In previous versions of OS X, it was possible to have several virtual desktops (spaces) for grouping open applications by activity, and quickly switching between them.
With Lion, Apple introduced one user interface feature Mission Control to replace both Spaces and Exposé. In this new version, full screen apps become separate desktops of their own. But it’s not entirely obvious how to add your own desktops, like you used to be able to do with Spaces.
To add another desktop to Mission Control:
- Swipe up with four fingers across the trackpad to reveal Mission Control.
- Move your mouse to the upper right corner of the screen and you will see button to create a new desktop.
- To get rid of a desktop, hover the mouse over it for a few seconds and you will see an iOS-like delete button appear on the top left corner.
Once you have your desktops set up the way like, swipe between them quickly using a three finger gesture horizontally across your trackpad. (Or two fingers on the Magic Mouse) You can also rearrange your open applications by dragging them from one desktop to another. You could have a desktop for writing, another one for browsing, and a third for media, etc… You get the point. Once you get the hang out it, it’s almost like having an extra monitor.
While on any of the desktops, you can go into system preferences to assign a unique desktop wallpaper.
