GNOME 2.4, User Manual

Page 1: ...he GNOME Desktop 3 GNOME Desktop Sessions 4 Working With Panels 5 Working With Menus 6 Working With Windows 7 Nautilus File Manager 8 Using Your Desktop II Customizing Your GNOME Desktop 9 Using the Basic Preference Tools 10 Using the Advanced Preference Tools 11 Using the Accessibility Preference Tools Glossary Prev Next About This Document Part I A Tour of the GNOME Desktop ...

Page 2: ...d with this manual This manual is part of a collection of GNOME manuals distributed under the GFDL If you want to distribute this manual separately from the collection you can do so by adding a copy of the license to the manual as described in section 6 of the license Many of the names used by companies to distinguish their products and services are claimed as trademarks Where those names appear i...

Page 3: ... ANY DISTRIBUTOR OF THE DOCUMENT OR MODIFIED VERSION OF THE DOCUMENT OR ANY SUPPLIER OF ANY OF SUCH PARTIES BE LIABLE TO ANY PERSON FOR ANY DIRECT INDIRECT SPECIAL INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY CHARACTER INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF GOODWILL WORK STOPPAGE COMPUTER FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OR ANY AND ALL OTHER DAMAGES OR LOSSES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO USE OF THE...

Page 4: ...2 August 2002 Sun Microsystems GNOME Documentation Project GNOME 2 0 Desktop User Guide V2 1 August 2002 Sun Microsystems GNOME Documentation Project GNOME 2 0 Desktop User Guide V1 0 May 2002 Sun Microsystems GNOME Documentation Project This manual describes version 2 4 of the GNOME desktop Next GNOME 2 4 Desktop User Guide ...

Page 5: ...ndow skills and basic dialog skills Overview of the GNOME Desktop Read this chapter for an introduction to the major components and functions of the desktop environment If you do not read anything else in this manual read this chapter GNOME Desktop Sessions Read this chapter for information about how to start manage and end GNOME Desktop sessions Working With Panels Read this chapter to find out m...

Page 6: ...are no interface graphical items such as panels and windows This chapter describes how to use the desktop to start applications and open your files and folders The chapter also describes how to use Trash from the desktop how to use the Desktop menu and how to customize the desktop Table of Contents 1 Basic Skills 2 Overview of the GNOME Desktop 3 GNOME Desktop Sessions 4 Working With Panels 5 Work...

Page 7: ...y 1 1 4 Mouse Pointers 1 2 Keyboard Skills 1 2 1 Desktop Environment Shortcut Keys 1 2 2 Window Shortcut Keys 1 2 3 Panel Shortcut Keys 1 2 4 Application Shortcut Keys 1 2 5 Access Keys 1 3 Using Windows 1 3 1 To Resize Panes 1 3 2 Using Tables This chapter introduces you to the basic skills that you need to work with the GNOME Desktop Prev Home Next Part I A Tour of the GNOME Desktop Up 1 1 Mouse...

Page 8: ...rom the File Manager 2 6 2 To Move Files Between Folders 2 7 Desktop and Desktop Objects 2 7 1 To Open Desktop Objects 2 7 2 To Add Objects to the Desktop 2 8 Start Here Location 2 9 Desktop Environment Preferences 2 10 Applications 2 11 To Find Out More 2 11 1 To Find Out More About Desktop Environment Topics 2 11 2 To Find Out More About Applets 2 11 3 To Find Out More About Applications This ch...

Page 9: ... Prev Home Next 1 3 Using Windows Up 2 1 Introducing Desktop Environment Components ...

Page 10: ...ferent Language 3 2 To Lock Your Screen 3 3 Managing the Session 3 3 1 Defining Session Behavior When You Log In and Log Out 3 3 2 To Use Startup Applications 3 3 3 To Browse Applications in the Current Session 3 3 4 To Save Session Settings 3 4 Ending a Session This chapter provides the information you need to start manage and end a GNOME Desktop session Prev Home Next 2 11 To Find Out More Up 3 ...

Page 11: ...l Objects 4 3 1 Interacting With Panel Objects 4 3 2 To Add an Object to a Panel 4 3 3 To Modify the Properties of an Object 4 3 4 To Move a Panel Object 4 3 5 To Lock a Panel Object 4 3 6 To Remove a Panel Object 4 4 Applets 4 4 1 To Add an Applet to a Panel 4 4 2 To Select an Applet 4 4 3 To Modify Preferences for an Applet 4 5 Launchers 4 5 1 To Add a Launcher to a Panel 4 5 2 To Modify the Pro...

Page 12: ... 8 1 To Open and Close a Drawer 4 8 2 To Add a Drawer to a Panel 4 8 3 To Add an Object to a Drawer 4 8 4 To Modify Drawer Properties The information in this chapter describes how to use panels Prev Home Next 3 4 Ending a Session Up 4 1 Introducing Panels ...

Page 13: ... 5 Main Menu 5 5 1 To Open the Main Menu 5 5 2 To Add a Main Menu to a Panel 5 6 Menu Bar 5 6 1 To Add a Menu Bar to a Panel 5 7 Customizing Your Menus 5 7 1 To Add a Menu 5 7 2 To Add a Launcher to a Menu 5 7 3 To Add a Launcher to an Empty Menu 5 7 4 To Copy a Launcher to a Menu 5 7 5 To Edit the Properties of a Menu 5 7 6 To Edit a Menu Item 5 7 7 To Delete an Item from a Menu This chapter desc...

Page 14: ... a Window 6 4 4 To Restore a Window 6 4 5 To Close a Window 6 4 6 To Resize a Window 6 4 7 To Move a Window 6 4 8 To Roll Up a Window 6 4 9 To Put a Window on All Workspaces 6 4 10 To Move a Window to Another Workspace 6 5 Manipulating Workspaces 6 5 1 To Switch Between Workspaces 6 5 2 To Add Workspaces 6 5 3 To Name Workspaces 6 5 4 To Delete Workspaces The information in this chapter describes ...

Page 15: ...5 7 Customizing Your Menus Up 6 1 Windows and Workspaces ...

Page 16: ...7 3 8 Accessing Special URI Locations 7 3 9 Using Your Navigation History 7 3 10 To Bookmark Your Favorite Locations 7 4 Managing Your Files and Folders 7 4 1 Drag and Drop in the File Manager 7 4 2 To Select Files and Folders 7 4 3 To Move a File or Folder 7 4 4 To Copy a File or Folder 7 4 5 To Duplicate a File or Folder 7 4 6 To Create a Folder 7 4 7 To Rename a File or Folder 7 4 8 To Move a F...

Page 17: ... File Manager 7 7 1 Setting Your Preferences 7 7 2 Changing Backgrounds 7 7 3 To Show and Hide Window Components 7 8 Using Removable Media 7 8 1 To Mount Media 7 8 2 To Display Media Contents 7 8 3 To Display Media Properties 7 8 4 To Format a Floppy Diskette 7 8 5 To Eject Media 7 9 Writing CDs 7 10 Running Scripts From the File Manager This chapter describes how to use the Nautilus file manager ...

Page 18: ... 2 8 To Delete an Object from the Desktop 8 2 9 To View the Properties of a Desktop Object 8 2 10 To Change the Permissions of a Desktop Object 8 2 11 To Add an Emblem to a Desktop Object 8 2 12 To Add a Note to a Desktop Object 8 2 13 To Change the Icon for a Desktop Object 8 2 14 To Resize a Desktop Object Icon 8 3 Using Trash on the Desktop 8 3 1 To Display Trash 8 3 2 To Empty Trash 8 4 Using ...

Page 19: ...effect of a middle mouse button The mouse button conventions used in this manual are as follows Mouse Button Definition Left mouse button The button on the left side of a mouse device configured for normal right hand use Middle mouse button The middle button of a mouse device configured for normal right hand use Right mouse button The button on the right side of a mouse device configured for norma...

Page 20: ...ows Action Definition Click Press and release the left mouse button without moving the mouse Click and hold Press and do not release the left mouse button Left click Same as click Left click clarifies the action when there might be confusion with right click Middle click Press and release the middle mouse button without moving the mouse Right click Press and release the right mouse button without ...

Page 21: ... object is moved from the old location to the new location Copy pointer Drag and drop Copy pointer Indicates that when you drop the object a copy of the object is created where you drop the object Symbolic link pointer Drag and drop Symbolic link pointer Indicates that when you drop the object a symbolic link to the object is created where you drop the object A symbolic link is a special type of f...

