In the comments of my post listing my install process, Bill recommended Desktop Manager for virtual desktops on OS X. This got me thinking about using virtual desktops on my PowerBook again. I’ve tried this a few times, but never stuck with it.
Here are some of the virtual desktop apps I’ve tried over the years:
Space hasn’t been updated for years – it works, but it’s very basic. I’d tried CodeTek in the past, but never really liked it that much. I tried Desktop Manager since that was what Bill was recommending, but I had a little trouble downloaded it and ran across You Control:Desktops while I was trying to find it. Bill was kind enough to send me Desktop Manager, but I’m back on YCD.
YCD has a feature that the other desktop managers don’t seem to have – when you do something that activates an application (click the app icon in the dock, open a URL, etc.) that is on another desktop, it switches desktops instead of bringing that app into the current desktop. This is a huge feature for me – it lets me keep my desktops organized by app without having to constantly move windows back to the desktop I want them to stay in.
I’m not entirely sure I’m going to stick with virtual desktops – period, but if I do I think it will be YCD.
I just downloaded YCD to try it out. I just love it. It is awesome. It took me about 20 minutes to get everything set but I finally got it down now. Path Finder desktop, Word Processing desktop, Web desktop, Mail desktop, iPhoto desktop, iTunes & Adium desktop, and Other desktop. had to set it to where each program would only be in that one desktop. set up the hotkeys. it took some time but definetly worth it. works magic. makes this 20″ imac into a 30″ screen!
CodeTek Virtual Desktop has the same feature as YCD for automatic switching to the right desktop.
Last I tried CodeTek was 12-18 months ago, I’m glad to hear they’ve added that.
One thing that I like very much in some of the virtual desktop software mentioned above is the Quartz “cubed” animation. (The rotating cube effect)
While it does look pretty, more than that it adds substance to the idea of virtual desktops. I’ve been using the animation forever in Desktop Manager and complete strangers in coffee shops will “just get it” when they see it.
I turned that off since I prefer speed to flash in this type of interaction, however I did leave the desktop title bezels – I like those.
[…] I use You Control: Desktops as my virtual desktop manager. [back] […]
[…] There goes the major market for the existing virtual desktop apps. Hopefully some of them will stick around. I use You Control: Desktops for example because it has a single killer feature. […]
Do any of these Mac OS X desktop managers offer a sticky app setting? Eg: a window [or app] remains sticky on all desktops. Linux has had that [as well as UNIX flavors that existed before Linux] and for some apps like gkrellm, having the sticky setting makes all the difference.
/vjl/ [who’s also curious if “Spaces” has this too]