Sorry, Windows 9 Fans, This Is How Multiple Desktops Should Work

Softpedia ^ | 17 September 2014 | Silviu Stahie

[ShadowAce]

The Windows 9 OS will finally get a very coveted feature, multiple desktops, but the Microsoft developers are still pretty far away from what you can get on Linux.

The Linux platform has always taken pride in this cool feature. Having multiple desktops is a great way to increase the productivity and there are numerous means to implement it. Lots of Linux distributions have this option, which is used in various ways.

Ubuntu has had multiple desktops (or virtual desktops) for many years, and this particular option has been refined over time. Basically, users can add as many desktops as they see fit and use them in any way they choose. They can even opt out and have just one desktop.

Windows is on the right track, but it's late in the game

The possibility to have more desktops than just one has been around for many years, and a lot of users have argued that it even predates Linux, but that's for another discussion. Now, Microsoft is trying to bring that feature to Windows 9, but it's still in its infancy.

To be fair, there have been a number of third-party applications that could fulfill this role in the past, but they never really took off and they weren't implemented natively. Microsoft is hoping to correct this problem, and from the looks of it, they've done an OK job – not bad, but not great either.

We made a short video showing what can be done with multiple desktops in Ubuntu and you can compare it yourself with the leaked video from Windows 9. As it was to be expected, the Microsoft implementation of the feature lacks any kind of finesse and it seems to be added just to say that they have it. It will probably get better in future Windows versions, but for now that's the current state.

The only advantage spotted in the Windows build is the way users can create and delete virtual desktops. Apparently, this can be done on the fly. In Ubuntu, users need to install an application from the repository, called Unity Tweak, that allows them to change the default number of desktops, which is currently four.

Other than that, everything else is way behind. Moving apps from one desktop to another looks to be rather unintuitive, you can't activate the option with hot corners, it's difficult to say what apps are open and where, not to mention the fact that you can't really tell where you are when you have all those desktops open.

Please keep in mind that the Windows 9 video is made from a Beta release and that some features might changes before it hits RTM stage.

We have posted both videos for your enjoyment and we'll let you decide which one is the best.

NOTE: Videos at link

[ShadowAce]

I don't know about Ubuntu, but I know Fedora can add/subtract virtual desktops on the fly right out of the box.

[ShadowAce]

[rarestia]

Linux has had terminal multiplexing for years.

[gura]

Welcome to X Windows from 1985. #unixbeard

[sheana]

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-External-Video-Monitor-Adapter/dp/B005G306I2/ref=sr_1_1/182-1467839-6277022?ie=UTF8&qid=1411052135&sr=8-1&keywords=external+video+card

Have used these for years. I have 4 22 inch monitors.

[Scutter]

This is not multiple moniitor supprt, which windows has had for ages, it is multiple “virtual” desktops.

I too use multiple monitors, and really don’t find that. i ever use the multiple desktop feature in Windows. Still, it’s nice to see it is being added to Windows.

[Organic Panic]

Multi-Desktops...And that's the way I likes it

[CIB-173RDABN]

This may be a very interesting and informational article but unless you are really into computer technology it is worthless.

At basic, someone should explain what the main point is, that, what is meant by “desktop”, and what advantage is there is having more than one.

I guess I am just an old guy that does not keep up with everything but it is a pet peeve when someone post something without any context.

Okay, I am done, I got go and chase some kids off my grass...

[ShadowAce]

...but unless you are really into computer technology it is worthless.

Please see Post #2

[Moonman62]

Linux has been in beta testing for years.

[TomGuy]

I have been using multiple desktops since Win 3.0.

There have been numerous software programs over the years that provide them.

I have been using AltDesk for years with Win XP and 7.
http://www.astonshell.com/altdesk/

There are also still a few ‘freeware’ programs that can create similar multiple desktops.

[CIB-173RDABN]

I read all post before I posted.

Post 2 did not tell me anything

[CIB-173RDABN]

Oh, I get it...

