Workspaces

You can display many windows at the same time in your desktop environment. Your windows are displayed in subdivisions of your desktop environment that are called workspaces. A workspace is a discrete area in which you can work.

Every workspace contains the same desktop, the same panels, and the same menus. However, you can run different applications, and open different windows in each workspace. You can display only one workspace at a time ion your desktop environment but you can have windows open in other workspaces.

Workspaces enable you to organize your desktop environment when you run many applications at the same time. When your current workspace becomes crowded with windows, you can move your work to another workspace. You can also switch to another workspace then start more applications.

Workspaces are displayed in the Workspace Switcher applet. In Figure 2–4, Workspace Switcher contains four workspaces. The first three workspaces contain open windows. The last workspace does not contain currently active windows.

Figure 2–4 Workspaces Displayed in Workspace Switcher

To Switch Between Workspaces

You can switch between workspaces in the following ways:

• In Workspace Switcher, click on the workspace where you want to work.

• Press Ctrl + Alt + right arrow to switch to the workspace on the right of the current workspace.

• Press Ctrl + Alt + left arrow to switch to the workspace on the left of the current workspace.

To Add Workspaces

To add workspaces to your desktop environment, right-click on the Workspace Switcher applet, then choose Preferences. The Workspace Switcher Preferences dialog is displayed. Use the Number of workspaces spin box to specify the number of workspaces that you require.