Using Spaces to Give Your Workflow a Context

Mac users are always reforming their way of understanding mac productivity. Some may not agree with the constant changing from one thing to the next, but for us Mac users, we want to find the solution that works best for us. Not everything you try will work or even feel productive. Some things you keep and others you tweak or try differently.

For most freelancers who are constantly working on their Mac might want to consider using Spaces to give their workflow a context. The web designer will definitely use it differently from the freelance writer and/or journalist. Everything that has anything to do with web design and/or coding may go into one Space, while everything that has anything to do with writing would go into another Space. I definitely use Spaces for context because it allows me to organize and setup everything I need in one spot. To give you more of an idea, below is how I use Spaces:

Space 1: Safari, Firefox, Camino, Opera, IE, TextWrangler, GIMP - I have setup this space to open everthing I need when I am designing and/or coding a website. All my browsers are in the same Space, so that I can make sure the site meets cross browsing compatibility. Also, I have included TextWrangler because this is what I use to write my code as well as GIMP which is used as my primary image editor.

Space 2: iChat, Mail.app, Pownce, TwitterPod, MSN Messenger:Mac - This space is setup for electronic communication with my friends, clients, and social network. However, I only login if I need to update Pownce or Twitter or if I need to communicate with a client. I am not logged in if I am currently working on a project. However, if you are working on a project, all electronic communications should be off in order to be productive.

Space 3: Pages, TextEdit, Sidenote, Stickies - I have setup this space to house all of the writing apps I need if I am working on a writing project or preparing a blog post. I either use Sidenote or stickies for ubiquitous capture when something pops into my head while writing or links to websites I need to visit for research.

As you see, this is how I have setup Spaces to use for context. However, you may use Spaces differently. You might combine Space 1 and 2 because you use all those programs for work (@Work). You may not use spaces at all or even thought of using spaces. You may try it and find that it does not work for you. Again, you should only use what works best for you.

I would love to hear from the readers. How are you using spaces? Do you use it for productivity or do you use it for something else? Do you find it helpful or a hindrance?

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