Apr 21, '04 09:52:00AM • Contributed by: roncross@cox.net
Actually, I am not here to write about how great Codetek is as a virtual desktop. I am here to share a hidden feature that it has when you go into its Preference pane, select Desktop switching, and click on "Switch desktops using mouse." At the right of the selection, you can set the minimum speed at which you should switch the desktops.
In order to experience the hidden feature, there are three settings that the Apple Dock much have in place. First, the dock has to be positioned either on the left or right of the screen. Second, the dock much have the auto hide/show function enabled. Third, you must set up at least two virtual desktops.
When the three settings are enabled, what I have found out is that if you set the minimum speed to switch the desktop to its lowest setting (very slow), the Apple Dock will not engage. The dock is virtually disabled without losing support for Exposé, your real desktop, and command-tab switching. You will find yourself in the next virtual desktop. I basically use the Dock now just for minimizing windows. I can still minimize windows even with the Apple Dock virtually disabled.
If you set the minimum speed to switch desktops to a slightly faster setting, let's say "slow" in this case, and if you move your mouse below the minimum setting (slow), the dock will appear (no desktop switching will occur). On the other hand, if you move the mouse above the minimum setting, the dock will not appear (desktop switching will occur). Since I usually use more than one desktop, I am now basically in control of when I want my Dock to appear and when I want desktop switching to occur. You can enable the dock again if you break one of the three assumptions mentioned aboved. This little added feature makes this application all the worth while giving me complete contol over the environment and the Apple Dock. Of course, to enable the Dock, just type Command-Option-Delete and your Dock becomes instantly available for all your virtual desktops. It would be nice if Codetek added this feature that will let you do this for only one desktop. For me, I have put this issue of the Apple Dock to rest. RIP!!