Page 22: ...indow border to resize the window vertically Corner resize pointer Resize window horizontally and vertically Corner resize pointer Indicates that you have selected a corner of a window border to resize the window horizontally and vertically Window pane or table column resize pointer Resize window pane or resize table column Window pane or table column resize pointer Indicates that you have selecte...

Page 23: ...ys enable you to use the keyboard to perform desktop environment tasks The following table lists some desktop environment shortcut keys Default Shortcut Keys Function Alt F1 Opens the Main Menu Alt F2 Displays the Run Application dialog Print Screen Takes a screenshot Alt Print Screen Takes a screenshot of the window that has focus Ctrl Alt right arrow Switches to the workspace to the right of the...

Page 24: ...wn arrow Switches to the workspace below the current workspace Ctrl Alt d Minimizes all windows and gives focus to the desktop 1 2 3 Panel Shortcut Keys Panel shortcut keys enable you to use the keyboard to perform panel tasks The following table lists panel shortcut keys Default Shortcut Keys Function Ctrl Alt Tab Switches the focus between the panels and the desktop When you use these shortcut k...

Page 25: ... underlined letter in a menubar menu or dialog that you can use to perform an action On a menubar the access key for each menu is underlined To open a menu press Alt then press the access key In the menu the access key for each menu item is underlined To choose a menu item press the access key for the menu item The following table shows example access keys from the Text Editor application Access K...

Page 26: ...log Arrow keys Use the arrow keys to perform the following actions In a menubar move the focus from one menu to the next menu In an open menu move the focus from one menu item to the next menu item Move the focus from one option to the next option to make your selection for example within a group of radio buttons in a dialog Change the value that a spin box displays Prev Home Next 1 1 Mouse Skills...

Page 27: ... one of the vertical edges of the column In some tables you can sort the information by a particular column To sort information in a table click on the heading on top of the column by which you want to sort the information An up arrow is displayed in the column heading by which the table is sorted The following figure shows the up arrow Up arrow in a column heading To reverse the sort order click ...

Page 28: ...Select multiple items Press and hold Ctrl Click on the items that you want to select Prev Home Next 1 2 Keyboard Skills Up Chapter 2 Overview of the GNOME Desktop ...

Page 29: ...enus Panels are very configurable A particularly important panel in Figure 2 1 is the top edge panel The top edge panel includes the Menu Bar The Menu Bar contains two special menus as follows Applications menu Contains all applications and configuration tools This menu also includes the file manager and the help browser To start the file manager choose Home Folder from the Applications menu Actio...

Page 30: ...on from the file manager You can use the file manager to manage your files and folders Desktop The desktop is behind all of the other components on the desktop The desktop is an active component of the user interface You can place objects on the desktop to quickly access your files and directories or to start applications that you use often You can also right click on the desktop to open a menu St...

Page 31: ...op Your system administrator can make configuration changes to suit your needs so that the desktop environment might not be exactly the same as described in this chapter Nevertheless this chapter provides a useful quick guide to how to work with the desktop environment Prev Home Next Chapter 2 Overview of the GNOME Desktop Up 2 2 Panels ...

Page 32: ...e New Panel The new panel is added to your desktop environment The new panel contains no objects You can customize the new panel to suit your preferences You can add objects to the panel to fit your own requirements You can also change the background of the panel You can create as many panels as you want 2 2 2 To Delete Panels To delete a panel right click on the panel then choose Delete This Pane...

Page 33: ...o switch between workspaces By default Workspace Switcher appears in the edge panel at the bottom of the screen To add an applet to a panel right click on a vacant space on the panel then choose Add to Panel Choose the applet that you require from one of the following submenus Accessories Amusements Internet Multimedia Utility Launchers A launcher starts a particular application executes a command...

Page 34: ...e a combination of menus and panels to perform your tasks To open a menu from a panel click on the icon that represents the menu To open a menu from the Menu Bar click on the text that represents the menu Menus that you add to your panels are represented by an icon with an arrow The arrow indicates that the icon represents a menu The icon in Figure 2 2 is the icon that is displayed when you add th...

Page 35: ...any object to another location in the panel You can also move an object from one panel to another panel Use the middle mouse button to drag the panel object to the new location Copy menu items to a panel Drag the item from the menu to the panel Alternatively if the menu item is a launcher right click on the menu item then choose Add this launcher to panel Prev Home Next 2 1 Introducing Desktop Env...

Page 36: ... You can also access the items in the Applications and Actions menus from the Main Menu To add a Menu Bar to a panel right click on the panel then choose Add to Panel Menu Bar To add a Main Menu to a panel right click on the panel then choose Add to Panel Main Menu The Main Menu is represented by a stylized footprint as follows Main Menu icon Click on the Main Menu button on a panel to open the Ma...

Page 37: ...u provides commands that you can perform on the window Dialog windows Dialog windows are associated with interactive processes A dialog window consists of the window frame and a single interactive pane that provides information and controls for the user This manual refers to the interactive part of a dialog window as a dialog The frame of a dialog window contains buttons that enable you to open th...

Page 38: ...e border of the window but not the titlebar Drag the border until the window is the size that you require 2 4 3 To Give Focus to a Window A window that has focus can receive input from the mouse and the keyboard Only one window can have focus at a time The window that has focus has a different appearance than other windows You can use the following elements to give focus to a window Element Action...

Page 39: ...switch to another workspace then start more applications Workspaces are displayed in the Workspace Switcher applet In Figure 2 4 Workspace Switcher contains four workspaces The first three workspaces contain open windows The last workspace does not contain currently active windows Figure 2 4 Workspaces Displayed in Workspace Switcher Workspace Switcher The context describes the graphic 2 5 1 To Sw...

Page 40: ... Prev Home Next 2 4 Windows Up 2 6 Nautilus File Manager ...

Page 41: ...s the contents of files and folders The view pane is on the right side of the window Nautilus enables you to do the following View files and folders You can view your files and folders as icons or as a list You can view the contents of some types of file within a file manager window Alternatively you can open the files in the appropriate application from the file manager Manage your files and fold...

Page 42: ...that you want to write to a CD You can write the contents of the location to a CD easily The file manager also creates the desktop 2 6 1 To Open Files From the File Manager To navigate to the folder where the file that you want to open resides double click on the folder icons in the view pane When the file that you want to open is displayed double click on the file icon to open the file 2 6 2 To M...

Page 43: ... can set your preferences in a Nautilus window so that you click once on an object to execute the default action 2 7 2 To Add Objects to the Desktop You can add desktop objects for convenient access to files folders and applications that you use frequently You can add objects to your desktop in the following ways Use the Desktop menu to add a launcher to the desktop Drag an object from a file mana...

Page 44: ...lick on Desktop Preferences to customize your desktop environment Programs that enable you to configure your system as a server and to choose other system settings You can access the Start Here location in the following ways From a file manager window Choose Go Start Here The contents of the Start Here location are displayed in the window From the desktop Double click on the Start Here object on t...

Page 45: ... that specify the visual appearance of a part of your interface For convenience the tools are grouped under the following headings Basic Accessibility Advanced You can open your desktop environment preference tools in either of the following ways Choose Applications Desktop Preferences Choose the item that you require from the submenus Double click on the Start Here object on the desktop A Nautilu...

Page 46: ...have a consistent look and feel GNOME compliant applications use the look and feel settings that you specify in the preference tools You can use the following tools to change the look and feel of your GNOME compliant applications Menus Toolbars preference tool Theme preference tool Menubars toolbars and statusbars Most GNOME compliant applications have a menubar a toolbar and a statusbar The menub...

Page 47: ...e GNOME compliant applications provide consistent feedback when you drag and drop items The use of the same protocol also enables GNOME compliant applications to interoperate in a sophisticated manner For example GNOME compliant applications recognize the format of the items that you drag When you drag a HTML file from a Nautilus window to a web browser the file is displayed in HTML format in the ...

Page 48: ...e about particular desktop environment topics in the integrated Yelp help system To start the Yelp help system choose Applications Help 2 11 2 To Find Out More About Applets To find out more about a specific applet right click on the applet then choose Help 2 11 3 To Find Out More About Applications To find out more about a specific application start the application then choose Help Contents Alter...

Page 49: ...manager does not manage For example if you start the vi editor from the command line in a terminal window session manager cannot restore your editing session 3 1 1 To Log in to a Session To log in to a session perform the following steps 1 On the login screen click on the Session icon Choose the GNOME Desktop from the list of available desktop environments 2 Enter your username in the Username fie...

