How to set Desktop Mode off and make it stick?

[dtarrant]

@kugiigi
I like your previous suggestion of putting the gsettings command in ~/.config/upstart/....
For me, nano and vi look very tedious to learn and use.
After a quick play, Seabass2 looks much easier, so I will give that a try and let you know how I get on.
Watch this space!
In the words of Pete Juliano:
"If you know stuff, you can do stuff"

[dtarrant]

@kugiigi @Luksus
So I put the gsettings command in ~/.config/upstart/...
using Seabass2.
I did not succeed in making the tablet start in staged mode.
I did notice a few things:

1. My BQ M10 tablet file manager enables access to ~/.config but the TB-X605F does not.
2. Seabass2 can access ~/.config on the BQ, but not on the Lenovo.
3. Seabass2 was harder to use that I anticipated.
4. On the Lenovo, I had to use the command line to access ~/.config/upstart/... and add my gsettings command.
   Next I will re-visit the other suggestions that have been offered and try a different approach.
   It's worrying that the Lenovo behaves differently to the BQ.
   Looks like the Lenovo may have some significant bugs.

[Luksus]

@dtarrant Do you have set a lock-password (sudo-password) on the X605?

[Lakotaubp]

@Luksus just to let you know @dtarrant is having a problem logging in to answer your question (guessed it was this). We are trying to sort out the issue. Thanks.

[dtarrant]

@luksus @Lakotaubp
Sorry about the delay to reply. I had a problem logging in which took a while to fix. Anyhow, in answer to your question about having a passcode set, yes I did. I will explain further:

I have been using my BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition as a reference. On this tablet, file manager can't see .config/etc until I unlock the 4-digit passcode, then it becomes accessible.

On my Lenovo TB-X605F, also using a 4-digit passcode, .config/etc was not accessible even after unlocking.
If I recall correctly, I couldn't access .config/etc with Seabass2 either, whilst it was possible from my BQ M10.

[kugiigi]

@dtarrant That's really weird. Maybe the port has apparmor/permission issues?

[Luksus]

@kugiigi
no there are no permission issues... I just tried it on my device.

@dtarrant
did you enable "show hidden files" in file-manager settings? Though that would not change the view in Seabass.

[dtarrant]

@luksus
Regarding file-manager hidden files:
I unlocked "restricted access" which gave me access to .config/upstart on the BQ, but on the Lenovo, did not.

[Luksus]

@dtarrant yes, I know what you mean. But initially hidden folders and files are 'hidden', so you additionally need to make them appear with the following setting (if you not already did it):

[dtarrant]

@luksus
I cannot find that settings screen on my Lenovo tablet.
I have looked at file-manager settings and also system settings.
Please can you explain exactly how to reach that page.

[Keneda]

@dtarrant said in How to set Desktop Mode off and make it stick?:

@luksus
I cannot find that settings screen on my Lenovo tablet.
I have looked at file-manager settings and also system settings.
Please can you explain exactly how to reach that page.

It's in file manager, check the "1" red circle in the @Luksus picture above, touch this icon on your file manager and it'll pop those settings.

[Luksus]

@dtarrant
Video:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S4q4MkoCAMyW63pyv2PkjZ0fdaXWYPFo/view?usp=sharing

[dtarrant]

@keneda @Luksus
Brilliant! With the help of your diagram and the video, I am now able to display hidden files on the Lenovo tablet.
I will now try to find a way to automate opening Lenovo in staged mode.

[dtarrant]

@Keneda @Luksus
Correction, intended to say " open Lenovo in staged mode"
Tried to edit but post wasn't updated, don't know why. Edit usually works for me.

[Keneda]

@dtarrant
Did you erase your previous post on purpose ?
I can restore it if you want.

I can read in it "I will now try to find a way to automate opening Lenovo in staged mode"

[dtarrant]

@Keneda
Please restore it. Thanks

[Keneda]

@dtarrant
Done ^^

[dtarrant]

@luksus @Keneda @Lakotaubp
With much help from community members, I have mastered the art of using file manager to access hidden folders and files.
I now intend to attempt to create a staged mode startup file located in ~/.config/upstart
I'll keep you posted.
I may be gone a while!

[MrT10001]

@dtarrant I have been following your progress. I hope it works what you are doing. I have seen issues with read and write permissions on the file system, simple things like setting a background.

[dtarrant]

@mrt10001 @Luksus @Keneda @Pulsar33
So, I created a startup file set-staged in ~/.config/upstart, closed the Lenovo, took a deep breath and powered back on.
Sadly, it did not start in staged mode.
Here is a listing of set-staged:

start on started unity8
exec gsettings set com.canonical.Unity8 usage-mode staged

I'm a novice, so I won't be offended if someone points out my silly mistake.