Configuring Desktop Effects; Managing Files And Folders - Novell SUSE LINUX ENTERPRISE DESKTOP 10 SP2 GNOME Quick Manual

Configuring Desktop Effects

Xgl is an X server architecture that lets you turn your desk-
top into a rotating 3D cube, tile windows so they do not
overlap, and switch tasks while viewing live thumbnails. You
can enable translucent or transparent windows, zoom in
and out of the desktop screen, and use other window effects
such as shadows, fading, and transformations. You can also
configure windows to snap to other windows and screen
edges when they are moved.
To enable Xgl, you need a graphics adapter capable of
providing 3D support, and you also need the graphics driver
that Linux uses to operate the graphics adapter. This driver
must be able to handle OpenGL (or 3D) requests from the
Linux kernel. Your screen resolution must be within the
1024x768 to 1920x2000 range, and your color depth must
be set at 24-bit. 3D acceleration must also be enabled. Use
SaX2 to change your graphics card and monitor properties
if necessary.
1. Click Computer → Control Center.
2. Click Desktop Effects in the Look and Feel group.
The Desktop Effects tool analyzes your system and tries
to determine whether or not you can run Xgl. If it finds
anything wrong, it advises you on what actions you can
take. For example, you might be advised to change your
screen resolution or color depth, or to activate 3D ac-
celeration. Follow the on-screen prompts to configure
your system for Xgl.
3. After your system is configured for Xgl, click Enable
Desktop Effects.
4. Type the root password, then click Continue.
5. Log out of your session, then log back in.
The default desktop effects are now enabled. For exam-
ple, windows are translucent when you move them,
they fade away when you close them, and dragging a
window to the far right of the screen rotates the desk-
top cube. To change any of these effects, use the op-
tions in the Desktop Effects Setting dialog box.
Using the GNOME Control Center
In addition to letting you change individual desktop ele-
ments, GNOME lets you extensively personalize your desk-
top. You can find more settings to adjust the overall appear-
ance and behavior of your desktop in the GNOME Control
Center. There, you can also change fonts, keyboard and
mouse configurations, regional and language settings, pa-
rameters for your Internet and network usage, and more.
To start the Control Center, click Computer, then click
Control Center on the right of the main menu.

Managing Files and Folders

Use the Nautilus File Manager to create and view folders
and documents, run scripts, and create CDs of your data.
Open Nautilus by double-clicking your home directory icon
on the desktop. The contents of your home directory are
displayed.
The elements of the Nautilus window include the following:
Menu: Lets you perform most tasks.
Toolbar: Lets you quickly navigate among files and fold-
ers, and provides access to files and folders.
Location Bar: Lets you locate files, folders, and URI sites.
Side Pane: Lets you navigate or display information about
the selected file or folder. Use the drop-down list to cus-
tomize what is shown in the pane. The list includes ways to
view information about files, perform actions on files, add
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