There is a really useful short-cut in Windows which allows you to align a window to the left or the right of a screen. This way you can use your 16:9 wide screen efficiently using keyboard without any mouse resizing.
This is possible on Ubuntu Unity, GNOME 2, KDE and XFCE too!
Just with different mechanisms...
| Desktop |
Half Maximize Left |
Half Maximize Right |
| Windows |
[Windows]+[Left] |
[Windows]+[Right] |
| Ubuntu Unity |
[Ctrl]+[Super]+[Left] |
[Ctrl]+[Super]+[Right] |
| GNOME 3 |
Drag to left edge |
Drag to right edge |
| GNOME 2 + Compiz Grid plugin |
Drag to left border |
Drag to right border |
| GNOME 2/XFCE/KDE + Brightside |
Drag to configured edge |
Drag to configured edge |
| XFCE 4.10 |
[Super]+[Left] |
[Super]+[Right] |