Re: raise-frame doesn't work in Fedora Core 4

[Jan Djärv]

Richard Stallman skrev:
>     It figures out the current desktop (i.e. if you have more than one 
>     workspace/desktop) by inspecting the property _NET_WM_DESKTOP or 
>     _WIN_WORKSPACE on the root window.  It then switches the window to the current 
>     desktop by sending a client message _NET_CURRENT_DESKTOP.  Finally it 
>     activates the window by sending the client message _NET_ACTIVE_WINDOW.
>
> What part of this is really right to do, here?

I think sending the _NET_ACTIVE_WINDOW is correct here according to the new 
specification.

> Is it right to move the window to the current desktop?

It depends on how we want raise-frame to behave.  Do we want Emacs to switch 
the frame to the current desktop or not?  To not switch is the current 
implementation so if we want to change I suggest next release.

> It seems strange to me that raise-frame would do that.
>
> Would it be hard to code this in C?

No, it is simple.  It is actually doable from lisp also (with an X11 enabled 
Emacs).  The lisp drag-and-drop code for example sends client messages all the 
time.

>     > Does this use of wmctrl work correctly with other window managers?
>
>     It works with window managers that understand and comply with the newest 
>     freedesktop Window Manager Specification 
>     (http://freedesktop.org/wiki/Standards_2fwm_2dspec), i.e. Metacity (Gnome), 
>     KWin (KDE), xfwm4 (xfce) and other newer window managers.  There is a list on 
>     the web page.  Certainly not with older VM:s like twm and mwm.
>
> What happens if you do this (via wmctrl or directly) and you're using
> an older wm?  Does it do any harm?

No, it becomes a noop.  The client message gets sent to the root window but 
since nobody (i.e. the window manager) isn't listening for it, nothing more 
happens.

        Jan D.