Windows and 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 in your desktop environment 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 in your desktop environment but you can have windows open in other workspaces.

The Workspace Switcher applet displays a visual representation of your windows and workspaces, as show in Figure 6–1.

Figure 6–1 Workspace Switcher Applet

You can add workspaces at any time. 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 you require.

Window Manager Behavior

A window manager controls how windows appear and behave. The window manager manages where your windows are located, which window has focus, and the theme of the frame on the windows. The window frame contains buttons that enable you to perform standard actions such as moving, closing, and resizing windows.

You can configure some window manager settings in the Window Focus preference tool. This manual describes the functions that are associated with the default configuration of the Metacity window manager. The default configuration is specified in the Window Focus preference tool. This manual also describes the default functions of the Crux theme.