the rpws script for ratpoison allows you to have multiple workspaces, in place of just one. it is quite easy to use it.
Although it should be already installed, if its not, Heres the rpws script – http://paste.pocoo.org/raw/134472/ . place it in /usr/bin and give it executable permissions ( chmod +x /usr/bin/rpws )
Now, you need to add this stuff to your ~/.ratpoisonrc file
#Workspaces
exec rpws -i
exec /usr/bin/rpws init 6 -k
bind C-1 exec rpws 1
bind C-2 exec rpws 2
bind C-3 exec rpws 3
bind C-4 exec rpws 4
Here Ctrl + 1 key is bound to open the first workspace, Ctrl + 2 for the second and so on. You can ofcouse add as many entries you want :)
