GNOME Bugzilla – Bug 308711
Preferences window shouldn't be a dialog
Last modified: 2006-07-22 23:55:08 UTC
While the Preferences window is open, allowing interaction with other Evolution windows does not "cause data loss or some other serious problem" <http://developer.gnome.org/projects/gup/hig/2.0/windows.html#window-props-modality>. Therefore, the Preferences window shouldn't insist on staying on top of other Evolution windows. It's an instant-apply window, not a dialog. Other information:
adding HIG keyword
The preferences window isn't modal -- I think that its fully compliant with the HIG (at least in this respect). The reporter likely means that he wants the window not to be marked as a transient descendant of the main evolution window, an idea to which I am opposed. This would have the effect of making the prefs window a top-level window and metacity, at least, would allow it to go behind the main evolution window in the stacking order.
i second rob. matthew, can you please comment on this?
Yes, it should be possible to put the Preferences window behind the main window, so that I can access the main window to see if my preference changes have actually worked. Otherwise I have to close the Preferences window first, and then reopen it for further tweaks; or drag it mostly offscreen, then back onscreen for further tweaks. If something's not a dialog and not a palette, forcing it in front of other windows is unnecessarily annoying.
I do agree with Rob, too. Also, this is the expected behavior AFAIK, and the same for all GNOME apps. See Nautilus for example. NOTABUG, sorry.