Why have a desktop with icons and gadgets that is usually hidden behind app windows?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=448350

by amichail • 18 years ago

1 4 18 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

There must be a better way.

dgolden• 18 years ago

Indeed, I basically just have a desktop background picture so so there's something pretty slightly showing through translucent windows.

I used to just turn all icons off on the desktop, but recently I've started to use XFCE's desktop-icons-represent-running-applications mode - to switch between applications, I can hit the "show desktop" and select a different app. So my "desktop" is pretty much just a very spacious and pretty hiding task bar. Since I seldom have more than 10 or so GUI things running at once, the desktop is still mostly empty of icons so doesn't look like crap when it shows through.

brianto20102• 18 years ago

Usually, there is. Can you give us more information on your situation? What exactly irks you about your window environment? Can you give us an example?

If you are running Linux, try switching to a Tiling Window Manager such as Ion or XMonad. Tiling Window Managers maximizes the use of screen real-estate. Imagine partitioning your screen into adjustable frames and each application you run resizing itself to fit each frame. That essentially is what a TWM is. That way, you don't overlap windows for different applications and you can keep your icons handy. Does that help?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiling_window_manager

If you want to see your icons, try putting them on your taskbar. I don't know what you mean by 'gadgets', though.

amichail• 18 years ago

I'm using Windows 7.

brianto20102• 18 years ago

Try using Windows shortcuts. That way, you can see your entire desktop quickly. I don't know if they will work or not for Windows 7, though.

Show the Desktop