By default, Ubuntu 12.10 comes with support for 4 workspaces, virtual desktops that allow the user to perform complex workflows, in the sense of being able to categorize the desktop in 4 (tweakable number) places, where different activity types can be located.
Editing text documents on the first workspace, watching one's social activity on the second workspace, renaming numerous files on the third workspace, downloading torrents on the fourth workspace, etc, are situations that may be utilized by users.
