Bug 481223

Summary:	Change default layout for external screens
Product:	[Plasma] plasmashell	Reporter:	Iyán M. V. <me>
Component:	general	Assignee:	Plasma Bugs List <plasma-bugs-null>
Status:	RESOLVED NOT A BUG
Severity:	normal	CC:	kde, nate
Priority:	NOR	Keywords:	qt6
Version First Reported In:	5.93.0
Target Milestone:	1.0
Platform:	Other
OS:	Linux
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description Iyán M. V. 2024-02-11 13:33:22 UTC

SUMMARY
Historically, default layout in Desktop Settings has always been "Folder View". I understand the reason for this: users coming from other OS such as Windows or macOS would expect their Desktop files to be visible directly in their desktop.

However, I think this is not the correct layout for external monitors for privacy reasons. Same as the default mode is not "unify outputs" but to extend the desktop, I think the default layout should be "Desktop" with the default Plasma background (ideally, this could be even configurable) so that user's desktop files are not shown.

At least, since the multi-screen in Plasma 6 works reliably, it is possible to connect the external screen, change the layout, background, etc. and next time the same screen is connected, these settings are restored. However, in some situations (e.g, connecting a laptop to a new projector during a meeting) it is not possible to prepare the setup in advance.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Connect a Plasma 6 laptop to a new external screen

OBSERVED RESULT
All files in desktop are leaked to the audience

EXPECTED RESULT
Only a plain desktop background is shown. The user has to actively change to "unify outputs" or manually change the layout to "Folder view" for that to happen.

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Operating System: Arch Linux
KDE Plasma Version: 5.93.0
KDE Frameworks Version: 5.249.0
Qt Version: 6.7.0
Kernel Version: 6.7.4-arch1-1 (64-bit)
Graphics Platform: Wayland
Processors: 8 × 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 @ 2.40GHz
Memory: 15.3 GiB of RAM
Graphics Processor: Mesa Intel® Xe Graphics
Manufacturer: LENOVO
Product Name: 20XYCTO1WW
System Version: ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6

Comment 1 Nate Graham 2024-07-30 21:52:39 UTC

> STEPS TO REPRODUCE
> 1. Connect a Plasma 6 laptop to a new external screen
> 
> OBSERVED RESULT
> All files in desktop are leaked to the audience
I don't understand; how did this happen? I have an external screen I plug into my laptop, and the laptop's internal screen has files on the desktop, and at no point are any of them visible on the external screen. What you're describing doesn't sound like the expected behavior to me.

Comment 2 Iyán M. V. 2024-07-31 07:52:41 UTC

Hi Nate, perhaps the default behavior has changed since I open the bug? I will double check today again. What do you mean by "What you're describing doesn't sound like the expected behavior to me."? I guess you are referring to what I wrote in EXPECTED RESULT? Is it not clear or you don't agree? Please let me know and I will try to clarify or write my expectations clearer.

Also, just to be sure, this only happens the very first time you connect your laptop to a new external screen. If you have modified anything later on, like Desktop Settings, mode, etc. those are properly saved and used the next time you connect

Comment 3 Nate Graham 2024-07-31 18:06:48 UTC

No, when I connect a new screen, the files on the desktop of my laptop do *not* move or get copied onto that new screen. That's definitely not expected behavior.

Do you have:
1. Files on the desktop
2. A secondary screen you sometimes use, or use at home
3. Some of your desktop files are on the desktop that screen

If so, then I might understand what's going on. If not, we need to keep digging.

Comment 4 Bug Janitor Service 2024-08-15 03:47:04 UTC

🐛🧹 ⚠️ This bug has been in NEEDSINFO status with no change for at least 15 days. Please provide the requested information, then set the bug status to REPORTED. If there is no change for at least 30 days, it will be automatically closed as RESOLVED WORKSFORME.

For more information about our bug triaging procedures, please read https://community.kde.org/Guidelines_and_HOWTOs/Bug_triaging.

Thank you for helping us make KDE software even better for everyone!

Comment 5 Iyán M. V. 2024-08-22 11:45:09 UTC

This must have been a side-effect of having old configuration (perhaps from Plasma 5). Since you could not replicate the issue, I tested (sorry for the long delay in my answer) on a new user I observed the right behavior, and after deleting all screens from "Panel And Desktop Management" I also recovered the correct behavior on my usual user. So closing this since it does not seem like a bug at the end.