Chapter 2: Exploring the Desktop The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration

2 Objectives Understand the graphical system used by Linux Configure basic features of the GNOME and KDE desktop interfaces Use graphical utilities such as editors, terminals, and browsers Use productivity applications such as , calendar, and word processing

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration3 Linux Graphical Desktops Graphical display –Optional –Most users choose to use GUI X window system –Foundation of graphical display

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration4 Understanding the X Window System Project Athena –Graphical environment for UNIX –Make UNIX easier to use –Eventually called X Window System –Released as public domain software in 1985 The XFree86 project –Dedicated to creating version of X for Intel-based versions of UNIX

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration5 How the X Window System Functions Macintosh and Windows graphical environments –Successful because they run on widely available computer hardware Developers of X took a different approach –Difficult to install Xfree86 project –Virtually all video cards are now automatically configured by the Linux installation program

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration6 Components of the X Window System X server X client Window manager Graphical libraries Graphical application –Provides a comprehensive user interface

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration7 Components of the X Window System (continued)

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration8 Components of the X Window System (continued) During Linux installation process –Xfree86 X server program installed Use different components at any “level” in graphical system twm (tab window manager) –Basic window manager –Available on most Linux distributions –Does not include desktop interface –Used to launch other graphical applications

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration9 Components of the X Window System (continued) Window managers available for Linux –twm –fvwm (feeble virtual window manager) –wm2 –Window Maker and Afterstep –mwm (motif window manager) –olwm (openlook window manager) –kwm

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration10 Components of the X Window System (continued) Graphical library –Installed on Linux system like any other application –Provides tools for other applications –KDE Qt –GNOME Gtk+ Default desktop in Red Hat Linux

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration11 Starting X startx –Standard command to start Xwindow system

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration12 Desktop Interfaces Graphical environment –Provides collection of functions and utilities –Makes using computer easier for those who do not have many commands memorized KDE interface –Most widely used desktop environment on Linux systems –Installed by default for most distributions, except Red Hat

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration13 Desktop Interfaces (continued) KDE interface includes suite of applications –Internet access –System maintenance –Personal productivity –Other basic tasks Panel –Set of icons at bottom of screen

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration14 Desktop Interfaces (continued) GNOME desktop –Stands for GNU object model environment –Very similar to KDE –Includes panel with integrated taskbar –Applications included similar to those with KDE –Installed by default for Red Hat

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration15 The Graphical Login Screen Provided X display manager –xdm –Display manager selects which programs to start based on session chosen by user Session –Defines set of graphical programs to run when user logs in

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration16 Working with Graphical Windows Use mouse and keyboard to manipulate graphical windows open on graphical desktop Can perform actions using mouse –Maximize and minimize windows –Close windows –Resize and move windows Has internal “clipboard”

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration17 Working with Graphical Windows (continued) Common to have multiple windows open at same time on desktop Workspace –Empty background –Can open application windows –Typically have four –Sometimes called virtual desktops Can use keyboard shortcuts

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration18 Working with Graphical Windows (continued)

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration19 Configuring GNOME and KDE GNOME and KDE –Both highly configurable

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration20 Switching Between Desktop Interfaces switchdesk –Followed by name of desktop to switch to Desktop switcher –Graphical version Must exit X Window System and log in again for change to take effect

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration21 Saving Your Configuration Between Logins On logout –GNOME can note which application windows were open –Same applications are opened automatically at next login Can also save configuration between logins

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration22 Configuring the Graphical Login Screen Before you are permitted to configure most parts of graphical login screen –Must be logged in as root or enter root password Select system settings, then Login Screen on GNOME main menu –Or runrun gdmsetup command Configure login options

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration23 Configuring the Graphical Login Screen (continued)

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration24 Configuring the Graphical Login Screen (continued) Theme –Collection of colors, fonts, and images that give display certain look and feel Face browser –Feature of graphical login screen –Causes it to display small graphic image for each user

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration25 The Panel Bar across bottom of GNOME desktop interface –KDE includes similar bar Displays: –Main menu of desktop interface –Icons of programs you use frequently –Workspace switcher –Labeled button for each open window –Date and time indicator –Other informational items

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration26 The Panel (continued) Right-click any icon to: –Move –Remove –View/edit properties Can have multiple panels on desktop at same time

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration27 Configuring Other GNOME Features Configure many additional features of desktop interface, including: –Background –Keyboard shortcuts –Menus and toolbars –Preferred applications –Windows –Theme

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration28 Configuring Other GNOME Features (continued)

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration29 Core Graphical Utilities Three key types of applications –File manager –Text editor –Web browser

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration30 Configuring the Nautilus File Manager Nautilus file manager –Provided with GNOME Can configure how Nautilus operates –Using Preferences

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration31 Configuring the Nautilus File Manager (continued)

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration32 Configuring the Nautilus File Manager (continued)

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration33 Configuring the Use of Other Utilities gedit –Default text editor –Used to open text files in GNOME Choose web browser that GNOME opens whenever Web page selected

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration34 Popular Graphical Programs Graphical personal productivity applications for Linux

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration35 OpenOffice.org Office suite similar to Microsoft Office Includes: –Writer –Calc –Impress –Draw –Database integration

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration36 OpenOffice.org (continued) Application features –Available for several operating systems –Microsoft office file formats supported –Export in Adobe PDF and Macromedia Flash formats –Macro recorder –Development tool –Available in over 30 languages

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration37 OpenOffice.org (continued)

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration38 OpenOffice.org (continued)

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration39 Using Clients Default Linux installation provides several powerful graphical clients Evolution –Similar to Microsoft Outlook –Start first time Presents user several setup windows Must set up your account information

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration40 Using Clients (continued) Mozilla –Web browser –Includes full-featured client similar to Evolution

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration41 Using Clients (continued)

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration42 Using Clients (continued)

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration43 Using Clients (continued)

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration44 Summary X Window System –Powerful and flexible graphical environment –Components include: X server that interacts with video card X client graphical application Window manager or desktop interface provides user interface to X Graphical libraries make it easier to create new graphical applications

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration45 Summary (continued) KDE and GNOME –Provide convenient desktop interface with: Icons Menus Taskbars –Graphical windows can be manipulated using mouse actions –Ability to use multiple workspaces –Can save current state of desktop interface

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration46 Summary (continued) KDE and GNOME include graphical utilities used for common system administration and management tasks OpenOffice.org –Full-featured office suite similar to Microsoft office Linux provides several readers –Evolution –Mozilla