If desktop real estate is valuable to you there is a simple way to get rid of the windows decorations while trying to maximize every window using maximus

sudo apt-get install maximus

in case this program fails is doing its job you can always use compiz to achieve the same goal as JakeTolbert clearly explains:

sudo apt-get install ccsm

and in Windows Decorations plugin set instead of any

!state=maxvert

In order to close the windows you could consider adding to the GNOME taskbar the Canonical window-picker-applet (after installing it rightclick on the panel and add the applet plugin).

sudo apt-get install window-picker-applet

you can also use the key combinations ALT+SPACE+C and ALT+F4 to close windows.

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