File Manager Functionality
The Nautilus file manager provides
a simple and integrated way to manage your files and applications. You can use the
file manager to do the following:
Create folders and documents
Display your files and folders
Search and manage your files
Run scripts and launch applications
Customize the appearance of files and folders
Open special locations on your computer
Write data to a CD or DVD
Install and remove fonts
The file manager lets you organize your files into folders. Folders can contain files and may also contain other folders. Using folders can help you find your files more easily.
Nautilus also manages the desktop. The desktop
lies behind all other visible items on your screen. The desktop
is an active component of the way you use your computer.
Every user has a Home Folder. The Home Folder contains all of the user's files. The desktop is another
folder. The desktop contains special icons allowing easy access to the users Home Folder, Trash, and also removable media such as floppy disks, CDs and USB flashdrives.
Nautilus is always running while you are using GNOME. To open a new Nautilus window, double-click on an appropriate icon on the desktop such as or , or choose an item from menu on the top panel.
In GNOME many things are files, such as word processor documents, spreadsheets, photos, movies, and music.
File Manager Presentation
Nautilus provides two modes in which you can interact with your filesystem: spatial and browser mode. You may decide which method your prefer and set Nautilus to always use this by selecting (or deselecting) Always open in browser windows in the Behavior tab of the Nautilus preferences dialog.
Spatial mode is the default in GNOME, but your distributor, vendor, or system administrator may have configured Nautilus to use browser mode by default.
The following explains the difference between the two modes:
- Browser mode: browse your files and folders
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The file manager window represents a browser, which can display any location. Opening a folder updates the current file manager window to show the contents of the new folder.
As well as the folder contents, the browser window displays a toolbar with common actions and locations, a location bar that shows the current location in the hierarchy of folders, and a sidebar that can hold different kinds of information.
In Browser Mode, you typically have fewer file manager windows open at a time. For more information on using browser mode see the section called “Browser Mode”.
- Spatial mode: navigate your files and folders as objects
-
The file manager window represents a particular folder. Opening a folder opens the new window for that folder. Each time you open a particular folder, you will find its window displayed in the same place on the screen and the same size as the last time you viewed it (this is the reason for the name 'spatial mode').
Using spatial mode may lead to more open file manager windows on the screen. On the other hand, some users find that representing files and folders as though they were real physical objects with particular locations makes it easier to work with them. For more information on using spatial mode see the section called “Spatial Mode”
 | Note |
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Notice how, when in spatial mode, Nautilus indicates an open folder with a different icon. |
