[ubuntu-za] Unity Desktop question

[Charl Wentzel]

Hi Nick

I hope you have a big pot of coffee, because this might take a while...

> I set up the General Settings:General Options  to have :
> Horizontal size=6 desktops
> vertical size =2
> number of desktops =6

These settings have always been confusing to me, but generally it seems
you have to adjust either the Horizontal and Vertical or the Number of
desktops but never both.

e.g. To get 6 desktops, 3 wide x 2 high, you should set:  
  Horizontal = 2, vertical = 3, Num of Desktops = 1 

However, when you work with cube and you want 6 rotating desktops your
settings must be:  
  Horizontal = 1, vertical = 1, Num of Desktops = 6

You might have to play around with this a bit.

> In the Desktop settings I added Desktop cube and Rotate Cube and
> Ubuntu unity Plugin enabled 

Be careful when you do this.  There are a lot of things that clash 
between these components, especially with the key combinations.  You'll 
have to carefully review all the functions and keys.  I would however 
not suggest using rotate cube with Unity.

Ubuntu Tweak does have a view interesting options that I have enabled.
Check out "Compiz Settings" under Tweaks -> Desktop in Ubuntu Tweak.
You can activate special functionality when you move your mouse pointer
to the corners of your desktop.  If set it such that:
  - Lower left -> Show open window selection
  - Lower right -> Show desktop switcher
  - Upper right -> Show desktop
It's very easy and much quicker to use than any other features

PS: to install Ubuntu Tweak you need to:
   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tualatrix/ppa
   sudo apt-get update
   sudo apt-get install ubuntu-tweak

> I also enabled the View Port switcher
> I still could not  figure out how to rotate or change my desktop with the mouse

Check the key combination for each of the actions under the various plug-ins.
If you need to do something with the mouse, it must be configured in one
of the plug-ins.  However, its also likely that when it warned you about 
clashing key combinations you selected an option that disabled the key 
combinations you want.  Tweaking your desktop with Compiz can become very 
technical especially when components start clashing.  It's better to use
something like Ubuntu Tweak and accepting the options it gives you.

> then I also added Compiz fusion Icon
> Still nothing works

This doesn't really do much other than giving you quick access to some
features.  In itself it doesn't change any settings.

> What is the secret to doing this ?

For me... time, patience, Google, a strong desk and a sound-proof room .

Regards
Charl