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GNOME Desktop 2.4 User Manual

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GNOME 2.4 Desktop User Guide
About This Document
Table of Contents
I.
A Tour of the GNOME Desktop
1.
Basic Skills
2.
Overview of the 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
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About This Document
GNOME 2.4 Desktop User Guide
Part I. A Tour of the GNOME Desktop
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Summary of Contents for GNOME Desktop 2.4

  • Page 1 Nautilus File Manager Using Your Desktop Customizing Your GNOME Desktop Using the Basic Preference Tools Using the Advanced Preference Tools Using the Accessibility Preference Tools Glossary <<< Prev Next >>> About This Document Part I. A Tour of the GNOME Desktop...

  • Page 2: Legal Notice

    COPYING-DOCS distributed 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.
  • Page 3 OF THE DOCUMENT AND MODIFIED VERSIONS OF THE DOCUMENT, EVEN IF SUCH PARTY SHALL HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. Feedback To report a bug or make a suggestion regarding the GNOME desktop or this manual, follow the directions in the GNOME Feedback Page.
  • Page 4 GNOME 2.0 Desktop User August 2002 Sun Microsystems GNOME Documentation Project Guide V2.1 GNOME 2.0 Desktop User May 2002 Sun Microsystems GNOME Documentation Project Guide V1.0 This manual describes version 2.4 of the GNOME desktop. Next >>> GNOME 2.4 Desktop User Guide...

  • Page 5: Part I. A Tour Of The Gnome Desktop

    The GNOME Desktop is very configurable, therefore this section covers the main functional possibilities of the GNOME Desktop features. If you want to find out how to implement the various configuration possibilities that are mentioned in this section, see Customizing Your GNOME Desktop.

  • Page 6: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Basic Skills Overview of the GNOME Desktop GNOME Desktop Sessions Working With Panels Working With Menus Working With Windows Nautilus File Manager Using Your Desktop <<< Prev Home Next >>> GNOME 2.4 Desktop User Guide Chapter 1. Basic Skills...

  • Page 7: Basic Skills

    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 1.1. Mouse Skills...

  • Page 8: Overview Of The Gnome Desktop

    2.11.3. To Find Out More About Applications This chapter introduces you to the features and main components of the GNOME Desktop. Before you start to use the desktop environment read this chapter to familiarize yourself with the various features, and how the main components work. The desktop environment is very configurable, so this...
  • Page 9 <<< Prev Home Next >>> 2.1. Introducing Desktop Environment 1.3. Using Windows Components...

  • Page 10: Gnome Desktop Sessions

    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...

  • Page 11: Working With Panels

    Chapter 4. Working With Panels <<< Prev Next >>> Part I. A Tour of the GNOME Desktop Chapter 4. Working With Panels Table of Contents 4.1. Introducing Panels 4.1.1. Top Edge Panel 4.1.2. Bottom Edge Panel 4.2. Managing Your Panels 4.2.1.
  • Page 12 4.6.8. Notification Area Applet 4.7. Menus 4.8. Drawers 4.8.1. 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. <<<...

  • Page 13: Working With Menus

    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 describes how to use menus in the GNOME Desktop. <<< Prev Home Next >>> 4.8. Drawers 5.1. Introduction to Menus...

  • Page 14: Working With Windows

    The information in this chapter describes how to use windows in the desktop environment. You can use several types of window manager with the GNOME Desktop, for example, Metacity and Sawfish. Many of the functions in Metacity are also available in Sawfish. This chapter describes the functions that are associated with the Metacity window manager.
  • Page 15 5.7. Customizing Your Menus 6.1. Windows and Workspaces...

  • Page 16: Nautilus File Manager

    Chapter 7. Nautilus File Manager <<< Prev Next >>> Part I. A Tour of the GNOME Desktop Chapter 7. Nautilus File Manager Table of Contents 7.1. Introduction to Nautilus File Manager 7.2. File Manager Windows 7.2.1. View Pane 7.2.2. Side Pane 7.2.3.
  • Page 17 7.5.1. To Add an Emblem to a File or Folder 7.5.2. To Add a New Emblem 7.5.3. To Change the Icon for a File or Folder 7.5.4. To Change the Size of Items in a View 7.5.5. Using Views to Display Your Files and Folders 7.6.

  • Page 18: Using Your Desktop

    Chapter 8. Using Your Desktop <<< Prev Next >>> Part I. A Tour of the GNOME Desktop Chapter 8. Using Your Desktop Table of Contents 8.1. Introduction to the Desktop 8.2. Desktop Objects 8.2.1. To Select Objects on the Desktop 8.2.2.

  • Page 19: Mouse Skills

    1.1. Mouse Skills <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 1. Basic Skills 1.1. Mouse Skills Even if you are very familiar with mouse devices, you should still familiarize yourself with the button conventions and action terminology used in this manual. This section also describes the mouse pointers.

  • Page 20: Mouse Action Terminology

    Left mouse button Use to perform the following actions: Select text. Choose items. Drag items. Middle mouse button Use to perform the following actions: Paste text. Move items. Right mouse button Opens a menu for the selected object, if a menu applies. For example, if you want to copy text then perform the following steps: 1.

  • Page 21: Mouse Pointers

    Grab Point to an item that you can move, and click-and-hold on the mouse button. For example, you can grab the titlebar of a window, then drag the window to a new location. 1.1.4. Mouse Pointers As you use the mouse, the appearance of the mouse pointer can change. The appearance of the pointer can provide feedback about a particular operation, location, or state.
  • Page 22 Resize window horizontally Horizontal resize pointer. Indicates Horizontal resize pointer. that you have selected a vertical window border to resize the window horizontally. Resize window vertically Vertical resize pointer. Indicates Vertical resize pointer. that you have selected a horizontal window border to resize the window vertically.

  • Page 23: Keyboard Skills

    1.2. Keyboard Skills <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 1. Basic Skills 1.2. Keyboard Skills For almost every task that you can perform with the mouse, you can use the keyboard to perform the same task. Shortcut keys are keys that provide you with a quick way to perform a task. You can use shortcut keys to perform desktop environment tasks and to work with interface items such as panels and windows.

  • Page 24: Panel Shortcut Keys

    Default Shortcut Keys Function Switches between windows. When you use these shortcut keys, a list of Alt+Tab windows that you can select is displayed. Release the keys to select a window. Switches between windows in reverse order. Release the keys to select a Alt+Esc window.

  • Page 25: Application Shortcut Keys

    Opens the Applications menu from the Menu Bar, if the Menu Bar is in a panel. 1.2.4. Application Shortcut Keys Application shortcut keys enable you to perform application tasks. You can use shortcut keys to perform application tasks more quickly than if you use a mouse. The following table lists some...
  • Page 26 Access Key Function Alt+U Gives focus to the Use default theme font check box. You can use also other keys to navigate within a window or dialog. Function Moves the focus from element to element in a window or dialog. Arrow keys Use the arrow keys to perform the following actions: In a menubar, move the focus from one menu to the next menu.

