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2 Displays and 2 Workspaces With Linux and X?

Posted by timothy on from the anything-you-set-your-mind-to dept.

Borov writes "I'm planning to buy a second monitor in near future and I was searching for ways to configure it under Linux. It seems there are two main ways: 1) to have one 'big' desktop, which means I have single workspace — changing virtual desktop switches both monitors or 2) to have separate X sessions for each display — which means I have separate workspaces, but I can't move applications between them. I need something in the middle — a separate workspace for each screen, so that I can have independent virtual desktops on each screen, but still have the ability to move applications between monitors (no need to strech one app across both of them). I've read that some tiling window managers can do this kind of thing, but I'd rather go with 'classical' window managers, like Openbox/Gnome/KDE or similar."

4 of 460 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Google by Cormacus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You know what? I'm glad that the submitter did not investigate any of these before asking /.. If he had, then I wouldn't have had the opportunity to read his question, ponder the answer myself, and then read your informative (but surly) response.

    --
    Mon chien, il n'a pas du nez. Comment scent-il? TrÃs mauvais!
  2. Car analogy for Windows users by mangu · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You didn't understand the question.

    Here's a simple car analogy: a Linux user asking for tips on advanced uses of virtual desktops is like an off-road rally racer asking for tips on configuring the differentials on a 4x4. Your answer is "use a Ford Taurus".

  3. Re:xinerama and xrandr by Homburg · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I don't think that actually answers the OPs question. Xinerama or XRandR allow you to set up dual head (which the OP presumably already knows about - he talks about having "one big desktop," which is what Xinerama and XRandR give you), but virtual desktops are handled by the window manager, not by Xinerama or XRandR. A Xinerama or XRandR aware window manager could do what the OP wants, giving separate virtual desktops on each monitor, but simply using Xinerama or XRandR won't get that effect unless you use a specific window manager which offers that option.

  4. Re:gnome is just fine. by serviscope_minor · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What happens when you go to a virtual desktop? Do all the windows on both screens change? If yes, then you just failed to read the summary.

    --
    SJW n. One who posts facts.