Multiple desktop native to Linux?

[MkIII_Supra]

I am in a debate with some Windiots about whether virtual desktops (multiple desktops) are native to Linux. I know they are but I can't seem to located the supporting documentation. The Windiots say that it's like Windows an add-on. Any ideas where I can find a document or an answer?

[happybunny]

I would "assume" that is a function of X, no? Perhaps even the desktop manager itself.

But we are starting to split hairs...isn't X an add-on? Aren't desktop managers additions to Linux (linux=kernel after all).

So I guess it depends on what you are trying to prove...did Windows steal from Unix? Or if linux is by default cooler than Windows?

I'm sure this didn't help your case, but just thoughts I had when I read this.

[happybunny]

and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_desktop

"The first platform to implement multiple desktop display as a hardware feature was Amiga 1000, released in 1985. "

[teeitup]

My understanding is that the virtual desktop is a function of the window manager. All window managers I have ever used have supported this feature all the way back into the 80's with CDE. CDE was the first I used on the early Unix, Ultrix, and VMS systems. I seem to remember reading that the original TWM didn't support them but I'm not sure.

If you want to be very specific then Linux does not support "virtual desktops". Linux is just the kernel.

You need some sort of X server and window manager to get the desktops. These would technically be add-ons. Linux doesn't need these to be useful.

That's my take,

Good Luck,

[cybertron]

My understanding is that the virtual desktop is a function of the window manager. All window managers I have ever used have supported this feature all the way back into the 80's with CDE. CDE was the first I used on the early Unix, Ultrix, and VMS systems. I seem to remember reading that the original TWM didn't support them but I'm not sure.

If you want to be very specific then Linux does not support "virtual desktops". Linux is just the kernel.

You need some sort of X server and window manager to get the desktops. These would technically be add-ons. Linux doesn't need these to be useful.

That's my take,

Good Luck,
Technically the WM itself is an addon, but it's going to be hard to explain that to a Windows user who has no concept of the WM as a separate entity. However, since all commonly used WM's include virtual desktop functionality by default, I think it's fair to say that "Linux" has native support for virtual desktops. And the virtual desktops in Windows are an abomination, for the record.:rolleyes:

[happybunny]

for the record, I"m using http://virtuawin.sourceforge.net/ on XP which isn't horrible.

[cybertron]

Yeah, it sounds like that might be some improvement (at least it might not crash and lose my windows from time to time), but I think my biggest gripes are related to Windows itself. Switching desktops is slow because Windows isn't really designed to hide windows like that (it seems anyway), and it's impossible to switch while an application is not responding, which means if I open something on one desktop and try to switch to another while the first application is loading, I can't until it finishes and responds. Again, I think this is because Windows can't do anything to a window (other than kill it) if the contained application is busy.

On the plus side I'm hopeful that in a couple of months I'll be getting a new laptop with Linux on it. Not sure yet, but I'm crossing my fingers.:)