Ubuntu 14.04 LTS is a good example for virtual desktops

Sep 17, 2014 09:36 GMT  ·  By

The Windows 9 OS will finally get a very coveted feature, multiple desktops, but the Microsoft developers are still pretty far away from what you can get on Linux.

The Linux platform has always taken pride in this cool feature. Having multiple desktops is a great way to increase the productivity and there are numerous means to implement it. Lots of Linux distributions have this option, which is used in various ways.

Ubuntu has had multiple desktops (or virtual desktops) for many years, and this particular option has been refined over time. Basically, users can add as many desktops as they see fit and use them in any way they choose. They can even opt out and have just one desktop.

Windows is on the right track, but it's late in the game

The possibility to have more desktops than just one has been around for many years, and a lot of users have argued that it even predates Linux, but that's for another discussion. Now, Microsoft is trying to bring that feature to Windows 9, but it's still in its infancy.

To be fair, there have been a number of third-party applications that could fulfill this role in the past, but they never really took off and they weren't implemented natively. Microsoft is hoping to correct this problem, and from the looks of it, they've done an OK job – not bad, but not great either.

We made a short video showing what can be done with multiple desktops in Ubuntu and you can compare it yourself with the leaked video from Windows 9. As it was to be expected, the Microsoft implementation of the feature lacks any kind of finesse and it seems to be added just to say that they have it. It will probably get better in future Windows versions, but for now that's the current state.

The only advantage spotted in the Windows build is the way users can create and delete virtual desktops. Apparently, this can be done on the fly. In Ubuntu, users need to install an application from the repository, called Unity Tweak, that allows them to change the default number of desktops, which is currently four.

Other than that, everything else is way behind. Moving apps from one desktop to another looks to be rather unintuitive, you can't activate the option with hot corners, it's difficult to say what apps are open and where, not to mention the fact that you can't really tell where you are when you have all those desktops open.

Please keep in mind that the Windows 9 video is made from a Beta release and that some features might changes before it hits RTM stage.

We have posted both videos for your enjoyment and we'll let you decide which one is the best.