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Peek window does not show, no errors in console
I'm running in Arch Linux, and nothing seems to happen when running peek. No window shows up, but the process seems to just hang indefinitely. When running from the terminal, I only see the output:
Using screen recorder backend gnome-shell
And nothing else. No window frame shows up at all, but the process keeps running.
can you run peek like this
G_MESSAGES_DEBUG=all peek
and post the output
This is pretty strange, I wonder if this is related to the window type being set to "Utility" (see https://github.com/phw/peek/pull/507). But I cannot reproduce this here on my system, and Arch with Gnome (on X) is kind of the default target of this app.
@bendavis78 Is Gnome running with X or Wayland?
I have the same problem on Ubuntu 18.04 running on X11. When I run peek with app drawer the icons appears on dash but no window is shown!
when I do:
G_MESSAGES_DEBUG=all peek
nothing shows. no error no window
@amirhfarzaneh Try the same with sudo...
Here's what's the output for me then. But still - no window showing up also not in dock:
⋊> ~ env G_MESSAGES_DEBUG=all peek # no output
⋊> ~ sudo env G_MESSAGES_DEBUG=all peek
(peek:15453): Gtk-DEBUG: 09:54:13.146: Connecting to session manager
(peek:15453): Gtk-DEBUG: 09:54:13.147: Failed to get the GNOME session proxy: The name org.gnome.SessionManager is not owned
(peek:15453): Gtk-DEBUG: 09:54:13.147: Failed to get the Xfce session proxy: The name org.xfce.SessionManager is not owned
** (peek:15453): DEBUG: 09:54:13.248: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop:
** (peek:15453): DEBUG: 09:54:13.249: application.vala:282: GTK theme: elementary
** (peek:15453): DEBUG: 09:54:13.249: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop:
** (peek:15453): DEBUG: 09:54:13.249: application.vala:217: Changed keybinding_toggle_recording => <Ctrl><Alt>R
** (peek:15453): WARNING **: 09:54:13.250: Binding '<Ctrl><Alt>R' failed!
** (peek:15453): DEBUG: 09:54:13.250: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop:
** (peek:15453): DEBUG: 09:54:13.251: utils.vala:68: Looking for executable ffmpeg (0): /usr/bin/ffmpeg
Using screen recorder backend ffmpeg
** (peek:15453): DEBUG: 09:54:13.277: application-window.vala:882: Decoration layout: close,minimize:maximize,menu
** (peek:15453): DEBUG: 09:54:13.318: recording-area.vala:38: Absolute recording area x: 80, y: 106, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:15453): DEBUG: 09:54:13.318: recording-area.vala:45: Screen w: 3840, h: 1986
** (peek:15453): DEBUG: 09:54:13.318: recording-area.vala:58: Clipped recording area x: 80, y: 106, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:15453): DEBUG: 09:54:13.318: recording-area.vala:69: Scaled recording area x: 80, y: 106, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:15453): DEBUG: 09:54:13.335: recording-area.vala:38: Absolute recording area x: 80, y: 106, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:15453): DEBUG: 09:54:13.335: recording-area.vala:45: Screen w: 3840, h: 1986
** (peek:15453): DEBUG: 09:54:13.335: recording-area.vala:58: Clipped recording area x: 80, y: 106, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:15453): DEBUG: 09:54:13.335: recording-area.vala:69: Scaled recording area x: 80, y: 106, w: 498, h: 298
OS: elementary OS 5.0 Juno peek: 1.4.0 from PPA (tried flatpak before, too)
Confirming issue on Arch based system (EndeavourOS) Some system details:
- GNOME Version 3.34.1
- Memory 15.5 GiB
- Graphics Intel® HD Graphics 530 (Skylake GT2)
