Windows 'Threshold' expected to add virtual desktops, drop charms

[Brink]

The next version of Windows, codenamed "Threshold," is going to include some fairly major user interface changes beyond the inclusion of the new Start menu and "Modern" app windowing.

A couple of reports from earlier this week cited some other interface changes coming to Threshold. My sources are corroborating those reports.

First up, as reported by Brad Sams at Neowin.net, Microsoft is moving toward adding virtual desktops to Threshold, the Windows release expected in the spring of 2015. As Sams noted, other operating systems, including Apple's OS X and Ubuntu, already support virtual desktops, which allow users to run and switch more easily between apps and groups of apps.

The other UI change coming to Threshold is the elimination of the Charms Bar, as first reported by Winbeta.org.

Read more at: Microsoft's Windows 'Threshold' expected to add virtual desktops, drop charms | ZDNet

 

[lehnerus2000]

Yay

When my friend showed me virtual desktops in Linux (~10 years ago) I thought, "Meh."

After I started studying Networking, I discovered that I had to have at least half a dozen different documents open and at least one VM running (I then realised how useful they were).

I've had VirtuaWin installed in W7 (since 2011) to provide me with multiple desktops.

Virtual desktops should be very useful with the limited size options of Metro Apps.

 

[andrew129260]

I don't know, I have never seen the point of having multiple "desktops". Now if instead they were "virtual desktops", as in vmware player extra desktops with different OS that would be awesome haha.

 

[RBS7]

There are programs that already allow multiple desktops, and I never really seen much use in it. With Ubuntu I never use them. I guess I have enough problems organizing 1 desktop.

If they are removing the charms bar, I am not certain that would be a good move either. As a desktop user, that is the only part of Metro I interact with, easier for me to bring up charm bar than click in corner for Metro Start. Microsoft is so wacky.

They simply need to have a windows 7 desktop and their Metro, it is really that easy, everyone is happy. Seems they are trying to reinvent the wheel.

 

[lehnerus2000]

I don't know, I have never seen the point of having multiple "desktops". Now if instead they were "virtual desktops", as in vmware player extra desktops with different OS that would be awesome haha.

Simply run a different VM on each virtual desktop.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

Virtual Desktops were a great idea -- this was available from as far back as ZX with a program in the SYSINTERNALS Suite -- What this did was show easch desktop as a completely SEPARATE desktop running with its own bacground and applications -- this was great - especially if like most people in those days you didn't have multiple monitors -- and of course you could cut and paste say betweebn an EXCEL session on desktop 1 tp say a powerpoint session on desktop 2.

Note these aren't to be confused with VIRTUAL MACHINES - which also would be a great idea if these could all run of searte "Virtual Desktops".

God one Ms =-- I LIKE the idea of this feature.

Also if the Charms are got rid of it would imply some type of menuing for navigation so I'd assume a MENU is BACK.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[lehnerus2000]

I read a comment from some (alleged) MS employee, who claimed that they didn't introduce virtual desktops in earlier editions of Windows because it would be too confusing for "Proles".

 

[andrew129260]

I don't know, I have never seen the point of having multiple "desktops". Now if instead they were "virtual desktops", as in vmware player extra desktops with different OS that would be awesome haha.

Simply run a different VM on each virtual desktop.

True

I read a comment from some (alleged) MS employee, who claimed that they didn't introduce virtual desktops in earlier editions of Windows because it would be too confusing for "Proles".

I can see that.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

...

I read a comment from some (alleged) MS employee, who claimed that they didn't introduce virtual desktops in earlier editions of Windows because it would be too confusing for "Proles".

I can see that.

So can I because I still can't wrap my three remaining brain cells around just what the big fat hairy heck they are.

 

[andrew129260]

All you wanted to know about workspaces in Ubuntu Linux | MyLinuxBook

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Thanks, Andrew! Methinks I kinda sorta "get it" but I don't see how they would be of any use to me (that's not to say they wouldn't be of use to anyone else). I'm thinking multiple monitors would be of more use to me (which I'm going to get once I move my rig into its new case and relocate my ADF scanner, which requires building a modified drawer).

 

[andrew129260]

Thanks, Andrew! Methinks I kinda sorta "get it" but I don't see how they would be of any use to me (that's not to say they wouldn't be of use to anyone else). I'm thinking multiple monitors would be of more use to me (which I'm going to get once I move my rig into its new case and relocate my ADF scanner, which requires building a modified drawer).

No problem I don't see the point of it either, (as I said) but I suppose it's nice to have the option.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Thanks, Andrew! Methinks I kinda sorta "get it" but I don't see how they would be of any use to me (that's not to say they wouldn't be of use to anyone else). I'm thinking multiple monitors would be of more use to me (which I'm going to get once I move my rig into its new case and relocate my ADF scanner, which requires building a modified drawer).

No problem I don't see the point of it either, (as I said) but I suppose it's nice to have the option.

Quite a few people must have a use for them; otherwise, why would M$ bother to add them? Of course, those aforemention beleaguered three brain cells of mine may just not seeing how they would be useful.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Multiple monitors would be better.
They depend on having a good graphics card though.

VirtuaWin doesn't seem to trigger my GPU, so I guess it relies on RAM.
My 4 virtual desktops setup is using ~170 MB.

I tried opening a few Explorer windows, but I didn't notice any change in RAM or GPU usage.

 

[Indianatone]

Microsoft did bring out a Powertoy for XP. I still have it in the vaults if anyone wants a copy. I used it from time to time, less clutter. Strange how they now see as something they should add while taking away DVD player support except in an add on pack. That would be something they should put back in unless they are giving us Windows free and nickel and diming us to death with add on feature packs.

 

[scr]

Virtual desktops are nothing new. I had a program on Windows 98 that would create up to nine of them. I created two or three but after a couple of days it became more trouble then it was worth. I used that program on 98, XP and now Windows 7 but for other reasons.