Page 50: ...d field on the login screen then press Return Note When you log in to a session in a different language you choose the language for the user interface You do not specify a keyboard layout for the session To specify a keyboard layout use the Keyboard Layout Switcher applet Prev Home Next Chapter 3 GNOME Desktop Sessions Up 3 2 To Lock Your Screen ...

Page 51: ...panel right click on the panel Choose Add to Panel Actions Lock When you lock your screen the screensaver starts To unlock the screen move your mouse to display the locked screen dialog Enter your username and password in the locked screen dialog then press Return For information on configuring your screensaver see Using the Basic Preference Tools Note To lock your screen correctly you must have a...

Page 52: ...ion Behavior When You Log In and Log Out To set how a session behaves when you log in and log out use Sessions preference tool Make the changes you require in the Session Options tabbed section For example you can select to display a splash screen when you log in 3 3 2 To Use Startup Applications You can configure your sessions to start with applications that are not session managed To configure n...

Page 53: ...ve settings when you end the session To configure your session use the Sessions preference tool The Sessions preference tool starts Select the Automatically save changes to session option on the Session Options tabbed section 2 End your session If you do not select the Automatically save changes to session option when you log out a dialog asks if you want to save your current settings To save your...

Page 54: ...Choose Actions Log Out Open the Main Menu then choose Log Out Before you end a session you might want to save your current settings so that you can restore the session later During the logout process a dialog asks if you want to save your current settings In the Sessions preference tool you can select an option to automatically save your current settings Prev Home Next 3 3 Managing the Session Up ...

Page 55: ...o hide panels Typically the GNOME Desktop contains a panel at the top edge of the screen and a panel at the bottom edge of the screen The following sections describe these panels 4 1 1 Top Edge Panel Figure 4 1 shows the panel at the top edge of the screen Your system administrator might have set your default top edge panel according to your local requirements so you might see a slightly different...

Page 56: ... Panel Figure 4 2 shows a typical bottom edge panel Your system administrator might have set your default bottom edge panel according to your local requirements so you might see a slightly different bottom edge panel Figure 4 2 Typical Bottom Edge Panel Typical bottom edge panel The context describes the graphic The bottom edge panel contains the following items Show Desktop button Click on this b...

Page 57: ...s no vacant space If the hide buttons are not visible on a panel modify the properties of the panel so that the hide buttons are visible You use the mouse buttons to interact with a panel in the following ways Middle click Enables you to grab a panel then drag the panel to a new location Right click Opens the panel popup menu 4 2 3 To Move a Panel You can move panels to different locations To move...

Page 58: ... of panel objects You can also modify properties for each individual panel You can change the features for each panel such as the type of the panel the hide behavior and the visual appearance To modify the properties of a panel perform the following steps 1 Right click on a vacant space on the panel then choose Properties to display the Panel Properties dialog The Panel Properties dialog contains ...

Page 59: ...der towards the Transparent end Background image Select this option to specify an image for the panel background Enter the filename of the image to use in the drop down combination box Alternatively to browse for the file click on the Browse button When you have selected the file click OK You can also drag a color or image on to a panel to set the color or image as the background of the panel For ...

Page 60: ...el that you want to delete then choose Delete This Panel Note You must always have at least one panel in your desktop environment If you have only one panel in your desktop environment you cannot delete that panel Prev Home Next 4 1 Introducing Panels Up 4 3 Panel Objects ...

Page 61: ...anel objects in a different way For more information see To Select an Applet 4 3 2 To Add an Object to a Panel You can add an object to a panel in several ways as follows From the panel popup menu Right click on a vacant space on a panel to open the panel popup menu The panel popup menu contains an Add to Panel submenu The Add to Panel submenu enables you to add the following objects to your panel...

Page 62: ...launcher application The location of the source files for a menu The icon that represents the object To modify the properties of an object perform the following steps 1 Right click on the object to open the panel object popup menu as shown in Figure 4 3 Figure 4 3 Panel Object Popup Menu Panel object popup menu Menu items Properties Remove From Panel Lock Move 2 Choose Properties Use the Propertie...

Page 63: ...s with other panel objects Switched movement is the default movement mode Alt key Free movement The object jumps over other panel objects into the next vacant space on the panel Shift key Push movement The object pushes other panel objects further along the panel 4 3 5 To Lock a Panel Object You can lock panel objects so that the objects stay in the same position on the panel This feature is usefu...

Page 64: ...e on the panel to open the panel popup menu Choose Add to Panel then choose the applet that you want to add from one of the following submenus Accessories Amusements Internet Multimedia Utility Alternatively drag the applet from the submenu on to the panel 4 4 2 To Select an Applet To modify the properties of an applet you must first right click on the applet to display the panel object popup menu...

Page 65: ...not middle click or right click on this field to select the applet Instead middle click or right click on another part of the applet 4 4 3 To Modify Preferences for an Applet To modify the preferences for an applet perform the following steps 1 Right click on the applet then choose Preferences Use the Preferences dialog to modify the preferences as required The preferences for applets vary dependi...

Page 66: ... On the desktop launchers are represented by icons You can modify the properties of a launcher For example the properties of a launcher include the name of the launcher the icon that represents the launcher and how the launcher runs 4 5 1 To Add a Launcher to a Panel You can add a launcher to a panel in one of the following ways From the panel popup menu To create a new launcher right click on any...

Page 67: ...e that appears when you add the launcher to a menu or to the desktop Generic name Use this text box to specify the class of application to which the launcher belongs For example you might type Text Editor in this text box for a gedit launcher You can use the Advanced tab to add translations of the generic name Comment Use this text box to specify a short description of the launcher The comment is ...

Page 68: ...the Basic tabbed section To add a translation enter the details of the translation in the Name Comment translations table as follows Field Description First field Enter the two letter code for the language for which you want to add a translation Second field Enter the translation of the Name of the launcher Third field Enter the translation of the Generic name of the launcher Fourth field Enter th...

Page 69: ...in your default browser applications Opens the Applications location in a file manager window Double click on an application to start the application preferences Opens the Desktop Preferences location in a file manager window Double click on a preference tool to start the preference tool 4 5 2 To Modify the Properties of a Launcher To modify the properties of a launcher perform the following steps...

Page 70: ...f you do not want to terminate an application after you click on the Force Quit button press Esc 4 6 2 Lock Button Lock screen icon The Lock button locks your screen and activates your screensaver To access your session again you must enter your password To lock your screen correctly you must have a screensaver enabled To add a Lock button to a panel right click on any vacant space on the panel Ch...

Page 71: ...To log out of your session or shut down your system click on the Log Out button 4 6 4 Run Button Run Application icon You can use the Run button to open the Run Application dialog To add a Run button to a panel right click on any vacant space on the panel Choose Add to Panel Actions Run To open the Run Application dialog click on the Run button For more information on the Run Application dialog se...

Page 72: ...on any vacant space on the panel Choose Add to Panel Actions Show Desktop To minimize all windows and show the desktop click on the Show Desktop button 4 6 8 Notification Area Applet Notification Area icon The Notification Area applet displays icons from various applications to indicate activity in the application For example when you use the CD Player application to play a CD a CD icon is display...

Page 73: ...u Bar The Menu Bar contains the Applications menu and the Actions menu To add a Menu Bar to a panel right click on any vacant space on the panel then choose Add to Panel Menu Bar You can add as many Menu Bar objects to your panels as you want System menus System menus contain the standard applications and tools that you can use in your desktop environment The Applications menu and Actions menu are...

Page 74: ...hat the icon represents a drawer or menu You can add move and remove objects from drawers in the same way that you add move and remove objects from panels 4 8 1 To Open and Close a Drawer To open a drawer click on the drawer object in a panel You can close a drawer in the following ways Click on the drawer Click on the drawer hide button 4 8 2 To Add a Drawer to a Panel You can add a drawer to a p...

Page 75: ...ies for the drawer in the dialog The following table describes the elements on the General tabbed section Dialog Element Description Name Type a name for the panel When you use shortcut keys to switch between your panels and the desktop this panel name is displayed Size Select the size of the panel Icon Choose an icon to represent the drawer Click on the Icon button to display an icon selector dia...

Page 76: ... Prev Home Next 4 7 Menus Up Chapter 5 Working With Menus ...

