Multiple Desktops?

[Ken Blake]

I very rarely minimize anything. Instead, I simply bring what I want
to work on to the front, maximized.

See the message I just sent in this thread. Except for the word
"maximized," I basically do the same. I keep my apps windowed (in
large Windows on my large--23"--monitors) because it's easier and
faster for me to click on the corner showing than on the task bar
icon.

And the few apps I go to every day, but less often, I do keep
minimized.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Because my email client is quietly looking for new mail every 30 minutes
(or other varied amounts of time depending on the various addresses I
use), and there's no point in having it taking up screen space while I'm
not reading or composing mail. That's just one instance of "open but
minimized".

OTOH, my e-mail client is doing the same thing while not minimized. But
since other windows have the focus, the e-mail client is out of sight
behind those windows. And without even trying to minimize it!

That said, one way I can get back to that client is the same as it would
be if it were minimized: clicking on the Taskbar icon.

The message here is something like "do what works for you".

 

[Gene Wirchenko]

If I understand you correctly, to switch between apps takes you two
clicks on the mouse, or two keyboard shortcuts, one to minimize app A,
another to open app B.

You do not, because I did not make it clear that I may be using a
number of apps at once. If I am, I do not minimise an app as I switch
away from it. When I am done for a while is when I minimise.

With alternate desktops, you can do the switching with one keyboard
shortcut.

I use the Windows taskbar.

Sincerely,

Gene Wirchenko

 

[Gene Wirchenko]

Why do you minimize them?

As a statement that I am not actively using that app. It reduces
clutter. The alternative would be to close them. That would be just
plain silly for my newsreader, my E-mail program, and my browser.

Sincerely,

Gene Wirchenko

 

[Gene Wirchenko]

On Tue, 1 May 2012 14:52:26 -0700, "Gene E. Bloch"

[snip]

The message here is something like "do what works for you".

Exactly.

Sincerely,

Gene Wirchenko

 

[Ken Blake]

As a statement that I am not actively using that app. It reduces
clutter. The alternative would be to close them. That would be just
plain silly for my newsreader, my E-mail program, and my browser.

Another alternative, as I said in an earlier message in the thread, is
to keep them open, but behind other open Windows on the screen.

That's my preference, but each to his own.

 

[Ken Springer]

An app you are not using can simply sit on the screen behind whatever
app(s) you are using. Minimized or not, an app takes up no screen real
estate unless you want it to.

I normally have ten apps open all the time. Six of them are never
minimized. Four of them quietly sit behind two other apps (one on each
of my two monitors), with just a small corner showing, on which I can
easily click to bring them to the foreground whenever I want to.

That amount of "clutter" would drive me up the wall! LOL Likewise,
running some apps full screen also irritates the begeezers out of me.
That's why I like multiple desktops, which I'm just implementing on my
Windows machines.

Between your preferences and mine, we are perfect examples why no one
solution will ever fit everyone.


--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.6.8
Firefox 12.0
Thunderbird 12.0.1
LibreOffice 3.5.2.2

 

[Ken Springer]

You do not, because I did not make it clear that I may be using a
number of apps at once. If I am, I do not minimise an app as I switch
away from it. When I am done for a while is when I minimise.

Got it, Gene. Somehow, I had the impression you ran your apps full screen.

I use the Windows taskbar.

Sincerely,

Gene Wirchenko

--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.6.8
Firefox 12.0
Thunderbird 12.0.1
LibreOffice 3.5.2.2

 

[ray]

You need to try a windows 7 virtual machine, and work with four
desktops..

But we see you like that show moving Debian...

Yes, that would be interesting - see if by running Debian in a virtual
machine on win7 it would be slowed down nearly to the level of the host.

 

[Gene Wirchenko]

On Tue, 01 May 2012 18:36:51 -0600, Ken Springer

[snip]

Got it, Gene. Somehow, I had the impression you ran your apps full screen.

No, but I run some maximised. Of the six apps that I keep open,
the split is three and three between maximised and not. Plus, when I
use Windows Explorer, I do not use it maximised.

Oh! Now, I see where you are coming from with "full screen".

Somewhat related: I have two desktop systems on my physical
desktop -- as in a real desk's top -- and switch between them with a
KVM.

[snip]

Sincerely,

Gene Wirchenko

 

[Gene Wirchenko]

On Tue, 01 May 2012 18:29:20 -0600, Ken Springer

[snip]

Between your preferences and mine, we are perfect examples why no one
solution will ever fit everyone.

