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Popular ideas Here are the most popular ideas ever about Compiz.

It's hard to figure out what some effects do in Compiz  
Written by baldurpet the 13 Apr 09 at 16:28. New
I think it's fun to mess around with Compiz and it even has a couple of handy features that actually help you. Only problem is that I have to enable and try out almost every effect because I can't infer what they do from their name/description (not with easy anyway).
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Solution #1: Include pictures and a better introdunction
Written by baldurpet the 13 Apr 09 at 16:28.
I propose including pictures of how each effect looks like along with a better introduction.

Pretty much everything you can find here, the Compiz wiki has an incredibly good introduction and explanation for each plugin (I for example had no idea what the JPEG plugin did, the only thing it says in the CCSM is "JPEG image format plugin" which doesn't help at all) and really representative and informative images.

This would be one step towards making Compiz keep it simple (stupid).

(it might also be a good idea to include a big detailed drawing of how the effect looks like instead of a screenshot)
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Solution #2: Show pictures next to plugins/let user browse by pictures
Written by baldurpet the 13 Apr 09 at 16:40.
This is a continuation of solution #1. Most of the time I'm looking for some effect but I have no idea what it's called.

I suggest:
1. Showing thumbnails of screenshots next to the effect so the user can see exactly what it does. I realize that there are already icons supposed to represent the effects but they just don't do the job (example: the icon for animation, i.e. having the window go up in flames or beam up, is an oil lamp.. seriously?)
2. Give users the possibility to search just by screenshots; i.e. not searching through thumbnails but rather big images where you can clearly see what's going on.
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Solution #3: Link to the description in the compiz wiki
Written by chs42 the 13 Apr 09 at 17:35.
For each effect, add a link (opening in the web browser) to the page in the compiz wiki describing this effect (see http://wiki.compiz-fusion.org/PluginsMain and choose your favorite effect).

This will also allow easy improvement of the description.
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Solution #4: Animated icons
Written by Darwin Survivor the 14 Apr 09 at 04:07.
This is a continuation of solution #2

Animated gifs (or other filetype) could be used for effects that "do" things (spinning cube, animations, scale). They could either be continuously looping or animate on mouse-over.
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Solution #5: Effect themes
Written by waster the 19 Apr 09 at 23:07.
Okay - you're all tweakers, but most people do not want pico-granularity of every pixel's movement and transparency.

With or without integration with gnome themes, compiz could provide a nice set of themes containing co-ordinated effects and decor. By all means have another app to do tweaking, but I nearly filled my pants when I first saw the detailed config app.
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Solution #6: ccsm is a geek tool, ubuntu isn't a geek OS
Written by choad the 21 Apr 09 at 00:56.
ccsm is a total geek tool. i love it, because i am a geek.
taking a more user friendly approach would involve making some decisions about defaults, putting things currently accessed through ccsm in to logical places (window opacity in preferences > windows for example, next to the similar "select windows on mouse hover" option) and removing redundant things like having both a cube and a desktop wall.
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Solution #7: Fetch and display descriptions from Compiz wiki
Written by aadityabhatia the 30 Apr 09 at 23:34.
Similar to #3, but fetch the latest descriptions from the Compiz wiki in the background and display them in CCSM instead of providing a link that user has to click.

If the box is not connected to the internet then use a cached copy of the descriptions, or the descriptions that came with the package.
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Solution #8: Clarification and declutter
Written by adamknox the 15 Sep 09 at 04:12.
Add actual descriptions of what each effect does. Reorganize the different effects. I imagine that a larger percentage of people will want to change transparencies, shadows, alt+tab functionality, than creating flames around a cursor, wobbly windows, a compiz splash, or a huge flashy benchmarking utility.

Incorporate themes from Solution #5:
User Created Content
Presentation (clean, with an attention grabbing cursor)
Gloss
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Solution #9: Apply solutions #5 and #2 to invalidate #6
Written by mikko.rantalainen the 7 Oct 10 at 11:17.
Improve CCSM to not be a geek tool only. Make it a tool to create, modify and apply themes. Basically, make a compiz theme a saved CCSM configuration. One could think that using simple-ccsm would be the answer but I don't see any reason why real CCSM couldn't be improved enough to make simple-ccsm needless.

Optional features:
- ability to send your own theme to central server
- ability to search central server for themes

For example, see how Firefox add-ons work - they are basically geek features (web browser customization?) but made usable to casual user.

See the 5 comments or propose a solution >>

3D UI impacts performance of full screen games...  
Written by Omega the 17 Oct 09 at 13:33. New
3D UI impacts performance of games and causes an FPS and responsiveness drop.
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Solution #1: Allow 3D effects to be disabled by application launchers.
Written by Omega the 17 Oct 09 at 13:33.
When I run 3D applications like WINE games etc... it would be nice to get some performance back from the 3D UI. As much as I love it, I tend to leave it off because I can't afford to lose the FPS and can't be bothered to turn it on and off constantly.

