I've been using an awesome config now for two years that implements workspaces via tagging as an alternative to simple tags.
I wanted to post how that works here to spur conversation on the topic. I find tagging very awkward and have never been able to convert to them, however I did implement workspaces via tags. I've used xmonad and awesomewm after coming from Enlightenment 14 where I made strong use of the virtual desktops feature and the array of virtual screens. I had a hacked together version of this for xmonad (multidim), but it fails in xinerama with multiple heads. My awesome config works for one laptop screen, and three 24" screens just fine. From: https://bazaar.launchpad.net/~rladams/+junk/Awesome3dConfig/files This awesome configuration emulates a 3d cube of workspaces tagged by their coordinates in xyz format. My work style is to start a central task, and then supplemental tasks should be organized radially from that central task. To do this, I use a 2d plane of workspaces where I can easily layout my windows geometrically and navigate them spatially in lieu of a desktop or tab analogy. Multiple projects or key tasks are separated on separate planes. In this configuration, each workspace is a tag organized into a 3d cube of workspaces described by a simple coordinate system. To navigate between these workspaces, simple keybindings have been created. Keys: Control Left/Right - Navigate X axis Control Up/Down - Navigate Y axis Control Shift Left/Right - Navigate Z axis Shift Arrows - Change focus on screen in direction of arrow Example Workspace Plane: The example plane below puts Emacs into the central window, surrounded by supplimental windows that help support the central task. At any time from the central window, any supplemental window is only one key chord away (Control+Arrows). Habit and simple organization gives way to always knowing where to go to find an item in relation to the central workspace. +-----------------------------------------------+----------------------+ | | | | | | Suppliment | | | | | | | | Firefox | | | | | | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | | | Supplement | Central Task | Suppliment | | | | | | SQL Window | EMACS | Documentation | | | | | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | Suppliment | | | | | | | | Two shell prompts | | | | | | +-----------------------------------------------+----------------------+ There is no Alt-tab style confusion of trying to find the right window in a dynamic stack. This organization also lends itself to full screen windows, or relatively few tiles. Second level supplementary windows can be created in the corners, where they are at most two key chords from center. These are less frequently used and may provide scratch space for additional windows. The third dimension comes in when managing multiple core tasks in parallel, where the advantage of easy radial addressing becomes a concern for another project. The third dimension allows us to stack workspaces, and toggle between them when it is time to change projects. +-----------------------------------------------+----------------------+ | 1,1,1 | | | | | Suppliment | | | | | | | | Firefox | |---------+ | | | | | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | Supplement | Central Task | Suppliment | | | | | | |----------+ | SQL Window | EMACS | Documentation |---------+ | | | | | | | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | | | | Suppliment | |on | | | | | | |----------+ | | Two shell prompts | |---------+ | | 1,3,1 | | | | | +-----------------------------------------------+----------------------+ | | | | | |ion | | | Two shell prompts | | | | 1,3,2 | | |----------+ +-----------------------------------------------+----------------------+ | | | | | | | Two shell prompts | | | 1,3,3 | | | +-----------------------------------------------+----------------------+ TODO Items: - Tags on any screen, allowing "sliding puzzle" style with multiple monitors and coordinate wrapping. - 3d axis cursors, ie: when swapping between planes always restore the focus to the window on that plane which last had focus (task central focus, instead of strict coordinate navigation). ------------------------------------------------------------------ Russell Adams rlad...@adamsinfoserv.com PGP Key ID: 0x1160DCB3 http://www.adamsinfoserv.com/ Fingerprint: 1723 D8CA 4280 1EC9 557F 66E8 1154 E018 1160 DCB3 -- To unsubscribe, send mail to awesome-unsubscr...@naquadah.org.
