Virtual Desktops?

krazyfool

This is something the linux/unix community has enjoyed for sometime now. The best and only thing I could find was <a href="http://space.sourceforge.net"; target="_blank">Space.dock</a> and it seems to work very well. Its not exactly what I had in mind but very useful none the less. Question is could you make the virtual desktops that I think you all know and love in Mac OS X? If so who is trying? I think that would make Mac OS X kick some major ass. Maybe 10.2 update, ok I know am dreaming but wouldn't that be nice? I'm going to tell apples feedback thing right now.



[ 01-31-2002: Message edited by: KrazyFool ]</p>

mmurray

There was a topic on MacNN about this started by Andrew Welch from Ambrosia Software.



<a href="http://forums.macnn.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=002193"; target="_blank">http://forums.macnn.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic &f=46&t=002193</a>





Michael Murray



[ 02-01-2002: Message edited by: mmurray ]</p>

jeremiah rich

That would truly be an awesome addition to our already awesome OS.

mr.potatohead

Supposedly, the code already exists in OS X for virtual desktops, but Apple didn't activate it for the shipping version. At least, that's the rumor coming from the closed-beta testers.

ariel

[quote]Originally posted by Mr.Potatohead:

<strong>Supposedly, the code already exists in OS X for virtual desktops, but Apple didn't activate it for the shipping version. At least, that's the rumor coming from the closed-beta testers.</strong><hr></blockquote>



Man - If Apple has this in the OS, I wish they'd release it ASAFP!



Other UNIX systems have it.. so maybe it is part of the Kernel of OS X -- but man, I'd kill for it to be part of the OS -- don't want an extra application to do it.



I use a virtual desktop on my W2k box at the office all day - and don't want to live without it!



Ariel

krazyfool

<a href="http://www.apple.com/macosx/feedback/"; target="_blank">http://www.apple.com/macosx/feedback/</a>;



Then tell steve you want it. Enough people make the request it happens. Rumor has it they made ssh support in the mail.app because of the feedback.



[ 02-04-2002: Message edited by: KrazyFool ]</p>

ariel

[quote]Originally posted by KrazyFool:

<strong><a href="http://www.apple.com/macosx/feedback/"; target="_blank">http://www.apple.com/macosx/feedback/</a>;



Then tell steve you want it. Enough people make the request it happens. Rumor has it they made ssh support in the mail.app because of the feedback.</strong><hr></blockquote>





Thanks! I didn't know that feature was on the website... but I do now and they now know that I've GOT to have virtual desktops in OS X!



Thanks

Ariel

stimuli

Virtual desktops are the shizzat, i can attest to that. It's not a kernel thing, either, and it's like having multiple monitors... on one monitor. Everything is so... uncluttered.

guitarbloke

openstep has them - I don't know if NextStep did too.



Only thing is, although they're good for the more advanced user, I can imagine a lot of Apple's target audience might get lost on the wrong desktop and try to open the same app again and again.....after messing about with *nux ish systems for a while, it's quite refreshing to get back to the more simplistic OS X style.

stimuli

True, but Apple shouldn't cater exclusively to the new computer user. One of my annoyances w/ OSX is the candy coated, childish, lamer oversized icons. WTF? I'm not in kindergarten and don't need a big red heart for a 'favorites' icon.



It should be an option, as well as either 3rd pparty theme software or built-in support for themes.



You can slag the lack of uniformity in Linux desktops, but for an advanced user, being spoiled with choice is its greatest boon.

guitarbloke

[quote]Originally posted by stimuli:

<strong>True, but Apple shouldn't cater exclusively to the new computer user. One of my annoyances w/ OSX is the candy coated, childish, lamer oversized icons.</strong><hr></blockquote>



I agree, the favourites icon is a little nauseating. I disagree, though, in that I think they've actually been very clever. I find the large icons make recognition of exactly what it is I'm looking at much easier - for example, I can find things much faster in the dock than I used to be able to in the application switching menu because some part of my brain has recognized the icon and started moving the pointer towards it before I've even really started to think. With the application switching menu, I'd always find my brain in neutral as I tried to associate the name of the program with what it actually did - pictures are just much faster for me to process. Especially big pictures

sc_markt

I would prefer to have virtual desktop capability in OS X rather than have the ability to drive two monitors. Two monitors take up desk space plus, you have the added cost of the additional monitor.

razzfazz

[quote]Originally posted by sc_markt:

<strong>I would prefer to have virtual desktop capability in OS X rather than have the ability to drive two monitors. Two monitors take up desk space plus, you have the added cost of the additional monitor.</strong><hr></blockquote>



Well, you still get the benefit of actually seeing both at once.



Without some sort of small previews (as in Enlightenment) I find multiple desktops on one monitor rather confusing.



Bye,

RazzFazz

sc_markt

[quote]Originally posted by RazzFazz:

<strong>



Well, you still get the benefit of actually seeing both at once.



Without some sort of small previews (as in Enlightenment) I find multiple desktops on one monitor rather confusing.



Bye,

RazzFazz</strong><hr></blockquote>



I use CDE (Common Desktop Enviroment) at work and I named each desktop according to what work I was doing in them. It worked fine for me.



I never knew there was a program that gave you a small preview for each desktop. I bet it works good.



Hopefully, in the near future, I'll be able to retire my 8600/200 and buy a real Mac which can run these cool programs.