If you run applications that are incompatible with Compiz, 3D games, or find that Compiz is unstable, you probably need to toggle or restart Compiz often. Fusion-icon is for you! It’s quickly available from your notification area and allows you to reload Compiz, switch between available window managers and decorators, and change some of Compiz’s options.
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Fusion-icon is included in the Ubuntu 8.04 repositories. You can install it from the package fusion-icon through apt-get or a graphical package manager.
sudo apt-get install fusion-icon
You can run Fusion-icon immediately by opening the Run Applications dialog with Alt-F2 and typing fusion-icon. Note that this will cause Compiz to restart.
To start Fusion-icon whenever you log in, add it to the Startup Programs list in System->Preferences->Sessions.
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I haven’t found a package for Ubuntu 7.10, but those who are waiting until the final 8.04 release to upgrade can also use the similar Compiz-Switch application instead.
[update] emiligene has posted a Ubuntu 7.10 repository for Fusion-icon in the comments:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/maco.m/ubuntu gutsy main restricted universe multiverse
Thanks!
[update] An anonymous commenter has pointed out that running fusion-icon -n will prevent the application from unnecessarily restarting Compiz when it starts. You should use this command instead.


Repositories Gutsy:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/maco.m/ubuntu gutsy main restricted universe multiverse
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/maco.m/ubuntu gutsy main restricted universe multiverse
[...] Enlace: Tumbuntu [...]
[...] for me I saw this post entitled “Toggle Compiz with Fusion-icon in Ubuntu 8.04“, by Tom on his blog Tombuntu. I found it via the Planet Ubuntu Users feed. With the little [...]
I’ve been using Fusion-icon with 7.04 for months. I is not immediately available from the Ubuntu repositories, I had to add the compiz-fusion development repositories. So, the same should be possible in 7.10. Just do some googleing for fusion-icon in ubuntu or debian.
Cool. I recently blogged that I had to turn Compiz off so I could use sdlmame but if it can be switch on or off without restarting X then it’s worth trying this. Thanks for posting.
where is the CompizConfig Settings Manager, I need it. i had it in gutsy, it’s not there in hardy.
this is exactly what i’m talking about: http://wiki.compiz-fusion.org/CCSM
You can also enable the icon by going to the Applications menu, then System Tools.
Ramy:
The package has a different name now, it’s compizconfig-settings-manager.
metacity –replace link that command to a keyboard shortcut and be done with it. metacity –replace && programname && compiz –replace allows you to run a program only after replacing the windowmanager with metacity and restore compiz after you are done using that program.
Works nicely.
Good on ya Tombuntu
[...] Enlace | Tombuntu: Fusion Icon in Ubuntu 8.04 [...]
[...] Enlace | Tombuntu: Fusion Icon in Ubuntu 8.04 [...]
When you log-in and in the previous session you used compiz-fusion, compiz loads up again..
Every time you run compiz-tray-icon it reloads the previous window manager you used (in our case compiz again).
So..when I add tray-icon in gnome-session and log-in the following happens : Compiz loads because I used it the last time, then gnome launches tray-icon which reloads the window manager…resulting in a slightly (but noticeably) slower log-in..
Anyone noticed that?Found a solution?
Thanx and sorry for my english
“fusion-icon -n” starts the icon without starting the window manager again
The anonymous commenter is correct, use ‘fusion-icon -n’ to prevent the application from unnecessarily restarting Compiz. Updated the post.
[...] You may also be interested in Fusion-icon, which is what I’ve been using [...]
Thanks for this article
thanx for the reply!
nice one, thanks
i did this to fix my video playback and now my windows are all screwed up. i no longer have the x in the top right to close windows and my firefox was resized. i need help!
[...] have to disable your good looking environment just to play good looking games. Ironic. Anyway, thanks to Tombuntu, I was able to install Fusion Icon which is a system tray icon that lets you enable or disable [...]
[...] 08/11/09: Found a workaround here. Thanx Tom! Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Stop calling it a [...]
Awesome! Thanks
I have written a bash script that can facilitate this process. You can even run it in shortcuts and as this handles the program execution and window manager switching automatically, i think it is slightly more useful.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1207203