shegeek72 said:
I tried using a different theme (Windows XP) in the #2 desktop, but
when I switched back to the first desktop (custom theme) the windows
and taskbar from the Win XP theme stayed. I could've probably
configured the #1 desktop windows back to their original design, though
I don't know why I should have to if it's a totally separate desktop,
but I don't know how to change the taskbar. I spent a frustrating hour
trying to get my original desktop back, even uninstalling the DM, but
it was only after I went to a previous restore point that I was able
to.
Maybe I'm missing something . . .
SG
I haven't found the desktop background setting to be stable. Don't know why
but one some hosts it works and on others it doesn't (or won't stick for
long). It is a powertoy and as such Microsoft doesn't warrant it to be
without flaws. The functionality works so you end up switching between
virtual desktops but have the same background. Unless you open the exact
same windows and place them exactly in the same place, you won't get
confused which virtual desktop has what. Plus, there is no significance
that one desktop is #1 and another is #2. You might not even use them in
order so you are using #4 and #2. You can configure it to show separate
quick-switch buttons in its toolbar for each virtual desktop or use the
all-window button to show a display of them all to pick which one to switch
to. The lack of "sticky" backgrounds does not obviate the function of
providing virtual desktops. I don't bother trying to memorize which app is
in which window. I just cycle between them to find where I want to be. If
you have lots of windows open and distributed across several virtual
desktops, you won't remember which virtual desktop has what so just look.
Switching is fast and easy.
You will find some programs don't behave correctly. They open modal windows
that will display on the screen regardless of which virtual desktop the
application has its main windows. That is, an app might have its main
window in virtual desktop #1, you are currently in virtual desktop #2, the
app opens a new window and it appears in your current virtual desktop #2
instead of back in virtual desktop #1. Sometimes that is okay because you
need to be alerted wherever you are but sometimes it can be a nuisance.
Hey, it's free. You get what you pay for. I remember the same problem when
using ATI's Hydravision virtual desktop manager when I had their video card.
I haven't see a freebie one yet that didn't have problems. I remember using
Multidesk and abandoned it pretty quick.
Unless you have a need to share buttons in the taskbar for applications
across all virtual desktops (i.e., you'll see buttons for apps in other
windows which can be confusing but allows easy flipping of an application to
move it to a different window), set the option to keep the virtual desktops
separate of each other (i.e., uncheck the shared desktops option).
Since you are using Windows XP, you could also use Fast User Switching.
Define multiple accounts and use FUS to flip between those accounts which
have whatever suite of apps open that you want.
