Questions tagged [compiz]

Compiz is a compositing window manager that uses 3D graphics hardware to enhance the usability and aesthetics of the desktop environment.

Compiz is an OpenGL compositing manager that use GLX_EXT_texture_from_pixmap for binding redirected top-level windows to texture objects. It has a flexible plug-in system and it is designed to run well on most graphics hardware.

Okay, this description isn’t really meaningful. In a nutshell, Compiz is a compositing manager, which means that it enhances the overall user interaction by adding fancy effects to your windows, from drop shadows to awesome desktop effects like the Desktop Cube or the Expo view.

Compiz can also be a window manager, which means that it is the software between you and your desktop apps. It enables you to move or resize windows, to switch workspaces, to switch windows easily (using alt-tab or so), and so on.1

1Source:Compiz

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How can I reduce or increase the number of workspaces in Unity?

I was reading about how to get multiple workspaces in the mutter version of Unity, however since Compiz is replacing Mutter how do I go about adding and removing workspaces in Compiz version of Unity?
Marco Ceppi
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What are some of the issues with CCSM and why would I want to avoid it?

I've seen some people complaining about how unstable CompizConfig Settings Manager ("CCSM") is and how it can break people's desktops if they're not careful. What are some of the known problems with CCSM? I'd like to decide whether or not it's worth…
Jorge Castro
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What is the relationship between Unity, Gnome, Gnome 3, Compiz, Metacity, and LightDM?

I am learning about Graphical User Interfaces in Ubuntu and constantly come across different terms, which cause a lot of confusion for me. I have tried reading easy-to-understand tutorials about the relationship between the named packages, but I…
jII
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How do I restart Unity

I know about unity --reset command. But how can I simply restart Unity without resetting its profile?
Yuriy Voziy
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What is the app, "compiz" responsible for on ubuntu 12.04?

When I open my system monitor and check the "processes" tab, I've noticed that regardless of what other apps I have running, "compiz" is always taking roughly 10% of my CPU. It might be a broad question, but what is compiz? I understand it's a…
Jiskya
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How to set the terminal to open maximized

I want to tell compiz, metacity, the gnome-terminal or whoever is in charge to open the terminal window maximized by default. How can I do that? EDIT for the future: most of the answers were upvoted in older ubuntu versions, since 17.10 and on the…
tutuca
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Using different wallpapers on multiple monitors (Gnome 2 + Compiz)

This seems like a simple question, yet I could not find any satisfying answer using Google or Ask Ubuntu. So I have a triple-monitor setup. Basically what I want is simply to have a different background on each of the three monitors. Now I am not…
Malte Skoruppa
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How to emulate Windows window snapping/grid shortcuts?

In Windows, you have these shortcuts: WinArrow Up ↑: Maximize current window WinArrow Down ↓: Unmaximize WinArrow Right →: Maximize, set width as half the screen width, stick window to the right WinArrow Left ←: Maximize, set width as half the…
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How can I restart Compiz from a TTY? (& Related, how can I set up a fallback WM?)

I'm testing Natty, and Compiz keeps crashing on me. However, it doesn't always give me the option to restart Compiz, and for some reason doesn't have a fallback window manager(WM) configured. Without a WM, all my programs are still running, but…
Jonathan
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How to take screenshots of sections of the screen?

On Mac OS X, there is a handy key combo for taking a screenshot of any arbitrary rectangle section of the screen(Command-Shift-4). Is there something similar(maybe Compiz plugin) for Ubuntu/Gnome?
Alex
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Is it possible to have four equally sized windows on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS?

It is common to have two equally separated windows by either dragging each window to one side of the screen or Ctrl+Super+←/→, but I want to divide my screen into four quarters. I have encounterd many situations in which I had to switch windows…
tet
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How do I move applications from one workspace to another

I'm using 11.10 - please can someone let me know how can I move programs from one workspace to another. I'm used to the Gnome-2 style - is there a way to achieve something similar in 11.10?
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How to disable window move with alt + left mouse button?

I have problem with this function because i work in Maya and other 3D applications that use this key combination... This option on Ubuntu 11.04 was in "window" section so i could change it to something else to avoid conflicts... where is this…
chovasie
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How do I get rid of this monitor error?

I have an Nvidia card and two monitors. Every time I log in to Unity on Ubuntu 11.10, I get this error: "Could not apply the stored configuration for monitors" I have tried opening nvidia-settings, but none of my experimental alterations to any of…
Questioner
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Simpler ALT-TAB in Unity

I am looking for a simpler ALT-TAB in Unity. The default application switcher takes 0.5 seconds to load, far too slow. Some other Compiz application switcher are fast enough, but they make me sick because everything is moving on the screen. Call…
Nicolas Raoul
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