Many workstations use virtual desktops to increase productivity.
A virtual desktop is an application that can extend the size of a computer's desktop space by expanding it past the limits of the screen. They are sometimes also called "switching desktops," "scrolling desktops" or "desktop managers." Some operating systems, such as various versions of Unix and the Mac OS, have built-in virtual desktops, while others need external software installed first.
Function
A virtual desktop can come in handy to anyone who keeps many different program windows open at once. For example, you might use a virtual desktop program to set up two different desktops on your computer, one for web browsing and one for work. Virtual desktops are also used by people who want to keep different aspects of their work separate. A graphic designer may dedicate one desktop to Photoshop, another to web browsing and a third to other programs he may need running. This frees up the desktop so only the programs related to the immediate task at hand are seen, but still allows for many different programs to be running at the same time.
Types
Virtual desktop programs can be divided into switching desktop and scrolling desktop programs. Switching desktop programs are the more common of the two and create entirely separate desktops that the user can switch between using the keyboard or the mouse. Scrolling virtual desktops basically increase the size of the desktop past the limits of a monitor so the user can scroll the entire desktop, much like he would a webpage or picture.
Linux Virtual Desktops
Nearly all Linux systems with a graphical interface support the use of virtual desktops; some even have them built into the operating system. There are many different kinds of virtual desktop programs for Linux-based systems. Some offer flashy, graphically intense options for switching between desktops, while others are simplistic, no-thrills applications that just do the basic job of creating multiple workstations and nothing more.
Windows Virtual Desktops
No virtual desktop software is included with Windows. Microsoft does make its own virtual desktop program, which is branded under its PowerToy line. It allows for up to four desktops to be managed at any time. Graphics card manufacturers like Nvidia make their own virtual desktop programs for Windows operating systems, as do other third-party software developers. There are many different virtual desktop programs available for Windows, each offering its own set of features and settings. Some are pay-only, but many are distributed freely online.
Macintosh Virtual Desktops
Macintosh computers running Leopard OS have a virtual desktop program built into their operating system. It's called Spaces, and it allows for up to 16 virtual desktops to be running at the same time. The workspaces can be accessed through special keyboard shortcuts or by using the mouse. It also allows for window assignment, so like programs will automatically be assigned to the same windows.
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