Page 77: ...ons menu You can access various commands that enable you to perform desktop environment tasks from the Actions menu For example you can start the Search Tool application or log out of the desktop environment Main Menu You can access the items in the Applications and Actions menus from the Main Menu You can have many Main Menu buttons in your panels Menu Bar You can also access the items in the App...

Page 78: ...hange how all your menus look To change the theme use the Theme preference tool 5 2 1 Menu Item Popup Menu Items in menus have an associated popup menu that enables you to perform tasks related to the item When you right click on an item in a menu the popup menu for the item opens The popup menu also contains a submenu that allows you to perform menu related tasks You can use the menu item popup m...

Page 79: ...ication name Opens the online help for the application Properties Displays a dialog that enables you to edit the properties of the launcher Entire menu Add this as drawer to panel Adds the submenu as a drawer to the panel from which you open the menu Entire menu Add this as menu to panel Adds the submenu as a menu object to the panel from which you open the menu Entire menu Add new item to this me...

Page 80: ...ference tools The Applications menu contains the Desktop Preferences menu You can use the Desktop Preferences menu to start the desktop environment preference tools The Applications menu also includes the file manager and the help browser The Applications menu resides in the following places Main Menu Menu Bar Start Here location in the file manager Prev Home Next 5 2 Menu Features Up 5 4 Actions ...

Page 81: ...st ten files which you saved Take Screenshot Takes a screenshot of the screen and opens the Save Screenshot dialog Use the Save Screenshot dialog to save the screenshot Lock Screen Locks your screen Log Out Logs you out of the current session The Actions menu resides in the following places Main Menu The items in the Actions menu are at the top level of the Main Menu Menu Bar 5 4 1 Using the Run A...

Page 82: ...hat you ran previously click the down arrow button beside the command field then choose the command to run Alternatively select the Show list of known applications option to display a list of available applications You can also use the Run with file button to choose a file to append to the command line For example you can enter emacs as the command then choose a file to edit Select the Run in term...

Page 83: ...t Screen Takes a screenshot of the window to which the mouse points and displays the Save Screenshot dialog Use the Save Screenshot dialog to save the screenshot You can use the Keyboard Shortcuts preference tool to modify the default shortcut keys Use a command You can use the gnome panel screenshot command to take a screenshot The gnome panel screenshot command takes a screenshot of the entire s...

Page 84: ... Prev Home Next 5 3 Applications Menu Up 5 5 Main Menu ...

Page 85: ...tprint icon as illustrated in the graphic above 5 5 1 To Open the Main Menu You can open the Main Menu in the following ways From a panel with a Main Menu Click on the Main Menu Use shortcut keys You can use shortcut keys to open the Main Menu When you use shortcut keys to open the Main Menu the Main Menu appears at the mouse pointer The default shortcut keys to open the Main Menu are Alt F1 To ch...

Page 86: ...5 4 Actions Menu Up 5 6 Menu Bar ...

Page 87: ...nus You can access almost all of the standard applications commands and configuration options from the Menu Bar 5 6 1 To Add a Menu Bar to a Panel You can add as many Menu Bar applets as you want to your panels To add a Menu Bar to a panel right click on any vacant space on the panel Choose Add to Panel Menu Bar Prev Home Next 5 5 Main Menu Up 5 7 Customizing Your Menus ...

Page 88: ...r the Desktop Preferences menu open a file manager window Choose Go Start Here Double click on the Applications object or on the Desktop Preferences object For more information on the file manager see Nautilus File Manager 5 7 1 To Add a Menu To add a menu perform the following steps 1 In a file manager window access the location where you want to add the menu For example to add a menu to the Appl...

Page 89: ...ith Panels 5 Click OK 5 7 4 To Copy a Launcher to a Menu To copy an existing launcher to a menu perform the following steps 1 In a file manager window access the location from which you want to copy the launcher For example to copy a launcher from the Applications menu choose Go Start Here then double click on the Applications object 2 Select the launcher that you want to copy then choose Edit Cop...

Page 90: ... the Launcher Properties dialog For more information on the elements in the Launcher Properties dialog see Working With Panels 4 Click OK 5 7 7 To Delete an Item from a Menu To delete an item from a menu use the menu item popup menu To delete an item from a menu perform the following steps 1 Right click on the item that you want to delete 2 Choose Remove this item Prev Home Next 5 6 Menu Bar Up Ch...

Page 91: ...pplet Workspace Switcher applet The context describes the graphic You can add workspaces at any time To add workspaces to your desktop environment right click on the Workspace Switcher applet then choose Preferences The Workspace Switcher Preferences dialog is displayed Use the Number of workspaces spin box to specify the number of workspaces you require 6 1 1 Window Manager Behavior A window mana...

Page 92: ...shows a typical application window Application window in Simple theme Dialog windows A dialog window is a popup window in which you enter information or commands The dialog appears within a window frame You can use the top edge of the frame to work with the window For example you can use the titlebar to move the dialog The frame also contains buttons that enable you to do the following Open the Wi...

Page 93: ...also contain some of the window frame control elements Table 6 1 describes the active control elements on window frames from left to right Table 6 1 Window Frame Control Elements Control Element Description Window Menu button Click on the button to open the Window Menu Titlebar You can use the titlebar to perform the following actions To give focus to the window click on the titlebar To move the w...

Page 94: ...erform the following actions To move a window press and hold Alt click in the window contents then drag the window to the new location To resize a window press and hold Alt then middle click near the corner you want to resize To resize the window drag from the corner on which you middle clicked To open the Window Menu press and hold Alt then right click in the window contents Prev Home Next 6 1 Wi...

Page 95: ...e Window Menu perform one of the following actions Click on the Window Menu button on the window that you want to work with Press Alt spacebar Press and hold Alt then right click on any part of the window that you want to work with Table 6 2 describes the commands and submenus in the Window Menu Table 6 2 Window Menu Commands and Submenus Menu Item Function Minimize Minimizes the window Maximize o...

Page 96: ...k on the button that represents the window To restore a minimized window Click on the button that represents the window To give focus to a window Click on the button that represents the window When you open an application window Window List displays a button that represents the window The window list buttons show which application windows are open You can view which windows are open even if some w...

Page 97: ...3 6 3 2 1 Grouping Buttons Window List can group the buttons that represent windows in the same class under one window list button The Gnome terminal button in Figure 6 2 is an example of a button that represents a group of buttons The following figure shows an example of Window List with a button group open Window List applet with button group open To open a list of the windows in a group click o...

Page 98: ...t In Figure 6 3 the applet is set up to display the workspaces in one row You can specify the number of rows in which your workspaces are displayed in Workspace Switcher You can also change the default behavior of the applet to display the names of your workspaces in the applet 6 3 4 Using the Top Edge Panel to Work With Windows From the top edge panel you can view a list of all windows that are c...

Page 99: ... Prev Home Next 6 2 Types of Window Up 6 4 Manipulating Windows ...

Page 100: ...n the button that represents the window in Window List Workspace Switcher Click on the window that you want to give focus to in the Workspace Switcher display If you click on a window in another workspace Workspace Switcher switches to the new workspace and gives focus to the window Top edge panel Click on the icon at the extreme right of the top edge panel A list of your open windows is displayed...

Page 101: ...in Window List 6 4 5 To Close a Window To close a window perform one of the following actions Click on the Close Window button on the window frame Open the Window Menu Choose Close Right click on the button that represents the window in Window List then choose Close from the Window Menu If you have unsaved data in the window you are prompted to save your data 6 4 6 To Resize a Window To resize a w...

Page 102: ...e new location Open the Window Menu then choose Move Use the arrow keys to move the window to the new location Right click on the button that represents the window in Window List then choose Move from the Window Menu Use the arrow keys to move the window to the new location 6 4 8 To Roll Up a Window You can roll up and roll down windows as follows Roll up Reduce the window so that only the titleba...

Page 103: ... Workspace You can move a window to another workspace in either of the following ways Use Workspace Switcher In the Workspace Switcher display drag the window to the workspace you require Use the Window Menu Open the Window Menu To move the window to the next workspace choose Move to workspace name Prev Home Next 6 3 Menus and Applets for Working With Windows and Workspaces Up 6 5 Manipulating Wor...

Page 104: ...o the left 6 5 2 To Add Workspaces To add workspaces to your desktop environment right click on Workspace Switcher then choose Preferences The Workspace Switcher Preferences dialog is displayed Use the Number of workspaces spin box to specify the number of workspaces you require Workspace Switcher adds new workspaces at the end of the workspace list 6 5 3 To Name Workspaces The default names of yo...