  • Page 27: Using Windows

    1.3. Using Windows <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 1. Basic Skills 1.3. Using Windows This section provides information on how to use windows. 1.3.1. To Resize Panes Some windows contain more than one pane. A pane is a subdivision of a window. For example, the Nautilus file manager window contains a side pane and a view pane.
  • Page 28 Select multiple items Press-and-hold Ctrl. Click on the items that you want to select. <<< Prev Home Next >>> Chapter 2. Overview of the GNOME 1.2. Keyboard Skills Desktop...

  • Page 29: Introducing Desktop Environment Components

    2.1. Introducing Desktop Environment Components <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 2. Overview of the GNOME Desktop 2.1. Introducing Desktop Environment Components When you start a desktop environment session for the first time, you should see a default startup screen, with panels, windows, and various icons.
  • Page 30 The Start Here location provides an access point to some of the key features of the desktop environment. You can access your GNOME applications and configuration tools from the Start Here location. You can also access programs that enable you to configure your system as a server, and to choose other system settings.
  • Page 31 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 2.2. Panels Desktop...

  • Page 32: Panels

    2.2. Panels <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 2. Overview of the GNOME Desktop 2.2. Panels You can add or delete panels at any time. When you start a session for the first time, the desktop environment usually contains a panel at the top edge of the screen, and a panel at the bottom edge of the screen.
  • Page 33 A panel with various panel objects. Callouts: Calculator launcher, Menu, CD Player applet, Drawer, Lock button. You can add any of the following objects to all types of panels: Applets Applets are small, interactive applications that reside within a panel, for example CD Player Figure 2.2.
  • Page 34 Buttons You can add buttons to your panels to provide quick access to common functions. You can add the following buttons to your panels: Force Quit: Use this button to terminate applications that do not respond to your commands. Lock: Click on this button to lock your screen. The lock icon in Figure 2.2 is the Lock button.

  • Page 35: To Manipulate Panel Objects

    To open a drawer click on the drawer. To close a drawer click on the drawer again. 2.2.5. To Manipulate Panel Objects You can manipulate panel objects in the following ways: Move objects within a panel, or to another panel. You can move any object to another location in the panel.

  • Page 36: Menus

    2.3. Menus <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 2. Overview of the GNOME Desktop 2.3. Menus You can access all desktop environment functions through menus. Your default panels contain menus, so you can use a combination of menus and panels to perform your tasks. The top edge panel contains the Menu Bar.

  • Page 37: Windows

    2.4. Windows <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 2. Overview of the GNOME Desktop 2.4. Windows You can display many windows at the same time in your desktop environment. Each window has a frame. The window frame contains active control elements that you can use to work with the window.

  • Page 38: To Give Focus To A Window

    To change the size of windows grab the 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.

  • Page 39: Workspaces

    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 Switch Between Workspaces You can switch between workspaces in the following ways: In Workspace Switcher, click on the workspace where you want to work.
  • Page 40 <<< Prev Home Next >>> 2.4. Windows 2.6. Nautilus File Manager...

  • Page 41: Nautilus File Manager

    2.6. Nautilus File Manager <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 2. Overview of the GNOME Desktop 2.6. Nautilus File Manager The Nautilus file manager provides an integrated access point to your files, applications, FTP sites, and URIs. To open a file manager window, choose Applications->Home Folder. The following figure shows a file manager window that displays the contents of a folder.

  • Page 42: To Open Files From The File Manager

    Specify a zoom setting for a folder. Open special Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) The GNOME Desktop contains special URIs that enable you to access particular functions from the file manager. For example, to access the preference tools, you can access the preferences:/// URI in the file manager.

  • Page 43: Desktop And Desktop Objects

    2.7. Desktop and Desktop Objects <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 2. Overview of the GNOME Desktop 2.7. Desktop and Desktop Objects The desktop is an active component of the desktop. You can use the desktop to perform the following actions: Start your applications, and open your files and folders.

  • Page 44: Start Here Location

    Start Here icon. The Start Here location enables you to access the following functions: Applications Double-click on Applications to access your key GNOME applications. You can also access the Applications menu through the Menu Bar and the Main Menu. Desktop Preferences Double-click on Desktop Preferences to customize your desktop environment.

  • Page 45: Desktop Environment Preferences

    2.9. Desktop Environment Preferences <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 2. Overview of the GNOME Desktop 2.9. Desktop Environment Preferences You can use desktop environment preference tools to configure almost every feature of the desktop environment. Each tool controls a particular part of the behavior of the desktop environment. For example, you can use a preference tool to select a theme for your desktop environment.

  • Page 46: Applications

    For example, Nautilus contains a location bar. Some of the bars in GNOME-compliant applications are detachable. That is, the bar has a handle that you can grab then drag the bar to another location. You can drag the bar to snap to...
  • Page 47 Default shortcut keys GNOME-compliant applications use the same shortcut keys to perform the same actions. For example, to quit a GNOME-compliant application, press Ctrl+Q. To undo an action in a GNOME-compliant application, press Ctrl+Z. Drag-and-drop GNOME-compliant applications use the same protocol to implement drag-and-drop operations.

  • Page 48: To Find Out More

    2.11. To Find Out More <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 2. Overview of the GNOME Desktop 2.11. To Find Out More The desktop environment provides help if you want to find out more about the following areas: Desktop environment topics...

  • Page 49: Starting A 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 field on the login screen, then press Return.
  • Page 50 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 3.2. To Lock Your Screen...

  • Page 51: To Lock Your Screen

    3.2. To Lock Your Screen <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 3. GNOME Desktop Sessions 3.2. To Lock Your Screen Lock screen icon. To lock the screen, perform one of the following actions: Choose Actions->Lock Screen. If the Lock button is present on a panel, click on the Lock button.

  • Page 52: Managing The Session

    To browse the applications in the current session, use the Sessions preference tool. The Current Session tabbed section lists the following: All GNOME applications that are currently running, that can connect to the session manager, and that can save the state of the application.

  • Page 53: To Save Session Settings

    For example, you can edit the startup order, and restart style of any GNOME application or preference tool that is in the list. 3.3.4. To Save Session Settings To save your session settings, perform the following steps: 1.

  • Page 54: Ending A Session

    3.4. Ending a Session <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 3. GNOME Desktop Sessions 3.4. Ending a Session Log Out icon. To end your session, close all your currently active processes, then perform one of the following actions: Click on a Log Out button.

  • Page 55: Introducing Panels

    You can also 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.

  • Page 56: Bottom Edge Panel

    Click on this launcher to start the Terminal application. Terminal Terminal launcher provides access to a UNIX command line. Clock applet Clock shows the current time. Click on the time readout to display a menu of clock commands. Volume Control enables you to control the volume of the speaker Volume Control applet on your system.

  • Page 57: Managing Your Panels

    You can move panels to different locations. To move a panel, middle-click and hold on any vacant space on the panel, then drag the panel to the new location. 4.2.4. To Hide a Panel You can hide or show panels. To hide a panel, use a hide button. If the hide buttons are not visible on a panel, modify the panel properties so that the hide buttons are visible.

