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Idea #13024: Stop programs grabbing keyboard focus while typing

bug This idea is a duplicate of Idea #400: Prevent applications from stealing focus.
Written by freexe the 10 Sep 08 at 15:33. Related project: Gnome. Status: New
Rationale
When I open a new program, it often grabs keyboard focus so I can start typing in the program. I like this function.

If I happen to be in the middle of typing in another program when the program requests keyboard focus it's a pain because I don't alway notice and it ruins my train of thought.

I would like to block programs trying to grab focus if I'm in the middle of typing.

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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #13024
Written by freexe the 10 Sep 08 at 15:33.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #13024 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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Comments
heinz23 wrote on the 10 Sep 08 at 19:50
Let me add another nerv racing szenario: On a slower machine when I start a new application that takes a couple of seconds to pop up I want to keep on editing somethin in another window but every time a new window is created focus is stolen and I have to switch back to the older window.

PiHalbe wrote on the 11 Sep 08 at 12:07
I totally agree! Taking focus is ok, stealing it is not!

heinz23: Ubuntu should notice that I selected another window after starting the app. It should then refrain from stealing focus.

cheesehead (Brainstorm moderator) wrote on the 11 Sep 08 at 18:44
XFCE (xubuntu) already has this implemented. It's great, though a bit of an adjustment.

Aldo Nogueira wrote on the 12 Sep 08 at 21:26
Gnome had this implemented already. If it is not working, it is a bug.

cubytus wrote on the 21 Sep 08 at 02:09
Sometomes Compiz overrides Gnome's one on this. It should be adressed.

Magnes wrote on the 22 Sep 08 at 12:27
It's also dangerous. I sometimes write some password and it lands in a windows I don't want it to.

firefeather wrote on the 24 Sep 08 at 02:57
I would add that Compiz's focus-stealing-prevention options go to extremes. Either new windows come on top, or they don't. I really like the idea of being aware of the keyboard (similar to the option to disable touchpad while typing), because this is a middle-of-the-road option we don't have right now.

braaivleis wrote on the 24 Sep 08 at 11:35
+1

Lets not make it complicated, then maybe it can get done quicker.

The focus should never be taken or stolen from the user.

If I enter a command or use gnome to kick of an application, I have transfered/given the "focus" back to gnome to do with it as it likes: i.e set focus on newly launched app.

Once the focus is given back to me (i.e focus given to an application I launched) its my property until I GIVE it back.


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