Page 105: ...op environment right click on Workspace Switcher then choose Preferences The Workspace Switcher Preferences dialog is displayed Use the Number of workspaces spin box to specify the number of workspaces you require Workspace Switcher deletes workspaces from the end of the workspace list Prev Home Next 6 4 Manipulating Windows Up Chapter 7 Nautilus File Manager ...

Page 106: ...CD Nautilus also manages the desktop The desktop lies behind all of the other components on your visible desktop The desktop is an active component of the user interface File manager windows enable you to display and manage your files and folders You can open a file manager window in any of the following ways Double click on the Home object on the desktop Choose Applications Home Folder Right clic...

Page 107: ...tons side pane view pane Table 7 1 describes the components of file manager windows Table 7 1 File Manager Window Components Component Description Menubar Contains menus that you use to perform tasks in the file manager Toolbar Contains buttons that you use to perform tasks in the file manager Location bar Contains the following elements Location field or Go To field Enables you to specify a file ...

Page 108: ...ight click in a file manager window The items in this menu depend on where you right click For example when you right click on a file or folder you can choose items related to the file or folder When you right click on the background of a view pane you can choose items related to the display of items in the view pane 7 2 1 View Pane The view pane can display the contents of the following Particula...

Page 109: ...iew Shows only the audio items in the folder Use the View menu to choose how to display a folder For more information on views see Using Views to Display Your Files and Folders 7 2 2 Side Pane To display the side pane choose View Side Pane You can choose what information you want to view in the side pane You can choose to display one of the following Information Displays an icon that represents th...

Page 110: ...to create the following visual effect File icon with Important emblem For more information on how to add an emblem to an icon see To Add an Emblem to a File or Folder The following table describes the structure of the file icon Component Description Important emblem Emblem This emblem is the Important emblem Text file icon Icon that represents the file This icon mioght contain a preview of the con...

Page 111: ...em Symbolic link Read permission only emblem Read permission only No read permission and no write permission emblem No read permission and no write permission Prev Home Next 7 1 Introduction to Nautilus File Manager Up 7 3 Navigating Your Computer ...

Page 112: ... toolbar button The file manager window displays the contents of your home location To reload the display click on the Reload button 7 3 2 To Display a Folder You can display the contents of a folder in any of the following ways Double click on the folder in the view pane In the Location field type the path of the folder that you want to display then press Return The Location field includes an aut...

Page 113: ...r Right arrow Open folder Down arrow Table 7 2 describes the tasks that you can perform with the Tree and how to perform the tasks Table 7 2 Tree Tasks Task Action Open the Tree Choose Tree from the drop down list at the top of the side pane Close the Tree Choose another item from the drop down list at the top of the side pane Open a folder in the Tree Click on the arrow next to the folder in the ...

Page 114: ... view pane choose View Reload To stop loading an item in the view pane choose View Stop When you display a file in the view pane the viewer component might add menu items to the file manager menus The menu items relate to the file type that is displayed For example when you display a PNG file the Edit menu contains flip and rotate menu items Also when you display some types of file in the view pan...

Page 115: ...it file type dialog in the File Types and Programs preference tool Click on a button to execute an action For example if an action defined for plain text documents is to open the file in gedit If this action is defined an Open with gedit button is displayed in the side pane To open the file in the gedit application click on the Open with gedit button Note A button that represents the action does n...

Page 116: ...e from the FTP site drag the file to the new location To access an FTP site that requires a username and password you can enter the URL in the following form ftp username password hostname domain To reload the FTP site in the view pane choose View Reload To stop loading the FTP site choose View Stop 7 3 7 To Access Network Servers If your desktop environment is configured to access servers on a ne...

Page 117: ...cation burn Copy files and folders that you want to write to a CD to this location You can write the contents of this location to a CD fonts Displays all the fonts that are available in your desktop environment To preview a font double click on the font You can also use this location to add fonts to your desktop environment network Displays network servers if your desktop environment is configured...

Page 118: ...ur History List Using the Go Menu To display a list of previously viewed items choose the Go menu Your history list is displayed in the lower part of the Go menu To open an item in your history list choose the item from the Go menu 7 3 9 2 To Navigate Your History List Using the Toolbar To use the toolbar to navigate your history list perform one of the following actions To open the previous file ...

Page 119: ...okmarks perform the following steps 1 Choose Bookmarks Edit Bookmarks An Edit Bookmarks dialog is displayed 2 To edit a bookmark select the bookmark on the left side of the Edit Bookmarks dialog Edit the details for the bookmark on the right side of the Edit Bookmarks dialog as follows Dialog Element Description Name Use this text box to specify the name that identifies the bookmark in the Bookmar...

Page 120: ...anager Task Action Mouse Pointer Move an item Drag the item to the new location Move pointer Copy an item Grab the item then press and hold Ctrl Drag the item to the new location Copy pointer Create a symbolic link to an item Grab the item then press and hold Ctrl Shift Drag the item to the location where you want the symbolic link to reside Symbolic link pointer Ask what to do with the item you d...

Page 121: ...the files that you want to select In list view click on the first item in the group Press and hold Shift then click on the last item in the group Select multiple items Press and hold Ctrl Click on the items that you want to select Alternatively press and hold Ctrl then drag around the files that you want to select Select all items in a folder Choose Edit Select All Files To perform the default act...

Page 122: ...es 7 4 4 To Copy a File or Folder The following sections describe the ways you can copy a file or folder 7 4 4 1 Drag to the New Location in a View Pane To copy a file or folder perform the following steps 1 Open a file manager window Choose File New Window to open a second file manager window 2 In one window select the folder from which you want to copy the file or folder In the other window sele...

Page 123: ...pane The name of the folder is selected 3 Type a name for the folder then press Return 7 4 7 To Rename a File or Folder To rename a file or folder perform the following steps 1 Select the file or folder that you want to rename in the view pane 2 Choose Edit Rename Alternatively right click on the file or folder in the view pane then choose Rename The name of the file or folder is selected 3 Type a...

Page 124: ... type of file that points to another file or folder When you perform an action on a symbolic link the action is performed on the file or folder to which the symbolic link points However when you delete a symbolic link you delete the link file not the file to which the symbolic link points To create a symbolic link to a file or folder select the file or folder to which you want to create a link Cho...

Page 125: ...Permission to access files in the directory You can set permissions for different types of user The following table lists the types of user that you can set for which you can set permissions User Category Description Owner The user that created the file or folder Group The group to which the owner belongs Others All other users who are not in the group to which the owner belongs To change the perm...

Page 126: ...u can add notes to files or folders in the following ways From the properties dialog From Notes in the side pane 7 4 13 1 To Add a Note Using the Properties Dialog To add a note to a file or folder perform the following steps 1 Select the file or folder to which you want to add a note 2 Choose File Properties A properties dialog is displayed 3 Click on the Notes tab In the Notes tabbed section typ...

Page 127: ...4 1 To Display Trash You can display the contents of Trash in the following ways From a file manager window Choose Go Trash The contents of Trash are displayed in the window From the desktop Double click on the Trash object on the desktop 7 4 14 2 To Empty Trash You can empty the contents of Trash in the following ways From a file manager window Choose File Empty Trash From the desktop Right click...

Page 128: ...em perform the following steps 1 Choose Edit Backgrounds and Emblems 2 Click on the Emblem button then click on the Add a New Emblem button A Create a New Emblem dialog is displayed 3 Type a name for the emblem in the Keyword text box 4 Click on the Image button A dialog is displayed Choose an emblem from the dialog Alternatively to choose an emblem from another directory click Browse When you cho...

Page 129: ...ns Table 7 5 Zoom Buttons Button Button Name Description Zoom Out button Zoom Out button Click on this button to reduce the size of items in a view Normal Size button Normal Size button Click on this button to return items in a view to normal size Zoom In button Zoom In button Click on this button to enlarge the size of items in a view The file manager remembers the size of items in a particular f...

Page 130: ... File Manager Window in Audio View Folder in file manager window contents displayed in audio view Use the View menu to choose how to display a file or folder You can also use the View as drop down list to choose how to display a file or folder When you display a folder you can specify how you want to arrange or sort items in the folder You can modify the size of the items in the view pane The foll...

Page 131: ...ocation you require within the view pane By Name Select this option to sort the items alphabetically by name The order of the items is not case sensitive If the file manager is set to display hidden files the hidden files are shown last By Size Select this option to sort the items by size with the largest item first When you sort items by size the folders are sorted by the number of items in the f...

