Bug 464652

Summary:	UX for activation a window on another monitor found in a search is quite awkward
Product:	[Plasma] kwin	Reporter:	kde
Component:	effects-present-windows	Assignee:	KWin default assignee <kwin-bugs-null>
Status:	CONFIRMED ---
Severity:	normal	CC:	nate
Priority:	NOR	Keywords:	usability
Version First Reported In:	unspecified
Target Milestone:	---
Platform:	Other
OS:	Other
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed/Implemented In:	5.27
Sentry Crash Report:

Description kde 2023-01-22 14:40:39 UTC

On a dual monitor setup, "present windows" cannot be used to raise applications on the monitor it was not triggered on

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. minimise any application on the 2nd monitor
3. move back to your first monitor
2. trigger present windows
3. start typing the name of the application found on the 2nd monitor

OBSERVED RESULT
as we type the first letters of the application name, "present windows" zooms on it as expected
but hitting the enter key will not raise and focus the application if it is on the other monitor
it works as expected if the application is on the same monitor where present windows was triggered

EXPECTED RESULT
the application should be raised and active regardless of the monitor where "present windows" was triggered from

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Linux/KDE Plasma: Tumbleweed 20230119
KDE Plasma Version: 5.26.5
KDE Frameworks Version: 5.102.0
Qt Version: 5.15.8

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
X11

Comment 1 Nate Graham 2023-01-24 17:47:55 UTC

You need to use the arrow keys to move focus over to the window on the other monitor. This works properly in Plasma 5.27.

Comment 2 kde 2023-02-15 13:05:00 UTC

I now upgraded to:
KDE Plasma Version: 5.27.0
KDE Frameworks Version: 5.103.0
X11
The selection with arrow keys was already working in 5.26.

However, the original interface behaviour has not been restored. We used to be able to type the first letters of the application, type enter and it would focus that application whatever monitor it was on. This offered a fast and minimal cognitive load to switch applications.
Now, the selection with arrow keys is adding a lot of friction, it has become a more time consuming and more cognitively demanding way as following:
1. remember what the window looked like the last time you minimised it
2. find that window in the "present windows" display 
3. navigate carefully with the arrow keys to move the focus to that window
4. finally hit enter

Comment 3 Nate Graham 2023-02-17 17:07:20 UTC

I agree that the UX is not ideal. We can continue to track it here, sure. Changing the title to be accurate.