how can I view two windows side by side on my desktop Ubuntu 9.10
 

Hello,
I would like to know how I can view two windows side by side on the same desktop (ex. have two openoffice files side by side) and be able to work on both of them at the same time rather than having to click back and forth from window to window. I have seen this done on people that have MAC computers is there anyway to do this on Ubuntu?

I would appreciate the help,

Just guessing here. Open both files, size the windows, place side-by-side?

I think I know what you mean. Do you have Compiz installed by any chance? It gives you the ability to show more than one screen at once by ether Ctrl+Alt+ArrowDown or a few other shortcuts. You should be able to view the documents side by side, though I dont know how good you would be able to see them.

I think thats along the lines your thinking of perhaps?

-Jessica-

Yes, I have Compiz but I don't think that's what's doing it. All I did was start OO which opens a new window, pressed ctrl-n which opens a second window, and then sized them and placed them. This is not on two desktops. I have a 19" monitor and can't see the full width of both windows but it does what you wanted.

Kent

What the OP wants is related to the configuration of the window manager. Installing KDE, enlightenment, .. can be very helpful.

Oh, well the OP didn't say that and I didn't get that impression. Anyway, you don't need Compiz for virtual desktops.

Kent

No you don't need compiz to have virtual desktops but if you want to display them side by side I believe you need it. I'm guessing that's what the OP was asking. But its just a guess on my part so I may be wrong. :)

P.S. If you can display two virtual desktops side by side without Compiz than feel free to correct me, I haven't really looked into it yet.

-Jessica-

OK, I don't know. Maybe we should wait for clarification from the OP.

Kent

On "ubuntu 9.04" [really, and to be absolutely precise, it's eeebuntu 3.0, on my Asus eee701, but it's a derivative of 9.04 with a customised kernel for the eee] with the default gnome desktop, I have 2 desktops that I can rapidly switch between by scrolling the mouse-wheel over a bit of my (visible) desktop. Or even dragging a window off the edge of the screen to drop it on the other desktop.

This works very well on my eee's tiny 7" screen: One full-screen application on one desktop, another on the other. My eyes are too tired to read tiny, tiny text.

I just tried it with Oo writer: It works exactly as I think the OP is requesting. Neat :)

Just where all this is set up in gnome, I have no idea. Because I have a fairly stripped-down install to fit my eee's 4GB SSD, maybe I am missing some configuration utilities.

I do realise gnome has this "just use it, you don't need to customise it" mentality, but I am used to KDE's "customise everything, if you'd like to" flexibility.

[OFF-TOPIC]
I'd like to add another 2 desktops, for a total of four but don't know how to. All this was straightforward with KDE3.5.x which sadly looks doomed now KDE4 eye-candy is apparently "the way to go". (Dammit!).

I am just "playing" with gnome as I'm really a KDE3.5.x person, but I really dislike KDE4.3.x, so I am having to look for alternatives.

HTH