GNOME Bugzilla – Bug 141441
Desktop(root)-window should identify itself as such like other systems
Last modified: 2010-01-02 22:35:00 UTC
Description of Problem: Programs that draw in the root-window (such as root-tail <URL: http://www.goof.com/pcg/marc/root-tail.html>) do not work with Nautilus. Apparantly this is because Nautilus doesn't do like everybody else with regards to the Desktop-window (tvtwm, kde 3+, etc.); it seems that it ought to use extended window manager hints or __SWM_VROOT. (Disclaimer: I'm not well versed in the terminology and innards of this (although I've been using X for a decade+), I'm just summing up what I've been told the problem is. If there is a good reason why Nautilus does as it does and the other programs should be fixed instead, I'd be very happy to hear of the reason and what I should tell the authors of the other programs). Steps to reproduce the problem: 1. Run Nautilus 2. Run root-tail Actual Results: root-tail doesn't display anything in the Desktop(root)-window. Expected Results: root-tail displays the tail of the files given to it in the Desktop(root)-window. How often does this happen? Always. Additional Information: (Running root-tail when Nautilus doesn't run works; text is shown in the root-window.) Versions used: Debian GNU/Linux unstable XFree86 4.3.0 Nautilus 2.4.2 root-tail 1.1 FVWM 2.5.10
I cannot tell why but nautilus have nothing to do with the root window. It use a sort of fullscreen window to draw the background over the root window. Even if this one was hooked to root window events apps using it ought not to work. I m also interested in the reasoning behind that. Is it a mutliplatform workaround or an early hack lying around ? Btw it prevent to use other apps to manage background, use a time dependant one and such . Cheers Alban
No feedback, closing.
Sorry Alban, I've misunderstood comment 1.
I think this was just me not understanding X, root windows, Nautilus etc.