20 – Getting to Know the Desktop

December 5, 2009 – 10:17 pm

Please note… This information no longer exists at the referenced locations.  This is only a copy of what was available in 2003.

Basic Linux Training™

Getting to Know the Desktop

Table of Contents

Most operating systems offer two ways to interact with your computer: a desktop and a command line.

In popular operating systems, the command line is usually de-emphasized. Progeny suggests that you take a mixed approach to Linux.

For routine work, the desktop is convenient and easy to learn. However, consider using the command line for complex work. The Linux command line takes longer to learn than a graphical interface, but in many circumstances it is easier and quicker to use.

The default graphical interface for Debian is Gnome (gnu Network Object Model Environment). This chapter describes the features of Gnome. However, you may also install KDE (The K Desktop Environment) from the Extras CD. The two desktops have similar features and functionality.

Most modern computer users (at least those installing Linux) know the basics of using a desktop. For this reason, this chapter is written more to point out features than to explain them. Its main focuses are:

  • Where to find features that you already know.
  • What features new Linux users may not know.

For more detail, see the Gnome on-line help.

Understanding Graphical Interfaces

Unlike other popular operating systems, Linux lets you customize all the parts of your graphical interface.

Linux uses the X Window System (also called “X,” but “X Windows”is considered insulting by many) to display graphics. The X Window System uses three parts to provide a graphical interface:

  • The X server: The program that provides basic graphical support. The default X server for most versions of Linux is XFree86.
  • The window manager: A program that controls the placement and movement of windows on the interface. A few window managers have so many features that they are almost desktops in their own right. Debian uses Sawfish, currently the most popular Gnome window manager.
  • The desktop: A program that includes a set of features that works with the windows manager to provide a complete graphical environment.

You can choose each of these parts separately. Only a few Linux users change the X server, but many change the window manager and desktop regularly. Some users prefer a window manager, but no desktop.

In addition, you can also change the look of a window manager or desktop by changing themes, the default colors and designs. Freshmeat has an entire themes section.

Getting to Know the Parts of the Default Desktop

The Gnome desktop is similar to desktops on other operating systems. However, take the time to find where the parts of the desktop are. Some features may not be in the position you expect, while others can be reached in more than one way.

You can add many features to the Gnome desktop. However, the default desktop consists of:

  • The Menus.
  • The Panel.
  • The File Manager.
  • Workspaces.

The Menus

You can select a program to run by opening one of two menus:

  • The Gnome main menu at the top left of the screen.

  • The Programs item in the pop-up menu for the work space.

To have a menu or sub-menu stay open, double-click on the top part above the dotted line. The menu becomes a regular window. This feature is sometimes called a “tear-off menu.”

The Panel

The panel runs across the top of the desktop. It contains the menu, icons (or launchers), and commonly used tools. The default panel contains:

  • The Gnome menu on the left.

  • The gnome Help icon for on-line help.

  • The browser icon for your internet connection.

  • The Add/Remove Software icon.

  • The terminal icon for opening a command line.

  • The gnome Desktop Guide, or pager, beside the task list. The pager opens a list of currently running processes and shows where windows are open on the work space.Select the pager to open or close it.

  • The status dock for showing the windows on each workspace.

  • The task list for displaying minimized windows on the right.

Notice, too, the arrows on each side of the panel. Selecting an arrow slides the panel shut to give more room in the workspace. Selecting an arrow again slides the panel back into position.

  • You can add other panels, or other items to the default panel as you need. Useful items include:
  • Drawers: Pull-down menus of icons (launchers), which group icons and save space.
  • Applets: Various small tools and monitors, including one for laptop batteries.
  • Clocks: Several different styles time-pieces.

See Making the Desktop Your Own.

The File Manager

The default file manager is the gnome Midnight Commander. You can start it by:

  • Selecting Program > File Manager from the main menu.
  • Selecting New Window from the pop-up menu that starts when you right-click on the desktop.
  • Typing 
        gmc

    at a command line.

  • Selecting the Home directory icon.

The Workspaces

Using Gnome, you can create multiple or virtual desktops called workspaces. Each workspace can have columns or rows that help to position windows. See Making the Desktop Your Own.

Multiple workspaces require more memory to run. However, they can be useful if:

  • You have a small monitor.
  • You want a different set of launchers for different tasks.
  • You work with many windows open, so that you have a hard time keeping track of them.
  • You want to keep a window open for use, but do not want it always taking up room on your main workspace.

If necessary, you can turn off multiple workspaces to save memory.

Moving Between Workspaces

To move between workspaces, do one of the following:

  • Select a workspace on the pager.

  • or
  • Middle-click on the current workspace and select another one.

From the Workspace sub-menu, you can:

  • Select a workspace.
  • Select the next or previous workspace.
  • Customize how the workspace functions.

Finding Your Way Around the Desktop

The Gnome desktop works in much the same way as other desktops:

  • You start programs by left-clicking on an icon or a menu item,
  • You set properties by right-clicking on a desktop element.
  • Windows are minimized or maximized using either their menus or the icons in the upper right corner.
  • Windows become active (or come into focus, as Gnome puts it) by clicking with the mouse on any part of them.
  • Minimized (also called “iconified”) windows display in the task list.
  • The Trash can stores deleted files in case you want to restore them.

