gremlin_view ???

seem to have an interesting problem.
I have finally got my 2 monitor system up and running.
linuxcnc running on 1 screen, and gremlin_view running (via a command prompt) on the 2nd monitor for a much larger view of what's going on.
funny thing is that gremlin_view seems to steal the focus and does not like to let it go. when running a gcode everything is cool.
when I stop and switch to MDI, gremlin_view keeps grabbing the focus so quickly that it's almost impossible to type any characters in the MDI command line box. a real bother.
ok, so shut down gremlin_view and everything is fine again.
is this a program bug? or and operator bug?


maybe cmorley or cradek could comment, please.

The code for gremlin_view is infrequently used or tested
so the described behavior may be a bug and/or depend on:
1) the window manager used (like xfce,gnome,etc.)
2) the window manager user-settings for focus
(follows mouse, onclick, etc.)
2) the LinuxCNC Version (like 2.7.x, 2.8~pre, etc)

Please supply the output of the file produced by: This output file is located as /tmp/linuxcnc.info

(If using a RIP build, source the rip-environment script first)

Also please report the window manager and _your_ settings for
window manager focus items.

Just checked it on Linux Mint 18.3 with Preempt RT kernel and Mate desktop, no such issues, i can switch and type normally in the MDI box.
Picture attached.

dgarrett and tommylight: thanks for the response.
I ran the linuxcnc_info. see the 1st file
then switched desktop to MATE and ran it again.
with MATE desktop, all seems (on a quick checkout) to be good.

problem solved.

Were you using xfce prior to switching to mate?

I was able to duplicate the focus problem with
Debian stretch/xfce so i made a patch and
a git branch for testing.

Please test this patch for both your original desktop
manager and for the mate desktop manager.

For building a RIP, you can use the git branch dgarr/gremlin_view_fix

Alternatively, as you installed from the buildbot, you could probably
install from the buildbot using the procedure for 'scatch' debs.
(The scratch debs are only available for a few days)

If you test on both desktops with good results, i can merge the patch.


Patch Ref:

github.com/LinuxCNC/linuxcnc/commit/4dbe...4a22ddf6e53fd99a77bb

I wouldn't swear to it, but it was most probably xfce.
I'll see if I can figure out what it was. I can check at the login, I think.

Thanks.

yes, I was using xfce.
now with the MATE desktop and no issues.
thanks.