1.3 Desktop Basics
As with other common desktop products, the main components of the GNOME
desktop are icons that link to files, folders, or programs, as well as
the panel at the bottom of the screen (similar to the Task Bar in
Windows). Double-click an icon to start its associated program.
Right-click an icon to access additional menus and options. You can also
right-click any empty space on the desktop to access additional menus for
configuring or managing the desktop itself.
By default, the desktop features two key icons: your personal Home folder
and a trash can for deleted items. Other icons may also be present on the
desktop, such as icons representing devices on your computer. If you
double-click your Home folder, the Nautilus file manager starts and
displays the contents of your home directory. For more information about
using Nautilus, see Section 1.5, Managing Folders and Files with Nautilus.
Right-clicking an icon displays a menu that offers file operations such
as copying, cutting, or renaming. Selecting
from the menu displays a configuration dialog. On the
tab, you can change the name of the icon as well
as the icon itself (by clicking on it and selecting a file with a
different one). Various information about the object represented by the
icon are also shown here. The tab lets you add
graphical descriptive symbols to the icon. The
tab lets you set access permissions for
the selected files. The tab lets you manage
comments. The menu for the trash can also features the option, which deletes its contents.
A link is a special type of file that points to another file or folder.
When you perform an action on a link, the action is performed on the file
or folder that the link points to. When you delete a link, you delete
only the link file, not the file that the link points to.
To create a link on the desktop to a folder or a file, access the object
in File Manager by
right-clicking the object and then clicking .
Drag the link from the File Manager window and drop it onto the desktop.
1.3.1 Default Desktop Icons
To remove an icon from the desktop, simply drag it onto the trash can.
You cannot move the Home icon to the trash.
WARNING:
Be careful with this option—if you move folder or file icons to the
trash can and you empty the trash can, the actual data is deleted. If
the icons only represent links to a file or to a directory, only the
links are deleted.
1.3.3 Bottom Panel
The desktop includes a panel across the bottom of the screen. The bottom
panel contains the Computer menu (similar to the Start menu in Windows*)
and the icons of all applications currently running. You can also add
applications and applets to the panel for easy access. If you click the
name of a program in the taskbar, the program's window is moved to the
foreground. If the program is already in the foreground, a mouse click
minimizes it. Clicking a minimized application reopens the respective
window.
The icon is on the right side of the
bottom panel. This icon minimizes all program windows and displays the
desktop. Or, if all windows are already minimized, it reopens them.
If you right-click an empty spot in the panel, a menu opens, offering
the options listed in the following:
Table 1-1 Panel Menu Options
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Opens a menu of applications and applets that can be added to the
panel.
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Modifies the properties for this panel.
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Removes the panel from the desktop. All of the panel settings are
lost.
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Lets you drag the panel to another side of the screen, or locks the
panel in its current position.
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Creates a new panel and adds it to the desktop.
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Opens the Help Center.
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Opens information about the panel application.
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1.3.4 Adding Applets and Applications to the Panel
You can add applications and applets to the bottom panel for quick
access. An applet is a small program, while an application is usually a
more robust stand-alone program. Adding an applet puts useful utilities
where you can easily access them.
The GNOME desktop comes with many applets. You can see a complete list
by right-clicking the bottom panel and selecting .
Some useful applets include the following:
Table 1-2 Some Useful Applets
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Dictionary Lookup
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Look up a word in an online dictionary.
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Force Quit
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Terminate an application. This is especially useful if you want to
terminate an application that is no longer responding.
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Search for Files
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Find files, folders, and documents on the computer.
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Sticky Notes
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Create, display, and manage sticky notes on your desktop.
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Traditional Main Menu
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Access programs from a menu like the one in previous versions of
GNOME. This is especially useful for people who are used to earlier
versions of GNOME.
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Volume Control
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Increase or decrease the sound volume.
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Weather Report
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Display current weather information for a specified city.
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Workspace Switcher
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Access additional work areas, called workspaces, through virtual
desktops. For example, you can open applications in different
workspaces and use them on their own desktops without the clutter
from other applications.
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