Matlab uses Java for its GUI, which has issues in WMs like xmonad.  Check the Java workarounds on our FAQ. Cheers, Spencer Janssen PS: sorry if my phone's email client is mangling these replies. From: Yuliang Wang <jadelightking@gmail.com> Date: Jan 6, 2010 1:55 PM Subject: [xmonad] windows not active when using ssh -X To: xmonad@haskell.org I use ssh -X to our department server and start MATLAB. MATLAB started but the window is blank, only the menu is active. In gnome there is no such problem. -- Sincerely, Yuliang Wang