Compiz Fusion help needed.

[Paul Rumelhart]

Steven Vollom wrote:
> The only place I found reference to zoom was under the Uncateforized 
> category at the bottom of the General Options page.  It did not provide 
> a zoom value.  Under Advanced Search, I found a Window Depth option; it 
> is currently at 0.3000.  Under settings>Plugin>Enhanced Zoom Desktop, I 
> tried to change it from 1.0100 to 0.5068, however when I tried the box, 
> it returned to the 1.0100 setting.  I think I clicked on every option 
> looking for a zoom value.  I must be on a wrong page.
>   

I should have been more clear.  Sorry about that.  To see the cube 
itself, make sure "Desktop Cube" is checked.  It's under the heading 
"Desktop" on the right side of the window.  This may bring up a dialog 
box letting you know that the default desktop effect is incompatible 
with it.  This is OK, you can always go back to the defaults.

Then make sure the "Rotate Cube" effect is checked.  This also in the 
"Desktop" section.  This will allow you to turn the  cube faces.  The 
Zoom parameter I was talking about is in the Rotate Cube settings, so 
click on the "Rotate Cube" words.  This should bring up a page with two 
tabs ("General" and "Bindings").  Under "General" should be a slider 
called "Zoom".  Set this to around 0.5 to get an idea what I'm talking 
about.  You may want a different value, depending.

>>   I 
>> remember playing with the values until everything spun at the speed I 
>> wanted it to.   I also have Cube Reflection on (in the Effects area), 
>> which shows the cube over a reflective floor.  I think it's a 
>> great-looking effect.
>>   
>>     
> Can't seem to find this option.
>   

In my system, it's under Advanced Desktop Effects Settings, on the right 
hand side under "Effects" in the right-hand column.  I may have 
installed extra compiz effects, though.  I'm not sure.

>> I also have it setup so that if I hold down the Alt key and use the 
>> wheel on the mouse, it will make the window the mouse is over more 
>> transparent.
>>     
> This works.  Looks great.  I hope my memory can retain this soon.
>   
>>   That way, if my window is blocking another window and I 
>> need to see what's on it, I can make the window slightly transparent so 
>> I can continue to work in it but also see what's behind it.  I don't 
>> remember if I had to change it to do that or if it's default behavior.
>>   
>>     
> Apparently it is default.
>   
>> I also recommend using the Window Previews (in Advanced Desktop Effects 
>> Settings in the Extras area).  If this is enabled you should see a small 
>> preview window whenever you mouse over a window icon in the start bar.
>>     
> I chose 'Window Previows' however don't see a change with mouse over.  
> Perhaps it will engage on boot up.  Maybe there is something else I have 
> to do too, to get this affect.  This is just great.
>   

I'm probably not describing this well.  I wasn't sure how to put it into 
words.  I think you mentioned in one of your posts that your K-menu is 
at the top of your screen.  When you open a window (such as by launching 
a browser or some other application) an icon probably appears at the top 
of your screen in that gray bar with the application icon and the name 
of the application.  It may be at the bottom of your screen, it depends 
on how you've set things up.  When you put your mouse over the top of 
one of these little areas, you should see a picture of the application 
pop up above or below it.

>>   
>> This is useful when I have a few of the same window types open, and I'm 
>> not sure which one is the one I want.  Mousing over them will show me a 
>> snapshot of what they actually look like at that second.  If you have a 
>> video open, it will actually show the video as it's progressing in the 
>> preview window.
>>
>> I've also played around with animations, which are nice but don't 
>> actually help me be more productive.  I also like having Wobbly Windows 
>> enabled, although it does nothing to really help me either.  It just 
>> looks nice.
>>   
>>     
> I like wobbly windows too.  I also thing aesthetics are as good a reason 
> as anything for using features.  It is healthy for the right brain.  I 
> am what is called a fine-artist by trade, retired now, but aesthetics 
> are my life.
>
> If it isn't too much trouble to help me get the features to work that 
> didn't seem to work for me, I would appreciate it.  Having help while 
> learning features is very instructional for me.  I am 100% right brain 
> still. Logical thinking is still laborous.  That is where my computer 
> life is.  And thanks again so much, for your time and consideration.
>
> By the way, if I screw up settings somehow and want to return to some 
> type of default, is that possible without reinstalling.  There are so 
> many technical choices, I can see myself getting confused and not being 
> able to backtrack to correct the problems I may create?
>   

Most of the individual settings have a button that will let you go back 
to defaults.  If you want to go clear back, you can just kill compiz by 
running "killall compiz.real" at the command-line.

Paul