  • Page 58: To Modify Panel Properties

    A horizontal panel and a vertical panel, both with hide buttons. To hide a panel, click on one of the hide buttons. The panel reduces in the direction of the arrow on the hide button. The hide button at the other end of the panel remains visible. To show a hidden panel again, click on the visible hide button.

  • Page 59: To Delete A Panel

    Show hide buttons Select this option to display hide buttons on your panel. Arrows on hide button Select this option to display arrows on the hide buttons, if the hide button is enabled. 3. To modify the panel background, click on the Background tab. The Background tabbed section contains the following elements: Choose the type of background for the panel.
  • Page 60 To delete a panel from your desktop environment, right-click on the panel 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. <<<...

  • Page 61: Panel Objects

    4.3. Panel Objects <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 4. Working With Panels 4.3. Panel Objects This section describes the objects that you can add to your panels, and use from your panels. 4.3.1. Interacting With Panel Objects You use the mouse buttons to interact with a panel object in the following ways: Left-click Launches the panel object.

  • Page 62: To Modify The Properties Of An Object

    Menu Bar Drawers From any menu When you right-click on a launcher in any menu, a popup menu for the launcher opens. You can use this popup menu to add the launcher to a panel. You can also drag menus, launchers, and applets from menus to panels. From the file manager Each launcher corresponds to a .desktop file.

  • Page 63: To Lock A Panel Object

    When you release the middle mouse button, the object anchors at the new location. Alternatively, you can use the panel object popup menu to move an object, as follows: 1. Right-click on the object, then choose Move. 2. Point to the new location for the object, then click any mouse button to anchor the object to the new location.

  • Page 64: Applets

    4.4. Applets <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 4. Working With Panels 4.4. Applets An applet is a small application whose user interface resides within a panel. You use the applet panel object to interact with the applet. For example, the following figure shows the following applets, from left to right: Window List: Displays the windows currently open on your system.

  • Page 65: To Modify Preferences For An Applet

    object popup menu for the Window List applet, you must right-click on the handle. If you right-click on a button on the right side, a popup menu for the button opens. Some applets have areas that you cannot use to select the applet. For example, the Command Line applet has a field in which you enter commands.

  • Page 66: Launchers

    Open a browser at a particular Uniform Resource Locator (URL). A URL is the address of a particular location on the Web. Open special Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs). The GNOME Desktop contains special URIs that enable you to access particular functions from the file manager.
  • Page 67 Open the menu that contains the launcher from the panel where you want the launcher to reside. Right-click on the title of the launcher. Choose Add this launcher to panel. From the file manager To add a launcher to a panel from the file manager, find the .desktop file for the launcher in your file system.
  • Page 68 Run in Terminal Select this option to run the application or command in a terminal window. Choose this option for an application or command that does not create a window in which to run. 3. To set advanced properties for the launcher, click on the Advanced tab. The Launcher Properties dialog displays the Advanced tabbed section.

  • Page 69: To Modify The Properties Of A Launcher

    If you choose Link from the Type drop-down combination box, you can enter a link command. The following table shows some sample link commands and the actions that the commands perform: Sample Link Command Action http://www.gnome.org Opens the GNOME website in your default browser. ftp://ftp.gnome.org Opens the GNOME FTP site in your default browser.

  • Page 70: Buttons

    4.6. Buttons <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 4. Working With Panels 4.6. Buttons You can add buttons to your panels to provide quick access to common actions and functions. 4.6.1. Force Quit Button Force Quit icon. The Force Quit button enables you to select a window to terminate an application. This button is useful if you want to terminate an application that does not respond to your commands.

  • Page 71: Log Out Button

    4.6.3. Log Out Button Log Out icon. The Log Out button begins the process to log out of a GNOME session. To add a Log Out button to a panel, right-click on any vacant space on the panel. Choose Add to Panel->Actions->Log Out.

  • Page 72: Show Desktop Button

    Search Tool icon. You can use the Search button to open the Search Tool. To add a Search button to a panel, right-click on any vacant space on the panel. Choose Add to Panel- >Actions->Search. To open the Search Tool, click on the Search button. For more information on the Search Tool, see the Search Tool Manual.

  • Page 73: Menus

    4.7. Menus <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 4. Working With Panels 4.7. Menus You can add the following types of menu to your panels: Main Menu: You can access almost all of the standard applications, commands, and configuration options from the Main Menu. To add a Main Menu to a panel, right-click on any vacant space on the panel, then choose Add to Panel->Main Menu.

  • Page 74: Drawers

    4.8. Drawers <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 4. Working With Panels 4.8. Drawers A drawer is an extension of a panel. You can open and close a drawer in the same way that you can show and hide a panel. A drawer can contain all panel objects, including launchers, menus, applets, other panel objects, and other drawers.

  • Page 75: To Add An Object To A Drawer

    4.8.3. To Add an Object to a Drawer You add an object to a drawer in the same way that you add objects to panels. For more information, To Add an Object to a Panel. 4.8.4. To Modify Drawer Properties To modify preferences for all panels and drawers, use the Panel preference tool.
  • Page 76 <<< Prev Home Next >>> 4.7. Menus Chapter 5. Working With Menus...

  • Page 77: Introduction To Menus

    5.1. Introduction to Menus <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 5. Working With Menus 5.1. Introduction to Menus You can access all desktop environment functions through menus. The panels contains menus, so you can use a combination of menus and panels to perform your tasks. You can perform various actions on your menus, such as copy menu items to panels.

  • Page 78: Menu Features

    5.2. Menu Features <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 5. Working With Menus 5.2. Menu Features Menus can contain the following items: Submenus Launchers or menu items An arrow to the right of an item in a menu indicates that the item is a submenu. When you point to the submenu, the submenu opens.
  • Page 79 Table 5.1 describes menu item popup menus. Table 5.1. Menu Item Popup Menus Item Description Add this launcher to panel Adds the launcher to the panel from which you open the menu. Remove this item Removes the launcher from the menu. Put into run dialog Displays the Run Application dialog with the command from the Command field of the launcher in...

  • Page 80: Applications Menu

    The Applications menu contains a hierarchy of submenus, from which you can start the standard GNOME applications and preference tools. The Applications menu contains the Desktop Preferences menu. You can use the Desktop Preferences menu to start the desktop environment preference tools.

  • Page 81: Actions Menu

    5.4. Actions Menu <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 5. Working With Menus 5.4. Actions Menu The Actions menu contains various commands that enable you to perform desktop environment tasks. Table 5.2 describes the commands in the Actions menu. Table 5.2. Actions Menu Commands Menu Item Function Run Application Opens the Run Application dialog.

  • Page 82: To Take A Screenshot

    Add the Run button to a panel. Right-click on the panel, then choose Add to Panel- >Actions->Run. Click on the Run button. From the Main Menu Open the Main Menu, then choose Run Application. From the Menu Bar Choose Actions->Run Application. Use shortcut keys The default shortcut keys to display the Run Application dialog are Alt+F2.
  • Page 83 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 screen, and displays the Save Screenshot dialog.
  • Page 84 <<< Prev Home Next >>> 5.3. Applications Menu 5.5. Main Menu...