- OS name EndeavourOS; Build ID: rolling
$ G_MESSAGES_DEBUG=all peek
(peek:29625): GLib-GIO-DEBUG: 11:39:12.254: _g_io_module_get_default: Found default implementation gvfs (GDaemonVfs) for ‘gio-vfs’
(peek:29625): Gtk-DEBUG: 11:39:12.311: Connecting to session manager
** (peek:29625): DEBUG: 11:39:12.312: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop: GNOME
(peek:29625): GLib-GIO-DEBUG: 11:39:12.313: _g_io_module_get_default: Found default implementation dconf (DConfSettingsBackend) for ‘gsettings-backend’
(peek:29625): dconf-DEBUG: 11:39:12.313: watch_fast: "/org/gnome/desktop/interface/" (establishing: 0, active: 0)
(peek:29625): dconf-DEBUG: 11:39:12.313: unwatch_fast: "/org/gnome/desktop/interface/" (active: 0, establishing: 1)
** (peek:29625): DEBUG: 11:39:12.313: application.vala:282: GTK theme: Arc-Flatabulous-Darker
** (peek:29625): DEBUG: 11:39:12.313: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop: GNOME
(peek:29625): dconf-DEBUG: 11:39:12.313: watch_fast: "/com/uploadedlobster/peek/" (establishing: 0, active: 0)
(peek:29625): dconf-DEBUG: 11:39:12.313: watch_established: "/org/gnome/desktop/interface/" (establishing: 0)
(peek:29625): dconf-DEBUG: 11:39:12.313: watch_established: "/com/uploadedlobster/peek/" (establishing: 1)
** (peek:29625): DEBUG: 11:39:12.313: application.vala:217: Changed keybinding_toggle_recording => <Ctrl><Alt>R
** (peek:29625): DEBUG: 11:39:12.314: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop: GNOME
Using screen recorder backend gnome-shell
** (peek:29625): DEBUG: 11:39:12.373: application-window.vala:882: Decoration layout: menu:minimize,maximize,close
** (peek:29625): DEBUG: 11:39:12.418: recording-area.vala:38: Absolute recording area x: 24, y: 59, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:29625): DEBUG: 11:39:12.418: recording-area.vala:45: Screen w: 7040, h: 1440
** (peek:29625): DEBUG: 11:39:12.418: recording-area.vala:58: Clipped recording area x: 24, y: 59, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:29625): DEBUG: 11:39:12.418: recording-area.vala:69: Scaled recording area x: 24, y: 59, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:29625): DEBUG: 11:39:12.457: recording-area.vala:38: Absolute recording area x: 24, y: 59, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:29625): DEBUG: 11:39:12.457: recording-area.vala:45: Screen w: 7040, h: 1440
** (peek:29625): DEBUG: 11:39:12.457: recording-area.vala:58: Clipped recording area x: 24, y: 59, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:29625): DEBUG: 11:39:12.457: recording-area.vala:69: Scaled recording area x: 24, y: 59, w: 498, h: 298
(peek:29625): GdkPixbuf-DEBUG: 11:39:12.465: gdk_pixbuf_from_pixdata() called on:
(peek:29625): GdkPixbuf-DEBUG: 11:39:12.465: Encoding raw
(peek:29625): GdkPixbuf-DEBUG: 11:39:12.465: Dimensions: 14 x 14
(peek:29625): GdkPixbuf-DEBUG: 11:39:12.465: Rowstride: 56, Length: 808
(peek:29625): GdkPixbuf-DEBUG: 11:39:12.465: Copy pixels == false
(peek:29625): GdkPixbuf-DEBUG: 11:39:12.472: gdk_pixbuf_from_pixdata() called on:
(peek:29625): GdkPixbuf-DEBUG: 11:39:12.472: Encoding raw
(peek:29625): GdkPixbuf-DEBUG: 11:39:12.472: Dimensions: 14 x 14
(peek:29625): GdkPixbuf-DEBUG: 11:39:12.472: Rowstride: 56, Length: 808
(peek:29625): GdkPixbuf-DEBUG: 11:39:12.472: Copy pixels == false
I think I've just discovered the source of the problem: the window opens off-screen on first launch, depending on the display configuration. My GNOME display setup is like seen below:
So, the coordinates logged above are off screen since the upper 360 pixels of display #1 are outside the visible area.
