Spaces (software)

Workspaces

Spaces is a virtual desktop feature developed by Apple Inc. for its macOS operating system. Introduced in Mac OS X Leopard (version 10.5) in October 2007, Spaces allows users to create multiple virtual desktops, each with its own set of open applications and windows. This feature is designed to help users organize their workspace and reduce clutter by separating different tasks into distinct environments.

Features

Spaces provides several key features to enhance user productivity:

• Multiple Desktops: Users can create and manage multiple virtual desktops, each tailored to specific tasks or projects.
• Application Assignment: Applications can be assigned to specific desktops, ensuring that they always open in the designated space.
• Exposé Integration: Spaces integrates with Exposé, allowing users to view all open windows across all desktops or within a single desktop.
• Mission Control: In Mac OS X Lion (version 10.7), Spaces was integrated into Mission Control, providing a unified interface for managing virtual desktops, open windows, and Dashboard widgets.

Usage

To use Spaces, users can access Mission Control by pressing the Mission Control key (F3) on their keyboard, swiping up with three or four fingers on a Multi-Touch trackpad, or clicking the Mission Control icon in the Dock. From Mission Control, users can create new desktops by clicking the "+" button in the top-right corner of the screen. They can switch between desktops by clicking on the desired desktop thumbnail or using keyboard shortcuts (Control + left/right arrow keys).

History

Spaces was first introduced in Mac OS X Leopard and has undergone several changes and improvements in subsequent macOS releases. In Mac OS X Lion, Spaces was merged with Exposé and Dashboard into the new Mission Control feature, streamlining the user experience and providing a more cohesive interface for managing open applications and desktops.

Related Pages

• macOS
• Mission Control (macOS)
• Exposé (macOS)
• Dashboard (macOS)
• Virtual desktop
• Apple Inc.

See Also

• List of macOS features
• Comparison of desktop environments