How to have a way to quickly change programs in Unity?

Question

I just have Unity running today, I like the way it hides stuff to increase screen space. Also, I like the new Workspace switcher and Applications "app". But I now find it hard to switch apps. Alt tab seems slower than click if I have more than afew tabs running

Can I somehow lock the "dock", maybe at the bottom, and make it smaller, something like Windows 7 taskbar?

I hope this is not a duplicate, I tried searching, but may have searched for the wrong terms, since I am new to Ubuntu

Answer 1

You currently can't move the Launcher but you can fix it in place and make it smaller.

First, launch CompizConfig Settings Manager by pressing super+a or by clicking on the applications icon then typing 'compiz config' and selecting 'CompizConfig Settings Manager'. If it is not installed, the Software Centre will open so you can install it.

Once it is launched, click 'Ubuntu Unity Plugin' in the 'Desktop' section.

You can make the launcher permanently visible by selecting 'Never' in the 'Hide Launcher' option.

You can reduce the icon size by clicking on the 'Experimental' tab and using the 'Launcher icon size' scaler. Here I have set it to the minimum size (32x32 pixels).

Typical desktop use will now look something like this:

You can now use the launcher items as quick tabs to switch between windows.

Answer 2

With Compiz, you can configure many ways for quickly change programs. You can make shortcuts to change programs at the Workspace in focus or at All Workspaces. You can define how fast you want it to work.

Remember to go to Misc Options to set the speed you want:

What I like most is "Swing Switcher":

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"Swift Switcher" is beatyful:

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"Static Application Switcher" is simple but very useful:

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And there is the "normal" application Switcher:

Answer 3

You currently cannot move the Unity Dock Launcher (see here) but you can alter the hide behaviour and icons size with the Unity Plugin in the CompizConfig Settings Manager