When setting display #1 as the primary, the already opened Peek window suddenly appears at the top left of the leftmost screen. On subsequent launches, the Peek window appears as expected, even if the primary display is set to #3 again.
here is my output of G_MESSAGES_DEBUG=all peek:
(peek:3434): Gtk-DEBUG: 14:02:44.473: Connecting to session manager
(peek:3434): Gtk-DEBUG: 14:02:44.473: Failed to get the GNOME session proxy: The name org.gnome.SessionManager is not owned
(peek:3434): Gtk-DEBUG: 14:02:44.473: Failed to get the Xfce session proxy: The name org.xfce.SessionManager is not owned
** (peek:3434): DEBUG: 14:02:44.635: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop:
** (peek:3434): DEBUG: 14:02:44.635: application.vala:282: GTK theme: qogir-win-dark
** (peek:3434): DEBUG: 14:02:44.635: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop:
** (peek:3434): DEBUG: 14:02:44.636: application.vala:217: Changed keybinding_toggle_recording => <Ctrl><Alt>R
** (peek:3434): WARNING **: 14:02:44.636: Binding '<Ctrl><Alt>R' failed!
** (peek:3434): DEBUG: 14:02:44.636: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop:
** (peek:3434): DEBUG: 14:02:44.638: utils.vala:68: Looking for executable ffmpeg (0): /usr/bin/ffmpeg
Using screen recorder backend ffmpeg
** (peek:3434): DEBUG: 14:02:44.746: application-window.vala:884: Decoration layout: close,minimize,maximize:
** (peek:3434): DEBUG: 14:02:44.776: recording-area.vala:38: Absolute recording area x: 24, y: 54, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:3434): DEBUG: 14:02:44.776: recording-area.vala:45: Screen w: 6200, h: 2012
** (peek:3434): DEBUG: 14:02:44.776: recording-area.vala:58: Clipped recording area x: 24, y: 54, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:3434): DEBUG: 14:02:44.776: recording-area.vala:69: Scaled recording area x: 24, y: 54, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:3434): DEBUG: 14:02:44.805: recording-area.vala:38: Absolute recording area x: 24, y: 54, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:3434): DEBUG: 14:02:44.805: recording-area.vala:45: Screen w: 6200, h: 2012
** (peek:3434): DEBUG: 14:02:44.805: recording-area.vala:58: Clipped recording area x: 24, y: 54, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:3434): DEBUG: 14:02:44.805: recording-area.vala:69: Scaled recording area x: 24, y: 54, w: 498, h: 298
the same as @TeNNoX
I think I've just discovered the source of the problem: the window opens off-screen on first launch, depending on the display configuration. My GNOME display setup is like seen below:
So, the coordinates logged above are off screen since the upper 360 pixels of display
#1are outside the visible area.When setting display
#1as the primary, the already opened Peek window suddenly appears at the top left of the leftmost screen. On subsequent launches, the Peek window appears as expected, even if the primary display is set to#3again.
You're right choosing another screen as the primary and then switching back to the previous one fixes this. I am now able to launch peek. So maybe the problem is with multi-screen configurations?
Yes, that is my assumption. It looks like the effect is reproducible in multi-display configurations if the upper edge of the leftmost display is below the top edge of the full viewport. Your viewport size {6200 x 2012 pixels) is also quite uncommon, and suggests that there is vertical offset between displays somewhere.
correct! I have a weird setup due to my office space.

Same thing happened to me. Fiddling with the monitor configuration fixed it.
In my case:
- I have three monitors.
- The central one is the largest and is my primary.
- The leftmost one is on a non-adjustable stand and sits lower than the central one, so it has to be dragged down so that windows cross from the central monitor to the leftmost at the same visual "height".
Could Peek check to see if it's offscreen, somehow? :thinking:
Can you try this branch https://github.com/gort818/peek/tree/patch-2 ? see if it fixes it for you.
Can you try this branch https://github.com/gort818/peek/tree/patch-2 ? see if it fixes it for you.
Well, for my part, unfortunately, now that I've done all of the fiddling, it starts on-screen again :cry:.
