Tried to install compiz and failed

[michaelferrie]

Ok so I tried to install compiz and replace kwin as the window manager and I found a script somewhere online but I don't remember where, this script makes my system automatically load compiz as the window manager when the machine starts up. It doesn't work properly though and I lose the ability to right click and to close windows. To fix this I have to open terminal and type -- sudo kwin --replace, reinstating kwin as the window manager, does anyone have any idea how to reverse this damage or do I have to reinstall the OS?

many thanks

Michael

[ardvark71]

Hi Michael...

If I understand correctly, compiz is already installed by default when you install the OS. You probably already know that there settings that deal with compiz like effects in the system settings, I believe under "Window behavior" but not totally positive.

As far as uninstalling the script you mentined, I would have no idea on that.

Regards...

[dequire]

Compiz is not very well supported in KDE due to it already having it's own (pretty robust) window effects manager, which is as you mentioned, KWin. The question would be then, what effects are you trying to utilize that KWin doers not support?

[SteveRiley]

compiz-kde appears abandoned...

steve@x1:~$ [B]apt-cache show compiz-kde[/B]
Package: compiz-kde
Priority: optional
Section: universe/x11
Installed-Size: 79
Maintainer: Ubuntu Developers <ubuntu-devel-discuss@lists.ubuntu.com>
Original-Maintainer: Debian X Strike Force <debian-x@lists.debian.org>
Architecture: amd64
Source: compiz
Version: 1:0.9.7.4-0ubuntu3
Replaces: compiz-plugins (<< 1:0.9.4+bzr20110606-0ubuntu3)
Depends: compiz-core (= 1:0.9.7.4-0ubuntu3), compiz-plugins-default (= 1:0.9.7.4-0ubuntu3), compizconfig-backend-kconfig
Filename: pool/universe/c/compiz/compiz-kde_0.9.7.4-0ubuntu3_amd64.deb
Size: 4270
MD5sum: f95113c1841d6bfc6d733ce46255ffaa
SHA1: 5e6b794857e38a575ae757767ebc72c8a6f12901
SHA256: 6a3b46e2e11c9b0da2dd35eb3e36990812a2d59cbbec0078e177812bf402e1e7
Description-en: OpenGL window and compositing manager - KDE window decorator
 Compiz brings to life a variety of visual effects that make the Linux desktop
 easier to use, more powerful and intuitive, and more accessible for users
 with special needs.
 .
 This package contains a window decorator that uses KDE to provide a look and
 feel similar to that of the default KDE window manager.
 .
[B] NOTE: this package is empty for now. It needs some upstream maintenance to
 upgrade to a newer API. It will surely get removed soon if no enhancement
 is available.[/B]
Description-md5: d62954ee78f250e6a940fc715b770bd5
Bugs: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+filebug
Origin: Ubuntu

steve@x1:~$ [B]apt-file list compiz-kde[/B]
compiz-kde: /usr/share/doc/compiz-kde/AUTHORS.gz
compiz-kde: /usr/share/doc/compiz-kde/NEWS.gz
compiz-kde: /usr/share/doc/compiz-kde/README
compiz-kde: /usr/share/doc/compiz-kde/TODO
compiz-kde: /usr/share/doc/compiz-kde/changelog.Debian.gz
compiz-kde: /usr/share/doc/compiz-kde/copyright
compiz-kde: /usr/share/man/man1/kde4-window-decorator.1.gz

[UnLead2D]

Ah you don't need Compiz.
System Settings > Desktop Effects

[james147]

I found a script somewhere online but I don't remember where, this script makes my system automatically load compiz as the window manager when the machine starts up.

You shouldn't need a script to auto start compiz in kde as you can choose which window manager you want to launch in system settings.

sudo kwin --replace

You really should not need or want to run kwin as root... a simple "kwin --replace" should be enough to get kwin back. Running it as root might have unforeseen consequence.

does anyone have any idea how to reverse this damage or do I have to reinstall the OS?

Its hard to know what damage was done with out knowing what the script did... It might have done something other then what you wanted (it didn't even seem to do that). Be wary of scripts you find on the internet... linux is not immune to malware, epically if you run random scripts you find on the internet as root.

If I understand correctly, compiz is already installed by default when you install the OS.

It is not installed by default in kubuntu, it is in ubuntu... however it can be easily installed from kubuntu using any package manager and you should be able to use it by setting the preferred window manager in system settings.

You probably already know that there settings that deal with compiz like effects in the system settings, I believe under "Window behavior" but not totally positive.

And yes, kwin already handles desktop effects and is better integrated into kde... so is there any real need to use a window manager that doesn't have a great track record for working in kde?

[ardvark71]

It is not installed by default in kubuntu, it is in ubuntu... however it can be easily installed from kubuntu using any package manager and you should be able to use it by setting the preferred window manager in system settings.

Hi...

Ok, I wasn't totally for sure on that. Thank you for the correction.

Regards...