It might be nice if this process could be automated to save on resources. Best of both worlds then!
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Solution #2: Give the user the option
Written by Rodrigo the 19 Oct 09 at 11:03.
In such demanding applications, show a dialog, something like:
The program you are about to use is quite graphically demanding, you can boost the performance by temporary disabling the 3D effects in your desktop.
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Solution #3: Redirect fullscreen windows only if (certain) effects are applied
Written by xfuser4 the 19 Oct 09 at 17:32.
The question is, why Compiz and Mutter have to redirect full screen windows all the time - even if no effects are visible on them.

If it is technically possible, full screen windows could be redirected only if really needed (like when switching to the Overlay of GNOME Shell or the Expo view of Compiz).
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Solution #4: Install fusion-icon along with compiz fusion
Written by Anonymousable the 31 Oct 09 at 20:51.
fusion-icon allows the user to switch between Compiz and Metacity with two clicks.

Make it "Recommended" by the compiz-fusion package.
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Solution #5: Allow for custom battery profiles
Written by thehosh the 2 Nov 09 at 02:11.
for example, you say what whether or not you want compiz enabled when plugged in, or when running on battery etc.. also allow to manually select these profiles by clicking on the battery icon in the system tray.
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Solution #6: Close 3D effects when a 3d game is starting
Written by Dooitze the 9 Nov 09 at 15:23.
When you play games the computer will be enable to disable the 3D Effects

See the 6 comments or propose a solution >>

Compiz should remember previous settings  
Written by Bender2k14 the 27 Jul 08 at 17:05. New
If I disable compiz (System->Preferences->Appearance-Visual Effects->None) and then enable it again, the same features are not enabled.

Specifically, Desktop Wall is enabled and all of my Cube features are disabled.
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Solution #1: Remember Previous Settings
Written by Bender2k14 the 27 Jul 08 at 17:05.
Compiz should remember my previous settings instead of loading the default settings.

See the 7 comments or propose a solution >>

Ubuntu needs much better support for Extended desktop display  
Written by peerLAN the 11 Nov 08 at 18:09. New
Extended desktop is 2 or more monitors displaying as a single computer desktop.

Right now Ubuntu works just with cloning the first display onto other monitors.

Please improve the support for this, as once you live with it on Windows, it's extremely hard to go without. People are starting more and more to use multiple LCD monitors so I think this should become a priority.
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #15507
Written by peerLAN the 11 Nov 08 at 18:09.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #15507 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

See the 11 comments or propose a solution >>

Real-time earth wallpaper  
Written by radiac93 the 19 Sep 10 at 18:58. New
I've been googeling all day for this, but I can't find what I'm looking for..

So what am I looking for?
A real-time earth wallpaper, so a app/program/... that changes your background in real-time: if it's night you see a dark earth with the lights of the cities, if it's day it's clear, etc.

I've found quit a few scripts to do this with images, but that's like 5 images that repeat themselves over a 24h span.
I'm looking for something that shows snow when there should be/is snow in the winter, something that you wan hardly see the transition between night and day because it's so detailed..


I know this is possible because it already exists for windows--"
I'm still a new user(for one week) but I haven't used my windows since then(and I'm trying to keep at it!).

So if anyone could please help me with this.. :)

see example: http://superuser.com/questions/51640/desktop-earth-for-ubuntu
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Solution #1: make an app
Written by radiac93 the 19 Sep 10 at 18:58.
please make/adapt an app so I could use it in ubuntu :)
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Solution #2: KDE Already has this
Written by beyecixramd the 2 Oct 10 at 11:57.
Simply, make a wrapper or try to "translate" it from Qt to GTK
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Solution #3: xplanet already exists - just needs wrapper
Written by waster the 3 Oct 10 at 13:29.
xplanet already exists - just needs wrapper

See the 8 comments or propose a solution >>

Smooth Expanding/Contracting of file trees  
Written by scawa the 12 Oct 08 at 15:47. New
Ubuntu feels really great to use with activated "Extra Visual Effects" (System > Preferences > Appearance > Visual Effects).

Everything is smooth, wobbly, fancy. In contrast, browsing files in Nautilus File Browser feels awkward. It is rough, almost brutal if you compare it to a soft pop up of a menu.

Expanding a file tree should look similar to the effect on this website: http://moofx.mad4milk.net/ (Click on the headings to see what I mean.)

Expanding should be smooooth (as shown). The root element (=the element you want to expend) should also be scrolled to the top to have as much space as possible to show the children elements.

