[Big Mac]

I have been using Leopard since March, but I just realized that I've been using it stupidly: I haven't used Spaces until today. And I must say I feel like a fool for waiting so long. I feel instantly more productive. My 19" LCD, which I used to think was huge, started feeling cramped over the last few days. But no more! Anyone else have a similarly delayed revelation?

[Simon]

I use virtual desktops on all my Linux boxes (RedHat and Debian) and Suns (KDE on Solaris) at work. I wouldn't do without them.

But somehow on the Mac Spaces never quite caught on yo me. I think it's simply because of Exposé. I hide apps I rarely want to see and use Exposé to navigate between windows of the other apps. I sometimes also use cmd-tab (and even Spotlight!) to switch to another app so I can keep my hands on the KB. I guess I'd use Spaces a lot on the Mac too if there were no Exposé. Fortunately there is.

[Big Mac]

I used to hide apps and make heavy use of Exposé, but I find Spaces really efficient. It makes me feel like I have a second display.

[olePigeon]

When someone asks me why I like the Mac so much, I hit F10 & F11.

Spaces + Esposé = Best possible window management.

[outaru]

Originally Posted by olePigeon 

When someone asks me why I like the Mac so much, I hit F10 & F11.

Spaces + Esposé = Best possible window management.

i have to agree with you...
i tried spaces but i find it more efficient to use a second monitor...

[fisherKing]

Originally Posted by outaru 

i have to agree with you...
i tried spaces but i find it more efficient to use a second monitor...

i've been using spaces since 10.5, and really like it; keep about 5 or 6 apps open at all times, switch between them, like the way this works.

NOT that hiding apps was so difficult previously...

[shifuimam]

I've tried virtual desktops in Windows and Linux before...I just find having a dual-display setup to be a lot more efficient than switching between virtual desktops, and UltraMon in Windows makes it even better.

[srfdriver22]

Before I got Leopard I didn't think I would use Spaces. I had fiddled with Virtual Desktop in XP in the past but never used it. Once I started using Spaces in Leopard I immediately became more productive. I use each space for a different project or task I'm working on.

Email
App Project
Web Project
Stocks
Photoshop
etc.

It really helps me rejoin where I last left off without having to minimize/maximize/reopen.

Now if I could just save the Space and reopen everything in its previous state as it were, that would be cool.

[Simon]

Spaces noob question here: Don't you assign apps to specific spaces? I often use the same app for different projects but of course with different documents opened in different windows. If I'd want to use Spaces for different projects, would that work? Can I assign different instances of the same app to different spaces?

[B Gallagher]

Originally Posted by srfdriver22 

Before I got Leopard I didn't think I would use Spaces. I had fiddled with Virtual Desktop in XP in the past but never used it. Once I started using Spaces in Leopard I immediately became more productive. I use each space for a different project or task I'm working on.

It really helps me rejoin where I last left off without having to minimize/maximize/reopen.

Now if I could just save the Space and reopen everything in its previous state as it were, that would be cool.

Originally Posted by Simon 

Spaces noob question here: Don't you assign apps to specific spaces? I often use the same app for different projects but of course with different documents opened in different windows. If I'd want to use Spaces for different projects, would that work? Can I assign different instances of the same app to different spaces?

1) Yes, you set this in System Preferences. Here's an example:


2) Spaces are assigned by applications, not by application windows. That being said, with Word, Firefox, etc, you can open up a new window/document, move it to another space, and both windows/documents will stay on their respective spaces.

[JKT]

Nope. Can't be done - you can only assign an app to a single space or to all spaces. You can't assign spaces a 'task'. So that e.g. you can't have a browsing and mail space (with your browser and e-mail client) and a research and writing space (with your browser and word processor). The browser can't be shared between spaces unless you do it manually (and that doesn't work very well, either).

[Simon]

Originally Posted by B Gallagher 

2) Spaces are assigned by applications, not by application windows. That being said, with Word, Firefox, etc, you can open up a new window/document, move it to another space, and both windows/documents will stay on their respective spaces.

Originally Posted by JKT 

Nope. Can't be done - you can only assign an app to a single space or to all spaces. You can't assign spaces a 'task'. So that e.g. you can't have a browsing and mail space (with your browser and e-mail client) and a research and writing space (with your browser and word processor). The browser can't be shared between spaces unless you do it manually (and that doesn't work very well, either).

OK, thanks for the clear answers. I guess I'll stick with Exposé then.

[Ryknow215]

Spaces is good, but Expose is amazing. I find myself going towards the "hot" screen corners at work, only to be disappointed by my work Dell.

[Big Mac]

I'm actually using Spaces more than Expose now. Go figure.

[B Gallagher]

No worries. If you try to but a browser window down below, close the window, and open a new on, it'll be back in its originally assigned space. It's much easier to leave apps in their assigned space then try and manually rearrange them every time.