I have a similar issue. Same with both peek and peek-git for arch and the AUR.
Running the debug commands as shown above:
$ G_MESSAGES_DEBUG=all peek
(peek:13308): GLib-GIO-DEBUG: 22:21:52.797: _g_io_module_get_default: Found default implementation gvfs (GDaemonVfs) for ‘gio-vfs’
(peek:13308): Gtk-DEBUG: 22:21:52.891: Connecting to session manager
** (peek:13308): DEBUG: 22:21:52.892: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop: GNOME
(peek:13308): GLib-GIO-DEBUG: 22:21:52.892: _g_io_module_get_default: Found default implementation dconf (DConfSettingsBackend) for ‘gsettings-backend’
(peek:13308): dconf-DEBUG: 22:21:52.892: watch_fast: "/org/gnome/desktop/interface/" (establishing: 0, active: 0)
(peek:13308): dconf-DEBUG: 22:21:52.892: unwatch_fast: "/org/gnome/desktop/interface/" (active: 0, establishing: 1)
** (peek:13308): DEBUG: 22:21:52.892: application.vala:282: GTK theme: Matcha-dark-aliz
** (peek:13308): DEBUG: 22:21:52.892: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop: GNOME
(peek:13308): dconf-DEBUG: 22:21:52.892: watch_fast: "/com/uploadedlobster/peek/" (establishing: 0, active: 0)
(peek:13308): dconf-DEBUG: 22:21:52.892: watch_established: "/org/gnome/desktop/interface/" (establishing: 0)
(peek:13308): dconf-DEBUG: 22:21:52.893: watch_established: "/com/uploadedlobster/peek/" (establishing: 1)
** (peek:13308): DEBUG: 22:21:52.893: application.vala:217: Changed keybinding_toggle_recording => <Ctrl><Alt>R
** (peek:13308): DEBUG: 22:21:52.893: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop: GNOME
Using screen recorder backend gnome-shell
** (peek:13308): DEBUG: 22:21:52.986: application-window.vala:884: Decoration layout: menu:minimize,maximize,close
** (peek:13308): DEBUG: 22:21:53.024: recording-area.vala:38: Absolute recording area x: 24, y: 58, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:13308): DEBUG: 22:21:53.024: recording-area.vala:45: Screen w: 6400, h: 1440
** (peek:13308): DEBUG: 22:21:53.024: recording-area.vala:58: Clipped recording area x: 24, y: 58, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:13308): DEBUG: 22:21:53.024: recording-area.vala:69: Scaled recording area x: 24, y: 58, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:13308): DEBUG: 22:21:53.055: recording-area.vala:38: Absolute recording area x: 24, y: 58, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:13308): DEBUG: 22:21:53.055: recording-area.vala:45: Screen w: 6400, h: 1440
** (peek:13308): DEBUG: 22:21:53.055: recording-area.vala:58: Clipped recording area x: 24, y: 58, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:13308): DEBUG: 22:21:53.055: recording-area.vala:69: Scaled recording area x: 24, y: 58, w: 498, h: 298
$ sudo G_MESSAGES_DEBUG=all peek
(peek:13415): GLib-DEBUG: 22:23:11.762: posix_spawn avoided (fd close requested)
(peek:13415): GLib-GIO-DEBUG: 22:23:11.783: _g_io_module_get_default: Found default implementation local (GLocalVfs) for ‘gio-vfs’
** (peek:13415): DEBUG: 22:23:11.881: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop:
(peek:13415): GLib-GIO-DEBUG: 22:23:11.881: _g_io_module_get_default: Found default implementation dconf (DConfSettingsBackend) for ‘gsettings-backend’
(peek:13415): dconf-DEBUG: 22:23:11.881: watch_fast: "/org/gnome/desktop/interface/" (establishing: 0, active: 0)
(peek:13415): dconf-DEBUG: 22:23:11.881: unwatch_fast: "/org/gnome/desktop/interface/" (active: 0, establishing: 1)
** (peek:13415): DEBUG: 22:23:11.881: application.vala:282: GTK theme: Matcha-sea
** (peek:13415): DEBUG: 22:23:11.881: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop:
(peek:13415): GLib-DEBUG: 22:23:11.881: posix_spawn avoided (fd close requested)
(peek:13415): dconf-DEBUG: 22:23:11.882: watch_fast: "/com/uploadedlobster/peek/" (establishing: 0, active: 0)
** (peek:13415): DEBUG: 22:23:11.883: application.vala:217: Changed keybinding_toggle_recording => <Ctrl><Alt>R
** (peek:13415): DEBUG: 22:23:11.883: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop:
(peek:13415): GLib-DEBUG: 22:23:11.883: posix_spawn avoided (fd close requested)
