>> I use both Linux and Windows machines at work with one >> keyboard, mouse and dual-monitor display. Windows is OK for >> some things, but using it extensively drives me batty. >> Especially when working with several programs running in >> various windows, KDE is much easier to use. > > As a means to move among windows, what is the counterpart in > Linux of Windows' <Alt-Tab>?
It depends on your window-manager. I use Fluxbox, and have it configured to also use alt+tab (and alt+shift+tab) which I believe Gnome and KDE default to the same usage of alt+tab as Windows and Mac use. However, in Fluxbox, because multiple windows can be bound together in a tabbed grouping (so I can have various Gimp windows act as a tabbed group, or I can have several xterms and sessions of Dillo running in one "window" with each on their own tab), the meaning of Alt+Tab may can be bound to various things. And multiple desktops add a further wrinkle, as can minimized windows. Should Alt-Tab mean -"go to the next window or tab in this window" -"go to the next window regardless of how many tabs/apps are in this window" -either of the above behaviors with "and include/exclude other desktops" -only select between non-minimized windows, or all windows even if they're minimized. I'm thankful that I can configure Fluxbox to do the behavior I find "correct" (read "what I expect") and am not forced to accept someone else's understanding of what "Alt+Tab" means given the above variables. For me, that means Alt+Tab doesn't cross virtual desktops, but does include apps in other tabs, and should include minimized windows. However, given the flexibility, I can use Win+Tab to include crossing desktops, or other such bindings for different behaviors. Other window managers/desktop-environments will offer similar functionality, though they may bind it to another key-chord or sequence of keys (such as rat-poison, pwm, twm, etc). -tim
