Virtual desktops provide multiple screens for working with applications.  Rather than minimizing and maximizing applications you can keep applications open on separate “virtual” desktops.  This approach may eliminate the need to reposition windows.
An icon is provided in the task bar to allow users to see which virtual desktop they are using and to switch desktops.  Users can also switch desktops using keyboard commands such as <windows key> & <up arrow>.

Most Linux systems provide virtual desktops.  Virtuawin is an opensource tool that provides this functionality for Windows Vista (or XP).  See http://virtuawin.sourceforge.net/