ADMIN - Explore the new world of system administration! ADMIN is a smart, technical magazine for IT pros on heterogeneous networks. Each issue delivers technical solutions to the real-world problems you face every day. Learn the latest techniques for better:
network security
system management
troubleshooting
performance tuning
virtualization
cloud computing
on Windows, Linux, Solaris, and popular varieties of Unix.
The new Ubuntu theme got a lot of community acclaim. However, a few commentators complained about a particular feature: the position of the buttons in the taskbar.
The Ubuntu designers most recently repositioned the buttons to close, minimize and maximize the window in the upper left corner. Those of us used to quick mouse activity might find the new positioning a bane to our workflow. Fortunately a new Python script exists to remedy this situation, as announced in the OMG! Ubuntu blog. The script repositions the buttons with the help of a GUI, thereby avoiding having to muck with GNOME's awkward GConf editor.
Downloading the script is as easy as following a link, storing it locally and executing it. Then in Nautilus it's simply right-mouse-clicking and selecting Properties:Settings and putting a check mark in "Run program as file." Finally, double-click the program, do an execute and the special window will show up.
(Kristian Kissling)
Comments
Thanks for the hint
commenter234349
May 11, 2010 3:35pm GMT
Thanks for the hint. Moving the buttons was a nonsensical move.
Changing button layout
richarquis
May 03, 2010 4:52am GMT
Slava - Thanks! The script ran perfectly (and I'm an absolute beginner in terminal) - Thanks heaps. Simple re-ordering of the words in parentheses allowed me to order them as I liked, include or omit spacer... Your advice is appreciated.
to move buttons to the right
Slava
Mar 29, 2010 10:16am GMT
copy and paste this line into your terminal
gconftool-2 --set /apps/metacity/general/button_layout --type string “menu:minimize,maximize,close,spacer”
buttons
j ferguson
Mar 22, 2010 7:45pm GMT
thanks for the code. after the overnight upgrade to my old compaq, i wasn't in a mood to have to deal with this.
I have for 25 years found the buttons on the upper right of the task bar. To move them just to be different or even to be like Apple is utterly stupid. The majority of the universe uses an OS where the buttons are in the upper right. We therefore will require lots of concentration to open or close windows. I for one will not attempt to make the change.
I will try the Python script and if it works fine. If not I'll move to Mandriva or Mint like I'm sure the majority will.
Buttons!
BenM
Mar 12, 2010 10:41pm GMT
Yes indeed, buttons.
Moving the controls around is a sure and certain way to stir up a hornets nest, and my cynical take on this effort is that (allegedly) there is no such thing as bad publicity. Well, maybe.
Looked at in this light, this is a nice, safe, non-life-threatening controversy to raise awareness of the new look in Lucid Lynx. Hey, they can always change their mind before release! Lots of people will (by then) have become aware of the buttons, and the relatively easy way that they can be located wherever you please in Ubuntu.
So.... that might explain why the controversial left-side buttons are in the wrong order even for a Mac!
I've tried them both ways - on Puppy Linux, as it happens - and could no more rely on left side buttons for work than I could safely drive a vintage Bentley (accelerator pedal in the middle) for more than a few minutes in controlled conditions. It's weird. Ones body builds up action memories over time, and it makes no sense to fool with them without compelling reasons.
Stop by Rikki's Open Source Exchange for dispatches from the world of women in open source.
Rikki Kite examines the experience of women across the spectrum of open source – the people, projects, organizations, events, articles, issues, and news.
Comments
Thanks for the hint
commenter234349 May 11, 2010 3:35pm GMT
Thanks for the hint. Moving the buttons was a nonsensical move.Changing button layout
richarquis May 03, 2010 4:52am GMT
Slava - Thanks! The script ran perfectly (and I'm an absolute beginner in terminal) - Thanks heaps. Simple re-ordering of the words in parentheses allowed me to order them as I liked, include or omit spacer... Your advice is appreciated.to move buttons to the right
Slava Mar 29, 2010 10:16am GMT
copy and paste this line into your terminalgconftool-2 --set /apps/metacity/general/button_layout --type string “menu:minimize,maximize,close,spacer”
buttons
j ferguson Mar 22, 2010 7:45pm GMT
thanks for the code. after the overnight upgrade to my old compaq, i wasn't in a mood to have to deal with this.Title bar button fix
Ian MacGregor Mar 21, 2010 10:25pm GMT
I blogged about this with an easy fix:http://ardchoille42.blogspo...itle-bar-button-layout-in.html
Put the Buttons BACK!!
fewclues Mar 20, 2010 10:18pm GMT
I have for 25 years found the buttons on the upper right of the task bar. To move them just to be different or even to be like Apple is utterly stupid. The majority of the universe uses an OS where the buttons are in the upper right. We therefore will require lots of concentration to open or close windows. I for one will not attempt to make the change.I will try the Python script and if it works fine. If not I'll move to Mandriva or Mint like I'm sure the majority will.
Buttons!
BenM Mar 12, 2010 10:41pm GMT
Yes indeed, buttons.Moving the controls around is a sure and certain way to stir up a hornets nest, and my cynical take on this effort is that (allegedly) there is no such thing as bad publicity. Well, maybe.
Looked at in this light, this is a nice, safe, non-life-threatening controversy to raise awareness of the new look in Lucid Lynx. Hey, they can always change their mind before release! Lots of people will (by then) have become aware of the buttons, and the relatively easy way that they can be located wherever you please in Ubuntu.
So.... that might explain why the controversial left-side buttons are in the wrong order even for a Mac!
I've tried them both ways - on Puppy Linux, as it happens - and could no more rely on left side buttons for work than I could safely drive a vintage Bentley (accelerator pedal in the middle) for more than a few minutes in controlled conditions. It's weird. Ones body builds up action memories over time, and it makes no sense to fool with them without compelling reasons.
ymmv - Ben