How "always on top" actually works ?

joboy · 10-18-2023, 04:50 AM

I am running Mint Debian edition with Cinnamon, I find that the always on top option does not always work, in some occasion other app windows will cover it. For instance, I am copying files on one hand, on the other hand I am running Xnconvert to convert some files, which this windows always cover up the Nemo for manager one , so how does always on top works in general ?

smallpond · 10-18-2023, 07:22 AM

If you set it on two overlapping windows will your computer burst into flames like on old Star Trek episodes? No, it's just setting a preference for stacking order. If the active window raises itself then it will (temporarily) win. Output to your always-on-top window should cause it to be raised.

joboy · 10-18-2023, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smallpond

If you set it on two overlapping windows will your computer burst into flames like on old Star Trek episodes? No, it's just setting a preference for stacking order. If the active window raises itself then it will (temporarily) win. Output to your always-on-top window should cause it to be raised.

Thx, that's the way it usually works, but I don't know why some applications can override and take control, like what I said Xnconvert. For instance, I always set terminal on top, and follow the web instruction on Firefox to do some command lines and that always work.