I do something very similar in KDE with a whole bunch of virtual desktops. Though I do use a taskbar because I like the overview of it but I don't actually use

I do something very similar in KDE with a whole bunch of virtual desktops. Though I do use a taskbar because I like the overview of it but I don't actually use it to switch tasks :) I always thought Gnome was not very useful for this because workspaces are created on the fly whereas I want to have them spatially oriented in a fixed grid that persists on every boot with the right application tiles in them. And I have hotkeys mapped to each one directly on the numpad (without key combos, I hate those). So my numpad is not a numpad at all but a workspace switcher :P The problem with the gnome design philosophy is that it only works for you if you agree with them on everything. If you're pretty opinionated yourself (as I am and it sounds like you are too), opinionated software only works well if you have the exact same opinions as its creators. With something as complex as a DE this will run into many mismatches quickly. This is why configurable software is so great if you're not willing to compromise on how you want things.