You should also consider getting more RAM. Unless you're running a lot of processes that mostly sit idle and can be moved to swap without adversely affecting performance, actually using your swap space is what's called "thrashing." If the so-called working set (the amount of RAM being actively referenced by running processes, not just allocated to them but remaining unaccessed) is larger than RAM, no amount of swap will make the system usable.
I'd love to get more RAM... but this is a work PC, and getting the approval for more RAM (even though a low cost item) is a pain. I am doing a lot of swapping some days.... minimum of one Oracle database running 24x7 (sometimes 2 dBs), various Java based apps, VMWare, multiple files open in OpenOffice... I really do need more than 1GB RAM, but.. you know how it is trying to get sign off on IT purchases. :-P That's good advice though about the usability... I'm going to use it as an argument for the hardware signoff :-) C.