Do you use Spaces?

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I use 6.

#6 is for a full screen windows xp VM
#5 is Xcode
#4 is Photoshop/word processing/web development
#3 is email
#2 web browsing
#1 consists of stickies, text edit, and terminal

My main problem is finding a set of shortcuts that don't interfere with other programs

I used to when i had a mighty mouse. I could squeeze the mouse and activate Spaces but now with the magic mouse i cant do that. So i dont use it anymore. If it was effortlessly available then i would as its a v good feature but finding and reaching for buttons on your keyboard kind of negates the main purpose of spaces and thats efficiency. By the time you have found the button, pressed it and spaces activated you could of found the window you want in the dock with a click of a mouse. The magic mouse needs more gestures support.

I use it and have it configured as a button on my mouse too.

1. Safari
2. Mail
3. iTunes
4. iMovie
5. Adobe Dreamweaver CS4
6. Gimp

All the time. I have my e-mail in one space, web browser in another, etc. Makes for a much cleaner working environment when all your distracting crap is hidden away in another space.

I didn't use it on Solaris 20 years ago, and still find no need for it.

Never really saw the advantage of it. I find it rather complicated and disturbing, so no spaces for me.

Yes, I use 3 spaces. One for IM, TV/videos and working, one for browsers, mail and working, and one for VMware.

I use both Magic Mouse swipes and keyboard shortcuts for switching between spaces. I never go into the actual Spaces view but directly switch from one space to the other.

Spaces was one of the two things I was most excited about when Leopard came out, the other being QuickLook.

At work I do.

One space for my OS X stuff (Lotus Notes, Firefox, Remote Desktop, Office stuff), the other space for a VMWare Fusion XP machine (running my Windows-only tools full-screen).

I have Exposé setup so I can quickly switch Spaces by mousing to the top-right corner.

I use it all the time and have it set at 8. In fact, I even put Spaces on the Dock in place of Dashboard as it can be awkward to do Fn+F8 without using both hands unless you are using a large keyboard. I also set iTunes to run in 5 so that it doesn't pop up when I connect my iPod touch. 6 is littered with Sticky notes. 7 is a full screen for Activity Monitor. 8 is littered with Terminal windows. 1-4 are used more for combinations of related tasks throughout multiple programs.

Now, I wouldn't say that Spaces is essential, but it is really helpful, especially on systems with limited screens. You might not ever need it if you have a 27" monitor, though.

I am able to keep things pretty simple with my normal usage and even sound recording. Have never found much use for Spaces.

My computer usage is very basic (just Safari, Adium, iTunes, Office and a Photoshop here and there) so I don't find much need for spaces. If I'm running a VM, then I often put it in its own virtual desktop so my main desktop stays clear.

I use twelve Spaces, three rows with four columns.
Top row is internet and system, middle row is digital content creation (DCC) with editing and image manipulation applications, and the bottom row is for entertainment and text editing.

ZenErik said:

I am able to keep things pretty simple with my normal usage and even sound recording. Have never found much use for Spaces.

Click to expand...

Spaces is more intended for technical users and/or professional settings. I wouldn't expect the casual user who is just doing a basic task or two to really find it necessary or even helpful. It really shines though when you are running many programs at the same time for a common related task.

OllyW said:

Yes, I use 6 spaces and use the scroll ball click on the Mighty Mouse to access them.

Click to expand...

What's the "scroll ball click"? Something to do with BTT or MagicPrefs?

I only use 2 spaces. I have become so accustomed to using exposé that I use just use one space for things Im currently working on, and space 2 for things I have running in the background doing their own thing.

Still, even just 2 spaces has made me far more productive than before.

Three. Used to have four in two dimensions but I find that confusing at times if you use the arrow keys to navigate.

I don't generally use them.

I'm somewhat surprised by some saying that it's hard to set up... I find it's quite easy.

#1 is Mac
#2 is Windows XP (Parallels) in full screen - my computer essentially becomes a PC when I select this space
#3 is a remote desktop for my headless Mac Mini server, also in full screen

Each environment gets its own full screen to play with.

Works great. I switch with a Control and right/left arrow keyboard combo which has no meaning for any application or other space so there's never any conflict.

#1 is my main "work" window.

#2 is typically Entourage in full-screen.

#3 is iTunes and TweetDeck.

When I run a VM through Fusion, that's on #4, but that's rare.

OllyW said:

It's one of the standard System Preferences for the mouse.

Click to expand...

Ah, I get it. I read Magic Mouse instead of Mighty Mouse, which I also set to Spaces and Exposé with its buttons.

I thought your were talking about the Magic Mouse and even prepared this until I realised my hiccup.

Yep i use 4 and i use expose in the bottom left corner activate them... makes it super fast to switch between screens with the flick of the mouse.

Not having spaces is probably the single biggest thing that drives me nuts when working on a windows machine.