Quickly Change Desktops Using Expo

Creating Multiple Desktops is one way to compensate for the size of the screen that netbooks like the Samsung NC10 come with.

You can easily switch between the different desktops by using the Workspace Switcher applet in the panel at the top of the screen … but the applet takes up space that you might prefer to use for something else. Equally, you may be someone who prefers to use keyboard shortcuts instead of using the mouse.

If so, you might prefer to switch desktops using the Expo plugin for compiz.

Pre-requisites

To use Expo, you must first have switched over to using compiz on your netbook. If you’re not sure how to do this, we have a complete set of instructions for you

You’ll also need the CompizConfig Settings Manager (ccsm) installed. To install this, open up a terminal, and run the following command:

sudo apt-get install ccsm

Enabling Expo

Launch ccsm (you’ll find it under the System menu, as Preferences -> CompizConfig Settings Manager). A window will open listing all of the different features of compiz:

CompizConfig Settings Manager

All of the different features are grouped by type, and the list of types can be seen on the left of the window. Click on Desktop, and on the right hand side of the window you’ll see a bunch of features appear, including the one we are looking for

The Desktop Group Of Settings In ccsm

Click on the Expo option to go into its settings.

The Expo Settings In ccsm

Setup a key combination to activate Expo. I prefer Super+E (the Super key is the Windows key on your netbook), but you’re free to pick a different combination if you prefer.

Try it out for yourself. Press your selected key combination, and you should see all of your desktops appear. Click to select which desktop you want to use, and then double-click to change desktop.

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~ by Stuart on July 9, 2009.