How can I tell what workspace I am in with Unity?

Question

Long time user of Ubuntu struggling to use Unity here....

I am running Unity 2D and can click on the workspace launcher icon to switch to a different workspace. However if I just walk up to a system, how can I tell by looking what workspace I am on?

Is the launcher icon supposed to change when you change workspace? Is there an indicator applet for this I can install? I am used to the old Gnome workspace switcher in the middle of the top panel!

Answer 1

To do this, first install the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:geod/ppa-geod

Update and install:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install indicator-workspaces

Finally add indicator-workspaces to your startup-applications (search in Dash for this) if the installation hasn't already added this:

Answer 2

There is a Workspaces Indicator that displays the current workspace.

It can be found as one of the answers for List of Application indicators.

Update: it does not seem to be compatible with Oneiric.

W: Failed to fetch http://ppa.launchpad.net/geod/ppa-geod/ubuntu/dists/oneiric/main/source/Sources  404  Not Found
W: Failed to fetch http://ppa.launchpad.net/geod/ppa-geod/ubuntu/dists/oneiric/main/binary-i386/Packages  404  Not Found

Answer 3

There is an indicator you can install that shows the workspaces you are on:

List of Application indicators