

[Stéphane Guillou (stephane-guillou)]

Comment #96 is actually a great idea! It is pretty straight forward, and it won't annoy anyone as it doesn't need to add an extra button to the launcher.

[Hanine HAMZIOUI (hanynowsky)]

After updating to Unity 6.6.0 in Ubuntu 12.10 Beta 2, the Minimize DEsktop Icon in Launcher is gone and there is no way to enable it back in compizsettings. Mounted Drives no more are sticked to the launcher and there is no way to enable this back.

[Marco Trevisan (Treviño) (3v1n0)]

hanynowsky: see the updated description, you now need to add a new favorite to the unity gsettings favorites.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

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

[Hanine HAMZIOUI (hanynowsky)]

Ok it's working now. Thank you Marco Trevisan.

I Used DCONF TOOL ( in com/canonical/Unity/Launcher) and added the new favorite ( 'unity://desktop-ico' ) :
Default key looks this way now:

['application://ubiquity-gtkui.desktop', 'application://nautilus-home.desktop', 'application://firefox.desktop', 'application://libreoffice-writer.desktop', 'application://libreoffice-calc.desktop', 'application://libreoffice-impress.desktop', 'application://ubuntu-software-center.desktop', 'application://ubuntuone-installer.desktop', 'application://ubuntu-amazon-default.desktop', 'application://UbuntuOneMusiconeubuntucom.desktop', 'application://gnome-control-center.desktop', 'unity://running-apps', 'unity://expo-icon', 'unity://desktop-icon', 'unity://devices']

[John Lea (johnlea)]

Resetting to triaged because the implementation of this feature is not complete. Hopefully we can finish building it in the 13.04 cycle?

[MC Return (mc-return)]

@johnlea: So you want the icon in the launcher back if I understand correctly ?

[MC Return (mc-return)]

@johnlea: Forget my question, I've re-read the description now ;).

[Marco Trevisan (Treviño) (3v1n0)]

@ JonhLea, yes... However the unity part is already fixed. So this only needs to be implemented in unity-lens-applications and/or gnome-control-center

[John Lea (johnlea)]

@Treviño; yes, the Software Centre/App Lens integration is the only part of this that is still outstanding.

[Lonnie Lee Best (launchpad-startport)]

For the record, Window 7 does indeed still have a show desktop button (although it is a bit subtle). It located as a small rectangle to the right of the clock.

[Lonnie Lee Best (launchpad-startport)]

The bottom line is, we want a "show desktop" BUTTON on the task-bar. Super-D works, but this bug is requesting a MOUSE CLICKABLE BUTTON.

[Lonnie Lee Best (launchpad-startport)]

Actually, perhaps a new bug should be filed with this intent.

[Lonnie Lee Best (launchpad-startport)]

Here's a my proposal. This can be done before tomorrows release:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1067802

[Hans Ginzel (hans-matfyz)]

See http://askubuntu.com/questions/126540/how-to-add-a-show-desktop-icon-to-the-launcher and http://askubuntu.com/questions/132144/is-there-a-fast-way-to-show-your-desktop.