http://www.apple.com/feedback/

There’s no reason why Spaces *would* retain their contents — your Mac didn’t do this without Spaces either. As you say, you’ll have to set up the applications as Login items. Then when they do open up, they will open into the Spaces you assigned.

I think what you’re looking for though is Session Control – as some web browsers have, for example, reopening windows and tabs that were open when the application quit.

It certainly seems there’s a lot Apple could do to make Spaces much more useful and sophisticated. One thing I’d like, for example, is the ability to name Spaces.

What Apple need is user feedback. Send it to Apple at:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html/

Thanks for your introduction to “Spaces” in Mac Tips – very helpful.

I have been determined to make “Spaces” work and I’m succeeding fairly well. It is proving to be extremely useful and efficient.

Except that initially “Spaces” did not retain their contents if the machine was powered off and then restarted – until I tried a possibility . . .

To ensure that “Spaces” restarts with the same application content as prior to powering down, open “System Preferences” – “Accounts” – “My Account” – “Login Items” – then use the “+” symbol to add those applications you wish to be restored on powering up. This assumes that you have already allocated which application is to go into which space.

However, although applications are reopened, it would seem that any files in use, such as a partly written letter or e-mail, have to be reopened. Another disadvantage seems to be the complexity of this “Login Items” procedure when you wish to change the contents of a space. Is there a shorter method? At present I am leaving space [1] blank, [2] with “Word”, [3] with both “Firefox” and “Thunderbird”, [4] with my “Address Book” which is in great need of updating, and [5] for “iTunes”. (Leaving space [1] blank seems sensible – i.e. ready for any other required use.)

At least, if a further application is going to be used frequently, it is reasonably simple to add a further space or spaces. However, it would seem that it is not possible to have the same application assigned to two different spaces (not even if you have two different versions of that application?) unless you choose to have the application allocated to every space – which seems like overkill.

There also seems to be two errors in the “Mac Help” – “Spaces” – “Working faster with Spaces”: “… press the Control key and the number key …” should read “… press the Command key and the number key…” and so also where it says “… press the Control key and arrows keys together.” it should say “… press the Command key and arrow keys together.”. (Only then do you find the purpose of the mini window frames that have previously been flashing onto the screen.)

One cute procedure available in “Spaces” is the ability, when all your spaces are displayed on screen, to pick up an application or file with its application from one space and move it to another.

Finally, if, in addition, you are using “Expose” to access “All Windows” and “Spaces”, the combination is brilliant.

Thanks for your time and trouble, God Bless You.