I started a post about this issue a while ago, but I had some new information that I wanted to share that might help solve my problem.
To make a long story short, one of my icons keeps randomly moving on my desktop throughout the day, and I can't figure out why this is happening. I've tried a number of things to fix the problem (and reported it to the Zorin devs), but nothing seems to work. However, one thing that I recently discovered is that the icon that keeps moving (the Heroic Launcher) is the only icon that I edited the metadata for, because I wanted to name it "Heroic" rather than "Heroic Games Launcher". I'm not sure why this is making a difference, but I'd like to figure out a way to make it work without having to revert to the default name. Any thoughts?
While this issue may not be a big deal for a lot of people, I should note that I have O.C.D., so it actually really bothers me. As crazy as it sounds, this is the kind of thing that will make me switch operating systems.
So what are these icons? Are they just folders holding some data, and if so what data? Or are they just the applications themselves and you've made them all a folder? Wierd question, I know, but I'm just curious.
Also, if this is the application folder, is heroic installed as a flatpak or a .deb? And for that matter, the other applications on the desktop, are they also flatpaks or debs? Just wanting to figure out some stuff. If you could include some basic system info too, that probably wouldn't hurt.
And this happens randomly throughout the day? Do you have automatic updated on through the application store? I'm wondering whenever it has a small update it might be causing it to gltch a little bit.
Most of the icons are just folders for personal files, including videos, music and family members's documents (all linked to a separate drive). The only three that aren't file folders are Steam, RetroArch and Heroic. Heroic is installed as a Flatpak, Steam is the Zorin version, and RetroArch is also a Flatpak.
Have you changed between Wayland or Xorg in testing of this? Just wanting to get as much information while looking into this. My hunch is that it has to do with a flatpak being updated automatically through the gnome store (or maybe even being checked for updates) and because you've edited the entry, is doing some funkiness? This is purely speculation at this point though.
Although having said that, you could try turning off auto updates in the software store for a bit and just see if the issue keeps happening. If auto updates are on cucrently.
I haven't tried switching from Wayland to Xorg, mostly because I don't know if this is going to screw up my system. However, I will turn off automatic updates to see if that will fix the problem. In the meantime, any other suggestions are welcome.
Am I understanding this right, that the Heroic icon is supposed to be at the lower left corner? Does it happen with other icons placed at that same location, and likewise, does it happen when you place the Heroic icon at another?
No, the Heroic icon is usually placed under the trash can, but it doesn't really matter where I put it, because the end result is always the same. It's the only icon that keeps moving on the desktop, which is even more confusing.
Yeah, this one is confusing the heck out of me. As far as I know the file itself contains the metadata to know where it's supposed to go. The only variants that I can think of would be if the screen resolution changes, or perhaps you're using some sort of fractional scaling. But then again, that would mess up more icons and not just this one.
Have you tried to remove the shortcut, and re-create it but this time without changing the name? At least with this approach we could have a better idea at if this is even the reason why this happens.
Not a bad idea. I'll try that after I see what happens with the software updates. I turned them off last night and I want to see if that makes a difference. If so, then the problem might be on the end of Heroic. If not, then I'll re-create the icon. I also turned off "fractional scaling" in the display settings. I'm not sure if this was causing the issue, but I guess we'll see what happens.
This is a cause (I know it because, playing much, certain games set a different resolution temporarily), the other is returning to the desktop after standby or new session. To me those 2 are the only reasons, then if anyone else has another one I'd like to know it . So far I never saw them being rearranged while using the computer or just leaving it idle.
. So far I never saw them being rearranged while using the computer or just leaving it idle.