Gnome taskbar on multiple monitors

Using Ubuntu 12.10 with GNOME 3.6

I have plugged in a second monitor to my laptop and can drag windows between. I am using Compiz to handle virtual desktops and have switched that to scroll desktops at the same time.

How can I show the taskbar on both monitors, and only the windows on that monitor show on that taskbar?

For bonus points can I set it so that when I plug in my number of desktops decreases - I no longer need to have 2x horizontally, just vertically. If I unplug I'd like the second screen to switch to desktops 2 and 4 respectively.


Solution 1:

  • A lot of guides say to right click on the taskbar or other panel. I found that I had to hold down Alt+Super and right click. I also had to do it on a blank area, not a current taskbar button.
  • Click New panel
  • Find where the new panel has been added - with a default config it will likely be to the right of the screen.
  • Hold the same key combination as above and drag the panel to the second screen. Snap it to whichever edge you want.
  • Use the combination again, right click the new panel and click Add to panel
  • In the list scroll to the bottom to find Window list
  • This should be added and pull in any windows on the current screen.

If you need to reset the Gnome panels at any point the command line killall gnome-panel should cause them to be removed and restart themselves.

Still bonus points for the rest of the question above!