  • Page 85: Main Menu

    5.5. Main Menu <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 5. Working With Menus 5.5. Main Menu Open Main Menu. Menu items: Applications, Run Application, Search for Files, Open Recent, Take Screenshot, Lock Screen, Log Out. The Main Menu provides access to the Applications menu and the many of the items in the Actions menu.
  • Page 86 5.4. Actions Menu 5.6. Menu Bar...

  • Page 87: Menu Bar

    5.6. Menu Bar <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 5. Working With Menus 5.6. Menu Bar Menu Bar applet. Menus: Applications, Actions. The Menu Bar provides access to the Applications and Actions menus. You can access almost all of the standard applications, commands, and configuration options from the Menu Bar. 5.6.1.

  • Page 88: Customizing Your Menus

    5.7. Customizing Your Menus <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 5. Working With Menus 5.7. Customizing Your Menus You can modify the contents of the following menus: Applications menu Desktop Preferences menu You use the following desktop environment components to customize menus: Menus on panels Nautilus file manager When you use panels to customize your menus, you use the menu item popup menu.

  • Page 89: To Add A Launcher To An Empty Menu

    1. Right-click on any item in the menu to which you want to add the launcher. 2. Choose Entire menu->Add new item to this menu. A Create Launcher dialog is displayed. 3. Enter the properties of the launcher in the Create Launcher dialog. For more information on the elements in the Create Launcher dialog, see Working With Panels.

  • Page 90: To Edit A Menu Item

    5.7.6. To Edit a Menu Item To edit a menu item, perform the following steps: 1. Right-click on the item that you want to edit. 2. Choose Properties. A Launcher Properties dialog is displayed. 3. Modify the properties of the launcher in the Launcher Properties dialog. For more information on the elements in the Launcher Properties dialog, see Working With Panels.

  • Page 91: Windows And Workspaces

    6.1. Windows and Workspaces <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 6. Working With Windows 6.1. Windows and Workspaces You can display many windows at the same time in your desktop environment. Your windows are displayed in subdivisions of your desktop environment that are called workspaces. A workspace is a discrete area in which you can work.

  • Page 92: Types Of Window

    6.2. Types of Window <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 6. Working With Windows 6.2. Types of Window The desktop environment features the following types of windows: Application windows When you start an application, an application window opens. The window manager applies a frame to the application window.
  • Page 93 contains buttons that you can use to work with the window. 6.2.1.1. Themes You can apply several themes to your window frames. The theme determines how the frame looks. To choose a theme for all your window frames, choose Applications->Desktop Preferences->Theme. 6.2.1.2.
  • Page 94 Border The border around the window. Use the border to perform the following actions: To resize the window grab the border and drag the border to the new size. To open the Window Menu, right-click on the border. Window contents The area inside the window frame.

  • Page 95: Menus And Applets For Working With Windows And Workspaces

    6.3. Menus and Applets for Working With Windows and Workspaces <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 6. Working With Windows 6.3. Menus and Applets for Working With Windows and Workspaces This section describes the menus and applets that you can use to work with windows and workspaces. 6.3.1.

  • Page 96: Window List Applet

    Move Enables you to use the arrow keys to move the window. Resize Enables you to use the arrow keys to resize the window. Close Closes the window. Put on All Workspaces or Only on This Puts the window on all of your workspaces. If the Workspace window is already on all of your workspaces, choose Only on This Workspace to put the...
  • Page 97 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.

  • Page 98: Workspace Switcher Applet

    6.3. Figure 6.3 shows the applet when the GNOME session contains four workspaces. Your workspaces appear as buttons on the applet. The background of the button in the applet that represents the current workspace is highlighted. The current workspace in Figure 6.3...
  • Page 99 <<< Prev Home Next >>> 6.2. Types of Window 6.4. Manipulating Windows...

  • Page 100: Manipulating Windows

    6.4. Manipulating Windows <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 6. Working With Windows 6.4. Manipulating Windows This section describes how to manipulate windows. 6.4.1. 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.

  • Page 101: To Maximize A Window

    6.4.3. To Maximize a Window When you maximize a window, the window expands as much as possible. To maximize a window perform one of the following actions: To maximize the window, click on the Maximize button on the window frame. Alternatively, open the Window Menu, then choose Maximize.

  • Page 102: To Move A Window

    To resize a window horizontally point to one of the vertical edges of the window. The mouse pointer changes to indicate that you can resize the window. Grab the edge and drag the window to the new size. To resize a window vertically point to the bottom edge of the window. The mouse pointer changes to indicate that you can resize the window.

  • Page 103: To Move A Window To Another Workspace

    To put a window in all workspaces, open the Window Menu. Choose Put on All Workspaces. To set the window to appear only in the current workspace, choose Only on This Workspace. 6.4.10. To Move a Window to Another 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.

  • Page 104: Manipulating Workspaces

    6.5. Manipulating Workspaces <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 6. Working With Windows 6.5. Manipulating Workspaces This section describes how to manipulate workspaces. 6.5.1. To Switch Between Workspaces You can switch between workspaces in any of the following ways: Use Workspace Switcher Click on the workspace that you want to switch to in Workspace Switcher.
  • Page 105 When you delete a workspace the windows in the workspace are moved to another workspace, and the empty workspace is deleted. To delete workspaces from 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.

  • Page 106: Introduction To Nautilus File Manager

    7.1. Introduction to Nautilus File Manager <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 7. Nautilus File Manager 7.1. Introduction to Nautilus File Manager The Nautilus file manager provides an integrated access point to your files and applications. The file manager enables you to do the following: Display your files and folders.

  • Page 107: File Manager Windows

    7.2. File Manager Windows <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 7. Nautilus File Manager 7.2. File Manager Windows File manager windows enable you to display and manage your files and folders. Figure 7.1 shows a file manager window that displays the contents of a folder. Figure 7.1.

  • Page 108: View Pane

    Side pane Performs the following functions: Shows information about the current file or folder. Enables you to navigate through your files. The side pane contains a drop-down list that enables you to choose what to show in the side pane. You can choose from the following options: Information Emblems History...

  • Page 109: Side Pane

    File manager window with text file in view pane. Side pane contains: file icon, file information, file emblem, Open with gedit, Open with buttons. Displaying a file in the view pane provides the following benefits: Uses less system resources than when you launch an application. Takes less time than when you launch an application.

  • Page 110: Icons And Emblems

    Enables you to add notes to your files and folders. Tree Displays a hierarchical representation of your file system. You can use the Tree to navigate through your files. To close the side pane, click on the X button at the top right of the side pane. 7.2.3.
  • Page 111 Default Emblem Description Symbolic link Symbolic link emblem. Read permission only Read permission only emblem. No read permission and no write permission No read permission and no write permission emblem. <<< Prev Home Next >>> 7.1. Introduction to Nautilus File 7.3.