Page 132: ...gle appears around the item with a handle at each corner 2 Grab one of the handles then drag the icon to the size that you want To return the icon to the original size right click on the icon then choose Restore Icon s Original Size You can also resize objects on the desktop 7 5 5 4 To Modify the Behavior of a View You can modify the behavior of a view in the following ways Specify that the view i...

Page 133: ...tem name only Select this option to use the view as the default for this item only Don t include in the menu for item name items Select this option to exclude the view from the View as submenu for this type of item 4 Click OK then click Cancel to close the Open with Other Viewer dialog Note You can also modify the actions that are associated with a file type in the File Types and Programs preferen...

Page 134: ...e type Associate a file extension with a MIME type The MIME type specifies the format of the file so that Internet browsers and email applications can read the file 7 6 1 To Modify Actions You can modify the actions associated with a file or file type You can do the following Specify that the action is the default action for a particular file Specify that the action is the default action for a par...

Page 135: ... With submenu for this file and not for other files of this type Use as default for filename only Select this option to use the application or viewer as the default action for this file and not for other files of this type Don t include in the menu for filetype items Select this option to exclude the application or viewer from the Open With submenu for this file type 5 Click OK then click Cancel t...

Page 136: ... to improve the performance of the file manager 7 7 1 1 To Set Views Preferences You can specify a default view and select sort options and display options You can also specify default settings for icon views and list views To specify your default view settings choose Edit Preferences Click on the Views tab in the File Management Preferences dialog to display the Views tabbed section Table 7 6 lis...

Page 137: ...lace the icon captions for items beside the icon rather than under the icon Use manual layout Select this option if you want to arrange the items in icon view manually Show only folders Select this option to display only folders in the Tree in the side pane 7 7 1 2 To Set Behavior Preferences To set your preferences for files and folders choose Edit Preferences Click on the Files and Folders tab i...

Page 138: ... Preferences An icon caption displays the name of a file or folder in an icon view The icon caption also includes three additional items of information on the file or folder The additional information is displayed after the file name Normally only one item of information is visible but when you zoom in on an icon more of the information is displayed You can modify what additional information is di...

Page 139: ... speed of the file manager For each preview preference you can select one of the options described in the following table Option Description Always Performs the action for both local files and files on other file systems Local Files Only Performs the action for local files only Never Never performs the action To set your preview preferences choose Edit Preferences Click on the Preview tab in the F...

Page 140: ...ose to close the dialog To reset the background of the view pane or side pane to the default background right click on the background of the pane then choose Use Default Background When you change the background of the side pane or the view pane of a particular folder the file manager remembers the background that you chose The next time that you display the folder the background that you selected...

Page 141: ...olbar choose View Toolbar To display the toolbar again choose View Toolbar again To hide the location bar choose View Location Bar To display the location bar again choose View Location Bar again To hide the statusbar choose View Statusbar To display the statusbar again choose View Statusbar again To remove a tab from the side pane right click in the side pane Choose the tab that you want to remov...

Page 142: ...s added only if your system is configured to mount the device automatically when media is detected If your system is not configured to mount the device automatically you must mount the device manually Right click on the desktop then choose Disks device name For example to mount a floppy diskette choose Disks Floppy An object that represents the media is added to the desktop Note You cannot change ...

Page 143: ... Floppy dialog The following table describes the elements on the dialog Dialog Element Description Floppy device Displays the name of the floppy device Floppy density Select the density of the diskette The density is the amount of data that the diskette can store File system type Select the type of file system in which you want to format the diskette Select one of the following options Linux Nativ...

Page 144: ...ia is ejected from the drive If the drive for the media is not motorized wait until the desktop object for the media disappears then eject the media manually You cannot eject media from a motorized drive when the media is mounted To eject media first unmount the media To remove a floppy diskette from the drive perform the following steps 1 Close all file manager windows Terminal windows and any ot...

Page 145: ...rop down list To create an CD image file for the files and folders select the File image option Write speed Select the speed at which you want to write the CD from the drop down list CD name Type a name for the CD in the text box Erase CD Select this option to erase the current contents of the CD Eject CD when done Select this option to eject the CD from the drive when the CD is written Reuse thes...

Page 146: ...his file to a CD To write a CD image file to CD right click on the CD image file then choose Write to CD from the popup menu If you did not select the Reuse these files for another CD option the files and folders are removed from the burn location Prev Home Next 7 8 Using Removable Media Up 7 10 Running Scripts From the File Manager ...

Page 147: ...cripts submenu To run a script choose File Scripts then choose the script that you want to run from the submenu To run a script on a particular file select the file in the view pane Choose File Scripts then choose the script that you want to run on the file from the submenu You can also select multiple files to run your scripts on To view the contents of your scripts folder choose File Scripts Ope...

Page 148: ...iles and folders on the desktop Open the Desktop menu Right click on the desktop to open the Desktop menu You can use the Desktop menu to perform actions on the desktop Work with Trash You can move objects to Trash and empty your Trash Customize your desktop You can customize the pattern or color of the desktop By default your desktop contains three objects Table 8 1 describes the functions of the...

Page 149: ...Chapter 8 Using Your Desktop Up 8 2 Desktop Objects ...

Page 150: ...hoose a symbolic link from the desktop the file or folder that the symbolic link points to is opened You can move or copy a symbolic link to the desktop You can identify symbolic links by the default arrow emblem that appears on all symbolic links Launcher You can add the following types of launcher to the desktop Application Starts a particular application Link Links to a particular file folder o...

Page 151: ...With submenu The items in the Open With submenu correspond to the contents of the following parts of the File Types and Programs preference tool Default action drop down list in the Edit file type dialog Viewer Component drop down list in the Edit file type dialog You can set your preferences in a file manager window so that you click once on a file to execute the default action 8 2 3 To Add a Lau...

Page 152: ...top You can move a file or folder from the file manager to the desktop To move a file or folder to the desktop perform the following steps 1 Open a file manager window 2 In the view pane display the file or folder that you want to move 3 Drag the file or folder to the desktop The icon for the file or folder is moved to the desktop The file or folder is moved to your desktop directory Alternatively...

Page 153: ...sh location on the removable media To remove the file or folder permanently from the removable media you must empty Trash 8 2 8 To Delete an Object from the Desktop When you delete an object from the desktop the object is not moved to Trash but is immediately deleted from the desktop The Delete menu item is only available if you select the Include a Delete command that bypasses Trash option in the...

Page 154: ...e to a desktop object perform the following steps 1 Select the object to which you want to add a note 2 Choose File Properties A properties dialog is displayed 3 Click on the Notes tab In the Notes tabbed section type the note 4 Click Close to close the properties dialog A note emblem is added to the desktop object To delete a note delete the note text from the Notes tabbed section 8 2 13 To Chang...

Page 155: ...n the desktop object whose icon you want to resize then choose Stretch Icon A rectangle appears around the icon with a handle at each corner 2 Grab one of the handles then drag the icon to the size that you want To return the icon to the original size right click on the icon then choose Restore Icon s Original Size Prev Home Next 8 1 Introduction to the Desktop Up 8 3 Using Trash on the Desktop ...

Page 156: ...ems in Trash permanently 8 3 1 To Display Trash You can display the contents of Trash in the following ways From the desktop Double click on the Trash object on the desktop The contents of Trash are displayed in a Nautilus window From a file manager window Choose Go Trash The contents of Trash are displayed in the window 8 3 2 To Empty Trash You can empty the contents of Trash in the following way...

Page 157: ... Prev Home Next 8 2 Desktop Objects Up 8 4 Using the Desktop Menu ...

Page 158: ...ectory New Terminal Starts a GNOME Terminal New Launcher Creates a launcher on your desktop For more information see To Add a Launcher to the Desktop Scripts Opens a submenu of scripts that you can run Clean Up By Name Arranges the objects on the desktop alphabetically by name Keep Aligned Ensures that the left edges of the objects on the desktop are aligned with one another Cut Files Deletes the ...

Page 159: ...ounds and Emblems dialog You can access the Backgrounds and Emblems dialog from Nautilus windows Change Desktop Background Starts the Background preference tool to enable you to change the desktop background Prev Home Next 8 3 Using Trash on the Desktop Up 8 5 Changing the Pattern or Color of the Desktop ...

