unitywindow-managementworkspaces
Since Ubuntu 11.10, it is really difficult to get multiple workspaces like Ubuntu 10.04.
For example:
When I wanted to open a new Firefox window, I just had to go to the next workspace and hit the Firefox icon.
With Unity, this isn't possible anymore. When I hit the icon, it goes back to the original Firefox window.
I know it is possible to use GNOME Classic, but this doesn't work very well and is not stable.
How can I achieve this?
Raring has had a number of improvements in this area which should improve the workflow for someone using multiple workspaces.
Lets look at some examples:
In this example you can see that I have Firefox and Terminal open in different workspaces - with firefox open in two instances on separate workspaces:
Look closely at the Launcher:
Firefox is shown with a full pip - thats the arrow shown. It only shows one since this is the only one running in this workspace.
The terminal pip is a narrow version indicating that its running in a different workspace. Thus you get an instant indication of BOTH applications running in the workspace as well as possible other applications running.
If you had two instances of firefox running in the workspace you would have two pips.
To create another instance of Firefox on another workspace, right-click and choose one of the first two options shown:
To flip between different instances, choose from the window title shown in the right-click quicklist.
You can get the Wallpaper plugin for Compiz by installing compiz-fusion-plugins-extra (sudo apt-get install compiz-fusion-plugins-extra). It will show up under the Utility category in CompizConfig Settings Manager.
Before you can use it, you'll have to configure Nautilus to not draw the desktop. Run gconf-editor and uncheck the setting /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_desktop. This will make all of your desktop icons disappear, and there is no solution to this drawback at this time.
To configure the Wallpaper plugin, add images to the list of backgrounds. They will be assigned to workspaces in the order they are listed, and you don't have to have the exact right number:
The result:
Best Answer
You rely on a couple of flawed assumptions. First; it is not obvious that Mark Shuttleworth makes all these decisions. I hardly believe Ubuntu would've become such a success if he was a one-man show. It is a collective effort. Also, you assume that "this really handy function" has been thrown away. It hasn't.
Ok, now let's look at your question. It seems to be about how to launch a new instance of Firefox when there's already one running. Easy; middle-click it. Or if you use keyboard shortcuts, append Shift. For instance, if Firefox is number two on your launcher, press Super+Shift+2 to launch a new instance. You can then use Super+BAT (button above tab) to switch between Firefox instances, and you'll be moved to the correct desktop if they're on different ones. It will remember the window order, so you will also be able to use Alt+Tab to switch between the most recently used instances per application.
The cube and other Compiz effects are still available. Unity itself is a Compiz plugin, so none of those options have been removed.