  • Page 112: Navigating Your Computer

    7.3. Navigating Your Computer <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 7. Nautilus File Manager 7.3. Navigating Your Computer Each file manager window displays the contents of a single file, folder, FTP site, or special URI location. This section describes the following: How to display items in file manager windows.

  • Page 113: Using The Tree From The Side Pane

    on the Up toolbar button. To reload the display, click on the Reload button. If you cannot find the folder that you want to display, you can use Search Tool. To start Search Tool, choose Actions->Search for Files. 7.3.3. Using the Tree From the Side Pane The Tree displays a hierarchical representation of your file system.
  • Page 114 When you open a file, the file manager performs the default action for that file type. The default action can be one of the following: Use a viewer component to display the file in the view pane. Launch an application that opens the file. The file manager checks the contents of a file to determine the type of a file.

  • Page 115: Using The Start Here Location

    Start Here icon. The Start Here location enables you to access the following functions: Applications Double-click on Applications to access your key GNOME applications. You can also access the Applications menu through the Main Menu and the Menu Bar. Desktop Preferences Double-click on Desktop Preferences to customize your desktop environment.

  • Page 116: To Access Ftp Sites

    Applications 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 the desktop.

  • Page 117: Accessing Special Uri Locations

    OK. 7.3.8. Accessing Special URI Locations The GNOME Desktop contains special URI locations that enable you to access particular functions from the file manager. For example, to access the preference tools, you can access the preferences:/// URI in a file manager window.

  • Page 118: Using Your Navigation History

    smb:/// Displays Windows servers, if your desktop environment is configured to access Windows servers. To open a Windows server, double-click on the Windows server. start-here:/// Displays a list of applications and preference tools in your desktop environment. Also displays applications that you can use to configure your system as a server, and to modify your system settings.

  • Page 119: To Bookmark Your Favorite Locations

    7.3.10. To Bookmark Your Favorite Locations To access an item in your bookmarks, choose the item from the Bookmarks menu. You can add your favorite locations to your Bookmarks menu. You can add bookmarks to files and folders in your file system, or to FTP sites.

  • Page 120: Managing Your Files And Folders

    7.4. Managing Your Files and Folders <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 7. Nautilus File Manager 7.4. Managing Your Files and Folders This section describes how to work with your files and folders. 7.4.1. Drag-and-Drop in the File Manager You can use drag-and-drop to perform several tasks in the file manager. When you drag-and-drop, the mouse pointer provides feedback about the task that you perform.

  • Page 121: To Select Files And Folders

    Set as Background If the item is an image, sets the image to be the desktop background. You can use this command to set the desktop background and the view pane background. Cancel Cancels the drag-and-drop operation. 7.4.2. To Select Files and Folders You can select files and folders in several ways in the file manager.

  • Page 122: To Copy A File Or Folder

    To drag a file or folder to a new location in a view pane, 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 move the file or folder. In the other window, select the folder to which you want to move the file or folder.

  • Page 123: To Duplicate A File Or Folder

    7.4.5. To Duplicate a File or Folder To create a copy of a file or folder in the current folder perform the following steps: 1. Select the file or folder that you want to duplicate in the view pane. 2. Choose Edit->Duplicate. Alternatively, right-click on the file or folder in the view pane, then choose Duplicate.

  • Page 124: To Delete A File Or Folder

    Note When you move a file or folder from a removable media to Trash, the file or folder is stored in a Trash location on the removable media. To remove the file or folder permanently from the removable media, you must empty Trash. 7.4.9.

  • Page 125: To Change Permissions

    3. Use the properties dialog to view the properties of the desktop object. 4. Click Close to close the properties dialog. 7.4.12. To Change Permissions Permissions are settings assigned to each file and folder that determine what type of access users can have to the file or folder.

  • Page 126: Adding Notes To Files And Folders

    File group To change the group to which a file or folder belongs, select the group from the drop-down list. Owner Select the permissions that you want to apply to the owner of the file or folder. Group Select the permissions that you want to apply to the group to which the owner of the file or folder belongs.

  • Page 127: Using Trash

    To delete a note, delete the note text from Notes in the side pane. 7.4.14. Using Trash Trash icon, empty. You can move the following items to Trash: Files Folders Desktop objects If you need to retrieve a file from Trash, you can display Trash and move the file out of Trash. When you empty Trash, you delete the contents of Trash permanently.

  • Page 128: Modifying The Appearance Of Files And Folders

    7.5. Modifying the Appearance of Files and Folders <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 7. Nautilus File Manager 7.5. Modifying the Appearance of Files and Folders The file manager enables you to modify the appearance of your files and folders in several ways, as described in the following sections.

  • Page 129: To Change The Size Of Items In A View

    5. Click Close to close the properties dialog. To restore an icon from a custom icon to the default icon specified in the File Types and Programs preference tool, right-click on the icon then choose Remove Custom Icon. Alternatively, click on the Remove Custom Icon button on the Properties dialog. To change the icon that represents a file type, use the File Types and Programs preference tool.
  • Page 130 You can also use the file manager to open a file in an appropriate application. For more information, Opening Files. The file manager includes views that enable you to show the contents of your folders in different ways. For example, you can show the contents of a folder in the following types of view: Icon view Shows the items in the folder as icons.
  • Page 131 You can display different folders in different views. The file manager remembers the view that you choose for a particular folder. The next time that you display the folder, the file manager displays the folder in that view. To return the view for the folder to the default view specified in your preferences, choose View->Reset View to Defaults.
  • Page 132 Reversed Order Select this option to reverse the order of the option by which you sort the items. For example, if you sort the items by name, select the Reversed Order option to sort the items in reverse alphabetical order. The file manager remembers how you arrange the items in a particular folder.
  • Page 133 Include in the menu for item- Select this option to include the view in the View as name items submenu for this type of item. Use as default for item-name Select this option to use the view as the default for this type of item.

  • Page 134: Assigning Actions To Files

    7.6. Assigning Actions to Files <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 7. Nautilus File Manager 7.6. Assigning Actions to Files When you open a file, the file manager performs the default action for that file type. The File Types and Programs preference tool contains a table of file types, their associated file extensions, and their default actions.
  • Page 135 behavior. 4. Click on the Modify button. A Modify dialog is displayed. The following table describes the options on the Modify dialog: Option Description Include in the menu for filetype items Select this option to include the application or viewer in the Open With submenu for this file type.

  • Page 136: Customizing The File Manager

    7.7. Customizing the File Manager <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 7. Nautilus File Manager 7.7. Customizing the File Manager You can customize the file manager to suit your requirements and preferences. This section describes how to customize the file manager. 7.7.1.
  • Page 137 Sort in reverse Select this option if you want to reverse the order by which items are sorted in this view. If you select this option, the order of the characteristic you select in the Arrange Items drop-down list is reversed.
  • Page 138 Run executable files when they are Select this option to run an executable file when you choose clicked the executable file. An executable file is a text file that can execute, that is, a shell script. View executable files when they Select this option to display the contents of an executable file are clicked when you choose the executable file.
  • Page 139 Date accessed Choose this option to display the date that the item was last accessed. Owner Choose this option to display the owner of the item. Group Choose this option to display the group to which the item belongs. Permissions Choose this option to display the permissions of the item as three sets of three characters, for example -rwxrw-r--.

