[lloeki]

On Lion machines, using the keyboard shortcuts (ctrl/cmd+1/2/3/4), switching spaces is well under a second (my guess would be 500~750ms). From MC (which takes again less than a second to enter), entering a space is more in the 750~1000ms range but still, I don't know where you get that 2~3s figure.

This may help, although I found too fast an animation makes me dizzy after a while.

    defaults write com.apple.dock expose-animation-duration -float 0.15; killall Dock

[drivebyacct2]

That's the mission control expose animation, I know of that and use it. I want the four finger swipe sped up. I don't know the absolute numbering of my spaces, it's a relative association for me.

[lloeki]

> I want the four finger swipe sped up.

Ok, I never use that one. Sadly it seems that for the sake of consistency with the physical world this animation is tied to the movement of your hand (whereas the MC exposé swipe is a trigger).

> I don't know the absolute numbering of my spaces, it's a relative association for me.

One can set up "Move Left/Right a Space" shortcuts in the Keyboard prefpane. Same animation speed as the swipe, which feels ungodly slow.