Virtual Desktops

[Gasta]

For those who are too broke (like me) to get a multi monitor setup, here is a nice open source software :
VirtuaWin - Virtual Desktops for Windows
It provides virtual desktops for the Windows (for the Unix users it's a default feature on most distributions I think).
When you'll get used to it your productivity will go up

[Dupont]

That is pretty damn cool.

[thebes]

I use Dexpot to do the same thing. It works pretty well. I find virtual desktops increase my productivity.

[Meat]

one desktop is confsing enough for me without adding others

[flip]

Originally Posted by Meat

one desktop is confsing enough for me without adding others

Same here man - I can just about turn the pc on and connect to the internet...

I have to say though my background image is slightly distracting

[Mihx]

I've tried those in the past - both in Linux and Windows - and never got used to them.
You obviously don't get the added benefit from an actual multi monitor setup (which I would have a hard time living without now that I've gotten used to two 1680x1050 monitors ) - being able to see additional windows at once - so I felt like I really didn't gain much of anything over simple alt-tab task switching.

But I guess that if you're regularly running a significant amount of applications, it could be a help to group them on different virtual desktops according to task.

Actually, I gotta admit that it can get a bit crowded even with my dual monitor setup. One of them is only a 15.4" laptop screen, so most of the work where I actually have to read or look at something for extended periods of time, takes place on my 22" monitor.
1680x1050 on a 15.4" screen really isn't particularly eye friendly, even with 125% system font size .

[Gasta]

Obviously if you have a multi monitor setup it's better.
It's true that 'alt-tab' is painful but you can change the hotkeys. I have 4 virtual desktops and can access them by F1, F2, F3, F4.

[Mihx]

Originally Posted by Gasta

Obviously if you have a multi monitor setup it's better.
It's true that 'alt-tab' is painful but you can change the hotkeys. I have 4 virtual desktops and can access them by F1, F2, F3, F4.

If you're referring to my post, I think you misunderstood me .
I've felt that alt-tab is so quick and simple that it pretty much eliminated my need for those virtual desktops I tried out, although with the exception I also mentioned - running a lot of "grouped" applications at once.