2 proposed enhancements to AltDesk

[Kaizyn]

I downloaded an evaluation copy of AltDesk 1.7 and it is simply the best virtual desktop management program I've ever used. Before this, I used multidesk by techsuperior on Windows 2000. After upgrading to Windows 2K, it had a couple bugs making it mostly unusable (and it regularly lost windows). My compliments to the AltDesk developer(s) for such an outstanding job.

Here I propose two ideas that might be better suited for building into the Aston shell desktop:

1) Incorporate Mouse Gestures for operating AltDesk. This would eliminate the need for users to have to switch desktops by shortcut keys or popping up the AltDesk main window. Although I personally love the keyboard shortcut interface (especially since AltDesk allows the user to use the Win key in setting hotkeys), I can see this as an extremely useful addition. (Also it's one none of the other programs have.)

2) This is a modification to the "concept" of a virtual desktop. Instead of starting out with a set number of virtual desktops which the user flips through, why not start out the system with 1 desktop. When the user desires to perform a "context switch" or "activity switch" they enter some command into the AltDesk system which does 2 things:
a) it loads a second virtual desktop which it switches to immediately, and
b) it launches a pre-defined set of applications, or it launches applications with certain data open in them.

For example, say I'm working on writing a program in my text editor and have my console open, and a browser with the language reference open in it. If I signal that I want to take a break and enter "read news" context, the system spawns a new virtual desktop with Firefox opened to my live bookmars and my RSS feeds ready to go along with the login page to Gmail. If I pop open the AltDesk interface, there should now be 2 desktops to toggle between - one with the work applications and the other with the news applications.

This concept could be extended to the entire desktop/shell in that after the user pre-sets certain activities they like to do - such as "coding" or "video editing" or "mp3 ripping", they can then invoke a new virtual desktop that drops them into this "virtual workspace" that includes shortcuts to the applications most relevant to what they're trying to do. What do you think?

[TxDot]

This already exists in AltDesk via the AutoRun feature. The biggest difference is that the number of desktops is predefined. With AutoRun the applications (Windows short cuts) are started the first time a particular desktop is activated. I guess I don't see enough difference between what exists and what you're proposing.