Virtual desktops are a way to increase the "size" of your workspace by letting you switch between desktops. You can have three or four programs running in windows on one desktop, and another three or four running on another desktop and easily switch between them with a click of the mouse or using a "hot key". In many ways this lets you simulate having multiple monitors
Puppy Linux usually comes with 3 desktops available OOTB. You can switch between them using the "switcher" located on the left side of the JWM tray. Hovering the mouse over one of the desktop icons (rectangle) will show the number of that desktop, to change, just click the desktop icon. You can also switch desktops by using hotkeys, alt+1, alt+2, or alt+3.
JWM windows manager also lets you transfer running programs between desktops, i.e, you started Geaney in desktop-1, but want it in desktop-2. Just right click the program in the tray and choose: Send To
To make using virtual desktops even more like having multiple monitors, I created the script: deskedge.sh. It requires xdotool which you can download from the PPM. In use it switches between desktop-1 and desktop-2 when the mouse pointer hits the right or left edge of the screen.
One of my favorite uses of virtual desktops is to connect to a remote computer using VNC on desktop-2. I can then run programs on desktop-1 and switch to desktop-2 to monitor or operate programs on the second computer. This is a good way to increase your computing power using low powered hardware or to increase security since the computers are completely separated.
Note: if using deskedge.sh with VNC, you must size the remote computer window so the local computer desktop can be seen on both the right and left edges.
wizard