Jitu

Many linux users currently suffer from a bug while using Compiz: the resize issue. If the terminal window is resized while running Compiz, it takes some time, till the window is displayed. The delay is quit annoying especially if you work mostly with terminals. The bigger the final window, the longer the delay. It is around 2 to 3 seconds, if the terminal is maximized. However many people came up with workarounds and tips, which may work more or less (e.g. the one here). Even nVidia developers came up with some technical explanations.

However, some observations may help:

1. If Compiz is not started by default, but in a terminal by typing compiz --replace, this terminal responds as expected to any resizing request. However if another new terminal is started, same delay can be observed.
2. If xterm instead of gnome-terminal is used, there are no issues at all and it behaves correctly.

I think this behavior is somewhat strange, especially if the same driver and Compiz version are used. Why does the resizing of the terminal work, if Compiz is started within the same terminal?

Anyway I replaced the properties of the terminal launcher and use xterm -fa monospace -fs 10 instead of gnome-terminal. Have a look at man xterm or Configuring xterm in Linux to change the font. So far I do not have any problems and I definitely do not miss the menu bar of gnome-terminal. I am using the following program versions:

• Compiz and Emerald: 0.7.9git2
• xorg: 7.3+18
• kernel: 2.6.28 (self built – my .config)
• nvidia driver: 177.82
• gnome: 2.22.3
• xterm: 235-1

For an overview of my hardware, have a look at this post.

[Update 07/03/2009]

With the newest nvidia drivers (180.29) in the experimental branch of Debian, the resize issue has been solved. Compiz works flawlessly after applying one of these tricks (see Klaus Reimer’s trick from 19/01/2009), if you experience problems that the screen is not updated, after its content changes; e.g. black lines in the terminal or the browser still shows the content of the old, just closed, tab. This bug only occurs in single screen mode. If the external VGA port is used by another monitor (dual head), it does not show up. As mentioned in the bug report, it is unlikely that the bug is fixed in the near future (too many dependencies). I prefer the “Paint fire on screen” option. After applying a little bit (invisible) fire somewhere, the content is displayed normally at the cost of permanently CPU utilization (5%) and hence power consumption. Anyway it is adviceable to switch off compiz, if the laptop runs on battery power.