Arch Linux

sup

Member

From: Earth

Registered: 2010-09-11

Posts: 21

Compiz fails to replace Metacity in Gnome

So I'm trying to replace Metacity with Compiz. I've worked through the wiki page for compiz.
I have tried:

1. Creating /usr/share/applications/compiz.desktop with

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=Compiz
Exec=/usr/bin/compiz ccp  #Make sure ccp is included so that Compiz loads your previous settings.
NoDisplay=true
# name of loadable control center module
X-GNOME-WMSettingsModule=compiz
# autostart phase
X-GNOME-Autostart-Phase=WindowManager
X-GNOME-Provides=windowmanager
# name we put on the WM spec check window
X-GNOME-WMName=Compiz
# back compat only
X-GnomeWMSettingsLibrary=compiz

I'm not sure what this is suppsoed to accomplish, but it does nothing for me.

2. Running "fusion-icon" in the termial. The output is as follows:

* Detected Session: gnome
 * Searching for installed applications...
 * Using the GTK Interface
** Message: pygobject_register_sinkfunc is deprecated (GtkWindow)
** Message: pygobject_register_sinkfunc is deprecated (GtkInvisible)
** Message: pygobject_register_sinkfunc is deprecated (GtkObject)
 * Starting Compiz
 ... executing: compiz --replace --sm-disable --ignore-desktop-hints ccp

the process then hangs at this line indefinitely. My cpu load goes down to 0% so it's not doing anything. As soon as it reaches the last line, my screen flickers and my window decorations switch to emerald decorations (so emerald is working fine). The problem is that Compiz itself is not working. I cannot move the windows around by clicking and dragging, it's as if they are drawn right onto the wallpaper. The fusion icon appears in the gnome panel. If I right-click it and I go to "select window manager" and select Metacity, my windows are redrawn; back to normal. But if I choose Compiz, the screen flickers again, the window decorations go to emerald, and nothing happens after that. I cannot move the windows, and no effects work, naturally.

3. I have tried running "dbus-launch "fusion-icon"" with the same results.

4.

compiz --replace ccp &

...with the same results

5.

Exec=/usr/bin/compiz ccp --indirect-rendering

Output :

bash: ccp: command not found

6.

Exec=/usr/bin/compiz --replace --sm-disable --ignore-desktop-hints ccp --indirect-rendering

Output:

bash: --replace: command not found

Any suggestions? Thanks ahead of time.

Last edited by sup (2010-09-13 00:54:34)

ngoonee

Forum Fellow

From: Between Thailand and Singapore

Registered: 2009-03-17

Posts: 7,356

Re: Compiz fails to replace Metacity in Gnome

Do you have compiz set up at all? Plugins aren't turned on by default.

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sup

Member

From: Earth

Registered: 2010-09-11

Posts: 21

Re: Compiz fails to replace Metacity in Gnome

Do I have to activate a plugin to be able to drag a window? I did activate the plugin for window decorations. I understand that I have to activate plugins for effects to work, but my point is that I can't even move a window.

Last edited by sup (2010-09-13 02:35:57)

hume's doona

Member

Registered: 2009-12-11

Posts: 206

Re: Compiz fails to replace Metacity in Gnome

Do I have to activate a plugin to be able to drag a window?

yep, read through every plugin, it takes some time, but some things like that aren't immediately obvious.

You don't need the wiki or forum, just some time to go through CCSM and study it

sup

Member

From: Earth

Registered: 2010-09-11

Posts: 21

Re: Compiz fails to replace Metacity in Gnome

Thanks, all's well. I just could not imagine having to activate a plugin to be able to move a window!

ngoonee

Forum Fellow

From: Between Thailand and Singapore

Registered: 2009-03-17

Posts: 7,356

Re: Compiz fails to replace Metacity in Gnome

Please mark [solved]. And yes, the way compiz is written requires that plugins do every little thing (just about).

---

Allan-Volunteer on the (topic being discussed) mailn lists. You never get the people who matters attention on the forums.
jasonwryan-Installing Arch is a measure of your literacy. Maintaining Arch is a measure of your diligence. Contributing to Arch is a measure of your competence.
Griemak-Bleeding edge, not bleeding flat. Edge denotes falls will occur from time to time. Bring your own parachute.

Awebb

Member

Registered: 2010-05-06

Posts: 6,293

Re: Compiz fails to replace Metacity in Gnome

Thanks, all's well. I just could not imagine having to activate a plugin to be able to move a window!

I went through the same until I discovered that it's the plugins' fault. I must have logged out and in a dozent times... then I gave CCSM a try.

stefanwilkens

Member

From: Enschede, the Netherlands

Registered: 2008-12-10

Posts: 624

Re: Compiz fails to replace Metacity in Gnome

from the wiki:

Activate important plugins!
Before you do anything else, you will want to activate a few plugins that provide basic window manager behavior or else you will have no ability to drag, scale or close any windows as soon as compiz is activated. Among those plugins are "Window Decoration" under Effects and "Move Window" & "Resize Window" under Window Management.

maybe that should be made a little more obvious in the article structure.

Last edited by stefanwilkens (2010-09-13 07:58:24)

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Arch i686 on Phenom X4 | GTX760

hokasch

Member

Registered: 2007-09-23

Posts: 1,461

Re: Compiz fails to replace Metacity in Gnome

it's a wiki, anyone is welcome to edit

moved the paragraph up and put it in a red box, maybe it helps a bit...
http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Compiz