Page 160: ...nds from the edge to which you drag the color to the opposite edge of the screen Before you drag a color to a screen edge check if there is an edge panel on the screen edge If there is an edge panel on the screen edge you must hide the panel before you drag the color Use the Background preference tool Choose a pattern or color for the background from the Backgrounds and Emblems dialog To change th...

Page 161: ...pters Using the Basic Preference Tools Read this chapter to find out how to customize your desktop background and how to configure your keyboard settings and your mouse settings This chapter also describes how to configure shortcut keys how to set your sound preferences and how to configure your network proxy This chapter also contains information on how to customize your screensaver and how to se...

Page 162: ...ontents 9 Using the Basic Preference Tools 10 Using the Advanced Preference Tools 11 Using the Accessibility Preference Tools Prev Home Next 8 5 Changing the Pattern or Color of the Desktop Up Chapter 9 Using the Basic Preference Tools ...

Page 163: ... 2 Pointer Settings 9 8 3 Motion Settings 9 9 Configuring Network Proxy Settings 9 10 Setting Screensaver Preferences 9 10 1 Display Modes Settings 9 10 2 Advanced Settings 9 11 Setting Screen Resolution Preferences 9 12 Setting Sound Preferences 9 12 1 General Settings 9 12 2 Sound Event Settings 9 12 3 System Bell Settings 9 13 Customizing Themes in the Desktop Environment 9 13 1 To Create a Cus...

Page 164: ...aver choose a theme and fonts for your desktop environment and to customize your application menubars and toolbars You can also customize window focus behavior This chapter describes how to use the basic preference tools to customize your desktop environment Prev Home Next Part II Customizing Your GNOME Desktop Up 9 1 Opening a Basic Preference Tool ...

Page 165: ...Settings 10 5 4 Terminal Settings 10 6 Configuring Sessions 10 6 1 Setting Session Options 10 6 2 Setting Session Properties 10 6 3 Configuring Startup Applications The Advanced preference tools enable you to customize the behavior and appearance of your applications panels and other user interface items You can use the Advanced preference tools to configure file types your default applications an...

Page 166: ... Opening an Accessibility Tool 11 2 Setting Assistive Technology Preferences 11 3 Configuring Keyboard Accessibility Options 11 3 1 Basic Settings 11 3 2 Filter Settings 11 3 3 Mouse Settings This chapter describes how to use the Accessibility preference tools to customize your desktop environment Prev Home Next 10 6 Configuring Sessions Up 11 1 Opening an Accessibility Tool ...

Page 167: ...the submenu The dialog for the tool is displayed From the Start Here location Open a Nautilus file manager window then choose Go Start Here Alternatively double click on the Start Here object on the desktop The Start Here location is displayed Double click on the Desktop Preferences object in the file manager window to display your preference tools Double click on the tool that you require The dia...

Page 168: ...r color You can also change the appearance of your desktop background from within the Nautilus file manager Table 9 1 lists the background settings that you can configure Table 9 1 Settings for Desktop Background Element Function Select picture Choose an image to display on the desktop To choose an image click on the Select picture button An image selector dialog is displayed Use the dialog to cho...

Page 169: ... effect from the left screen edge to the right screen edge Click on the Left Color button to display the Pick a Color dialog Choose the color that you want to appear at the left edge Click on the Right Color button Choose the color that you want to appear at the right edge Choose Vertical gradient from the Background Style drop down list This creates a gradient effect from the top screen edge to t...

Page 170: ...ilus file manager preferences You can also set your file manager preferences in the File Management preferences dialog which you can open from the file manager application For information on the settings in the File Management preferences dialog and File Management preference tool see Nautilus File Manager Prev Home Next 9 2 Customizing the Desktop Background Up 9 4 Choosing Default Fonts ...

Page 171: ...erminal application Font Rendering To specify how to render fonts on your screen select one of the following options Monochrome Renders fonts in black and white only The edges of characters might appear jagged in some cases because the characters are not antialiased Antialiasing is an effect that is applied to the edges of characters to make the characters look smoother Best shapes Antialiases fon...

Page 172: ...ns Select one of the options to specify how to apply hinting your fonts Subpixel order Select one of the options to specify the subpixel color order for your fonts Use this option for LCD or flat screen displays 9 4 1 Previewing Fonts You can use the file manager to preview fonts To preview fonts perform the following steps 1 Open a file manager window 2 Enter the URI fonts in the location bar The...

Page 173: ...e 9 3 lists the keyboard settings that you can configure Table 9 3 Settings for Keyboard Option Function Keyboard repeats when key is held down Select this option to enable keyboard repeat If keyboard repeat is enabled when you press and hold a key the action associated with the key is performed repeatedly For example if you press and hold a character key the character is typed repeatedly Delay Se...

Page 174: ...n Function Lock screen to enforce typing break Select this option to lock the screen when you are due a typing break Work interval lasts Use the spin box to specify how long you can work before a typing break occurs Break interval lasts Use the spin box to specify the length of your typing breaks Allow postponing of breaks Select this option if you want to be able to postpone typing breaks Prev Ho...

Page 175: ...ortcuts Option Function Text editing shortcuts Select one of the following settings Default Use this setting for standard shortcut keys Emacs Use this setting for Emacs shortcut keys Desktop shortcuts This table lists actions and the shortcut keys that are associated with each action To change the shortcut keys for an action click on the action to select the action then click on the shortcut for t...

Page 176: ...pplication windows to any location on the screen If you select this option handles are displayed on the left side of the toolbars in your applications To move a toolbar click and hold on the handle then drag the toolbar to the new location Toolbar button labels Choose one of the following options to specify what to display on the toolbars in your GNOME compliant applications Text Below Icons Selec...

Page 177: ...uble click Table 9 7 lists the mouse button settings that you can configure Table 9 7 Settings for Mouse Buttons Option Function Left handed mouse Select this option to configure your mouse for left hand use When you configure your mouse for left hand use the functions of the left mouse button and the right mouse button are swapped Delay Use the slider to specify the amount of time that can pass b...

Page 178: ... Table 9 9 lists the mouse motion settings that you can configure Table 9 9 Settings for Mouse Motion Setting Function Acceleration Use the slider to specify the speed at which your mouse pointer moves on your screen when you move your mouse Sensitivity Use the slider to specify how sensitive your mouse pointer is to movements of your mouse Threshold Use the slider to specify the distance that you...

Page 179: ...Internet without a proxy server Manual proxy configuration Select this option if you want to connect to the Internet through a proxy server and you want to configure the proxy server manually HTTP proxy Enter the DNS name or the IP address of the proxy server to use when you request a HTTP service Enter the port number of the HTTP service on the proxy server in the Port spin box Secure HTTP proxy ...

Page 180: ...utoconfiguration URL Enter the URL that contains the information required to configure the proxy server automatically Prev Home Next 9 8 Configuring Mouse Settings Up 9 10 Setting Screensaver Preferences ...

Page 181: ...Modes tabbed section to set display mode preferences Table 9 11 lists the display mode settings that you can configure Table 9 11 Settings for Screensaver Display Mode Setting Function Mode Use the drop down list to specify the behavior of the screensaver application Select from the following options Disable Screen Saver Select this option if you do not want to use the screensaver application Blan...

Page 182: ...ver preferences Table 9 12 lists the advanced screensaver settings that you can configure Table 9 12 Advanced Screensaver Settings Setting Function Grab Desktop Images Some screensavers can take a screenshot of your screen then manipulate the screenshot to create your screensaver display Select this option to enable screensavers to take a screenshot of your screen Grab Video Frames Some screensave...

Page 183: ...aving mode Off After Specify how long to wait to switch off monitor Install Colormap Select this option to install a private colormap when the screensaver is active Use of a private colormap might improve the quality of the color in particular screensaver displays Fade to Black When Blanking Select this option if you want your display to fade to black when the screensaver activates Fade from Black...

Page 184: ...can configure Table 9 13 Settings for Screen Resolution Setting Description Resolution Select the resolution to use for the screen from the drop down list Refresh rate Select the screen refresh rate to use for the screen from the drop down list Make default for this computer only Select this option to make the screen resolution settings the default settings for the system that you are logged in to...

Page 185: ...h the GNOME sound server You can also enable sound event functions Table 9 14 lists the general sound settings that you can configure Table 9 14 Settings for Sound Option Function Enable sound server startup Select this option to start the GNOME sound server when you start a GNOME session When the sound server is active the desktop environment can play sounds Sounds for events Select this option t...

