Spaces is a new virtual desktop feature in Apple’s Leopard 10.5 operating system.  It really makes multi-tasking easy and keeps everything organized. I use six spaces or six virtual desktops and I assign different programs to open in a particular space. For example, you can have your web browser in space one, all your instant messaging programs in space two, Itunes in space three, etc, etc. There is one problem with Spaces and that is it will automatically switch to another space if there is some kind of pop-up or notice.  In my case I can be typing away on a blog post and then all of a sudden I’m switched to my email because an update failed.  There is nothing in the system preferences to stop automatic switching between spaces so you have to use this simple trick.

First open the Terminal application, in Utilities.

type

defaults write com.apple.Dock workspaces-auto-swoosh -bool NO

then close Terminal and restart the computer.

If you want to change it back, just do the same but type

defaults write com.apple.Dock workspaces-auto-swoosh -bool YES

If you have any questions or have your own fix to this problem. Leave a comment below.