Workspaces off the grid

[Alan Schmitz <alan ankeny net>]

I was going to ask how to put the workspaces back into a static 3x3 grid 
as I've always used on Linux, OS X, and Windows.  After reading through 
the list archives, I've learned that probably wouldn't be a good idea.

I am struggling to understand how workspaces are supposed to be used in 
GNOME Shell.  I've always thought about them as if I were a looking at a 
larger display through a smaller display, but my spatial organization 
methods don't seem to apply any more.  I can't start applications "in 
their place" and expect them to stay where I put them.

How should I think of workspaces in GNOME Shell now that they're so 
dynamic?  Is there a keyboard short cut or an overview system I'm 
supposed to use navigate running applications quickly?  I really need 
help understanding the benefits of dynamic workspaces that make up for 
the loss of spatial reference.

Thanks,
Alan