I have boggled people with my setup which has the taskbar on the
top. "You can't do it." "Obviously, I can."

Sincerely,

Gene Wirchenko

 

[Gene Wirchenko]

[snip]

Another alternative, as I said in an earlier message in the thread, is
to keep them open, but behind other open Windows on the screen.

That's my preference, but each to his own.

I have too dynamic a situation at times. When I have four CLI
sessions open, etc., it can get hairy. By minimising, there is less
to remember.

Whatever works for you.

Sincerely,

Gene Wirchenko

 

[Ken Springer]

On Tue, 01 May 2012 18:29:20 -0600, Ken Springer

[snip]

Between your preferences and mine, we are perfect examples why no one
solution will ever fit everyone.

I have boggled people with my setup which has the taskbar on the
top. "You can't do it." "Obviously, I can."

All my Windows taskbars are at the top too. Why? Less of a strain on
the brain when I use this Mac, and Atari's also had the bar at the top.
So, if I ever get one set back up, I won't have to remember which
'puter I go to reach for the Task/Menu bar. The only fly in the
ointment is the Dock on the Mac, usually at the bottom. But mine is on
the right side. I've never looked for a utility that will let me put
the Dock on the top, but if I ever stumble across one, I'll sure get it.



--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.6.8
Firefox 12.0
Thunderbird 12.0.1
LibreOffice 3.5.2.2

 

[Ken Blake]

That amount of "clutter" would drive me up the wall!

Clutter? Almost no clutter, as far as I'm concerned. If you were to
look at my two monitors right now, you would see Forte Agent on one
and Maxthon on the other. Each is nearly full screen, and on each
monitor there are corners of two other apps showing, there to be
clicked on when I want them.

LOL Likewise,
running some apps full screen also irritates the begeezers out of me.
That's why I like multiple desktops, which I'm just implementing on my
Windows machines.

Between your preferences and mine, we are perfect examples why no one
solution will ever fit everyone.

Absolutely right! We are all different people, and we have different
likes and dislikes. As another example, regarding the Agent and
Maxthon I mentioned above, you instead use Thunderbird and Firefox.

Each to his own, and that's fine.

 

[Ken Blake]

I have boggled people with my setup which has the taskbar on the
top. "You can't do it." "Obviously, I can."

Interesting. You're one of the very few people I know who prefer the
task bar on the top.

Personally, I prefer it on the left side. With today's wide screen
monitors, I think that makes a better use of screen real estate than
on the top or bottom. But, as I just said to Ken Springer, each to his
own.

 

[Ken Springer]

Clutter? Almost no clutter, as far as I'm concerned. If you were to
look at my two monitors right now, you would see Forte Agent on one
and Maxthon on the other. Each is nearly full screen, and on each
monitor there are corners of two other apps showing, there to be
clicked on when I want them.

Fullscreen mode on a wide screen bothers me for some reason, so I rarely
use it. Never did on a 4:3 monitor.

Absolutely right! We are all different people, and we have different
likes and dislikes. As another example, regarding the Agent and
Maxthon I mentioned above, you instead use Thunderbird and Firefox.

Both have small issues, and that seems to be somewhat of a common issue
with open source software. Maybe it's just the particular programs I
use. But many of the problems reported are never addressed and fixed.
There seems to be no drive to do that for some reason.

I filed a bug report for Libre Office on 3/5/12. One user has listed
the bug as reproducible in a newer version of LO and OS X. Officially,
the bug is still unconfirmed. :-(

Each to his own, and that's fine.

--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.6.8
Firefox 12.0
Thunderbird 12.0.1
LibreOffice 3.5.2.2

 

[BillW50]

In

MS has a freebie, desktops.exe, that is part of the System Internals
Suite. I've got it install in Win 7 Home 64 bit, XP Pro fully

Oh man! This subject is right up my alley. I don't know why I didn't
notice this thread earlier? I probably used every single multiple
desktop utility out there. And that one you mentioned is actually one of
the worst ones out there Ken. But even though it isn't one of the better
ones, it does do one unique thing. And that is I can run different
shells in different desktops. Like for example, I can run Aston Shell in
desktop 1 and the stock Windows Explorer Shell in Desktop 2. ;-)

Everything else about desktops.exe is negative:

1) Can't move windows to another desktop

2) Many of your tray icons are not accessible in other than Desktop 1

3) Limited to four desktops only (two if running under XP)

4) Can only close Desktops by logging off

5) Incompatible with Windows 8

My favorite multiple desktop utility is AltDesk (not free). Although
Virtual Dimension (free) is also quite good. And they both will run
after Desktops.exe has launched.

