Bug 157187

Summary:	Option to show desktop with alt-tab for KWin Composite
Product:	[Plasma] kwin	Reporter:	Rodney Gedda <rodney>
Component:	general	Assignee:	KWin default assignee <kwin-bugs-null>
Status:	RESOLVED INTENTIONAL
Severity:	wishlist
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	unspecified
Target Milestone:	---
Platform:	Ubuntu
OS:	Linux
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description Rodney Gedda 2008-02-05 05:31:34 UTC

Version:           4.0.0 (using KDE 4.0.0)
Installed from:    Ubuntu Packages
OS:                Linux

When using KWin Composite (which is great, rock on!) I have noticed there is no simple way to get to all the plasmoids on the desktop other than another two key strokes - Ctrl-F2/F1 (show/hide respectively) or Ctrl-F10 which fades all the windows behind the desktop plasmoids.

Perhaps there could be an option in the KWin Composite features for "Box Switch" the "improved alt-tab window switcher", to display the desktop alongside the other windows. After all, the desktop with all its plasmoids is just like another "window".

So... a user could just cycle through alt-tab to get to all the windows AND the KDE desktop. I think that would be a great usability improvement!

This request is for an option, not a default setting.

Feedback wanted!

Comment 1 Lubos Lunak 2008-03-22 19:34:31 UTC

What's the problem with using the dashboard (Ctrl+F12) to get to them?

Comment 2 Rodney Gedda 2008-03-23 00:06:42 UTC

Well, using Alt-Tab is quite natural for a lot of people (including those using other environments) so it would definitely be a super fast way of getting to all those plasmoids on the desktop. Having to press Ctrl+F12 is another keybinding people need to get used to.

Just imagine it, cycling through your windows and a grab of the desktop comes up as just another window. When the user releases, the other windows fade away (or minimize) and the desktop (and plasmoids) instantly appears!

Comment 3 Lubos Lunak 2008-03-27 12:24:31 UTC

I think the desktop window being in Alt+Tab would be generally confusing, and I consider adding an option for this to be featuritis, sorry.