GNOME Bugzilla – Bug 572447
Provide a context menu entry to remove nm-applet from the systray
Last modified: 2010-05-29 13:23:21 UTC
Originally reported on https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/network-manager-applet/+bug/115031 Nether the left nor right-click menus offer an option to move or close the nm-applet. Some comments on the launchpad bug: >>> "Given that the nm-applet is very much broken (see the numerous bugs regarding this point), it is sonewhat important that one be able to remove it from the panel." <<< >>> "Today nm-applet was started twice on startup. I was unable to remove one of the applets using the gui. To solve the probem I did the following:" killall nm-applet nm-applet & <<<
nm-applet is started with XDG autolaunching; as such there should never be more than one present at any given time. What version of NetworkManager is this? If nm-applet isn't wanted, it can also be uninstalled.
Besides; if nm-applet isn't running, there's no ability to control the network or get IP configuration or status.
i would say this is invalid or wontfix. user tries to cure his networking issues by removing the UI ;) ... that wont help for him I am sure.
fwiw, i closed the ubuntu bug.
The attached image really depicts why we need to be able to remove nm-applet from the gnome panel. I'm a network auditor, and I usually stick to using lower-level network management tools on my system. As a result, I have disabled the network-manager services until times when i use my system in less-sensitive environments. Unfortunately, the nm-applet remains active even after disabling the back end network-manager services (which does make sense - we need it active in case network-manager were to wake up). However, what's interesting is that (A) there is no "unavailable icon". And (B), The nm-applet, despite having what appears to be an icon-less width of 1 pixel in the panel, is still clickable (it's hard to find but if you remember where you last had it, it's most definitely there). Please see the attached image for a look at what having network-manager disabled, and nm-applet still running. (Note that there is no "inactive" icon). This feature sounds rather important, since there are many venues online that are interested in using alternative network configuration daemons, and we shouldn't be forcing them to use such daemons when the user chooses to use gnome as their interface (or forcing unused frontends, such as nm-applet).
Created attachment 133072 [details] What it looks like to have network-manager disabled, and nm-applet still running. Hopefully this will provide some incentive :)
Comment on attachment 133072 [details] What it looks like to have network-manager disabled, and nm-applet still running. Also note: my mouse was about 1 pixel to the right of the separator that was on the taskbar, when i performed the right-click.
Reopening as per the last comments.
So nm-applet should be hiding itself when NM is not running; if it's not completely hidden that indicates that we have a bug here with showing the icon when we should not be. Can you re-confirm (just to be 100% sure) that nm is not running, with something like: ps ax | grep Network for me, and then after that, ensure nm-applet can be clicked on in the menu?
Closing this bug report as no further information has been provided. Please feel free to reopen this bug if you can provide the information asked for. Thanks!