tasklist does not switch compiz desktops

[eval-]

Binary package hint: xfce4-panel

On two different Xubuntu installations with compiz, clicking an item in the tasklist which is from another desktop does not switch to that desktop. However, the xfce switcher works, as does clicking on an item in Docky. The xfce4-panel "window list" also fails to switch compiz desktops.

One workaround is to use the gnome window list (similar to xfce4-panel tasklist) applet in an Xfapplet inside xfce4-panel, which works correctly and switches desktops when non-'native' workspace items are clicked. EDIT: This workaround is not so good, the window list in Xfapplet grows without stopping and pushes my right-hand xfce4 applets (notification area, clock, logout) off the screen.

I'm running xfce4-panel 4.6.3-1ubuntu2, on Lucid: 2.6.32-22-generic #33-Ubuntu SMP x86_64

[Charlie Kravetz (cjkgeek)]

Thank you for reporting this issue. Unfortunately, there is not enough information for the developers to begin working to resolve this issue. In Xubuntu, there are many settings for the user to modify the actions to his/her liking. Could you check the following to see if it helps:

1. Applications -> Settings -> Window Manager Tweaks
    Focus tab, "When a window raises itself:
                       "Switch to window's workspace
2. Applications -> Settings -> Window Manager Tweaks
    Accessibility tab, "Raise windows when any mouse button is pressed"
3. Applications -> Settings -> Window Manager Tweaks
    Workspaces tab, "Remember and recall previous workspace when switching via keyboard shortcuts"
4. Applications -> Settings -> Window Manager
    Focus tab, "Raise on focus"
                       Automatically raise windows when they receive focus

Are these settings turned on/checked?
Could you please attach the ~/.xsession-errors log file after clicking an item in the tasklist that fails to switch?

[eval- (eval-)]

Please see the title, this is a bug when using xfce4+compiz:
$ xfwm4-tweaks-settings
These settings cannot work with your current window manager (compiz)

None of your suggestions are available to me. For now I am using gnome (+compiz) until xfce4-panel will switch desktops when I click on a task. In gnome the task list behaves as expected. But I am more than willing to switch back to xfce4 to do anything (possible) to debug this COMPIZ+XFCE4-PANEL issue.

(My window decorator is gtk-window-decorator, but I have the same problem with emerald.) If I use the gnome window list applet inside an xfapplet or if I use docky I can switch desktops on click. Only xfce4-panel tasklist and xfce4-panel window list applets have this problem. From looking at the code both gnome & xfce4 use wnck tasklist so I have no idea what's the difference.

[eval- (eval-)]

Let me mention some strange behavior that might help someone debug this...

If I have just brought the focus to the same type of app, say a second Chrome window, then clicking on a Chrome entry in tasklist of a Chrome instance living on another desktop WILL switch desktops. Same if I have an xfce4-terminal in focus on the current desktop and am clicking on the entry of an xfce4-terminal from another desktop, then the compiz switch animation and desktop change happens. However, if I have Chrome in focus and click on an xfce4-terminal task list entry from another desktop, no go (although the task list entry gets highlighted and the icon does 'bounce' in docky, so it's as if focus was brought to it but just the call to switch desktops wasn't made.) Can't figure out why the desktop switch call IS made when an item with the same exec name as the one in focus on the current desktop gets clicked on.

[Charlie Kravetz (cjkgeek)]

 Thanks for reporting this bug and any supporting documentation. Since this bug has enough information provided for a developer to begin work, I'm going to mark it as confirmed and let them handle it from here. Thanks for taking the time to make Ubuntu better!

[Charlie Kravetz (cjkgeek)]

 This bug has been reported to the developers of the software. You can track it and make comments at: http://bugzilla.xfce.org/show_bug.cgi?id=6665

[Lionel Le Folgoc (mrpouit)]

Fixed in natty (xfce4-panel 4.7.x).

[Allis Tauri (allista)]

The bug is back in Precise (xfce4-panel 4.8.6)