If you do not like the particular effect but would like to have smooth expanding of file trees, please still vote up this idea.
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #14331
Written by scawa the 12 Oct 08 at 15:47.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #14331 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

See the 3 comments or propose a solution >>

Turn off Compiz effects when in running 3D aplication  
Written by obZen the 2 Sep 08 at 11:21. New
turn off the effects could give us more rendering with 3D aplications
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #12737
Written by obZen the 2 Sep 08 at 11:21.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #12737 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!
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Solution #2: Application that disables compiz-fusion when a user-specified application starts
Written by Detructor the 23 Apr 09 at 16:44.
Many games and some other programs (like OOo Presentation) area having problems with compiz-fusion, so my idea is, that there will be a program in System -> Settings (maybe somewhere else) in which the user can specify applications (by adding the name like it is in /usr/bin or by choosing the binary over a file browser).

When one of the specified applications starts, compiz-fusion will be replaced by the standard window manager of the desktop environment (for example metacity when using gnome).

After the application has been ended compiz-fusion will replace the standard window manager of the DE again.
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Solution #3: DBus
Written by cheesehead the 24 Apr 09 at 04:44.
Not even an application. Make it seamless, with no user administration required.

Compiz already uses dbus. Other applications should be able to tell compiz to enable/disable effects using DBus.
This provides an easy, patchable workaround in an application until new bugs and incompatibilities are worked out.

See the 5 comments or propose a solution >>

multi touch screen features?  
Written by jayjayn the 26 Feb 09 at 18:00. New
I have a HP tx2z multi touch tablet pc and was able to get ubuntu running great on it, but it doesnt have any type of features/support for the new multi touch screens.
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Solution #1: multi-touch gestures on tablet pc
Written by jayjayn the 26 Feb 09 at 18:00.
My idea is it would be great if there was some type of implementation for multi touch screen gestures such as two finger scrolling or two finger swipes to the left and right to activate switching between view ports like in compiz. as well as resizing images and rotating images using two fingers.
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Solution #2: MPX
Written by Daniel Antony Demski the 2 Mar 09 at 03:51.
Multiple Pointer X should be integrated into Ubuntu along with reasonable behavior for interacting with things using multiple mice. That way people without touchscreens could even test out touchscreen behavior by using multiple mice at once.
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Solution #3: Add a GUI for Multipe Pointer X
Written by niallabrown the 12 Apr 09 at 02:54.
Make a GUI to configure Multi Pointer X. One that allows you to assign a new cursor to a second USB mouse or activate multitouch for touch screens.

See the 5 comments or propose a solution >>

Transparent Windows (Windows 7) would be very useful!  
Written by gw7714 the 16 Apr 09 at 21:11. New
In Windows 7, if you hover over a minimized window in the bar, all windows but that one are made transparent.

This I think is one of the handiest WM features I have ever seen in any OS.
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Solution #1: Include this feature in the Window Manager
Written by gw7714 the 16 Apr 09 at 21:11.
It would be nice if this feature could be not too graphics intensive, just a fade to outlines, maybe a little cooler if you selected higher effects.
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Solution #2: Leave things as they are now
Written by vexorian the 12 May 09 at 16:35.
This is already possible by configuring compiz. Including it in the default would be extremely annoying, please don't do it.
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Solution #3: Enable the compiz setting by default for "Extra" mode
Written by Epistaxis the 13 May 09 at 19:00.
Compiz already does something similar called Opacify (except you mouse over the window itself, not its counterpart on the bar), but because it's not enabled by default, you have to install CompizConfig and find the right setting.

I agree this is a very useful feature, so let's enable it by default when Visual Effects are set to "Extra" in System->Preferences->Appearance.

See the 5 comments or propose a solution >>

Ubuntu ( GNOME ) has not tool to organize Desktop  
Written by OpenNingia the 5 Mar 09 at 13:14. New
Stardock has released a desktop organizer tool that I found very useful, I think that doing something similar as a Compiz plugin would improve your desktop funcionality

reference:
http://www.stardock.com/products/fences/
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Solution #1: Add a Fences like Compiz plugin
Written by OpenNingia the 5 Mar 09 at 13:14.
Stardock has released a desktop organizer tool that I found very useful, I think that doing something similar as a Compiz plugin would improve your desktop funcionality

reference:
http://www.stardock.com/products/fences/
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Solution #2: Add a Fences like Gdesklet/Screenlet widget
Written by twocool the 5 Mar 09 at 17:11.
I think that it's more logic to implement this functionality as a widget.
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Solution #3: do not permit superposition of icons
Written by yzarc the 21 Mar 09 at 07:07.
do not permit superposition of icons. in gnome you can even hide a icon behind another on desktop. that is wrong and help to make the mess.
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Solution #4: smart position desktop icons
Written by neziric the 11 Jan 10 at 12:25.
right now if you move a cd icon somewhere on the desktop, next time you pop in the cd, desktop icon is placed where you put it last time.
the same happens with remote machine connections (places > connect to server)

please add automatic sorting of desktop icons.

gnome should sort desktop icons in columns, starting from top left to bottom left and then move towards the right screen side.

this behavior should be default one.

See the 6 comments or propose a solution >>

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