This bug has been reported on Ubuntu Launchpad as:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/582719

On two different Xubuntu installations with compiz, clicking an item in the tasklist which is from another desktop does not switch to that desktop. However, the xfce switcher works, as does clicking on an item in Docky. The xfce4-panel "window list" also fails to switch compiz desktops.

One workaround is to use the gnome window list (similar to xfce4-panel tasklist) applet in an Xfapplet inside xfce4-panel, which works correctly and switches desktops when non-'native' workspace items are clicked. EDIT: This workaround is not so good, the window list in Xfapplet grows without stopping and pushes my right-hand xfce4 applets (notification area, clock, logout) off the screen.



Let me mention some strange behavior that might help someone debug this...

If I have just brought the focus to the same type of app, say a second Chrome window, then clicking on a Chrome entry in tasklist of a Chrome instance living on another desktop WILL switch desktops. Same if I have an xfce4-terminal in focus on the current desktop and am clicking on the entry of an xfce4-terminal from another desktop, then the compiz switch animation and desktop change happens. However, if I have Chrome in focus and click on an xfce4-terminal task list entry from another desktop, no go (although the task list entry gets highlighted and the icon does 'bounce' in docky, so it's as if focus was brought to it but just the call to switch desktops wasn't made.) Can't figure out why the desktop switch call IS made when an item with the same exec name as the one in focus on the current desktop gets clicked on.


xfce4-panel 4.6.3-1ubuntu2
Xubuntu 10.04 with kernel 2.6.32-22-generic #33-Ubuntu SMP x86_64