  • Page 140: Changing Backgrounds

    Preview sound files Select an option to specify when to preview sound files. Select an option to specify when to show the number of items in Count number of items folders. 7.7.2. Changing Backgrounds The file manager includes backgrounds that you can use to change the look-and-feel of the following screen components: Desktop Side pane...

  • Page 141: To Show And Hide Window Components

    selector dialog is displayed. Use the color wheel or the sliders to choose the color. Click OK to add the new color to the Backgrounds and Emblems dialog. 7.7.3. To Show and Hide Window Components You can show and hide file manager window components as follows: To hide the side pane, choose View->Side Pane.

  • Page 142: Using Removable Media

    7.8. Using Removable Media <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 7. Nautilus File Manager 7.8. Using Removable Media The file manager supports all removable media that have the following characteristics: The removable media has an entry in the /etc/fstab file. The /etc/fstab file describes the file systems that the computer uses.

  • Page 143: To Format A Floppy Diskette

    the desktop, then choose Properties. A dialog displays the properties of the media. To close the properties dialog, click Close. 7.8.4. To Format a Floppy Diskette To format media is to prepare the media for use with a particular file system. You can use the file manager to format floppy diskettes.

  • Page 144: To Eject Media

    Select this option to create the file system on the diskette and format the diskette. A standard format does not check for bad blocks. Standard Select this option if the diskette has not been formatted before. Select this option to create the file system on the diskette, check for bad blocks, and format the diskette.

  • Page 145: Writing Cds

    7.9. Writing CDs <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 7. Nautilus File Manager 7.9. Writing CDs The file manager provides a special location where you can copy files and folders that you want to write to a CD. You can write the contents of the location to a CD easily. To write a CD, perform the following steps: 1.
  • Page 146 created, a message to indicate that the process is complete is displayed in the dialog. If you created a CD image file, you can write this 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.

  • Page 147: Running Scripts From The File Manager

    7.10. Running Scripts From the File Manager <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 7. Nautilus File Manager 7.10. Running Scripts From the File Manager The file manager includes a special folder where you can store your scripts. When you add an executable file to this folder, the file is added to the Scripts submenu.

  • Page 148: Introduction To The Desktop

    Start Here Provides an access point to some of the key features of the Nautilus Start Here icon. GNOME Desktop. Trash Opens a file manager window, and displays your Trash in Nautilus Trash icon.
  • Page 149 Chapter 8. Using Your Desktop 8.2. Desktop Objects...

  • Page 150: Desktop Objects

    8.2. Desktop Objects <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 8. Using Your Desktop 8.2. Desktop Objects A desktop object is an icon on your desktop that you can use to open your files, folders, and applications. By default, your desktop contains three objects. You can also add objects to your desktop to provide convenient access to files, folders, applications, and URIs that you use frequently.

  • Page 151: To Open An Object From The Desktop

    Working With Panels. The command that you enter for the launcher is the command that is executed when you use the desktop object. 8.2.4. To Add a Symbolic Link to the Desktop You can create symbolic links on your desktop to perform the following actions: Open a particular file in a particular application.

  • Page 152: Adding A File Or Folder To The Desktop

    Run a binary file or a script. To create a symbolic link on the desktop, perform the following steps: 1. Display the file or folder for which you want to create a symbolic link in a file manager window. 2. Create a symbolic link to the file or folder. To create a symbolic link to a file or folder, select the file or folder to which you want to create a link.

  • Page 153: To Rename A Desktop Object

    8.2.5.3. To Create a Folder Object on the Desktop To create a folder object, right-click on the desktop to open the Desktop menu. Choose New Folder. An untitled folder is added to the desktop. Type the name of the new folder, then press Return. The folder is displayed with the new name.

  • Page 154: To Add An Emblem To A Desktop Object

    1. Right-click on the object whose permissions you want to change, then choose Properties. A properties dialog is displayed. 2. Click on the Permissions tab to display the Permissions tabbed section. 3. In the Permissions tabbed section, use the drop-down lists and check boxes to change the permissions for the file or folder.

  • Page 155: To Resize A Desktop Object Icon

    8.2.14. To Resize a Desktop Object Icon You can change the size of the icon that represents a desktop object. To change the size of an icon on the desktop, perform the following steps: 1. Right-click on 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.

  • Page 156: Using Trash On The Desktop

    8.3. Using Trash on the Desktop <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 8. Using Your Desktop 8.3. Using Trash on the Desktop Nautilus Trash icon. You can move the following items to Trash: Files Folders Desktop objects If you need to retrieve a file from Trash, you can view Trash and move the file out of Trash. When you empty Trash, you delete the items in Trash permanently.
  • Page 157 <<< Prev Home Next >>> 8.2. Desktop Objects 8.4. Using the Desktop Menu...

  • Page 158: Using The Desktop Menu

    New Folder Creates a new folder object on your desktop. The folder is created in your desktop directory. New Terminal Starts a GNOME Terminal. New Launcher Creates a launcher on your desktop. For more information, see Add a Launcher to the Desktop.
  • Page 159 Use Default Background Resets the desktop background to the last pattern that you chose from the Backgrounds 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.

  • Page 160: Changing The Pattern Or Color Of The Desktop

    4. To change the desktop background to a pattern, drag the pattern to the desktop background. To change the desktop background to a color, drag the color to the desktop background. 5. Click Close to close the dialog. <<< Prev Home Next >>> Part II. Customizing Your GNOME 8.4. Using the Desktop Menu Desktop...

  • Page 161: Part Ii. Customizing Your Gnome Desktop

    Part II. Customizing Your GNOME Desktop <<< Prev Next >>> Part II. Customizing Your GNOME Desktop You can customize many of the characteristics of your desktop environment. The customization of each aspect of the desktop environment is controlled by a dedicated software tool that is called a desktop environment preference tool.
  • Page 162 accessibility features. Table of Contents Using the Basic Preference Tools Using the Advanced Preference Tools Using the Accessibility Preference Tools <<< Prev Home Next >>> 8.5. Changing the Pattern or Color of Chapter 9. Using the Basic Preference the Desktop Tools...

  • Page 163: Using The Basic Preference Tools

    Chapter 9. Using the Basic Preference Tools <<< Prev Next >>> Part II. Customizing Your GNOME Desktop Chapter 9. Using the Basic Preference Tools Table of Contents 9.1. Opening a Basic Preference Tool 9.2. Customizing the Desktop Background 9.3. Setting File Management Preferences 9.4.
  • Page 164 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 9.1. Opening a Basic Preference Tool Desktop...