(peek:13415): dconf-DEBUG: 22:23:11.884: watch_established: "/org/gnome/desktop/interface/" (establishing: 0)
(peek:13415): dconf-DEBUG: 22:23:11.884: watch_established: "/com/uploadedlobster/peek/" (establishing: 1)
** (peek:13415): DEBUG: 22:23:11.884: utils.vala:68: Looking for executable ffmpeg (0): /usr/bin/ffmpeg
Using screen recorder backend ffmpeg
** (peek:13415): DEBUG: 22:23:11.976: application-window.vala:884: Decoration layout: menu:minimize,maximize,close
** (peek:13415): DEBUG: 22:23:12.011: recording-area.vala:38: Absolute recording area x: 24, y: 58, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:13415): DEBUG: 22:23:12.011: recording-area.vala:45: Screen w: 6400, h: 1440
** (peek:13415): DEBUG: 22:23:12.012: recording-area.vala:58: Clipped recording area x: 24, y: 58, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:13415): DEBUG: 22:23:12.012: recording-area.vala:69: Scaled recording area x: 24, y: 58, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:13415): DEBUG: 22:23:12.038: recording-area.vala:38: Absolute recording area x: 24, y: 58, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:13415): DEBUG: 22:23:12.038: recording-area.vala:45: Screen w: 6400, h: 1440
** (peek:13415): DEBUG: 22:23:12.038: recording-area.vala:58: Clipped recording area x: 24, y: 58, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:13415): DEBUG: 22:23:12.038: recording-area.vala:69: Scaled recording area x: 24, y: 58, w: 498, h: 298
Display arrangement:

I am using the standard copy of GNOME that comes with Manjaro.
Edit: rearranging the screens to the following makes it visible.

If not to fix this, please could someone techdrop a command line flag in to override the starting position to work around this? It would be greatly appreciated. The issue is that no taskbar icon shows up either so you have literally no way of finding it unless you alter your monitor settings...
sudo G_MESSAGES_DEBUG=all peek
(peek:21116): Gtk-DEBUG: 09:21:05.736: Connecting to session manager
(peek:21116): Gtk-DEBUG: 09:21:05.736: Failed to get the GNOME session proxy: The name org.gnome.SessionManager is not owned
(peek:21116): Gtk-DEBUG: 09:21:05.736: Failed to get the Xfce session proxy: The name org.xfce.SessionManager is not owned
** (peek:21116): DEBUG: 09:21:05.821: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop:
** (peek:21116): DEBUG: 09:21:05.821: application.vala:282: GTK theme: Adwaita-dark
** (peek:21116): DEBUG: 09:21:05.821: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop:
** (peek:21116): DEBUG: 09:21:05.822: application.vala:217: Changed keybinding_toggle_recording => <Ctrl><Alt>R
** (peek:21116): DEBUG: 09:21:05.822: desktop-integration.vala:168: Desktop:
** (peek:21116): DEBUG: 09:21:05.824: utils.vala:68: Looking for executable ffmpeg (0): /usr/bin/ffmpeg
Using screen recorder backend ffmpeg
** (peek:21116): DEBUG: 09:21:05.848: application-window.vala:882: Decoration layout: :menu,minimize,maximize,close
** (peek:21116): DEBUG: 09:21:05.869: recording-area.vala:38: Absolute recording area x: 27, y: 71, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:21116): DEBUG: 09:21:05.869: recording-area.vala:45: Screen w: 6200, h: 1920
** (peek:21116): DEBUG: 09:21:05.869: recording-area.vala:58: Clipped recording area x: 27, y: 71, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:21116): DEBUG: 09:21:05.869: recording-area.vala:69: Scaled recording area x: 27, y: 71, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:21116): DEBUG: 09:21:05.881: recording-area.vala:38: Absolute recording area x: 27, y: 71, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:21116): DEBUG: 09:21:05.881: recording-area.vala:45: Screen w: 6200, h: 1920
** (peek:21116): DEBUG: 09:21:05.881: recording-area.vala:58: Clipped recording area x: 27, y: 71, w: 498, h: 298
** (peek:21116): DEBUG: 09:21:05.881: recording-area.vala:69: Scaled recording area x: 27, y: 71, w: 498, h: 298
Similar issue here, and playing with screen displays fixed it (swapped primary monitor a couple of times). Since the recording area looked like it was off-display on my far left screen, setting that screen as primary monitor did the trick.
