If you've spent any time using Linux, you're probably familiar with the idea of virtual desktops. Instead of spending money on multiple monitors, many Linux distributions include a virtual desktop manager that lets you display certain running applications, icons, and other goodies on one screen at a time. You can toggle back and forth between desktops to get the powerful feeling that you have unlimited desktop space.

VirtuaWin is an open source application that brings the same functionality to Windows. And then some. This utility has far too many features to list, but here are a few of the most important ones:

• Configurable hotkeys for switching between desktops
• Configurable tray icon for displaying your current desktop location
• Option to switch desktops by holding your mouse near the edge of the screen
• Easily switch running applications from one desktop to another by clicking on the tray icon

VirtuaWin 4.0 beta 2 was released this week with a few bug fixes. Version 4.0 also removes all limits on the number of virtual windows you can have open, although the window list menu can only display 255 windows. But seriously, were you planning on using 256?