Q: Dual monitors and fullscreen fiasco, is there a work around?

I have filed a feedback, too as with Lion it not possible anymore to play a game on one monitor and have another app (f.e. Safari) opened in the other; now the second monitor becomes black...

Besides, I have noticed that in the Display prefs hitting the "Detect Displays" button does not do anything...

I suggest you fill in a dev bug, this seemed to get some traction prior.

I published this bug to apple as I am a developer and my apps no longer behave the way they should in full screen mode.

https://bugreport.apple.com/

Try https://bugreport.apple.com/

if you are developer, seemed to get more traction.

WaldenGreen said it well. I have enjoyed the Apple UI for years and I have enjoyed that Apple seemed to be a company responsive to users feedback and committed to improving the OS. Those two things led me to the purchase other Apple products: iPod(s), iPhone, work computers (2) + Apple Monitor(s), new MBP, iPhone, iPad, various Apple software for the computers and Apps for the idevices. I have loved every OS release up to Lion. The full screen fiasco is a deal breaker for me. I finally reverted back to Snow Leopard and set up Lion as an alternate boot partion. Every now and then I boot Lion to see if the problem is fixed and to see if I can get used to Lion. Consistently I go back to Snow Leopard and I'm much happier. I have a well developed work flow that is requires using 2 monitors simultaneously. Lion kills it. I have tried. If this is Apple's UI future, I'm not buying in.  I have delayed my next Apple laptop purchase because of this issue. If this issues continues to persist, I will be forced to look at alternatives (I really don't want to have do that). I sent feedback to Apple several times, I think we can assume Apple gets the feedback.  Maybe they'll finally wake up when the profits start to go down.

After reading a few pages of this thread I found myself getting a pretty good laugh at how drastic some of these responses are.

Granted, OSX needs a better default window manager.  I came from, and still regularly use a few versions of Windows and actually like how its window manager has progressed.

That said, there are so many ways to attain the same, if not better control over how you position your windows in OSX, it's completely a non-issue.  If Apple decides to enhance what they're calling "full-screen" mode to where I like how they intended to be used, I'll start using it... for now I won't.  I full-screen nearly everything I work with across multiple monitors... 10+ hours a day... a minimum of 5 days a week.  A cheap or free window manager app is all I needed.

Here's a list of window manager app suggestions to start from:

http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/9659/what-window-management-options-exi st-for-os-x

I've tried free and paid.  Do some research and find one that suits your needs. 

Generally speaking (not aimed at anyone in particular), it's easier and takes less time to google around than it does to let the world know how frustrating it is that complicated machinery hasn't yet achieved everyone's expected level of perfection and simplicity.  There's nearly always a solution, it just depends how important it is to you to find it.

The thing is fullscreen used to work properly in Snow Leopard, now it doesn't. So it's not that people are complaining that a feature hasn't yet evolved to the right level - we are complaining because it has been *broken*.

Also I had a look at the link you posted, if there is a 3rd party app that actually solves the problem I would use it (although I still think Apple should fix their UI) but looking through that list none of them seem to offer true fullscreen - all seems to be about repositioning windows? I don't just want a window maximised to fill the screen.

I've done plenty of googling (that's how I found this thread) but I have yet to find a fix. If one of those apps lets me run true fullscreen applications on more than one monitor could you please tell me which it is?

Pretty much an evidence of incapacity if one needs a third party "window manager" in OSX to take advantage of multiple monitors.

I totally agree that Apple screwed up how they changed their full screen behavior (IMHO), which is also how I ended up on this thread.  I supposed it didn't affect me too much since I don't need a chrome-less window full screened for any of the apps I use on a regular basis, plus I auto-hide the dock.  But I would most definitely like to see it be at least as flexible / useful as before.

I don't think it's too far off the mark to say that most line-of-business apps don't need a chrome-less window full screed; but are more productive when using the as much screen real estate as possible.  Some of the responses I read are pretty sensationalist.  Many others raise valid points.  Apple needs to listen... and after 18 pages on this thread alone, I'm sure they've taken notice.

Of course the severity of frustration depends on whether you have that 'one specific app' that you use every day which before Lion, worked exactly how you wanted it, and now Apple pulled the rug out and demands you adapt if you want to stay current.  I'd be more irritated if I were in that camp. 

I'd be willing to bet that a window manager that helps position an app's window to its maximum would solve several users' issues, albeit change from their norm.  The ones that need a chrome-less full screen experience on a secondary monitor will need to keep telling Apple they made a mistake by not making full screen more flexible, or at least as functionally on par with Leopard.  The option to rotate lock the iPad with the hard switch made it back as a setting with an update.  Enough people were vocal about how it should be optional that Apple had to admit overstepping the we-know-best line.

flipnbits wrote:

 

 

Of course the severity of frustration depends on whether you have that 'one specific app' that you use every day which before Lion, worked exactly how you wanted it, and now Apple pulled the rug out and demands you adapt if you want to stay current.

Quicktime is the biggie.  Solved for me by using MPlayerX or VLC but it's still ridiculous that Apples own video player can't be used to play video on the secondary display whilst using the primary for other tasks.  There must be a huge number of people with their Mac connected to a TV or other screen to play movies whilst the computer is in use.

siamless wrote:

 

Pretty much an evidence of incapacity if one needs a third party "window manager" in OSX to take advantage of multiple monitors.

To each, their own.  I do just fine without, but am more productive with.  If your favorite operating system doesn't provide the functionality you desire, find an app.  That's precisely what we create them for.  If that doesn't work, submit a report.  If that doesn't work, switch brands.  If that doesn't work, buy an abacus.  (I jest, of course.  Although an abacus would be upgrade proof.)

Richard Olpin wrote:

 

flipnbits wrote:

 

 

Of course the severity of frustration depends on whether you have that 'one specific app' that you use every day which before Lion, worked exactly how you wanted it, and now Apple pulled the rug out and demands you adapt if you want to stay current.

 

Quicktime is the biggie.  Solved for me by using MPlayerX or VLC but it's still ridiculous that Apples own video player can't be used to play video on the secondary display whilst using the primary for other tasks.  There must be a huge number of people with their Mac connected to a TV or other screen to play movies whilst the computer is in use.

There ya go; a workaround.  At least for video playback.  Crappy that there has to be one, especially since a prior version did exactly what seemingly a lot of people wanted.  Life goes on...

(colloquial expression relating to what a vacuum does required some rewording)

Message was edited by: flipnbits

flipnbits wrote:

 

If that doesn't work, switch brands.

Really hate it when people suggest switching whole brands because of a complaint. If you are happy as it is, then you really don't need to speak here. This thread is used by people wanting a deliberately and idiotically broken feature fixed up to its former glory.

This is not even a matter of brands. This is a matter of platform. If Apple does not do it right, there are no other brand to turn to. People have thousands of dollars invested in Mac apps. Switching is not an option, doesn't matter how much one hates a broken feature.

Any other smartypants reading this who are about to suggest us to switch, I welcome you to shove it and shut up.

samhaque wrote:

 

flipnbits wrote:

 

If that doesn't work, switch brands.

 

Really hate it when people suggest switching whole brands because of a complaint. If you are happy as it is, then you really don't need to speak here. This thread is used by people wanting a deliberately and idiotically broken feature fixed up to its former glory.

 

This is not even a matter of brands. This is a matter of platform. If Apple does not do it right, there are no other brand to turn to. People have thousands of dollars invested in Mac apps. Switching is not an option, doesn't matter how much one hates a broken feature.

 

Any other smartypants reading this who are about to suggest us to switch, I welcome you to shove it and shut up.

The need to switch brands/platforms is exactly what brought me to Apple.  Microsoft's offering didn't facilitate what I required for my primary desktop computing platform.  I switched a few years ago, and I've been happy ever since.

Try not to take every comment out of context as a snarky response, potentially aimed at fueling some imaginary fire.  Switching does have its temporal and monetary caveats, but is a valid option nonetheless.  I'll speak where I please, and you should be able to as well.

I think I've used up my word-a-day calendar reserve, and ruffled enough feathers by expressing an opinion that differs from the ones more close to and passionate about the issue. 

I hope everyone finds a solution suitable to their needs.

I just got a good laugh from your posts so I guess we're all a barrel of laughs here.

To anyone interested in improving OSX instead of cluttering it with third party, windows style, grid manipulation:

File Feedback:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html

-MIB

TheSmokeMonster wrote:

File Feedback:

 

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html

 

-MIB

Absolutely the best advice.