> To make up some more, I pin applications to one of six desktops: (1) terminal and text-editing; (2) real-time communication; (3) browsing; (4) organization and planning; (5) reading; and (6) media and games. Each desktop captures one frame of mind.
I think it's interesting to see that so many uses application-specific desktops. I've always used project-specific desktops: one desktop for random stuff (Twitter, browsing, terminal for quick stuff), one for communication (because no IM app is fine-grained enough for my case) and the rest for projects. Nearly all of the project desktops have a terminal and a separate Chrome window.
i've settled on a two-monitor, three desktop setup. one monitor has a maximised terminator window, which i use to manage my xterms (i find it handier than letting xmonad handle individual xterms, because terminator allows for both splits and tabs). the other monitor alternates between office browser and personal browser. i would normally have had an im window too, but i decided to give not signing into personal im at work a try when i started my new job (july), and so far it's actually worked out very well. my friends know that i check email constantly, so if they need to get my attention they can do that, or sms if its urgent.
temporary things (like launching openoffice or reading a pdf in fullscreen) happen in a fourth desktop, and get closed when i'm done with them.
I use activity based workspaces as well. My density of activities is quite low, so the applications that tend to be on more than one workspace are LibreOffice, Gimp and Firefox (Ubuntu).
I think it's interesting to see that so many uses application-specific desktops. I've always used project-specific desktops: one desktop for random stuff (Twitter, browsing, terminal for quick stuff), one for communication (because no IM app is fine-grained enough for my case) and the rest for projects. Nearly all of the project desktops have a terminal and a separate Chrome window.