[FEATURE] Multi-Monitor Support for OpenBar in GNOME 45+

[fergaete]

Summary: Currently, OpenBar only works on the primary monitor in GNOME version 45 and above. We are requesting the implementation of multi-monitor support so that the bar can be displayed across all connected monitors in a GNOME environment.

Context: In earlier versions of GNOME, OpenBar could be used across multiple monitors without issues. However, starting from GNOME 45, the behavior is limited to the primary monitor only. This reduces productivity and user experience for those who use multi-monitor setups.

Problem:

1. After updating to GNOME 45, OpenBar only appears on the primary monitor.
2. Users working with multiple monitors cannot interact with OpenBar on additional screens.
3. This negatively affects productivity, especially in workstations with more than one monitor.

Requested Functionality:

1. Multi-monitor compatibility in GNOME 45+: We request that OpenBar supports display on all screens connected to the workstation, allowing users to access the bar from any monitor.
2. Consistent behavior on additional monitors: The bar should be interactive and functional on all monitors, just as it is on the primary monitor.
3. Customizable configuration: It would be helpful to allow users to configure which monitors display the bar or even have different settings for each monitor.

Justification:

1. Increased productivity: Many professional users work with multi-monitor setups to handle simultaneous tasks, and the lack of support significantly impacts their workflow efficiency.
2. Improved user experience: Allowing OpenBar to function on all screens would enhance the user experience, enabling quick access to applications and tools regardless of which screen the user is working on.
3. Competitiveness: Lack of this functionality limits OpenBar's competitiveness compared to other solutions that support multiple monitors in recent versions of GNOME.

[neuromorph]

Hello,

In earlier versions of GNOME, OpenBar could be used across multiple monitors without issues.

Well, Gnome only has a single Panel even for multi-monitors and OpenBar never created additional panels. You are right that it currently only supports a single panel.

However, there could be other extensions to get the panel on multiple monitors and in that case OpenBar will not apply to all of them. That is a valid concern. Are you using another extension or some other way to get the panel on multiple monitors? If so, let me know how you are doing it and I will look into applying OpenBar to all of them.

Or, if you are saying that OpenBar should create another panel or panels for additional monitors then that is much more involved undertaking. To have the top bar on multi-monitors is certainly useful. There is an open issue in Gnome for the same if you would like to track. You can +1 and/or add a comment there as well. I am not planning to add the functionality to create multiple panels within OpenBar anytime soon due to estimated complexity. Maybe in the future as a separate add-on, let's see.

Thank you for writing! And to make it clear, I fully support the idea that we should be able to have the panel on each monitor as an option but wish it was in Gnome itself. Also would surely apply OpenBar to all the panels if available.

[yoann-coissard]

However, there could be other extensions to get the panel on multiple monitors and in that case OpenBar will not apply to all of them. That is a valid concern. Are you using another extension or some other way to get the panel on multiple monitors? If so, let me know how you are doing it and I will look into applying OpenBar to all of them.

I am using Dash to Panel with the OpenBar extension, the Dash to Panel make the topbar in all screens but the OpenBar plugin change only the style of the primary monitor

[neuromorph]

Thanks for the update Yoann! Yeah, Dash to Panel has an option for panel on multiple screens. OK, I will look into it when I have some time. They create additional panels which are distinct widgets from the Gnome's "Main.Panel" so I will need to rethink handling for multiple panels. I will get back here when I have some update, meanwhile if anyone has any inputs in this matter, feel free to add here.

[pearcemichal]

I just wanted to add that as far as I know, there is only 1 addon that would duplicate the top bar on multiple monitors, and that addon has not been updated for more recent versions of Gnome.

Other than Dash to panel, there is basically zero modern solution for having the top bar on multiple monitors.

Please let me know if you know of any other method.

[Aylawoo]

I did find this, https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/8773/multi-monitor-bar/

It seems to work great, but without having openbar applied to it, it looks awful. It sucks that GNOME is so anti-user. Plasma is so unstable and unwieldy, GNOME just feels so much more faster and fluid, but everything just seems to fight the user.

I've seen some reports to use dash-to-panel, but I already have dash-to-dock, I'm wondering if those will conflict? I guess I'll be trying it out.

EDIT: Yeah they don't work together, not an option. Any advice on getting this working with the multi-monitor bar I'd be very thankful.

[Xarianne]

Hello! I just wanted to gently nudge this. Was there any movement on this issue?