Bug 90940

Summary: configurations in 800x600 resolution are too big, optimize them for 800x600 please
Product: [I don't know] kde Reporter: Cyb Org <cyb.org>
Component: generalAssignee: Unassigned bugs mailing-list <unassigned-bugs>
Status: RESOLVED NOT A BUG    
Severity: wishlist CC: alberthilbert, kde, mail, mwa, nate, orion, shafff, superaphke
Priority: NOR Keywords: usability
Version: unspecified   
Target Milestone: ---   
Platform: Debian testing   
OS: Linux   
Latest Commit: Version Fixed In:
Sentry Crash Report:
Bug Depends on: 186218    
Bug Blocks:    
Attachments: A lot of text is unviewable!!
Hidden text at the bottom
No print icon

Description Cyb Org 2004-10-08 01:52:14 UTC
Version:            (using KDE KDE 3.2.3)
Installed from:    Debian testing/unstable Packages
OS:                Linux

If I want to change settings somewhere in KDE with my LAptop 800x600 Monitor, I often cant access the Okay Keys because they drop "out of screen".

Mostly the space is wasted and settings like Toolbar Settings need the whole Screen or even more.

This is something which is rather unneeded.

I found two possible solutions:
1. try to design at least for 800x600. Linux and KDE arent always used on that big screens. Even DOS based graphical GUIs use still settings which are even applicable for 640x480.
On a screen smaller than 800x600 KDE is not usable at all.

2. embed forms which are too big in a scrollable area at least.

Mostly everything in the configuration area is the problem.

IMHO I recommend to keep both things in mind
first to design for at least 800x600
second a plugin or option to create a check of the form-size of an application in Kwin which encapsulates Forms from QT (and maybe other Graphical interfaces like GTK or even every window Kwin handles) in a scrollable area for small screened devices.
Comment 1 Cyb Org 2004-10-08 02:01:08 UTC
after reading it again, I saw it was very poor english
what I meant is: in 800x600 screen resolution I cant configure KDE well, because the most configuration windows are simply too big and the buttons "Apply" or "OK" arent visible, and also other Elements.
In the control Center I can scroll, thats true, but so I have to start Control Center each time and settings which arent included there cant be changed properly this way.
Also I saw, that most of these setting-windows waste the space they have. They could be much more compact, but I understand the need of space for i18n purposes.
Defining a standard size for configuration windows or even a plugin or option/feature in Kwin which encapsulates oversized windows in a scrollable area would be a possible solution to this problem and would even solve such problems for non-kde applications under kde...
for testing this: just resize KDE to 800x600 or smaller and look how you can live with that...
Comment 2 Stephan Binner 2004-10-08 20:23:18 UTC
This is too general to be ever processed, please file individual bug reports.
Comment 3 Waldo Bastian 2004-10-12 12:35:01 UTC
It's a design goal to fit on a 800x600 screen, please file individual bugreports for dialogs that you encounter that are too big.
Comment 4 Cyb Org 2004-10-12 17:24:33 UTC
well, then i have a lot of work, because beginning from KDE Preferences to Konqueror and mainly all KDE applications show this behaviour.
mainly it is also caused by the "resizing" of options.

this was NOT a solution to MY problem, nor was my definition too general.

My second and main wish was to prevent this by adding a Plugin to KWin which lets you scroll if windows get over the set resolution as add-on option in KDE/Kwin.

I just wanted to point out, that the  most settings in KDE are not 800x600 conform. And this behaviour is simply testable, and reproducable.

