workspaces
I added new item to my xfce4-panel with right-click -> Add New Items -> Workspace Switcher.
It's properties are:
Number of rows 1
checked : Switch workspaces using the mouse wheel
unchecked : Show workspace names
Do you know how to move a few applications to another workspace? I can't figure out how to add second workspace.
Thank you
This behaviour is by design. The GNOME designers decided this was the best thing to do, not taking their actual users into account.
Luckily the behaviour can be reverted. You can use Gnome Tweaks or execute the following in the terminal, re-login and you're all set:
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.overrides workspaces-only-on-primary false
or using this on older systems:
gconftool-2 --set /desktop/gnome/shell/windows/workspaces_only_on_primary false --type bool
You probably want to have panels and workspace preview on all monitors too: How to have both monitors in the workspace preview for Gnome Shell?
To an extent, you have to adapt to the working environment you choose to work with.
1) a grid of workspaces (3 columns, 2 rows to be precise); You already found the Workspace Grid shell extension
2) the application windows remaining in the workspace I move them to; Using Gnome Tweaks, which is not installed by default in Ubuntu, you can set workspaces to "Static". With dynamic workspaces, workspaces automatically are removed when they are empty, so indeed an application you placed on workspace 3 may end up on workspace 2 or 1 later in the session.
3)miniatures of the workspaces content in the switch modal; Gnome-shell provides miniatures of the workspaces in the overview when you press Super. By default, however, you have to hover the right side in the overview to make the miniatures visible. You can make sure the workspaces are always expanded with the extension "Always zoom workspaces"
4) workspace switcher showing the overview of all workspaces. I do not follow here: in the overview, all workspaces are shown. You may also install a "Workspace switcher" extension that provides a clickable icon on the panel that allows you to switch workspaces from a pull down menu.
Best Answer
In Xfce 4 you can define multiple workspaces by either adding a new wokspace switcher to the panel, as it has been done in the question, or by using the workplace switcher that is already installed in the lower right corner by default.
With a right click on this swicher you can select the switcher properties. Choose more than 1 row to have more than 1 workspace.
Moving applications to another workspace can be done with a right click on the application's top title bar and select Move to Another Workspace:
Number and names of workspaces can be defined in the Xfce 4 Settings Manager (from Applications -> Settings):