Solo Technology

I have this odd addiction to virtual desktops for Windows.  You know, the ability to have multiple programs scattered about multiple desktops that you can view on demand.  The *nix guys swear by these (although I sure know a lot who never leave desktop “1″!).

Earlier this week I saw Hanselman’s look at DeskSpace, a fancy 3D desktop manager.  After watching his demo video I was curious to see if my old rig would even run something like this.

It does — and quite well.

The amusing thing is that just like every other time I try a virtual desktop manager, 3 days later I realize I haven’t used it at all for an entire day. The darned things just don’t “stick” with me for some reason. In fact, while writing this I realized I wrote about 3 other options just a month ago.  I’m blushing. Oh, and that reminds me that I wanted to give Virtual Dimension a look…

I’m hopeless.

Anywho, if you’re looking for an incredibly gorgeous virtual desktop manager, check out DeskSpace. It is very very cool (and it’ll cost you a bit of money after the trial).

Fantasy Time

Here’s my dream: 4 or more full screen Remote Desktop sessions and a virtual desktop manager hotkey/menu that can be accessed from within a remote desktop. Just let me glide from one full screen session to the next.

Now that is something I’d get hooked on fast!

Ok, sure it’s a niche need… but dang.

4 Responses to “DeskSpace and Virtual Desktops”

1. Alisha on September 22nd, 2007 3:50 am
   

   I’ve always liked virtual desktops, but I also found that I didn’t use them after a day or two. It might be because I like having everything open in front of me, rather than kind of hidden. I kept forgetting what I had open in each one.

   I would love to have multiple screens. One screen is just not enough. But, since multiple screens will never happen in my small desk, I might give virtual desktops another try.

   Thanks for sharing!

2. Chris on September 22nd, 2007 7:58 am
   

   You’re definitely right in that virtual desktops are no substitute for multiple monitors!

   Similar to you, with my current desk at home, that’s just not an option. alas.

3. Friend of Siddhaswarupananda on September 22nd, 2007 5:44 pm
   

   It took me some time to adjust to virtual desktops as well. In my previous office I had a lot of space and nice tables that could accommodate several screens, but now, my desk is tiny, hence the adjustment to virtual desktops.

4. Matt on October 18th, 2007 7:29 am
   

   The one really good thing about the MS powertoy is that it’s mouse-switchable. VirtuaWin doesn’t offer that, although otherwise it’s superior. Some modules offer nice additional functionality
   I want something like Gnome or KDE where I can just click on a square in the task bar and it’ll take me to another desktop.
   Those 3D desktops are just a fad, I think. Pure eye candy. If you really need VDs then you don’t have time nor the need to call up a stupid cube and spin it around. You want quick access.

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