GNOME Shell 3.28.4 Ubuntu 18.04.03 LTS (5.0.0-37-generic)
I also had this issue. I had to shift my displays to find it.
The Peek window popped up at the bottom of display 2 after moving them.

Ubuntu 18.04. I had a third monitor temporarily connected the day before. When starting peek with only two monitors now, no output, no dialog was shown. Moving one display like @johnnygossdev shows helped, and the issue did not appear on subsequent runs of peek anymore.
I can confirm this happens sporadically with a multi-screen setup. (Once I disconected the additional screen, peek window showed up again, after using the same setup as before, it also shows up atm)
The problem also occurs with GNOME Calculator so this might be a larger scope issue that should be fixed at the window manager level.
The problem also occurs with GNOME Calculator so this might be a larger scope issue that should be fixed at the window manager level.
True, now that you mention it I experienced that one as well. The only difference is that there is no workaroundish shortcut for getting the window back inside the screen, like Window+Curser-Left - it doesn't work with peek.
I'm using ubuntu 16.04 btw.
is there a way to configure it to show without having to toggle settings in display? after finding this thread I found like 7 peek windows open :sweat_smile:
Hi there - just had the same issue on Ubuntu 20. Also found a LOT of windows after changing my display config 😂️. If it's a difficult fix perhaps for the time being just adding a known issue to the main readme with steps to workaround would do? Once I've moved the app to set its default start position it doesn't seem to have the same problem again. Otherwise really great little tool!
Hi there! The same behaviour guys, but I have an 4 monitors :D

** (peek:19741): WARNING **: 18:32:38.648: Binding '<Ctrl><Alt>R' failed!
Using screen recorder backend ffmpeg
also got the issue with Peek in my multi-monitor environment, looks like we will see fix not very soon so that developed some small replacement for the utility
If you hit ALT + Space, you can move the window using the keyboard and make it show up. Never seen this before, but it's a pretty easy fix.
under Ubuntu 20.04 with two monitors, ALT + SPACE doesn't work, PEEK just presented as an icon in the dash panel, any click on it make it hiding and PEEK just hangs among processes
Same issue as @raydac on Ubuntu 20.04 with an extra monitor attached to my laptop. Doesn't launch from terminal and clicking it adds it to the dash but nothing shows up. Clicking the icon closes it again.

This showed up after I unplugged the monitor from my laptop, so Peek is definitely running in the background but the extra monitor prevents it from being used until you unplug.
I think I've just discovered the source of the problem: the window opens off-screen on first launch, depending on the display configuration. My GNOME display setup is like seen below:
So, the coordinates logged above are off screen since the upper 360 pixels of display
#1are outside the visible area.When setting display
#1as the primary, the already opened Peek window suddenly appears at the top left of the leftmost screen. On subsequent launches, the Peek window appears as expected, even if the primary display is set to#3again.
This resolved my issue as well
just just happened to me too with this config:
:sweat_smile: