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Submission details

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Make software update notification discoverable when hidden beneath other windows

Submitted by dmitriid on August 26, 2008 to Annoyance, Usability

When "Software Update" notification (where you chose whether to install immediately or see the list of updated applications) pops up, it is a dialog-style window.

If, by accident, it's covered by another window, there's no way to bring it back on: it doesn't appear in the Cmd-Tab list, it doesn't apeear when Expose is activated.

The situation worsens when it pops up in a space, you Cmd-Tab to an application in a different space, there's no way to discover where that notification went

NOTE: THis bug concerns the Software Update window that appears after an automatic check for updates, not a user-activated check

Current solutio is: minimize, close or hide all windows until you get to the Software Update confirmation box

Actual solution would be: make the nitfication appear on the Cmd-Tab list and make the click on the software update icon in the dock bring this notification forward

Medium

Medium

Not fixed

Discussion (8 comments)

dmitriid wrote on August 26, 2008, 9:47pm

Changed problem description.

dmitriid wrote on August 27, 2008, 8:24am

Changed problem description.
Changed solution description.

dmitriid wrote on August 27, 2008, 8:24am

Changed solution description.

abitgone wrote on August 27, 2008, 11:10am

Software Update appears as a normal window to me - I can see it in Exposé just fine if I hit F9. It also comes right to the front of the screen if I click it's icon in the dock.

What version of OS X are you using? It works just fine for me in 10.5.4.

abitgone wrote on August 27, 2008, 11:10am

And it appears in the CMD-Tab application switcher.

Grey_Podder wrote on August 27, 2008, 9:00pm

@abitgone
I think that dmitriid is talking about the Software Update window that appears after an automatic check for updates, not a user-activated check. I'm waiting for the next software update to come out so I can test that window with Cmd-Tab and Exposé.

dmitriid wrote on August 28, 2008, 9:38am

Grey_Podder, indeed. I'll update the bug's description with your clarification

dmitriid wrote on August 28, 2008, 9:39am

Changed problem description.

Grey_Podder wrote on September 9, 2008, 11:45pm

dmitriid,

I was finally able to test it, and you're absolutely right. I'm a confessed "compulsive Software Update clicker", so I almost never see that automatic window.

polycat33 wrote on October 24, 2008, 5:43am

This drives me NUTS! Especially since Software Update doesn't allow command-Q to quit when it's popped up its "done with update" window, so if another application is in the foreground when it finishes, you have to force quit it because there is no finding that window or quitting normally. I voted for this a while ago but todays software update reminded me of it. There's even a "bring to front" in the window menu that doesn't do a thing for this!

linuxforever wrote on May 26, 2009, 10:59pm

Wow, Windows property panes have exactly the same flaw, how (un)cool is that!

bastyani wrote on August 23, 2009, 5:27pm

There are several other windows or applications that are not listed in the Cmd-Tab window or else. They are open and running but not visible as a standard program...

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