modal windows block the main window what is ok but they do not stay on top of it, so it is possible that they get to the background for any reason what you have then is a "dead" main windows what may lead then to undesired actions
what sort of "undesired actions"?
which windows in particular are you talking about?
any ... what do you do on your Desktop when having a frozen application?
answering a question with another question is not exactly useful
as they say, the answer never can be better then the question :) it is not the point, the point is that the modal windows does not stay on top even if there wouldn't be any undesired reaction as for example killing the dead window, it is annoying because you have to look for the cause. bottomline is, it blocks workflow and cause user's dislike-reaction for the program because it does not work as it should
I am talking about the claws main window, it gets blocked by modal windows/boxes that is correct behavior but still you can focus the main windows and bring it on top, what is not correct behavior (as it is locked by the modal process) it is possible with *ANY* modal box, to reproduce it you only need to open the configuration window, it comes up on top, then click the main window, it comes on top but is blocked in this case it is easy to solve and in a certain way obvious what is going on because the configuration window is large, but when it is a small popup, it can be "hidden" behind the main window and it does not have a taskbar entry, so there is nothing obvious but a frozen main window
> I am talking about the claws main window, it gets blocked by modal > windows/boxes > > that is correct behavior > > but still you can focus the main windows and bring it on top, what is not > correct behavior (as it is locked by the modal process) I can't replicate that -- whenever such a window comes up, I cannot access the main claws window. Could you describe 2-3 scenarios on how to replicate this please.
do you mean by "I cannot access the main claws window" that you can not click it and bring it to the foreground (on top)?
Correct. I cannot click main window at all. I tried with many windows available in the Configuration menu, the move message dialog box that comes up when moving a message, the rename folder dialog box, etc. Claws works perfectly in all situations.
well, it sounds then as if it is a FreeBSD or KDE4 related issue are you using KDE-4.8 ? soon I have some time left I will try on kde3 and gnome/metacity
No, I'm not. I use Ubuntu and Windows.
interesting, here a quick list of consistent results: FreeBSD 8 + 9 Fedora16 with either gnome or KDE4, KDE3, fluxbox as desktop with KDE4 desktop and Windows manager KWin, Metacity or Compiz all above combinations permit clicking on main window to bring it on top after a modal window is opened. The main window is not operational then. opening the color edit box from within configurations pops up the color editor. Now you can click the configuration window and it raises, the color editor disappears but configurations is blocked. Same with main window from below. the smallest color editor went to the bottom layer and is disappeared. Unless you have SHADING enabled (by double clicking the Windows Title bar), there is no way to see the color editor box and close it then. I consider this as a problem.
I believe we're missing a call to set prefswindow transient for main window. That could help a bit.
sounds good, if you like you can send me a patch for 3.8.1 source and I can check it out here anytime
Changes related to this bug have been committed. Please check latest CVS and update the bug accordingly. You can also get the patch from: http://www.claws-mail.org/tracker/ 2012-07-25 [ticho] 3.8.1cvs17 * src/gtk/prefswindow.c Correctly set transient_for property for preferences window, as well as for color picker dialogs. Fixes bug #2710.
Both mentioned windows have been fixed in this regard - they should no longer be able to hide beneath their "parent" window. Also quicksearch syntax help window has been fixed similarly (even though it's not modal). Can you think of other modal dialogs which can be hidden like that?
wow nice and fast! it's working, thanks the quicksearch help can not be clodes by clicking X, only by when clicking Close button all file open boxes, also form plugins like "load plugin" or Install new theme still are going into the background, also Address Keeper Plugin=>Select Addressbook Notification plugin=>Command=>Select Folder Keyboard Shortcuts=> chose predefined shortcuts Colors=>click on any color the color select box still is affected that's it I guess thanks again
I need to add something odd BTW the dictionary selection is very nice now after applying the patches after some use, after opening a new msg I can not write anything in it, it is blocked, I can only go back to main window, close the program to get functionality back now I double checked for example the color chooser at first sight it is OK (I related before it is not), but now it stays on top but after some use, not anymore