Ubuntu – How to configure the launcher to “dodge windows”

launcherunity

I don't like the auto hide launcher for it is too annoying for me. The launcher stays hidden and to reveal it, the mouse pointer has to be moved to the default hot spot. I'd instead like to have the hide to dodge windows previously available in Ubuntu 11.10. How do I change back to this behaviour?

Best Answer

How to restore Dodge behavior in 12.04

This Ubuntu Geek post and this newer WepUpd8 post report how to restore the Dodge Windows and Dodge Active Windows for Unity in 12.04. These can then be set in the Unity plugin in CompizConfig Settings Manager. Update: For 12.10 / 13.04, please refer also to this WepUpd8 post.

It is required to add a ppa:

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:ikarosdev/unity-revamped

and run a distribution upgrade:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

Then open CCSM and set it to your favorite behavior!

Dodge Window and Dodge Active Window behavior restored in Ubuntu 12.04. The terminal is only to document Ubuntu version. (The terminal is only to document Ubuntu version.)

You might have to log out and in again for it to take effect.

This patch also restores the old Click-To-Minimize behavior. See this Webupd8 post for details.

All changes can be reverted by the following commands:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge
sudo ppa-purge ppa:ikarosdev/unity-revamped

Alternatively, a hack to restore the older Dodge behavior is reported on here.

I tried out the "real dodge" version, and it works so-so in my opinion. Most notably, the launcher does not "go above" active windows, but pushes them to the side, where it sometimes gets stuck (so the launcher doesn't go away again). In general, when the launcher shifts position, so does many other things on screen (e.g., icons on the desktop).

An alternative is to (almost) permanently hide the launcher (see here) and use a dock with the wished for behavior (for example cairo-dock).

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