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 representing
devices on your computer, such as CD drives, might also be present
on the desktop. 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 Managing
Folders and Files with Nautilus File Manager.
Right-clicking an icon displays a menu offering file operations,
like copying, cutting, or renaming. Selecting from
the menu displays a configuration dialog. The title of an icon as
well as the icon itself can be changed with . The Emblems tab lets you add graphical descriptive
symbols to the icon. The Permissions tab lets you set access permissions
for the selected files. The Notes tab lets you manage comments.
The menu for the trash can additionally 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 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 question 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. However, be careful with this option—if you move folder
or file icons to 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.
NOTE:You cannot move the Home icon to the trash.
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 opens them up again.
If you right-click an empty spot in the panel, a menu opens,
offering the options listed in the following table:
Table 1-1 Panel
Menu Options
|
|
Opens a menu list of applications and
applets that can be added to the panel. |
|
|
Modifies the properties for this panel. |
|
|
Removes the panel from the desktop. All
of the panel settings are lost. |
|
|
Locks the panel in its current position
(so that it can’t be moved to another location on the desktop,
and unlocks the panel (so it can be moved).
To move the panel to another location, middle-click and hold
on any vacant space on the panel, and then drag the panel to the
location you want. |
|
|
Creates a new panel and adds it to the
desktop. |
|
|
Opens the Help Center. |
|
|
Opens information about the panel application. |
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
|
Command Line |
Enter commands in a small entry field. |
|
Dictionary Lookup |
Look up a word in an online dictionary. |
|
Force Quit |
Terminate an application. This is especially
useful if you want to terminate an application that is no longer
responding. |
|
Search for Files |
Find files, folders, and documents on
the computer. |
|
Sticky Notes |
Create, display, and manage sticky notes
on your desktop. |
|
Stock Ticker |
Display continuously updated stock quotes. |
|
Traditional Main Menu |
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. |
|
Volume Control |
Increase or decrease the sound volume. |
|
Weather Report |
Display current weather information for
a specified city. |
|
Workspace Switcher |
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. |
