Turn off ubuntu top bar

knobby67 · 01-10-2014, 06:29 AM

Hi All,
I'm running some SDL 2 software on multiple monitors. However to do so I have to run in borderless window mode. Unfortunately this mean I can see the Unbuntu top bar across both screens ( the one with wirless, time ect ). I've tried using the tweak tool however this just allows me to turn of some icons ( clock ect ) and make it semi transparent.

Is there a way to totally turn it off so my windows extend over whole monitor, giving the illusion of full screen

druuna · 01-10-2014, 07:13 AM

Which Ubuntu version and probably more important which DE are you using.

Gnome can hide the top/bottom/left/reight bars (right click on bar, select properties and then select Auothide)

knobby67 · 01-10-2014, 08:33 AM

Hi Sorry!
forgot about the obvious.
I'm using 13.04 and unity.

MCMLXXIII · 01-10-2014, 10:46 AM

Have you tried pressing the F11 key? It might not work in every application in full screen mode due to potential default keybinds and whatnot, but there are a few applications like Firefox, GIMP, etc. that go into full screen mode via the F11 key which completely hides the top bar.

knobby67 · 01-10-2014, 10:56 AM

Hi f11 doesn't work.

Really what I want is the bar turned off all the time. I'm running on an embedded control board so don't need it anyway

cascade9 · 01-10-2014, 11:02 AM

AFAIK its impossible. At least currently, though if the devs wanted users to have the option they would have included it by now.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2173327

You could always use a desktop that does what you want it to, not what some random developer at canonical wants.....

MCMLXXIII · 01-10-2014, 11:10 AM

Like cascade9 pointed out, it's not possible to do this with Unity. However, GNOME Shell does allow it via an extension ---> https://extensions.gnome.org/extensi.../hide-top-bar/

Not sure if you're interested in using a completely different DE interface though? GNOME 3.xx, KDE, Xfce and LXDE allow this action though.

knobby67 · 01-10-2014, 12:31 PM

Thanks All,
I was always a Debian user until recently but was asked to work on Ubuntu, at first I thought everything was fantastic but have started to get a bit worried recently...

knobby67 · 01-10-2014, 12:55 PM

Well that was odd tried to install Gnome from online instructions. Rebooted, GDM starts up askes me to log in, then Gnome desktop pops up, after a few moments it flickers and unity pops up :s very odd...
Everything just reverts back to Unity

MCMLXXIII · 01-10-2014, 01:01 PM

Ubuntu is going through a process right now with the end goal being mobile + desktop convergence. Not sure how closely you follow Ubuntu development but without wanting to debate the merits of their current strategy since it's a bit controversial in certain FOSS circles, personally I'm intrigued in watching their development unfold, if for no other reason than to see if they can accomplish this with any modicum of success?

widget · 01-10-2014, 04:21 PM

Gnome Shell and Unity have a history. Unity was proposed as an extention of GS. Gnome, due to the copyright policy Ubuntu uses, wouldn't do that.

Canonical took their dolls and went home in a huff and finished Unity as a stand alone. For some reason they are not in a big hurry to have GS compatability high on their priority list.

GS now works, I think, on most hardware but is still pretty tender under Ubuntu.

Good luck.