Multiple desktops

[ummagawd]

Hey guys.... new convert here.... i'm lovin it so far...

forgive me if this question has been beaten to death but i promise i've tried searching already

Before I bought my MB... i watched some youtube videos of some of the things OSX can do.

One of which i really want... and that is multiple desktops (i'm not sure if thats what its even called haha) but basically similar to the different distros of linux where you can have a few "desktops" (usually 4) in which you can spread your windows out all over the place. I'm not talking about multiple desktops on 2 or more different displays... just the 1 display where you can "switch" between desktops. I hope that makes sense.

Is it a 3rd party app that needs to be installed? Or something I turn on in preferences?

thanks in advance

 

[Title27GT]

I think what you're referring to is Virtue Desktop.

 

[adler]

Yea thats virtual desktop, where you can tap your computer and it switches between work environments.

 

[Title27GT]

Yea thats virtual desktop, where you can tap your computer and it switches between work environments.

I think that only works on the MacBooks/MacBook Pros since they have motion sensors to stall the hard drive when it senses a fall.
If you do have a laptop and would like to unlock a feature that allows you to switch virtual desktops by tapping the side of your computer, you need to install Virtue Desktops and SmackBook.

 

[giulio]

Desktop Manager does virtual desktops

 

[joshbrez]

ummagawd, this is a feature that can be had using the solutions mentioned by the previous posters. One thing to note in addition, however, is that virtual desktops will be a native feature of Mac OS X in the next release, Leopard. Apple calls the feature Spaces, and you can read all about it here.

 

[ummagawd]

thanks guys.... yea i wasn't sure what it was called...


that tapping method to switch it is pretty cool... i'm gonna have to hunt these programs down now



edit* did some quick researching and it seems that i have to compile some stuff for the smackbook + virtue desktop to work... anyone know if there's something easier to install?

BTW... i watched the vid of the guy tapping his screen... thats fricken cool haha

 

[shoelessone]

edit* did some quick researching and it seems that i have to compile some stuff for the smackbook + virtue desktop to work... anyone know if there's something easier to install?

BTW... i watched the vid of the guy tapping his screen... thats fricken cool haha

I personally don't know (sorry), but I just wanted to chime in to say that I'm interested in this topic as well. That said, I'm at work so can't/won't really spend time looking into it now, but I'll see what I can find out when I get home.

One concern (I'm probably overly concerned 'cause I just spend 2 grand on a new laptop and don' want it to break), if in fact the "sensor" is actually stopping the hard drive spinning, it seems like it could be somewhat unsafe or possibly decrease the longevity (sp?) of the HD if you are abruptly stoping/starting the platters spinning everytime you tap the laptop... I'm assuming the sensor doesn't automatically stop the harddrive, but rather only stops the hard drive if it senses a sharp enough impact/acceloration?

 

[walkerj]

I was enamored by the 'tapping switch' feature of Virtue Desktops for about 30 minutes when I installed it on my Macbook. The I found it to be entirely too sensitive despite being able to adjust it as a preference.

Plus yeah, the idea of smacking up my computer just doesn't really appeal. Control-shift arrow is perfectly fine for me to switch desktops. Or the hot corner to bring up a the desktop switcher pane.

 

[giulio]

Yeah smacking doesnt seem 'right'. You're abusing it's defense mechanism for kicks.

 

[x-griffi]

I use Desktop Manager as was posted earlier...just download and install. No compiling...no nothing. Drag it into your login items and it runs like clockwork.

 

[ki99]

i love virtue desktop, i think i could even use it as apposed to spaces, who knows we could have 7 different desktops! i love using it when a friend uses my computer, cause i can set the sensitivity really low, then when me adjusts it, all of his programs are gone! he asks me what's wrong, and i can say "it does that sometimes", hit it, and they are back! and it's hilarious!

 

[p1p3r]

I would not suggest using "Smack Book"... the tapping to change desktops. I can't whack my Mac =( !
You can get a plug-in called Shadow Book in which you put your hand over the light sensor in your speaker to switch desktops... pretty Jedi. I love this, note that it works best when you're in the light. Or you can just set keyboard short cuts... everyone gets a kick out of the light sensor, though!