  • Page 165: Using The Advanced Preference Tools

    Chapter 10. Using the Advanced Preference Tools <<< Prev Next >>> Part II. Customizing Your GNOME Desktop Chapter 10. Using the Advanced Preference Tools Table of Contents 10.1. Opening an Advanced Preference Tool 10.2. Configuring a CD Database 10.3. Configuring File Types and Programs 10.3.1.

  • Page 166: Using The Accessibility Preference Tools

    Chapter 11. Using the Accessibility Preference Tools <<< Prev Next >>> Part II. Customizing Your GNOME Desktop Chapter 11. Using the Accessibility Preference Tools Table of Contents 11.1. Opening an Accessibility Tool 11.2. Setting Assistive Technology Preferences 11.3. Configuring Keyboard Accessibility Options 11.3.1.

  • Page 167: Chapter 9. Using The Basic Preference

    9.1. Opening a Basic Preference Tool <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 9. Using the Basic Preference Tools 9.1. Opening a Basic Preference Tool You can open one of the basic preference tools in either of the following ways: From the Desktop Preferences menu Choose Applications->Desktop Preferences.

  • Page 168: Customizing The Desktop Background

    9.2. Customizing the Desktop Background <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 9. Using the Basic Preference Tools 9.2. Customizing the Desktop Background The desktop background is the image or color that is applied to your desktop. You can customize the desktop background in the following ways: Select an image for the desktop background.
  • Page 169 Background Style To specify a color scheme, use the options in the Background Style drop-down list, and the color selector buttons. You can specify a color scheme in one of the following ways: Choose Solid color from the Background Style drop-down list to specify a single color for the desktop background.

  • Page 170: Setting File Management Preferences

    9.3. Setting File Management Preferences <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 9. Using the Basic Preference Tools 9.3. Setting File Management Preferences Use the File Management preference tool to set your Nautilus 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.

  • Page 171: Choosing Default Fonts

    9.4. Choosing Default Fonts <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 9. Using the Basic Preference Tools 9.4. Choosing Default Fonts Use the Font preference tool to select the fonts to use in your applications, windows, terminals, and desktop. Table 9.2 lists the font settings that you can configure. Table 9.2.

  • Page 172: Previewing Fonts

    Details Click on this button to specify further details of how to render fonts on your screen. Resolution (dots per inch): Use the spin box to specify the resolution to use when your screen renders fonts. Smoothing: Select one of the options to specify how to antialias fonts. Hinting: Hinting is a font-rendering technique that improves the quality of fonts at small sizes and an at low screen resolutions.

  • Page 173: Configuring Keyboard Settings

    9.5. Configuring Keyboard Settings <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 9. Using the Basic Preference Tools 9.5. Configuring Keyboard Settings Use the Keyboard preference tool to select the autorepeat settings for your keyboard, and to configure typing break settings. You can customize the settings for the Keyboard preference tool in the following functional areas: Keyboard Typing Break 9.5.1.
  • Page 174 Use the Typing Break tabbed section to set typing break preferences. To start the Keyboardaccessibility preference tool, that is, AccessX, click on the Accessibility button. Table 9.4 lists the typing break settings that you can configure. Table 9.4. Typing Break Settings Option Function Lock screen to enforce typing break Select this option to lock the screen when you are due a...

  • Page 175: Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts

    9.6. Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 9. Using the Basic Preference Tools 9.6. Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts A keyboard shortcut is a key or combination of keys that provides an alternative to standard ways of performing an action. Use the Keyboard Shortcuts preference tool to display the default keyboard shortcuts.

  • Page 176: Customizing Menus And Toolbars In Applications

    You can use the Menus & Toolbars preference tool to customize the appearance of menus, menubars, and toolbars for GNOME-compliant applications. Table 9.6 lists the menu and toolbar settings that you can customize for GNOME-compliant applications. Table 9.6. Settings for Customizing Applications...

  • Page 177: Configuring Mouse Settings

    9.8. Configuring Mouse Settings <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 9. Using the Basic Preference Tools 9.8. Configuring Mouse Settings Use the Mouse preference tool to configure your mouse for right-hand use or for left-hand use. You can also specify the speed and sensitivity of mouse movement. You can customize the settings for the Mouse preference tool in the following functional areas: Buttons Cursors...

  • Page 178: Motion Settings

    Option Function Cursor Theme Select the mouse pointer theme that you require from the list box. Show position of cursor when the Control Select this option to enable a mouse pointer key is pressed animation when you press and release Ctrl. This feature can assist you to locate the mouse pointer.

  • Page 179: Configuring Network Proxy Settings

    9.9. Configuring Network Proxy Settings <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 9. Using the Basic Preference Tools 9.9. Configuring Network Proxy Settings The Network Proxy preference tool enables you to configure how your system connects to networks. You can configure the desktop environment to connect to a proxy server, and specify the details of the proxy server.
  • Page 180 Autoconfiguration URL Enter the URL that contains the information required to configure the proxy server automatically. <<< Prev Home Next >>> 9.8. Configuring Mouse Settings 9.10. Setting Screensaver Preferences...

  • Page 181: Setting Screensaver Preferences

    9.10. Setting Screensaver Preferences <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 9. Using the Basic Preference Tools 9.10. Setting Screensaver Preferences A screensaver is an application that you can use to replace the image on your screen when the screen is not in use. You can use screensavers in the following ways: Activate after a specified period of idle time.

  • Page 182: Advanced Settings

    Display list Select the screensaver display that you require from the list. Blank After Specify how long to wait after the last use of the mouse or keyboard, to activate the screensaver. Cycle After Specify how long to show a particular screensaver display before the next display.
  • Page 183 Display Splash Screen at Startup Select this option to if you want Xscreensaver to display a splash dialog when Xscreensaver starts. Power Management Enabled Select this option to enable power management of your monitor. Power management can reduce energy consumption by your monitor when you are not using the monitor.

  • Page 184: Setting Screen Resolution Preferences

    9.11. Setting Screen Resolution Preferences <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 9. Using the Basic Preference Tools 9.11. Setting Screen Resolution Preferences Use the Screen Resolution preference tool to specify the resolution settings for your screen. Table 9.13 lists the screen resolution settings that you can configure. Table 9.13.

  • Page 185: Setting Sound Preferences

    Sound Events System Bell 9.12.1. General Settings Use the General tabbed section of the Sound preference tool to specify when to launch the GNOME sound server. You can also enable sound event functions. Table 9.14 lists the general sound settings that you can configure.

  • Page 186: System Bell Settings

    You must select the Enable sound server startup option, and the Sounds for events option before you can access the Sound Events tabbed section. Table 9.15 lists the sound events settings that you can configure. Table 9.15. Settings for Sound Events Option Function Sounds table...
  • Page 187 Option Function Sound an audible bell Select this option to enable the system bell. Visual feedback Select this option to enable visual feedback to indicate input errors. Select this option if you want window titlebars to flash to indicate an input Flash window titlebar error.

  • Page 188: Customizing Themes In The Desktop Environment

    The list of available themes includes several themes for users with accessibility requirements. A theme contains settings that affect different parts of the GNOME desktop, as follows: Controls The controls setting for a theme determines the visual appearance of windows, panels, and applets.