This is a tech ping

... and if you are not into technology do not bother to read the thread. Thanks for the heads up. I will know now to skip them in the future

[lewislynn]

I tried Ubuntu on a computer but I refuse to use it as long as it has GOOGLE on the start page. I can't get rid of GOOGLE or Ubuntu and I refuse to have anything GOOGLE related on my computer...So I unplugged it and set it aside until I figure out how to get them off my hard drive.

BTW, The entire Ubuntu look is depressing.

[ShadowAce]

Yeah—that’s one reason I don’t like it. I prefer Fedora (but that is probably not a good beginner’s distro).

[zeugma]

I couldn't live without multiple desktops. It helps me organize everything that is running. I find 8 desktops works well for me, though I rarely have all of them in use. I almost always have 4 in use for programs I keep open all the time.

Every time I have to do anything on a MS-windows based computer, it's like stepping into the dark ages.

[minnesota_bound]

I just use the taskbar buttons that appear when you open a program. They have titles on them which makes it easy to know which program is which.

In Firefox they have “Tab Groups” that show all the webpages you have open in multiple tabs as large thumbnails.
I never use it as I can just use the tabs to go from page to page. If you do not see it then right click on the grey area by the tabs and click on Customize then drag the “Tab Groups” icon to either the Menu Bar at the top or the Add-On bar at the bottom. I have mine at the bottom lower right.

Both the taskbar buttons and Firefox tabs have titles on them. The reason to have multiple desktops to me is to hide all the icons and open programs and leave a nice clean desktop with no icons and a nice background picture.

In Windows 7 as an example you can hide the titles (labels) which Microsoft does by default (stupid). You just see the icon but then it becomes confusing to sort the programs. I have shown callers by the hundreds at my job (Help Desk) how to make the change. Right click on the taskbar and click on Properties then use the drop down menu for Taskbar buttons.

Now I guess I will be getting calls:
“Where is my desktop with all my programs? I had it a minute ago!”

[zeugma]

At basic, someone should explain what the main point is, that, what is meant by “desktop”, and what advantage is there is having more than one.

Having multiple desktops enables you to organize tasks to separate workspaces so related programs can be grouped together. You can keep all your programs open and don't have to minimize one to get to another. You can still 'stack' apps in one desktop if you want, but it's not really necessary. If you have a program that you like to have handy all the time, you can have it be 'sticky' so that it shows up in all desktops.

The reason it's better than just having all the windows in one desktop, is you can maximise your real-estate usage in each window without having to rearrange what goes where all the time.

If you're someone who just runs one program at a time, and then closes it when starting a new one, you won't see a benefit.

 

[Prophet2520]

CIB, agreed. Computer software is my career, and a lot of non-work time as well. I have been REALLY into computer technology for over 30 years. I still think it is poorly explained. But in fairness I don’t think it was really meant to show practical uses of multi-desktops, it was meant as a windows slam which Linux people like to do.

Just to start some flames... Linux would have gone NO WHERE, if it weren’t for a bunch of extreme Geeks willing to spend their time in the command line(i.e pre 1960s technology). Fortunately for the world Linux flavors have slowly been awakening to the fact that we have had video for 50 years now, and they are beginning to implement more things graphically, but overall they still have a long way to go.

The particular feature of multi-desktops does not really have much mass market appeal. It is a geek and power user tool. But please if you disagree, please feel free to provide CIB and the rest of us with practical use cases for the average user. :-)

[ShadowAce]

Just to start some flames... Linux would have gone NO WHERE, if it weren’t for a bunch of extreme Geeks willing to spend their time in the command line(i.e pre 1960s technology). Fortunately for the world Linux flavors have slowly been awakening to the fact that we have had video for 50 years now, and they are beginning to implement more things graphically, but overall they still have a long way to go.

Flames? Sorry--I very much agree with that statement.

...please feel free to provide CIB and the rest of us with practical use cases for the average user. :-)

Well, this thread was meant to be a techy,geeky sort of thread, rather than mass market.