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Bug 669418 - Allow entering activity view using combined shortcut keys or from command line, not only the one modifier key way
Allow entering activity view using combined shortcut keys or from command lin...
Status: RESOLVED NOTABUG
Product: gnome-shell
Classification: Core
Component: general
3.2.x
Other Linux
: Normal major
: ---
Assigned To: gnome-shell-maint
gnome-shell-maint
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
 
Reported: 2012-02-05 16:04 UTC by Wu Jun
Modified: 2012-02-05 16:20 UTC
See Also:
GNOME target: ---
GNOME version: ---



Description Wu Jun 2012-02-05 16:04:22 UTC
THE PROBLEM:

gnome-shell tries to hijack [super] key by default, causing variety of problems:

1. Custom [super]+x shoutcut won't work: Bug 662580
2. Input Method Engines (such as ibus) may want to capture [super]+x shortcuts as well, causing conflicts.
3. Use [super] as the modifier to move/resize windows (ie. instead alt+mouse left button, use super+mouse left button to move windows) causes conflicts and gnome-shell may not be able to notice [super] key events then.

/apps/mutter/general/overlay_key has the description: 

  It's expected that this binding either the default or set to the empty string. 

Even if it can be set to other keys, it is not so useful. It can only be set to single keys such as "Control_R". Single keys should not be hijacked. They should be used with another key to form a combined shortcut key.


HOPEFULLY, THE SOLUTION:

Why not implement a binary/script/dbus interface to active the activity view?

Thus user can set /apps/mutter/general/overlay_key to empty and use custom shortcut such as "Super_L+space" to trigger activity view and bugs metioned at the begining are all fixed.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

platform: archlinux x64
gnome-shell 3.2.2.1
mutter 3.2.2
Comment 1 Florian Müllner 2012-02-05 16:12:12 UTC
(In reply to comment #0)
> single keys such as "Control_R". Single keys should not be hijacked. They
> should be used with another key to form a combined shortcut key.

Such a shortcut exists already, see System Settings -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts -> System -> Show the activities overview (default: alt-f1)


> Why not implement a binary/script/dbus interface to active the activity view?

This isn't really necessary for your purpose (see the existing keybinding above), but it is nevertheless possible:

gdbus call -e -d org.gnome.Shell -o /org/gnome/Shell -m org.gnome.Shell.Eval "Main.overview.toggle()"
Comment 2 Wu Jun 2012-02-05 16:20:31 UTC
(In reply to comment #1)
> (In reply to comment #0)
> > single keys such as "Control_R". Single keys should not be hijacked. They
> > should be used with another key to form a combined shortcut key.
> 
> Such a shortcut exists already, see System Settings -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts ->
> System -> Show the activities overview (default: alt-f1)
> 
> 
> > Why not implement a binary/script/dbus interface to active the activity view?
> 
> This isn't really necessary for your purpose (see the existing keybinding
> above), but it is nevertheless possible:
> 
> gdbus call -e -d org.gnome.Shell -o /org/gnome/Shell -m org.gnome.Shell.Eval
> "Main.overview.toggle()"

Thanks for the quick reply!

Now I set '/apps/mutter/general/overlay_key' to empty and my issues are resolved.

Hope there is some gui to set overlay_key in the future.