SUMMARY When I was using GNOME I got used to scrolling with my mouse wheel to switch between virtual desktops in the overview (usually just two in my case), since it's convenient for peeking into the other desktop to check in on the apps running there (with the overview bound to a hot corner it's easier to reach compared to aiming for the pager in the taskbar and scrolling there in KDE), and it's also easier to pick the right window to focus with the mouse (compared to using the taskbar) when I do want to enter that desktop. So, I think it would be a useful addition to the overview effect, especially for users who prefer and/or are used to using the mouse for the most part. STEPS TO REPRODUCE 1. Open the overview 2. Scroll OBSERVED RESULT Nothing happens. EXPECTED RESULT The overview should switch to the next virtual desktop. SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS Operating System: Arch Linux KDE Plasma Version: 5.24.4 KDE Frameworks Version: 5.93.0 Qt Version: 5.15.3 Kernel Version: 5.17.4-arch1-1 (64-bit) Graphics Platform: Wayland
Scroll where? Over the activities bar? Or anywhere?
(In reply to Nate Graham from comment #1) > Scroll where? Over the activities bar? Or anywhere? In GNOME it's practically anywhere, although I personally wouldn't mind if it's going to be limited to just the activities bar (assuming that's referring to the virtual desktop previews at the top).
*** Bug 447840 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
(In reply to Prajna Sariputra from comment #2) > (In reply to Nate Graham from comment #1) > > Scroll where? Over the activities bar? Or anywhere? > > In GNOME it's practically anywhere, although I personally wouldn't mind if > it's going to be limited to just the activities bar (assuming that's > referring to the virtual desktop previews at the top). Personally I'm not seeing much value if it's only on the activities bar. Currently, scrolling doesn't do anything. So, save for technical limitations, I think scrolling anywhere is the better solution, UX wise. Personally, I can think of 2 use cases. One is someone wishing to quickly switch to the next workspace, or a specific workspace, without having to aim for the right workspace. The other is browsing through windows, closing, or focusing what piques their interest. The way I think about the first situation it is that the cursor is going to be at a completely random position when the overview is triggered. Therefore, if we assume that most of the time it's not going on be on the activity/workspace bar, the user will have to aim the cursor at it. At which point they could just aim on the workspace they wants to focus. They'd reach the destination faster. The second usage, the user is going to want to focus a window at some point. Meaning they aim at the top bar, scroll, then aim the at the window they want to focus.
(In reply to Nate Graham from comment #3) > *** Bug 447840 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. *** I noticed switching between desktops with mouse scrolling was briefly added after updating to 5.25.0.1 then it stopped working for me again after 5.25.1 for some reason. Is this feature permanently removed or coming back? This definitely need to be fixed.
*** Bug 461955 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
I too would like to see this implemented. It would require significant improvements in the overview effect, because right now it's not possible to switch to another desktop without closing the overview. Maybe the behaviour needs to change so that clicking a desktop on top also doesn't close the overview. Additionally, it would be incomplete if this only worked with a mouse wheel, so we would want to have the various keyboard shortcuts for switch/walk desktops to work seamlessly as well. Currently e.g. "switch to next desktop" kwin shortcut does nothing while the overview screen is active, a significant usability issue. As well as any baked-in navigation shortcuts that make sense, like maybe page up/down for switching desktops within the overview. In summary, I think the overview effect should aim to support workflows similar to GNOME's overview and the way it handles workspace switching.
Huh, in my case while the switch to next/previous desktop shortcuts indeed do not work in the overview the switch to X desktop shortcuts as well as the switch to one desktop up/down/left/right shortcuts do work, so if you only have your desktops arranged in one row you can use the left/right desktop shortcuts as a replacement.
Relevant merge request https://invent.kde.org/plasma/kwin/-/merge_requests/1688
Not sure when it was added, but ctrl+alt+scrolling, which is a shortcut that works anywhere, including the overview.
*** Bug 460227 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
I think this would be a very useful addition also as of Plasma 6. Currently there is no way to use only the mouse to switch between virtual desktops, nor is there any ergonomic 'left-handed' shortcut like Meta+Tab is for toggling the overview. On my laptop I can nicely switch between desktops by using a 3/4-finger swipe, but it would be nice if there was a similarly easy way on desktop.
*** Bug 483019 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
*** Bug 484097 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
*** Bug 487351 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
In progress with https://invent.kde.org/plasma/kwin/-/merge_requests/5553.