 

[BillW50]

In

All my Windows taskbars are at the top too. Why? Less of a strain on
the brain when I use this Mac, and Atari's also had the bar at the
top. So, if I ever get one set back up, I won't have to remember
which 'puter I go to reach for the Task/Menu bar. The only fly in the
ointment is the Dock on the Mac, usually at the bottom. But mine is
on the right side. I've never looked for a utility that will let me
put the Dock on the top, but if I ever stumble across one, I'll sure
get it.

I am not sure what you are looking for since I don't know much about
Macs. But a Mac user created RocketDock that runs under Windows. I
haven't tried it in years, so I don't know how much it has changed since
the last time I ran it. But it might be what you are looking for.

About RocketDock
http://rocketdock.com/

 

[BillW50]

In

It's not that I haven't seen or tried multiple desktops, it's just
that I have, and found no value (to me) in doing so. When I'm working
on multiple things I have no problem bringing the respective window to
the front and it doesn't matter to me that there are about 30 windows
open or minimized behind the active window. What am I missing?

Oh man! I used to say the very damn thing! And why in the world would
one want more than one desktop? I didn't understand either. But to
explain it, where does one start? As there are so many doors that open
up with multiple desktops.

I don't know if you ever used more than one monitor with a computer. But
I have and while nice, it has some disadvantages along with the
advantages. And multiple desktop takes care of many of the disadvantages
of multiple monitors, while keeping many of the advantages of multiple
monitors and adds a few more advantages of its own.

One of the advantages of multiple displays (monitors) is you have a
larger desktop. More room for everything. And the more room you have,
the less time you have to spend fighting with windows on top of windows
and minimizing and restoring. And while you may have been accustom to
this fighting, it isn't very productive at all.

What works so much better is more desktop space. And multiple displays
with more than one monitor is one way. Another way is through multiple
desktops. Now you spend far less fighting with multiple windows on your
desktop, and more time being productive. And if you have enough desktop
real estate, you probably never have to waste time moving windows,
restoring, minimizing, cluttering the Taskbar and desktop, etc. ever
again. And everything stays neat and you don't have to do any work to
keep it that way.

Another advantage is multiple desktops can often be customized. Things
like different wallpapers, tray icons, desktop themes, and in one case
different shells running at the same time.

Obviously if you only run one or two applications, multiple desktops
probably will not be very exciting to anybody. But the more applications
you run, the more and more exciting multiple desktops becomes. And
obviously since more real estate would be beneficial.

There are many multiple desktop managers out there. Strangely, many of
them limit you to only four. I don't know why they pick that number? But
I run so many applications at the same time that even four desktops for
me is still too limited. I find I need at least 6 of them at a minimum.
Some multiple desktop managers don't have any limit. Like AltDesk (not
free) and Virtual Dimension.

 

[Stefan Patric]

[snip]
I guess I don't get it, which is no one's problem but mine. Thanks.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
If you've never used them, that's understandable.

It's not that I haven't seen or tried multiple desktops, it's just that
I have, and found no value (to me) in doing so. When I'm working on
multiple things I have no problem bringing the respective window to the
front and it doesn't matter to me that there are about 30 windows open
or minimized behind the active window. What am I missing?

A desktop like that would drive me crazy. It's not that I couldn't work
with everything running on a single desktop. I have. And do. With
Windows, you have no choice. It's just that I hate clutter. And to me,
such a desktop is cluttered.

I have friends, even those primarily using Linux, who are the same as you:
They prefer one desktop. For them multiples are pointless, a waste of
RAM. Though I have noticed a funny thing. The tops of their work desks
look the same as their single computer desktop: absolutely cover with
stuff with little clear space, one layer stacked on another, on another,
etc. Contrary to my desk that is mostly clear with projects organized in
wire baskets and file folders, etc. with only the ones I'm currently
working on laid out on the desk.

I guess it's just how your brain organizes. I'm a "place for everything,
and everything in its place" kind of person. Always have been.

I was an Amiga person, too, starting with an A500 in '87 and finally
ending when I sold the A4000 in '96. The Amiga had a slightly different
way of doing things, but it didn't result in making me feel confined or
inefficient when I switched to Windows.

Why did you choose Windows over the Mac, the only other viable choice for
a personal computer back then? Linux wasn't sufficiently evolved in '96
to be considered. It was still a "techie" toy OS then. It had changed
considerably by 2000/2001 when I left the Amiga behind.

Stef