Page 186: ...ociated with the selected event Sound file drop down combination box Browse To associate a sound with an event select the event in the Sounds table Enter the name of the sound file that you want to associate with the selected event in the drop down combination box Alternatively click Browse to display a Select sound file dialog Use the dialog to specify the sound file that you want to associate wi...

Page 187: ...o indicate input errors Flash window titlebar Select this option if you want window titlebars to flash to indicate an input error Flash entire screen Select this option if you want the entire screen to flash to indicate an input error Prev Home Next 9 11 Setting Screen Resolution Preferences Up 9 13 Customizing Themes in the Desktop Environment ...

Page 188: ...on windows panels and applets such as menus icons and buttons Some of the controls setting options that are available are designed for special accessibility needs You can choose an option for the controls setting from the Controls tabbed section in the Theme preference tool Window frame The window frame setting for a theme determines the appearance of the frames around windows only You can choose ...

Page 189: ...e custom theme in the dialog then click Save The custom theme now appears in your list of available themes 9 13 2 To Install a New Theme You can add a theme to the list of available themes The new theme must be an archive file that is tarred and zipped That is the new theme must be a tar gz file To install a new theme perform the following steps 1 To open the Theme preference tool choose Applicati...

Page 190: ...tions Desktop Preferences Theme 2 Click on the Details button A Theme Details dialog is displayed 3 Click on the tab for the type of option that you want to delete 4 Click on the Go to theme folder button A file manager window opens on the default option folder 5 Use the file manager window to delete the option 9 13 5 Previewing Themes You can use the file manager to preview themes To preview them...

Page 191: ...Raise selected windows after an interval Select this option to raise windows a short time after the window receives focus Interval before raising Specify the interval to wait before raising a window that has received focus Double click titlebar to perform this action Select the behavior that you want to occur when you double click on a window titlebar Select one of the following options Roll up Sh...

Page 192: ...g for the tool is displayed From the Start Here location Open a Nautilus file manager window then choose Go Start Here Alternatively double click on the Start Here object on the desktop The Start Here location is displayed Double click on the Desktop Preferences object in the file manager window then double click on the Advanced folder The Advanced preference tools are displayed Double click on th...

Page 193: ... database server Send other information Select this option to send another name and hostname to the CD database server Enter the name in the Name field Enter the hostname in the Hostname field FreeDB round robin server FreeDB is a CD database The FreeDB round robin server is a load sharing configuration of FreeDB servers Select this option to access the FreeDB CD database from this server Other Fr...

Page 194: ... location in a file system or on the Web For example the web address of a web page is a URI A service is a protocol or task that a URI requests For example the http www gnome org URI requests the http service You can associate an application with a service so that the application performs the task required by the service For example you can associate your preferred web browser with the http servic...

Page 195: ...g Alternatively to choose an icon from another directory click Browse When you choose an icon click OK Description Type a description of the file type MIME type Enter the MIME type for this type of file Category Enter the category to which you want the file type to belong in the File Types and Programs preference tool Click on the Choose to choose a category from the Choose a file category dialog ...

Page 196: ...ts on the Add service dialog Option Function Description Type a description of the service Protocol Enter the protocol for the service Program to Run Information to be supplied in a future release Program Specify the program to associate with the service Enter the command to start the program in this field Alternatively to choose a command that you entered previously click the down arrow button th...

Page 197: ... 3 Settings for Panels Setting Function Close drawer when launcher is clicked Select this option if you want a drawer on a panel to close when you choose a launcher in the drawer Drawer and panel animation Select this option if you want your panels and drawers to show and to hide in an animated style Animation speed Select the speed of the panel animation from the drop down list Prev Home Next 10 ...

Page 198: ...d web browser The preferred web browser opens when you click on a URL For example the preferred web browser opens when you select a URL in an application or when you select a URL launcher on the desktop Table 10 4 lists the preferred web browser settings that you can configure Table 10 4 Settings for Preferred Web Browser Option Function Select a Web Browser Select this option if you want to use a...

Page 199: ...r Settings Use the Text Editor tabbed section to configure your preferred text editor Table 10 6 lists the preferred text editor settings that you can configure Table 10 6 Settings for Preferred Text Editor Option Function Select an Editor Select this option if you want to use a standard text editor Use the drop down combination box to specify your preferred text editor Custom Editor Select this o...

Page 200: ...al tabbed section to configure your preferred terminal Table 10 7 lists the preferred terminal settings that you can configure Table 10 7 Settings for Preferred Terminal Option Function Select a Terminal Select this option if you want to use a standard terminal Use the drop down combination box to specify your preferred terminal Custom Terminal Select this option if you want to use a custom termin...

Page 201: ...tool to manage multiple GNOME sessions You can customize the settings for sessions and startup applications in the following functional areas Session Options Current Session Startup Programs 10 6 1 Setting Session Options Use the Session Options tabbed section to manage multiple sessions and to set preferences for the current session Table 10 8 lists the session options settings that you can confi...

Page 202: ...k on the Add button The Add a new session dialog is displayed Use this dialog to specify a name for your session To change the name of a session select the session in the Choose Current Session table Click on the Edit button The Edit session name dialog is displayed Type a new name for your session To delete a session select the session in the Choose Current Session table Click on the Delete butto...

Page 203: ...on in the table then click on the Remove button Trash Does not start when you start a GNOME session Settings Starts automatically when you start a session Applications with this style usually have a low startup order and store your configuration settings for GNOME and session managed applications Remove Click on the Remove button to delete the selected application from the list The application is ...

Page 204: ...ore than one startup application use the Priority spin box to specify the startup order of the each application The startup order is the order in which you want the startup applications to start To edit a startup application select the startup application then click on the Edit button The Edit Startup Program dialog is displayed Use the dialog to modify the command and the startup order for the st...

Page 205: ...ce tool that you require from the submenu The dialog for the tool is displayed From the Start Here location Open a Nautilus file manager window then choose Go Start Here Alternatively double click on the Start Here object on the desktop The Start Here location is displayed Double click on the Desktop Preferences object in the file manager window then double click on the Accessibility folder Prev H...

Page 206: ... the font settings that you can configure Table 11 1 Assistive Technology Settings Setting Description Enable assistive technologies Select this option to enable assistive technologies in your desktop environment Screenreader Select this option to start the Screenreader application automatically when you log in Magnifier Select this option to start the Magnifier application automatically when you ...

Page 207: ...tings that you can modify Table 11 2 Keyboard Accessibility Settings Option Function Enable keyboard accessibility features Select this option to enable keyboard accessibility features When you select this option the other options in the preference tool become available Disable if unused for Select this option to deactivate keyboard accessibility preferences if the keyboard is not used for a speci...

Page 208: ...s keypresses Repeat Keys Select this option to enable the autorepeat settings for your keyboard Delay Use this setting to specify the interval to wait after the first keypress before the automatic repeat of a pressed key Speed Use this setting to specify the number of characters per second to enter Type to test settings The test area is an interactive interface so you can see how the keyboard sett...

Page 209: ...omatic repeat of a pressed key Beep if key is rejected Select this option for an audible indication of key rejection Enable Toggle Keys Select this option for an audible indication of a toggle keypress You hear one beep when a toggle key is turned on You hear two beeps when a toggle key is turned off Type to test settings The test area is an interactive interface so you can see how the keyboard se...

Page 210: ... this setting to specify the duration of the acceleration time of the pointer Delay between keypress and pointer movement Use this setting to specify the period of time that must pass after a keypress before the pointer moves Mouse Preferences Click on this button to open the Mouse preference tool For more information on configuring keyboard accessibility preferences see GNOME 2 2 Desktop Accessib...

Page 211: ...ions that you use frequently desktop environment A windows based environment for users The desktop environment is the sum of all the parts of your working environment The desktop environment includes all of your panels and windows the desktop and all of your workspaces DNS name A unique alphabetic identifier for a computer on a network drawer A drawer is a sliding extension to a panel that you can...

Page 212: ...mage png MIME type to detect that a Portable Networks Graphic PNG file is attached to an email mount To mount is to make a file system available for access When you mount a file system the file system is attached as a subdirectory to your file system pane A pane is a subdivision of a window For example the Nautilus window contains a side pane and a view pane preference tool A dedicated software to...

Page 213: ...a particular location on the Web view A Nautilus component that enables you to display a folder in a particular way For example Nautilus contains an icon view which enables you to display the contents of a folder as icons Nautilus also contains a list view which enables you to display the contents of a folder as a list viewer component A Nautilus component that enables you to display a particular ...