If you still insist, I will take some hours of time to test all of them out. But it would be easier to say where 800x600 is enough - not where it is not. BEcause most of the panels are too big or get too big if the panel resizes itself - which it does.
Comment 5 Joel Feiner 2005-04-08 04:52:42 UTC
I also think it's a bit ridiculous to ask him to file bug reports for every single dialog.  I think there should be a generic scroll system for windows that won't fit on the screen, because inevitably, somebody, somewhere, will design an application with a configuration dialog that doesn't fit on an 800x600 screen, and it might be a non-KDE app.  If there's no general way to deal with this, then the problem will not ever be solved.
Comment 6 Cyb Org 2005-04-15 13:45:19 UTC
agreed.
and i find it very disappointing to be marked as invalid.
Comment 7 Cyb Org 2005-04-15 20:41:00 UTC
however, thinking about it, because KDE's goal is 800x600, its really a thing where special reports should be done.

however, some sort of "scrolling" area implemented in the window manager, which is able to scroll too large areas maybe an option?

dont know if this is achievable.

as Joel pointed it out, this bug could be marked as "unresolvable".

however, maybe think about some kwin enhancement to scroll oversized windows in the managed area.
Comment 8 khaled 2005-07-14 18:27:00 UTC
*** This bug has been confirmed by popular vote. ***
Comment 9 Nathan Olberding 2006-02-07 07:58:14 UTC
I can attest to this bug still being apparent in KDE 3.5.1. My monitor's resolution is 1280x768. Several dialogs are too big for my (gorgeous!) monitor.

I can see the value in individual reports, but this issue has been around since I started using KDE (around 2.0). Seeing as this makes kcontrol mostly unusable for me as a whole, I think a single bug report really captures the important idea: there's a huge problem with oversized configuration windows in kcontrol.
Comment 10 hayig2000 2007-03-23 19:40:14 UTC
Created attachment 20083 [details]
A lot of text is unviewable!!
Comment 11 hayig2000 2007-03-23 19:48:34 UTC
Created attachment 20085 [details]
Hidden text at the bottom
Comment 12 hayig2000 2007-03-23 19:51:23 UTC
Created attachment 20086 [details]
No print icon

The print icon can not be viewed because of this resolution.....i can't print
from konqueror!!!
Comment 13 hayig2000 2007-03-23 19:53:19 UTC
Hi all
i want to confirm on That screen resolution problem
when i change the resolution to 800*600, the windows are not displayed correctly (see attached pictures)...If u see the pictures attached, u will notice that part of the text is missing and there is no way to view that text (i have already tried to maximize) except to increase resolution......in other words, the OKAY and CANCEL  and APPLY Keys and other keys drop out of the screen!!

i hope u could solve the problem soon

And do not blame me of choosing that high resolution....i was forced to do this because the font in certain programs (opera, wine, xine,ie6,google earth) is too small and cant be changed.
Comment 14 Nathan Olberding 2007-03-26 14:46:05 UTC
On 23 Mar 2007 18:53:20 -0000, hayig2000 <hayig2000@gmail.com> wrote:
[bugs.kde.org quoted mail]

I'd like to note that this problem also affects remote users (VNC, NX, etc)
in a unique way. Remote desktops are often more convenient at lower
resolutions.
<div><span class="gmail_quote">On 23 Mar 2007 18:53:20 -0000, <b class="gmail_sendername">hayig2000</b> &lt;<a href="mailto:hayig2000@gmail.com">hayig2000@gmail.com</a>&gt; wrote:</span><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
------- You are receiving this mail because: -------<br>You are a voter for the bug, or are watching someone who is.<br><br><a href="http://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=90940">http://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=90940</a>
<br></blockquote></div><br>I&#39;d like to note that this problem also affects remote users (VNC, NX, etc) in a unique way. Remote desktops are often more convenient at lower resolutions.<br>
Comment 15 George Kiagiadakis 2008-10-09 16:30:38 UTC
What is the state of this bug? This is still a problem in KDE 4.1.x in too many applications.

Some of the affected applications:
Pattern: Application  (Config dialog size in pixels, width x height)
- Konqueror (1042x680)
- Akregator (660x660)
- Kate (940x660)
- KMail (810x690)
- KTorrent (1020x650)
- Okular (480x620)
- Kopete (995x630)
- Kontact (can't test this now because it crashes, but I remember this didn't fit even in 1024x768)
...and probably lots of other apps that I didn't test...
Comment 16 Mark W. Alexander 2008-12-01 01:16:56 UTC
*** Bug 151119 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
Comment 17 Mark W. Alexander 2008-12-01 01:29:08 UTC
Just closed Bug 151119 as a dupe of this, but I want to reiterate how great it is to run KDE apps on mobile devices. I have had very little problems actually running most anything I want to run but it is a major PITA to configure just about anything. 