However, if you are new to Linux, some of its functions may be unfamiliar to you. Instead of repeating what you already know, this section concentrates on these unfamiliar functions.

Using A Three Button Mouse

Like other Linux desktops, Gnome is designed for a three button mouse. If your mouse only has two buttons, then you can choose during the install to emulate a three-button mouse by pressing both buttons at the same time is the same as using the middle mouse button.

In most circumstances:

  • The left mouse button selects an icon or menu item to start.
  • The right mouse button displays a pop-up menu. Often, this menu is used for setting the properties of a desktop element, such as an icon.
  • The middle button is used for other functions, if they exist.

To see other functions for the mouse buttons, roll the mouse over a part of the desktop to see a pop-up list.

Using the Desktop Pop-Up Menus

The panel, the menus, launchers, and the work space all have pop-up menus, However, the work space has two pop-up menus:

  • Clicking with the right mouse button on a blank space on the desktop opens the desktop pop-up menu.From this menu, you can create launchers (icons), rescan the desktop to update it, and set other desktop properties.

  • Clicking with the middle mouse button on a blank space opens a general pop-up menu.From this menu, you can see a list of opened tasks, navigate between virtual desktops, select a program to run, or customize the desktop.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

To save time, you can add keyboard shortcuts for basic desktop tasks by selecting Sawfish Window Manager, then Shortcuts from the Control Center.

Only a few shortcuts are defined by default. However, you can add a long list of keyboard shortcuts, or edit existing ones. See Making the Desktop Your Own.

Manipulating Windows

An open window in the default Debian theme has :

  • An “X” icon in the upper right corner to close the window
  • An up arrow icon in the upper left corner to maximize the window.
  • A down arrow icon in the upper left corner to minimize the windows.
  • A menu that you can open by right clicking on the title bar. From the menu, you can minimize, maximize, or close the window, and manipulate it in other ways as well.In addition, a window appears in the task list and the pager on the panel if it is on the current work space.

However, the window menu and the pop-up menu in the task list also let you manipulate an open window in ways that may be unfamiliar to you.

Ways to Manipulate Windows from the Menu

To… Select from the window menu…
Allow a window to be active when cycling through windows Toggle > Focusable

If the window is already focusable, then selecting this item again sets it to Ignored.
Change a window’s position in a stack of windows Stacking

You can position the window behind or above other open windows, depending on your choice from the sub-menu.
Close a window Close.

Any process that was displayed in the window still runs. You can also close a window from the pop-up menu of the task list.
Display only the title bar Toggle > Shaded

If the window is already shaded, this menu item restores the window.

You can also:

  • Left-click twice on the title bar.
  • Selected Shaded from the pop-up menu on the task list.
Ignore window when cycling through windows Toggle > Ignored

If the window is already Ignored, selecting this menu item again sets it to Focusable.
Maximize a window Maximize.

You can also chose Restore from the pop-up menu of the task list.
Minimize a window Minimize.

You can also choose iconify from the pop-up menu of the task list.
Move or copy a window in a workspace Send window to

You can position the window or a copy of it in a workspace, or in a cell of its current workspace.
Position the window in the same place on every work space Toggle > Sticky

If a window is already sticky, this menu item makes it unsticky.

Reading Icon Properties

You can add three main types of icons to the desktop:

  • Directory: A folder on the desktop.

  • url Link: A web page link.

  • Application: An icon to start a program. This icon is also the default.

No matter where they are – the work space, the menu, or the panel – all icons have the same properties. You can read an icon’s properties by selecting Properties from its pop-up menu to open the Properties window.

  • The Properties window includes three tabs:
  • Statistics: The file’s path, name, and size, as well as the dates on which the file was created, last modified, and last accessed. Using the Properties window, you can change the file name.
  • Options: Sets the icon to use for the file. If you do not want to use the default icon for the file type, you can select a custom icon by clicking on the icon pane.
  • Permissions: Sets who owns the file, who can use the file, and how they can use it. You can only adjust these settings if you own the file or if you are logged in as root user.

On the desktop, you can also select Directory or URL Link by right-clicking on the work space and making a selection from the New menu.

Icon Properties Tabs

Tab Editable Information
Statistics Basic information about the icon.

You can change the icon text by editing the File Name.
Options The icon image.

Select the icon to change the icon.
Permissions Lists information about:

  • Who can use the file.
  • How the file can be used.
  • Who owns the file.

Opening A Command Line

Early Linux development centered on the command line, and the graphical desktops are still being improved. As a result, you will find that your need for a command line increases as you gain in expertise.

You can open a command line in a number of ways:

  • Select the Gnome terminal icon from the panel.

  • Select Alt-F2 or Run from the main menu to enter a single command, then close the command line.

  • From the menu, select Programs > System > Eterm, gnome Terminal or Regular xterm. A command line window opens.

  • Right-click on the work space. Then select New > Terminal from the pop-up menu.

Copyright © 2003 Henry White. Copyright © 2001 Progeny Linux Systems. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU General Public License, Version 2.0 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation. A copy of the license is included in the file entitled “GNU General Public License” and must be included with all copies.

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