Utilizing Spaces in Leopard

Within the 300+ (I think this number is exaggerated) new features included in Leopard, Spaces is something I’m trying hard to implement into my workflow.

In Tiger, you were limited to one space unless you downloaded Virtue Desktops. It worked really well, but I didn’t find a real need for it because I already got used to hiding windows and using Exposé when I had a bunch open.

With it integrated natively into Leopard, I figured I might as well take advantage of it. Spaces is nearly the same as Virtue Desktops. However, now that it’s system integrated, moving windows from one space to another feels better. To move windows from one space to the other in Virtue Desktop, you could see all your spaces laid out in a HUD with outlines of the different windows in each space. Spaces in Leopard takes this further by displaying thumbnails instead of just outlines, similar to Exposé.

Currently, I have 4 spaces set up which was the default number. I don’t see a need for any more although I really only use 3 spaces actively; one for Mail and iCal, the second for iTunes, and the third for browsing. When doing actual work, the roles of these spaces do change (eg. I’ll use Photoshop in the empty space, maybe use TextMate in the iTunes space, etc). It’s nice to switch between tasks quicker now with Spaces, I’m not sure how I neglected Virtue Desktops in the first place.

Since introducing Spaces into my workflow, it took a while to kick the habit of actively hiding windows when I did not need them (especially for iTunes, and Mail). However, I realized it was more efficient to just leave them open and just switch to that space when I wanted to flip to the next song or view my mail. I could do this all from the keyboard too which is nice.

In Virtue Desktops, there was a feature to “stickify” applications so that they’re available in all spaces, I’m glad this feature is also available in Spaces in Leopard as I like to keep Adium accessible since it would be annoying to have to switch to another space just to reply to an IM, and it doesn’t take up too much real estate.

Have you utilized Spaces yet? How do you have them set up?