Get more out of Ubuntu's virtual desktops

Perhaps the greatest single productivity-boosting feature in Linux is the ability to open several virtual desktops at one time. This allows you to create separate work environments for various simultaneous tasks, such as one with a word processor, image editor, and spreadsheet open for creating a report, and another with e-mail and browser windows active for keeping in touch with co-workers. The multiple desktops let you focus on the task at hand without interruption, but switch to your other active workspace with a single click.

By default, the Gnome interface used by Ubuntu 7.10 allows only two virtual desktops at one time, though this number can be increased to as many as 36. To add more desktops, right-click the Workplace Switcher icon in the bottom-right corner of the Gnome desktop and choose Preferences. (If you don't see the Workplace Switcher icon, right-click the panel, choose Add to Panel, and click Workplace Switcher in the Desktop & Windows section. You may also want to add the Window Selector applet, which offers another option for switching between your open workspaces.)

Make sure "Show all workspaces in (blank) rows" is selected, and set the number of rows you want the workspace-icons to appear in. Click the up arrow in the "Number of workspaces" field to add more workspaces, or simply enter a number up to 36. Click one of the entries under "Workspace names" twice slowly (but don't double-click) to rename it, and check "Show workspace names in switcher" to add the name to its panel icon. When you're done, click Close.

Increase the number of virtual desktops available in the Gnome Linux interface via the Workspace Switcher Preferences dialog box.

Move to another desktop by clicking its icon in the panel, or click the Window Selector and choose the one you want to open. You can also press Ctrl and scroll your mouse wheel to navigate from workspace to workspace, or right-click the title bar of an open application and choose one of the "Move" options. To show the program in all workspaces, select Always on Visible Workspace.

Switch between workspaces in the Linux Gnome interface by right-clicking an app's title bar and selecting one of the "Move" options.

You get more ways to customize and access your virtual desktops in KDE, Compiz, and other Linux interfaces, including the ability to change the desktop wallpaper for each environment, and to switch workspaces by pressing Ctrl-Tab. There are lots of discussion on Linux forums about the pros and cons of various interfaces, but the consensus appears to be that Gnome is the most generic and least troublesome for new users. Since I'm still in that camp, I'll stick with Gnome for now, but I'm wondering whether the extra features might be worth the risk...eventually.

Tomorrow: freeware adds Linux-like virtual desktops to Windows.

[Maarek Stele]

Ah, the joys of Linux. Microsoft should take a hint and use this in Windows. Yeah it'll confuse the not-so computer savvy person, but hey, it'll add more workspace without the extra monitor.

[russkeller]

Hell I've been Hooked on Dual Monitors doing CAD at the Office and have Ubuntu at home using the desktop Cube. I gotta say I like the cube better than dual monitors.

[jelloburn]

It seems like Linux is the independent party of the operating systems, and OS X and Windows are the big political parties. Linux will introduce a feature, and then the others will pick it up and improve on it (at least OS X does). Leopard introduced spaces, and in combination with the dock and exposé, made it better.

Now if only Linux would borrow from OS X and Windows in usability (no more trips to packet managers or terminals), it could stand a chance in gaining significant market share in the average consumer market.

[jdsauer]

Microsoft did give this functionality out, though it wasn't supported. As part of the Windows XP PowerToys, you could have multiple desktops. I used it for the last 4 or 5 years, before switching to Vista and Linux on my machines at home and work.

[dryicezero]

Having multiple workspaces is definitely a benefit to the multi-tasking professional. Moving quickly between the desktops also adds a touch of speed to your daily work. Add all this to an OS which is very responsive and efficient, and you have the ultimate work environment. There is more info about Ubuntu and SMB it at my blog: http://www.smbtechadvice.com

[LinuxRevolution]

Virtual desktops is old news, and all the flavors of Linux have the above feature (Fedora/RHEL, Suse, OUL, etc.)... The advantage of Linux and Open Source is the community of developers - Microsoft and Apple have long developement cycles and do not give you the flexibility to incorporate new technology until major releases are due, like XP to Vista, or Tiger to Leopord... plus they take up so much memory that that average user needs to get a NEW PC! while any Linux OS take 1/4 of the space of your system and memory...no brainer - get rid of your Windows clunker!

[Jabib]

there are some open-source programs you can install in xp/vista that will allow you to perform the same tasks that linux has

http://z-sys.org/vvdm.aspx

Unfortunately the problem with this method of approach is that the speed of switching isn't as nice as those implemented at the OS level, but if you really want virtual desktops, and you can't seem to get away from windows, this program should more than suffice. (I use it and it works for me under Vista)