Re: Why taskbars are a bad idea to begin with.

["James M. Cape" <jcape jcinteractive com>]

mozart@windsor.igs.net wrote:
> 
> Excuse me for my ignorance, what is the distinction between 'window lists'
> and 'taskbar' ?

Window lists are things like the the Middle-Click Root Menu in Window
Maker, which gives a list of all windows open in all workspaces, and
only show up when the user acts. Taskbars are button-laden applets that
are always running with a list of all the apps running in the current
workspace.

> Also, can someone clarify the meaning of 'workspaces' for me. Some here
> seem to think it's just a fancy way of describing virtual desktops. While
> others are referring to it as a television channel analogy (i have not a
> clue what this infers.) I thought it was the former, but what the hell do i
> know?

Workspaces are linear in arangement and switching
[1 2 3 4 5 6]

CTRL+DOWN does nothing.

Virtual desktops aren't:
[1 2 3]
[4 5 6]

CTRL+DOWN goes to "4".

Pagers are useful for Virtual Desktops, but are usually contradictory to
the Workspace idea (at least in the sense of Blackbox and Window Maker).

Yes, the shortcuts can be different, but the basic principle is the
same.

> On 03-Jan-99 James M. Cape wrote:
> > Removing multiple workspaces from the various window managers isn't an
> > option, so a real solution must be found. The pager is one answer.
> > Window lists are another. A taskbar isn't.
> >
> >     Jim Cape

    Jim Cape
    http://www.jcinteractive.com

    "All animals are equal, some animals
     are more equal than others."
         -- George Orwell, Animal Farm