Corrupt MATE configuration due to OPERATOR ERROR

[Richard Owlett]

ENVIRONMENT:
Running Debian 9.13 with MATE 1.16.3 on DELL LATITUDE E6410 laptop
an external monitor is used via ARandR 0.1.9
Using SeaMonkey 2.49.4 for browser and email
Yes. Multiple rev's behind. Doing housekeeping before updating ;}

MATE with installation defaults had run fine.
Long ago I had added additional panel at top of screen to have room for
common activities - no problem for years.

My problem is explicitly with the bottom panel only.
The *default* on installation is to display:
1. 4 boxes on right end to select "current" workspace
2. something for each item open/active in the *current* workspace.

PROBLEM SEQUENCE
An unwanted icon was displayed - in appearance a file opened
by Pluma.
Did not recall having opened that file recently.
Couldn't "close" &/or "delete" it.
In frustration:
1. right clicked on panel
2. chose "Delete This Panel"
I don't recall if confirmation was requested - in any case panel gone!

I created a new, _apparently_ identical, panel.
*HOWEVER*
it displays something for each item open/active in *ANY* workspace.

How do I get back to displaying something for each item open/active in
the *CURRENT* workspace?

TIA

[Charles Curley]

On Mon, 17 Jun 2024 05:35:17 -0500

Post by Richard Owlett
Running Debian 9.13 with MATE 1.16.3 on DELL LATITUDE E6410 laptop
an external monitor is used via ARandR 0.1.9
Using SeaMonkey 2.49.4 for browser and email
Yes. Multiple rev's behind. Doing housekeeping before updating ;}
MATE with installation defaults had run fine.
Long ago I had added additional panel at top of screen to have room
for common activities - no problem for years.

I suggest that, if you intend to upgrade to the current stable,
bookworm (Debian 12), you do that now by a completely new installation.
Restore your customization a bit at a time. If you are lucky, the
problem will go away. If the problem returns and you are lucky, you
will know which customization to revert to fix it.

You do have good backups, right?

[Mike Kupfer]

Post by Richard Owlett
I created a new, _apparently_ identical, panel.
*HOWEVER*
it displays something for each item open/active in *ANY* workspace.
How do I get back to displaying something for each item open/active in
the *CURRENT* workspace?

This is the "window list" applet that you're describing. Position your
mouse just to the left of the leftmost item in the applet, and
right-click. You should get a menu that has items like "System Monitor"
and "Preferences". Click on "Preferences". That should bring up the
controls for the applet as a whole. Somewhere in there will be a
control for whether to display windows from the current workspace versus
from all workspaces.

mike

[Richard Owlett]

Post by Mike Kupfer

Post by Richard Owlett
I created a new, _apparently_ identical, panel.
*HOWEVER*
it displays something for each item open/active in *ANY* workspace.
How do I get back to displaying something for each item open/active in
the *CURRENT* workspace?

This is the "window list" applet that you're describing. Position your
mouse just to the left of the leftmost item in the applet, and
right-click. You should get a menu that has items like "System Monitor"
and "Preferences". Click on "Preferences". That should bring up the
controls for the applet as a whole. Somewhere in there will be a
control for whether to display windows from the current workspace versus
from all workspaces.
mike

Thank you. That's the needed solution.

The "caution" in my subject is for future readers of this thread.

I wish to emphasize the *just to the left* in the above.
If you go minimally too far to the left you get a menu related to
modifying current panel or creating additional panels.

*Immediately* adjacent to the leftmost item are a faint grey set of
3 dots vertically aligned. You must right-click ON those dots.