[RESOLVED] Failure to Implement Pager Widget

[linuxusr]

Hello All,


I am using large fonts because I am low vision. I cannot implement virtual desktops. I have now installed Kubuntu LTS on a laptop and I am no longer in a VM. I see that Kubuntu virtual desktops come in three flavors and are widgets. The widget I need is designated “Pager.”


My Steps:
1. Create an empty panel and increase width (just in case).
2. Edit mode + widget and click on Pager.
3. I see that the number of clicks determines the number of desktops I choose so, say, 4.
4. I then hover my cursor over the widget and drag it to the panel. .
The Problem:
1. When I drag it, the Pager widget does not stick. By comparison, the analog clock or any other widget I choose does stick. It makes no sense that all the widgets I try stick except for this one.
2. When I close edit mode I have no virtual desktops on my panel.
3. When I execute edit mode I can see the virtual desktops. However, I do not know if they are functioning. Nor do I want to access edit mode every time I switch desktops.
4. IMHO, the Pager desktops should stick on the panel like they do in Ubuntu MATE or any number of other distros. Please don't consider this a rant but an observation: I love Kubuntu for the tremendous configuration options it offers as well as the detail and precision of every aspect of the UI. What I don't like is having to go down a rabbit hole to implement everyday stuff. I've been using virtual desktops for 20 years on many distros. This is the first time I've had to post because I failed to implement a common workflow item after more than an hour of work . . .


Please advise. Thanks!

[kubicle]

First thing to check is that you actually have more than one virtual desktop set up (IIRC, the widget only shows if you have more than one desktop)

Check in SystemSettings > WindowManagement > VirtualDesktops

[claydoh]

To add to kubicle, the pager widget is there, it just isn't visible until there is more than one desktop.

[linuxusr]

First thing to check is that you actually have more than one virtual desktop set up (IIRC, the widget only shows if you have more than one desktop)

Check in SystemSettings > WindowManagement > VirtualDesktops

First, thanks. As it turns out, as I was waiting for a post back, I continued to explore and found the path to Virtual Desktops in Settings as you described. I set four desktops in two rows, so I have a nice, small rectangular box that does not take up too much of my panel, and I edited the names. So the problem can be marked “resolved.”


However, I fail to understand why there are multiple and different paths for implementing virtual desktops. The Pager widget function in edit panel mode still fails. Besides which, if I now have four desktops, why don’t they appear in Pager if Pager is the same function? It is beyond me to understand why every widget, e.g. analog clock, sticks in the panel as it should, but Pager does not. Overcomplicating the UI with multiple solutions, some of which work and some don’t, is not a good thing.


If you can go into panel edit mode and easily drop the Pager to the panel and it sticks, I’d like to know that! And if I must first configure virtual desktops in Settings, then why bother with the widget if the destops are already working?

[linuxusr]

To add to kubicle, the pager widget is there, it just isn't visible until there is more than one desktop.

Thanks. Please see kubicle for the ins and outs of how I came to a resolution via Virtual Desktops in Settings and not Pager in panel edit mode. But in reference to your point, indeed I did set more than one desktop, four in fact, on the Pager (by clicking the widget) but when I dragged the Pager to the panel, it would not stick. But every other widget sticks except for that widget. Further, all my four virtual desktops appear but only in edit mode, which renders them useless. Now that I’ve accomplished the same end by different means, maybe it doesn’t matter that the Pager fails, so this matter can be marked “resolved.”

[Snowhog]

To add the Pager widget to the Panel, right-click on the Panel and click on + Add Widgets...

Search for Pager and click on Pager. This 'adds' the widget to the Panel. By default, it appears to the far left. At least, that's where it appears for me.

[claydoh]

if I now have four desktops, why don’t they appear in Pager if Pager is the same function?

Because something may be wrong, or a bug.

Normally, the pager is on the panel, but it is not visible as there is only one desktop by default. I guess it is a compromise so that those many many of us who don't use them don't have to see or remove a useless widget.

Anyway, once more virtual desktops have been added, the pager should be visible and showing the number of desktops you set up. Then, one can do basic management from the widget, with more settings and options from System Settings as necessary.

Basically, most folks only need to visit System Settings once for this purpose.

You might try logging out and back in, and see if it appears then, but that really should not be necessary.

[linuxusr]

Because something may be wrong, or a bug.

Normally, the pager is on the panel, but it is not visible as there is only one desktop by default. I guess it is a compromise so that those many many of us who don't use them don't have to see or remove a useless widget.

Anyway, once more virtual desktops have been added, the pager should be visible and showing the number of desktops you set up. Then, one can do basic management from the widget, with more settings and options from System Settings as necessary.

Basically, most folks only need to visit System Settings once for this purpose.

You might try logging out and back in, and see if it appears then, but that really should not be necessary.

Thanks for you willingness to further contemplate my issue after it was resolved via System Settings < Quick Settings (but not by panel widget in edit mode).


I’ve since had success in adding virtual Pager to a new empty panel (as a test). Indeed, the Pager added with 4 desktops which I designated. The Pager was sequestered to the end of the Panel and was very small, so perhaps with my low vision I missed it. On the other hand, when I created one via Quick Settings and added rows and expanded the width of the panel, the Pager desktops are now easy to see. So this thread can be marked “resolved" -- if it hasn't already. This is a follow-up.