Comment 47 for bug 1240957

Just did some testing (with two gEdit windows) this morning, Ubuntu 14.04 updated to the latest packages as of today (2014-04-01). I apt-get installed ubuntu-gnome-desktop and kubuntu-desktop on a regular Ubuntu 14.04 install.

GNOME desktop (gnome-shell): Both gEdit windows can be scrolled with the pointer hovering over the window, regardless of focus.
GNOME desktop classic (I guess still gnome shell?): Same as GNOME desktop, scrolling works while hovering, regardless of focus.
KDE plasma desktop: gEdit window needs to be focused to be scrolled
Ubuntu Unity desktop: gEdit window needs to be focused to be scrolled

And on Ubuntu 14.04 (around beta 1 packages) on a netbook with a touchpad and mouse connected: Nautilus windows can be scrolled with the touchpad while hovering, regardless of focus, but NOT with the mouse.

So, what makes the gnome-shell desktop different to Unity and KDE? The X server, GTK etc are all the same.