Working with Virtual Desktops in Ubuntu
Windows works on the premise of everything taking place on top of a single desktop. When you start a new program, it runs on top of the desktop, effectively covering up the desktop. In fact, all programs are run on this desktop, so it can get a bit confusing when you have more than a couple of programs running at the same time. Which Microsoft Word window contains the document you're working on, rather than the one you've opened to take notes from? Where is that My Computer window you were using to copy files?
Ubuntu overcomes this problem by having more than one desktop area. By using the Workspace Switcher tool, located at the bottom right of the desktop, you can switch between two virtual desktops. This is best explained by a demonstration.
1) Make sure that you're currently on the first virtual desktop (click the leftmost square on the Workspace Switcher), and start up the web browser by clicking its icon at the top of the screen (the globe icon located to the right of the menus).
2) Click the second square on the Workspace Switcher. This will switch you to a clean desktop, where no programs are running—desktop number two.
3) Start up the file browser by selecting the Places ➤ Home menu option. A file browser window appears.
4) Click the first square in the Workspace Switcher again. You should switch back to the desktop that is running the web browser.
5) Click the second square, and you’ll switch back to the other desktop, which is running the file browser.
See how it works? You can create more than two virtual desktops—as many as 36, in fact! To set the number of workspaces, right-click the Workspace Switcher and select Preferences. In the window that appears, click the up/down arrow next to the Number of Workspaces entry.
Rename Virtual Desktops
You can also rename each virtual desktop by double-clicking its entry in the list in the Workspace Names list. This allows you to be even more organized. For example, you might reserve desktop 1 for running Internet programs and give it a name that indicates this, such as Net Programs. You might then use desktop 2 to run office programs, giving it an appropriate title; use desktop 3 for file browsing; and so on. This name will appear whenever you right-click a program’s entry on the panel and attempt to move it to a different desktop. Additionally, these titles will appear whenever you right-click and choose to send each program window to a different desktop.
The Workspace Switcher provides a way of organizing your programs and also reducing the clutter. You can experiment with virtual desktops to see if you want to organize your work this way. Some people swear by them. Experienced Ubuntu users may have in excess of ten virtual desktops, although clearly this will appeal only to organizational geniuses! Other users think multiple desktops are a waste of time. They're certainly worth trying out to see if they suit the way you work.
Tips
TIP: Right-clicking any of the program entries in the Window List will bring up a menu where you can move a program from one virtual desktop to another. Just select Move to Another Workspace.
TIP: Putting your mouse over the Workspace Switcher and scrolling the mouse wheel switches between the various virtual desktops instantly. Alternatively, you can hold down Ctrl+Alt and press the left and right cursor keys to switch between virtual desktops.
Related Articles