• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Good multi-desktop for WinXP?

S

Sunner

Elite Member
Does anyone know of a good program for running multiple "virtual" desktops under XP?
Similar to the VD functions in KDE, CDE, XFCE, etc etc.

I know there is one in powetoys, but it sucks.
Matrox used to include one in their utils IIRC, and there are a few shell replacements that have them, but is there one that's more "general", that's functionally equivelant to *DE's?
 
Originally posted by: zephyrprime
Yeah, microsoft provides one in fact. But no one ever uses it. You can download it from the MS site.
Click to expand...

Isn't that the one as the one provided in the power pack or power toys or whatever it's called?

Or is that some other version?
 
Originally posted by: Sunner
Originally posted by: zephyrprime
Yeah, microsoft provides one in fact. But no one ever uses it. You can download it from the MS site.
Click to expand...

Isn't that the one as the one provided in the power pack or power toys or whatever it's called?

Or is that some other version?
Click to expand...

As far as I know, the only one they have is hte powertoys version... which is slow. I really think it shouldn't be hard to implement... say you want 4 desktops. You need a list of windows, and which desktop they shoudl be on. When you switch desktops, there is an API call that you can use to hide windows (apps like SETIhider do it). I don't have time to try writing it though.
 
Originally posted by: CTho9305
Originally posted by: Sunner
Originally posted by: zephyrprime
Yeah, microsoft provides one in fact. But no one ever uses it. You can download it from the MS site.
Click to expand...

Isn't that the one as the one provided in the power pack or power toys or whatever it's called?

Or is that some other version?
Click to expand...

As far as I know, the only one they have is hte powertoys version... which is slow. I really think it shouldn't be hard to implement... say you want 4 desktops. You need a list of windows, and which desktop they shoudl be on. When you switch desktops, there is an API call that you can use to hide windows (apps like SETIhider do it). I don't have time to try writing it though.
Click to expand...

I thought the same thing, which is why Im a tad surprised I haven't found anything decent....
 
Originally posted by: Sunner
Originally posted by: CTho9305
Originally posted by: Sunner
Originally posted by: zephyrprime
Yeah, microsoft provides one in fact. But no one ever uses it. You can download it from the MS site.
Click to expand...

Isn't that the one as the one provided in the power pack or power toys or whatever it's called?

Or is that some other version?
Click to expand...

As far as I know, the only one they have is hte powertoys version... which is slow. I really think it shouldn't be hard to implement... say you want 4 desktops. You need a list of windows, and which desktop they shoudl be on. When you switch desktops, there is an API call that you can use to hide windows (apps like SETIhider do it). I don't have time to try writing it though.
Click to expand...

I thought the same thing, which is why Im a tad surprised I haven't found anything decent....
Click to expand...

I'll write it within a year for $500 😉. I'm trying to convince my brother to write it instead. I can deal with the delay on the MS version, but the fact that my taskbar remains just as cluttered seriously reduces its benefits.

edit: oh cool, unchecking "share desktops" makes it remove the hidden things from the taskbar. 🙂

edit2: the nvidia one seems decent... though neither appear to allow mousing to an edge to switch desktops, and since the nvidia one won't let me bind to windows key + anything, i have to hit ctrl+alt+number (because just ctrl or alt alone could interfere with another app), which is a little slower, and requires two hands unless you have a funny-shaped left hand. (No, i'm not referring to pr0n issues... going between mouse & keyboard is annoying)
 
As far as I know, the only one they have is hte powertoys version... which is slow. I really think it shouldn't be hard to implement... say you want 4 desktops. You need a list of windows, and which desktop they shoudl be on. When you switch desktops, there is an API call that you can use to hide windows (apps like SETIhider do it). I don't have time to try writing it though.
Click to expand...
That's exactly what the MS one does. The problem with it is that when it hides on window, it causes the one underneath to redraw and that's what causes the slowdown. The fast way to do it would be to actually have n frame buffers in memory. One for each desktop. Or windows just has to be modified so that is can hide and open multiple windows without triggering repaints.

There are various shareware one also.
 
if you want to replace your shell you could run litestep, I havent played with it for some time now but it has pretty good multi-desktop support.
 

You could also check out Altdesk.
I haven't tried it myself, but it seems to have some features you were looking for,
and its skinnable too.
 
Hm, I have a normal shaped hand, and ctrl+alt+number is pretty easy with one hand. The part of my palm at the base of my pinky finger hits control, thumb hits alt, and whatever finger reaches for a number.
 
Originally posted by: BingBongWongFooey
Hm, I have a normal shaped hand, and ctrl+alt+number is pretty easy with one hand. The part of my palm at the base of my pinky finger hits control, thumb hits alt, and whatever finger reaches for a number.
Click to expand...

yea yea. i worked around it. it's still much less convenient than win+number

Originally posted by: zephyrprime
As far as I know, the only one they have is hte powertoys version... which is slow. I really think it shouldn't be hard to implement... say you want 4 desktops. You need a list of windows, and which desktop they shoudl be on. When you switch desktops, there is an API call that you can use to hide windows (apps like SETIhider do it). I don't have time to try writing it though.
Click to expand...
That's exactly what the MS one does. The problem with it is that when it hides on window, it causes the one underneath to redraw and that's what causes the slowdown. The fast way to do it would be to actually have n frame buffers in memory. One for each desktop. Or windows just has to be modified so that is can hide and open multiple windows without triggering repaints.

There are various shareware one also.
Click to expand...

hmm... i wonder if there's a way to do that (not trigger a draw until you're done).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top