Is there a way to open an "extra" temporary workspace?

Question

[Running Ubuntu 14.04, Unity]

So, I have workspaces enabled and all that jazz. I know one can set some option so that Ubuntu defaults to more than four workspaces—but that's not what I want.

Currently, I'd like a fifth workspace, but only temporarily (that is, I don't want it to be the default that five open. I just want it for today, and possibly w/e other day I need it).

Is there a way to do this?

Answer 1

The script below allows you to keep two different sets of worspaces. If you place the script under a shortcurt key, you can toggle between the two sets:

normal workspaces -

extended workspaces -

How to use

1. Copy the script below into an empty file. In the head section, define the "normal" situation in rows / columns:

   normal = (2, 2)
   

   and the "extended" situation you'd like to see in rows / columns:

   extended = (2, 4)
   

2. Save the script as manage_workspaces.py. Test if it does want you want it to do by running the command:

   python3 /path/to/manage_workspaces.py
   

   When you run the command, the workspace setup should toggle between the two sets, and a message should appear in the notification area (see the pictures above)

3. If all works well, add the command to run the script to a shortcut key of your choice: Choose: System Settings > "Keyboard" > "Shortcuts" > "Custom Shortcuts"
   Click the "+" and add the command:

   python3 /path/to/manage_workspaces.py
   

   The script:

   #!/usr/bin/env python3
   
   import subprocess
   
   # default situation rows / columns
   normal = (2, 2)
   # extended set of workspaces
   extended = (2, 4)
   # commands to read the current state
   key = "/org/compiz/profiles/unity/plugins/core/"
   read_hor = "dconf read "+key+"hsize"; read_vert = "dconf read "+key+"vsize"
   hor = int(subprocess.check_output(["/bin/bash", "-c", read_hor]).decode("utf-8").strip())
   vert = int(subprocess.check_output(["/bin/bash", "-c", read_vert]).decode("utf-8").strip())
   # take action, depending on current state
   if (hor,vert) == normal:        
       set_h = "dconf write "+key+"hsize "+str(extended[1])
       set_v = "dconf write "+key+"vsize "+str(extended[0])
       message = "notify-send 'set to extended workspaces: "+str(extended[0])+" x "+str(extended[1])+"'"
   else:
       set_h = "dconf write "+key+"hsize "+str(normal[1])
       set_v = "dconf write "+key+"hsize "+str(normal[0])
       message = "notify-send 'set to normal workspaces: "+str(normal[0])+" x "+str(normal[1])+"'"
   for item in (set_h, set_v, message):
       subprocess.call(["/bin/bash", "-c", item])
   

Answer 2

I have a outdated PPA that might work but the workspace is not temporarily available. So to disable/enable you must go to the application.

PPA: deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/tualatrix/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main