  • Page 189: To Install A New Theme

    1. To open the Theme preference tool, choose Applications->Desktop Preferences->Theme. 2. Select a theme in the list of themes. 3. Click on the Details button. A Theme Details dialog is displayed. 4. Select the controls option that you want to use in the custom theme from the list in the Controls tabbed section.

  • Page 190: To Delete A Theme Option

    5. Enter the location of the option archive file 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. 6. Click on the Install button to install the new option. 9.13.4.

  • Page 191: Customizing Windows

    9.14. Customizing Windows <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 9. Using the Basic Preference Tools 9.14. Customizing Windows Use the Windows preference tool to customize window behavior for your desktop environment. Table 9.17 lists the window behavior settings that you can customize. Table 9.17.

  • Page 192: Opening An Advanced Preference Tool

    10.1. Opening an Advanced Preference Tool <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 10. Using the Advanced Preference Tools 10.1. Opening an Advanced Preference Tool You can open an Advanced preference tool in either of the following ways: From the Desktop Preferences menu Choose Applications->Desktop Preferences->Advanced.

  • Page 193: Configuring A Cd Database

    10.2. Configuring a CD Database <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 10. Using the Advanced Preference Tools 10.2. Configuring a CD Database The CD Database preference tool enables you to configure a CD database that your system can query. A CD database contains information about CDs, such as the name of the artist, the title, and the track list.

  • Page 194: Configuring File Types And Programs

    The file manager and other GNOME applications check the contents of a file to determine the type of a file. If the first lines do not determine the type of the file, then the application checks the filename.

  • Page 195: To Add A File Type

    Add Service Click on this button to add a service. For more information, see To Add a Service. Edit To edit a file type, a service, or a file type category, select the item that you want to edit, then click Edit. Remove To delete a file type or a service, select the item that you want to delete, then click Remove.

  • Page 196: To Add A Service

    Run in Terminal Select this option to run the program in a terminal window. Choose this option for a program that does not create a window in which to run. 4. Click OK. 10.3.2. To Add a Service To add a service, perform the following steps: 1.

  • Page 197: Customizing Your Panels

    10.4. Customizing Your Panels <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 10. Using the Advanced Preference Tools 10.4. Customizing Your Panels The Panel preference tool enables you to configure the behavior of panels. Any changes that you make with the Panel preference tool affect all of your panels. Table 10.3.

  • Page 198: Choosing Your Preferred Applications

    10.5. Choosing Your Preferred Applications <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 10. Using the Advanced Preference Tools 10.5. Choosing Your Preferred Applications Use the Preferred Applications preference tool to specify the applications that you want the desktop environment to use when the desktop environment starts an application for you. For example, you can specify Xterm as your preferred terminal application.

  • Page 199: Text Editor Settings

    Use the Mail Reader tabbed section to configure your preferred email client. Table 10.5 lists the preferred email client settings that you can configure. Table 10.5. Settings for Preferred Email Client Option Function Select a Mail Reader Select this option if you want to use a standard email client. Use the drop- down combination box to select your preferred email client.

  • Page 200: Terminal Settings

    After you specify a custom text editor, you can click on the Properties button to display the Custom Editor Properties dialog. You can use the dialog to modify the properties of the custom text editor. Use this editor to open text Select this option if you want the file manager to start the custom files in the file manager text editor to display text files.

  • Page 201: Configuring Sessions

    You can also use this preference tool to manage multiple GNOME sessions. You can customize the settings for sessions and startup applications in the following functional areas:...

  • Page 202: Setting Session Properties

    Automatically save changes to session Select this option if you want the session manager to save the current state of your session. The session manager saves the session-managed applications that are open, and the settings associated with the session-managed applications. The next time that you start a session, the applications start automatically, with the saved settings.

  • Page 203: Configuring Startup Applications

    The Style setting determines the restart style of an application. To select a restart style for an application, select the application in the table, then choose one of the following styles: Normal Starts automatically when you start a GNOME session. Use the kill command to terminate applications with this restart style during a session. Restart Restarts automatically whenever you close or terminate the application.
  • Page 204 Table 10.10 lists the startup applications settings that you can configure. Table 10.10. Settings for Startup Programs Option Function Additional startup programs Use this table to manage non-session-managed startup applications as follows: To add a startup application, click on the Add button. The Add Startup Program dialog is displayed.

  • Page 205: Opening An Accessibility Tool

    11.1. Opening an Accessibility Tool <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 11. Using the Accessibility Preference Tools 11.1. Opening an Accessibility Tool You can open an Accessibility preference tool in the following ways: From the Desktop Preferences menu Choose Applications->Desktop Preferences->Accessibility. Choose the preference tool that you require from the submenu.

  • Page 206: Setting Assistive Technology Preferences

    11.2. Setting Assistive Technology Preferences <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 11. Using the Accessibility Preference Tools 11.2. Setting Assistive Technology Preferences Use the Assistive Technology preference tool to enable assistive technologies in your desktop environment. You can also use the Assistive Technology preference tool to specify assistive technology applications to start automatically when you log in.

  • Page 207: Configuring Keyboard Accessibility Options

    11.3. Configuring Keyboard Accessibility Options <<< Prev Next >>> Chapter 11. Using the Accessibility Preference Tools 11.3. Configuring Keyboard Accessibility Options Use the Keyboard accessibility preference tool to set the keyboard accessibility preferences. The Keyboard accessibility preference tool is also known as AccessX. You can customize the settings for the Keyboard accessibility preference tool in the following functional areas: Basic...

  • Page 208: Filter Settings

    The test area is an interactive interface so you can see how the keyboard settings affect the display as you type. Type text in the test area to test the effect of your settings. For more information on configuring keyboard accessibility preferences, see GNOME 2.2 Desktop Accessibility Guide. 11.3.2. Filter Settings Table 11.3...

  • Page 209: Mouse Settings

    The test area is an interactive interface so you can see how the keyboard settings affect the display as you type. Type text in the test area to test the effect of your settings. For more information on configuring keyboard accessibility preferences, see GNOME 2.2 Desktop Accessibility Guide. 11.3.3. Mouse Settings Table 11.4...

  • Page 210: Mouse Actions

    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 Accessibility Guide. <<< Prev Home Next >>>...
  • Page 211 To format media is to prepare the media for use with a particular file system. When you format media, you overwrite any existing information on the media. GNOME-compliant application An application that uses the standard GNOME programming libraries is called a GNOME- compliant application. For example, Nautilus and gedit are GNOME-compliant applications.
  • Page 212 IP address A unique numeric identifier for a computer on a network. keyboard shortcut A keyboard shortcut is a key or combination of keys that provides an alternative to standard ways of performing an action. launcher A launcher starts a particular application, executes a command, or opens a file. A launcher can reside in a panel or in a menu.

  • Page 213: Applications

    A special 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. toolbar A toolbar is a bar that contains buttons for the most commonly-used commands in an application.

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