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One of the few ideas I like about GNOME Shell is making the number of virtual desktops dynamic. Indeed, it can be highly varible how many desktops one needs and especially on small displays we don't want needlessly many desktops on the pager. I describe my idea of an unobtrusive implementation of making the number of virtual desktops dynamic.

After the last desktop on the Pager there would be a + sign. Clicking on the + sign would create a new virtual desktop after the existing desktops and switch to it.

This change of the number of virtual desktops would not be saved as a permanent setting (only in the sesion if the user uses sessions). The permanent setting of the number of virtual desktops would function as a minimum.

Unused desktops added dynamically would be automatically deleted. More specifically, if there are more virtual desktops than the minimum, and the last one does not contain any window and it is not the current desktop, it would be removed. So you wouldnt need to care about deleting desktops: just close the last window on the last deskop and leave it. If you want to use it again, just click on the + sign.

Something to consider with this is how this should be handled if the user has an arrangement other than 1-by-x virtual desktops (e.g. 2x2, 3x4, etc.).

AFAIK at least on the pager typically the number of rows is fix. Adding a desktop would have the same effect in this regard as increasing the number of desktops in the Multiple Desktops control module.

In KDE 4.4, there's right-click context menu items for, "Add virtual desktop" and, "Remove last virtual desktop" in the pager. I think it saves the changes permanently, though. Does that suffice?

I dont understand why we need same feature as GNOME Shell is trying to offer?

Virtualdesktops are not used by the way that every application program has own virtual desktop where to sit and that is the idea what GNOME devs are trying to give. You do not use taskbar so much but a virtualdesktops to manage your windows. Not so wise I say.

The GNOME Shell is trying to be more like a presentation plugin on KWin (on Mac OSX the effect is Expos??) when you swing the mouse to corner/side of the screen, you get all windows of the running application programs presented in front of you. Exactly the way what GNOME Shell is trying to imitate.

And GNOME does not have such powerfull and flexible window manager than KDE SC has, the KWin. You can make custom rules that specific application programs, windows or even application programs with specific files gets opened and used on specific virtual desktops.

And we have a activities what are coming even more powerfull in coming versions (4.5/4.6) where you could tie application program to specific activity so you can have only two virtual desktops but four activities and every activity for specific task. Like having a own development activity with own panels, icons, widgets, KWin rules, Application Programs and nepomuk controlling all that.

With KWin+Nepomuk+Activities we can have much more than what GNOME Shell can ever offer.

Madman: That's great! It mostly suffices; I like my proposal somewhat better (that's why I suggested it that way) but it is up to others if they like it too.

Fri13: I am not suggesting that we should copy GNOME Shell or that it's better. I just saw a feature in it which I liked, although I find their implementation too obtrusive.

I have written a KWin script to dynamicly add and remove the virtual desktops some time ago.

I use the script extensively, unfortunately there are sometimes some error messages. I have not yet figured out the reason.
So please feel free to correct the script.

The Skript is stored on:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6qwoe81if4rsz3e/kw_dynSpace.zip?dl=0

There are + and - buttons (lower-right corner) on the desktop grid effect of kwin. Is there something wrong with using those?

Hi all, I know this is an old post. I have not used plasma for over a year now. It may now contain this ability and I may just not be aware. If so, please let me know.

I actually do like that ability that gnome offers in being able to spawn new virtual desktops. Thier idea of two apps at most per virtual desktop is actually quite interesting. Before i understood how to use Gnome (we can debate in another post whether different desktops should require user training) I would struggle to use gnome. Once I learnt how to use it though, I became very productive. I think it is nice to be able to switch to a new desktop without your hands leaving the keyboard much. Two apps per desktop is what I do now. Really, the dynamic virtual desktops and the 'gnome online accounts' equivalent is what I am waiting for. KDE online accounts exist but it does not set up your email and add the GDrive to Dolphin with ease the way that Gnome does. I know i can add it myself but it is just the user experience that i am speaking from. It is not easy or straight forward. Maybe that has changed. Other than those two, Plasma is beautiful and evolving great! Thanks for all the work. ... Oh and better external monito support would be nice but that's another topic. Lol