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Using virtual desktops/workspaces
Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2022 7:07 pm
by wizard
Virtual desktops are a way to increase the "size" of your workspace by letting you switch between desktops. You can have three or four programs running in windows on one desktop, and another three or four running on another desktop and easily switch between them with a click of the mouse or using a "hot key". In many ways this lets you simulate having multiple monitors
Puppy Linux usually comes with 3 desktops available OOTB. You can switch between them using the "switcher" located on the left side of the JWM tray. Hovering the mouse over one of the desktop icons (rectangle) will show the number of that desktop, to change, just click the desktop icon. You can also switch desktops by using hotkeys, alt+1, alt+2, or alt+3.
JWM windows manager also lets you transfer running programs between desktops, i.e, you started Geaney in desktop-1, but want it in desktop-2. Just right click the program in the tray and choose: Send To
- switch-sendto.jpg (9.14 KiB) Viewed 980 times
To make using virtual desktops even more like having multiple monitors, I created the script: deskedge.sh. It requires xdotool which you can download from the PPM. In use it switches between desktop-1 and desktop-2 when the mouse pointer hits the right or left edge of the screen.
One of my favorite uses of virtual desktops is to connect to a remote computer using VNC on desktop-2. I can then run programs on desktop-1 and switch to desktop-2 to monitor or operate programs on the second computer. This is a good way to increase your computing power using low powered hardware or to increase security since the computers are completely separated.
Note: if using deskedge.sh with VNC, you must size the remote computer window so the local computer desktop can be seen on both the right and left edges.
wizard
- deskedge.gif (236.68 KiB) Viewed 980 times
Re: Using virtual desktops/workspaces
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2022 3:37 pm
by mikewalsh
@wizard :-
Just to add to the above, JWMDesk will let you increase the number of 'virtual workspaces' up to a maximum of eight, I think.....although I believe JWM will in fact let you run up to 20, or something like that..? Not sure about this.
I used to run with just 4, but in recent years I've increased this to 6. They all get used, too, cos I always hated the way Windoze insisted upon piling windows up one on top of the other; this way, I can spread stuff out and be able to actually see what I'm trying to do at any given moment!
Mike.
Re: Using virtual desktops/workspaces
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2022 5:26 am
by williwaw
cool tool
but not sure my xdotool version supports the arguments in your script.
are you using a later version?
Code: Select all
1 /files/downloads # ./deskedge.sh
./deskedge.sh: line 8: 9984 Segmentation fault xdotool behave_screen_edge --delay 700 right set_desktop 1
./deskedge.sh: line 8: 9985 Segmentation fault xdotool behave_screen_edge --delay 700 left set_desktop 0
1 /files/downloads # xdotool -h
Available commands:
getactivewindow
getwindowfocus
getwindowpid
search
help
version
click
getmouselocation
key
keydown
keyup
mousedown
mousemove
mousemove_relative
mouseup
type
windowactivate
windowfocus
windowmap
windowmove
windowraise
windowsize
windowunmap
set_window
set_num_desktops
get_num_desktops
set_desktop
get_desktop
set_desktop_for_window
get_desktop_for_window
0 /files/downloads # xdotool -v
xdotool version 1.20100416.2809
0 /files/downloads #
Re: Using virtual desktops/workspaces
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2022 1:53 pm
by wizard
@williwaw
I'm using xdotool version 3.20160805.1 from the Fossapup64 9.5 PPM.
Thanks
wizard
Re: Using virtual desktops/workspaces
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2022 11:35 pm
by williwaw
thats quite a bit newer than the version in easy.
I updated with xdotool_3.20160805.1-4_amd64.deb and supplied the needed dep, libxdo3_3.20160805.1-4_amd64.deb.
your script brings a functionality to the desktop I have been missing for a while. thanks
perhaps @BarryK will find this useful also.
Re: Using virtual desktops/workspaces
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2022 4:41 am
by williwaw
after using for a while , I have noticed some erratic behavior.. the mouse pointer seems to toggle virtual desktops when crossing window borders, despite having come nowhere near the edge of the screen. the mouse pointer shifts from the default pointer arrow to an i-beam shape when acting erratic.
Re: Using virtual desktops/workspaces
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2022 1:40 pm
by wizard
@williwaw
Using Fossapup64 9.5 here and have not seen that behavior, may try it in some other distros. Here's another little tool I wrote first, desk12.sh, it also uses xdotool. I put it's icon on the far right side of the desktop about midway up. In use, it toggles between desktop1 and desktop2. Biggest drawback is you have to size/arrange your windows so you can see it.
Thanks
wizard
- desk12.sh.gz
- remove fake .gz before using
- (258 Bytes) Downloaded 45 times