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What is the point of spaces?

Mad Mac Maniac

Mad Mac Maniac

macrumors 601
Original poster
Oct 4, 2007
4,808
2,110
A little bit of here and a little bit of there.
Ok, I really don't get it.

It's supposed to separate things and clear clutter? But I mean is that really important? I guess I just don't really see the practicality of using different 'spaces' than keeping it all in one space. They say you'll always know where everything is! But can't you just click on the icon in the dock and go straight there anyways?

Is there any sort of speed benefit of having less things in your space?

Have any of you avidly used spaces? And what is the reason you use it? I know how to use it but I haven't been able to convince myself to use it on a regular basis cause I don't see the point.
 
This may help a bit. It's up to you to decide how you want to use it and if it will benefit your style. Some find it beneficial to group applications and files together by different "projects", almost like moving from one desk to another, with a different task on each desk, complete with applications, files, etc., rather than throw them all together on one.
 
virtual desktops don't work for everyone. for me they do. they're especially handy on small screens. like my MacBook. lets me have a space where Word will only always be. one where Safari will always be. and one just for Finder. it makes navigation much easier for me and i can just command+tab between the apps/spaces too. i have things like adium set to stay open on all spaces, which works well too.

it helps for small screens and better organisation imo. but like i said, it doesn't work for everyone and i can see it being a non-issue or unneeded on larger screen sizes depending on what you're doing. its nice for me to be able to put away one thing and focus on another.
 
I keep mail and contact information open in one space, media apps in one, a calendar in one, and then my current working space. The windows are all organized in specific locations in each space so with one shortcut you can see everything and then go back to your work with another shortcut. No rearranging windows and minimizing stuff.

I can't believe that it took them as long as it did to implement it as most systems have had it for many years.
 
i never got the deal with spaces, until i started useing it!

then my macbook had to go in for repair, and i had to go unto a computer without spaces.. it was horrible!

Its helpful on small screens, but to make it less clutterd. I have one space for safari,adium usually, and i also use it for the random programs i need quickly like ical, or wordpad.

space 2 is an open space, to where if i open garage band, or aperture i can put it into that space, or if i am doing a keynote project. space 3 is dedicated for my RSS feeds,and space 4 is for iTunes. I think its quite useful. give it a shot, maybe you'll find out you cant go without
 
Here's a use that I'll bet a lot of people use, but are less than thrilled to admit to using.

Spaces allows you to hide things quickly. For instance, if you're watching something on youtube that is less-than-family-friendly, and your kid walks in behind you, you can quickly switch to a different space! Much easier than trying to close the program, or minimize it, etc. Also, it is easy to make it seem as though you were working on something else (by having the foresight to have something open in the space to which you switch).

Anyway, that's one use.
 
iamvexed said:
Here's a use that I'll bet a lot of people use, but are less than thrilled to admit to using.

Spaces allows you to hide things quickly. For instance, if you're watching something on youtube that is less-than-family-friendly, and your kid walks in behind you, you can quickly switch to a different space! Much easier than trying to close the program, or minimize it, etc. Also, it is easy to make it seem as though you were working on something else (by having the foresight to have something open in the space to which you switch).

Anyway, that's one use.
Click to expand...

or your mom for that matter.. haha
 
I don't get it either. But, then again, I'm the odd man out who absolutely loves Stacks.

I think if Spaces were an automated thing to set up, I'd get into them. But every time I want to use them I have to set them up again. I feel like I could be working rather than setting up spaces.

If I gave them a chance, I'm sure I'd see their value. I'm just happy with my workflow the way it is.
 
While I like Apple's take on spaces, I learned how to use them in a Linux environment with KDE and Gnome and I think it was a little easier to use that way.

The difference was, say KDE's taskbar there would be four "spaces" and when you clicked on one of them it switched to it. You didn't have to navigate to a separate screen to then navigate to your new space.

Again, while I think Apple's idea of spaces is a little more polished and pretty, I think the KDE/Gnome method is a little easier to use and I usually do use it more often.
 
okrelayer said:
i never got the deal with spaces, until i started useing it!

then my macbook had to go in for repair, and i had to go unto a computer without spaces.. it was horrible!

Its helpful on small screens, but to make it less clutterd. I have one space for safari,adium usually, and i also use it for the random programs i need quickly like ical, or wordpad.

space 2 is an open space, to where if i open garage band, or aperture i can put it into that space, or if i am doing a keynote project. space 3 is dedicated for my RSS feeds,and space 4 is for iTunes. I think its quite useful. give it a shot, maybe you'll find out you cant go without
Click to expand...


Sounds good to me! I should give it a try.
 
Brother Michael said:
The difference was, say KDE's taskbar there would be four "spaces" and when you clicked on one of them it switched to it. You didn't have to navigate to a separate screen to then navigate to your new space.
Click to expand...

You can set up keyboard shortcuts to instantly switch from one space to another.
 
iamvexed said:
Here's a use that I'll bet a lot of people use, but are less than thrilled to admit to using.

Spaces allows you to hide things quickly. For instance, if you're watching something on youtube that is less-than-family-friendly, and your kid walks in behind you, you can quickly switch to a different space! Much easier than trying to close the program, or minimize it, etc. Also, it is easy to make it seem as though you were working on something else (by having the foresight to have something open in the space to which you switch).

Anyway, that's one use.
Click to expand...

I use expose' for that... I set up my bottom left hand corner to "Show Desktop". Works amazing. upper right hand corner to "Show All Windows"...
Then again... Maybe an entire separate desktop would work? Idk. And trust me it's not "just for pornography", it's very practical. But for you hardcore porn addicts out there, maybe password protected spaces would work? or a key command to send applications to spaces and automatically lock them? Hmmm.
 
I have realized, that at first, I don't really like/need may of Leopards built in features. I went months without using spaces, time machine..heck..even spotlight! Now I can't live without 'em!
 
I'd like spaces more if I could have a different dock in each space with the apps I use in that particular space in it.
 
I loved spaces when I was using a linux environment - but maybe because it didn't have expose capability.

I was looking forward to it in Leopard, but found I don't use it as much as I thought I would. I have become less busy these days, computer-wise - I don't need so many apps open as I did when I was on Linux (to do with my work load, not the system I'm using).
 
Bottom line... it is a feature that many find useful
If you don't, then don't use
Simple

Same could be said of Expose, Dashboard, Time Machine, et. al.

Woof, Woof – Dawg
pawprint.gif
 
I find it quicker and easier to just use :apple:+tab (to change apps) or :apple:+` (to change the active window in an app). I never really use exposé much either. Stacks is brilliant for the Downloads folder, though.
 
Mad Mac Maniac said:
Ok, I really don't get it.
Click to expand...

Yea .... I don't really get it either. I've tried using it on my mac and in the past on my Linux server. I personally don't find it useful. However, I'm glad it's there for those who do find it useful.

However, I do use two monitors at work and I DO find that very useful. Much easier than switching back and forth between virtual screens.

Cheers
:)
 
Heavy Doody said:
I think if Spaces were an automated thing to set up, I'd get into them. But every time I want to use them I have to set them up again. I feel like I could be working rather than setting up spaces.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you're missing the step of assigning apps to specific spaces. Still, if you're happy the way you are, perhaps there's no need to switch. I think it's worth a try though.

jW
 
I love Spaces. Or at least, I did, until I tried using it with Office 2008 for Mac.

Windows appearing under each other, in different spaces - it was like a treasure hunt every time I wanted to switch from one window to another (often in the same app too).

Terrible shame, as it's a great future. But ruined for me by Office.

Anyone else in the same boat?
 
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