I see this often too, many times a day. I use IRC via irssi->screen->ssh->gnome-terminal. So, I see the problem often when I switch from my irc desktop and back. I'll see if I can work out a reliable way to reproduce it.
-- [Feisty] gnome-terminal doesn't always redraw after switching desktops https://launchpad.net/bugs/92405 -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs
