Windows desktop manager vs multiple monitors

WDM can improve your life 200%

[instinct]

If any webmasters or power users out there have not yet tried it, then I highly recommend the 'windows desktop manager' powertoy for windows xp (free from M$). If you're like me and can't spare the desk space for a second monitor then you need this.

This little util allows you to have 4 different desktops with 4 different sets of applications running at once. It helps immensely with organisation and screen/taskbar clutter for those of us who regularly have many windows open at once.

WDM allows 4 desktops which you can switch instantly, here is how mine are set up:

Desktop 1. 'Core' programs, ie stuff that I keep running almost all the time like apache (for testing), mysql monitor, phpmyadmin, SSH util, etc.

Desktop 2. 'Communications' programs like outlook, chat progs, windows to regularly checked sites (ie adsense stats)

Desktop 3. 'Development and reference' programs like dreamweaver, photoshop,illustrator, fireworks plus windows open to specific reference sites (ie php.net)

Desktop 4. 'Browsing'. This is where I browse the web, listen to music etc.

*Note that you need a lot of ram (I have 1 GB) to run this many apps at once.

Another tip: try moving your windows taskbar to run down the left side of your screen. Then add a quicklaunch toolbar with 10-20 of your most used apps and folders on it (I rarely use the start menu now). Also enable the WDM taskbar for quick switching.

Now that I am used to this set-up I work waaaaay more effeciently. Try it out, you might love it.

[vkaryl]

I did try it. Drove me buggy. It's exactly like having thousands of windows open anywhere - only there are up to FOUR of those anywheres! Not for me thanks.

I just made my desk big enough to hold a second monitor. Works way better for me.... in fact I can now have TopStyle open at 800x600 on the one display while I play a game or whatever at 1600x1200 on the other one. It's great for me.... the only thing I really run at anything as old and icky as 800x600 is webdev in TS, and I let email etc open there too, no biggie....

One window per display - can't handle anything else. It's like a chimp pretending to multitask - all you do is make yourself slower and less productive.... though you may be able to convince your boss you're a whiz.... but then, I don't have a boss so I don't have to worry about making someone think I'm a whiz OR a multitasking chimpanzee....

[instinct]

I felt the same way at first but once I got used to it I loved it. It definitely requires a new mindset.

It might make *you* slower but it has done the opposite for me, besides it doesn't sound like you've got more than a couple windows open at a time anyways.

Personal preference I guess.