I'm looking forward to KDE 4's improved performance on my zaurus. Reconfiguring stuff... not so much.
Comment 18 Nick Shaforostoff 2008-12-07 09:15:47 UTC
i've made config dialogs shorter for systemsettings, kate, kopete (KDE 4.2).

konqueror, ktorrent, kmail are close to have 600px height or smaller.

even more, initial dialog size in KDE 4.2 will default to 800x570, and the dialog will be resized only when you switch to a page requiring this.

also remember you can move windows with mouse holding Alt.
Comment 19 albert 2008-12-13 01:29:43 UTC
The relevance of this wish/bug is rapidly increasing because of the diffusion of netbooks (eeepc and mates) that in the best case have a screen resolution of 1024x600. Moreover the typical user of those machines are not aware of the possibility to move windows holding "Alt". Netbook market offers a great opportunity for the diffusion of Linux and Kde, but they have to be in "good shape" to exploit that chance.
Comment 20 Raphaƫl Vinet 2009-12-24 09:29:40 UTC
Hi,

I also confront this problem with my netbook Acer Aspire One AOA 110 (mandriva 2010 up to date with kde 4.3.2): Maximal resolution 1024*600

1. I'm totally agree with:
- comment #19 : it is more and more important with netbooks
- the propose of using a scrolling area when needed. Alt + mouse or Alt + left button of mousepad + mousepad are not (I think) standard in the mind for the majority of users

2. Different problems:
Problem 1: Difference if you have an auto-hide taskbar or a visible one
- Create new user
- Login with the new user
- Unlock widgets
- More settings and choose auto-hide
- Lock widgets
- Kontact - Settings - Configure Kmail - Misc 
==> no problem

Same scenario but with a visible taskbar ==> problem (no automatic adaptation) ==> see problem 2

Problem 2: Vertical size per default for different configuration options in Kontact are too big (Kmail - Misc, Korganizer - view, ...)
- Create new user
- Login with the new user
- Kontact
- Calendar
- Settings - Configure Calendar ... - Views
==> you don't see buttons on bottom (OK, Cancel, Apply, ...)

Problem 3: Problem for resizing
- Kontact
- Calendar
- Settings
- Configure Calendar...
You are on the "General" option (no problem)
- Select "Views" option
==> Problem
- Reselect "General" option
==> You inherit the size of "Views" option so you inherit of his problem
==> More ! You can not resize verticaly

Work around:
- Quit the configuration window
- Reenter
- Select an option that work (;-) ) so for example "Custom pages"
... but you have always a problem with (this time) the horizontal resizing :-(

Work around on this step:
- Quit the configuration window
- Reenter
==> you can resize horizontaly

Problem 4: Window that ups and downs on all cliks
1. Kmail
2. Settings - Configure Kmail - Misc
So you have problem with buttons 'Ok', 'Apply', ...
3. If you maximize the window you have a resolution problem in all kmail configuration's windows ! All time you click somewhere (option, field, ...) your window goes up and down and you can't do what you want

Work around here: 
Quit completely kmail.

A+
Raph
Comment 21 Nate Graham 2017-11-29 23:26:49 UTC
It's a shame we never got the requested individual bug reports about the places where this is a problem, because the result was exactly what happens to bugs that are too general: they don't get done. Design work to redo windows and dialogs that are too big is not trivial and each one needs to be tracked with its own bug. If you want this done, then PLEASE file individual bug reports for every window or dialog that is too big. Not only is  a reasonable request, it's required for the work to actually get done. "Something big is wrong throughout all of KDE" issues like this one aren't actionable without being split into small actionable chunks of work.

I will repeat, just so it's clear: if you want to see this done, file individual bug reports against each instance of a dialog or window having a minimum size that's too big.