Network manager menu is not stable; clicking on a VPN is dodgy

[phord]

 * Cinnamon 4.6.7
 * Distribution:  Mint 20.0
 * Graphics: Intel i950
 * 32 or 64 bit:  64-bit
 * Attach ~/.xsession-errors, or /var/log/syslog

Issue The Network Manager menu shows wifi AP SSIDs as they are discovered. The first time I open the menu, it may have two APs listed. My VPN connections appear at the bottom of the menu. When I try to click on my VPN, more APs may be discovered and the menu can grow. This frequently causes me to accidentally click on a different AP instead of my VPN. Of course, this kills my network and any active connections I already had opened, and it requires me to go through extra steps to get my WiFi reconnected and then, finally, to connect to the VPN that I wanted originally.

Steps to reproduce

1. Click network menu
2. Point mouse at bottom of menu near "VPN"
3. Notice how the option moves when more APs are discovered

Expected behaviour Buttons and menus are stable and don't dodge my mouse clicks

[wjwoods]

Have same issue. As a workaround I changed the number of visible networks to "1" in: "/usr/share/cinnamon/applets/network@cinnamon.org/applet.js"

 const NUM_VISIBLE_NETWORKS = 1;

My connected wireless network is only one that shows in Wireless list until I click "More".

The other option I tried was to move the VPN section (this._devices.vpn section in same applet.js file) to the top above Wired... but can't decide if I like how it looks/feels.

[Kurgan-]

I have this issue too, but since it's been 3 years and the issue has been ignored, I don't think it will be fixed. I also thought about moving VPNs up in the list, but it's actually a better idea to show only one wifi connection until you hit the "more" button. much better. Thanks @phord for the info on how to do it. Now the issue is that only ONE vpn connection is also shown unless I click "more".

EDIT: I have changed the const NUM_VISIBLE_NETWORKS = 1; to zero and it seems better now.

It does only show the connected WIFI or the connected VPN and requires a click on "more" to show anything else that is not connected. It seems "more reasonable" than having one vpn shown even if it's not connected.

[Kurgan-]

Ok, since issue #12485 is about the same software but not about the same issue (this issue is about the list changing unexpectedly while the user is clicking on it, causing the user to click on the wrong item because the items shifted under the mouse cursor) but it has been closed as a duplicate of this, I mention it here hoping it will be actually considered.

This issue is about the list updating itself "at the wrong time" The issue #12485 is about the list not being sorted