Chapter 2:Exploring the Desktop
The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration
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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 e-mail, calendar, and word processing
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Linux Graphical Desktops
• Graphical display – Optional– Most users choose to use GUI
• X window system– Foundation of graphical display
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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
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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
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Components of the X Window System
• X server
• X client
• Window manager
• Graphical libraries
• Graphical application – Provides a comprehensive user interface
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Components of the X Window System (continued)
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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
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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
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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
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Starting X
• startx– Standard command to start Xwindow system
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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”
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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
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Working with Graphical Windows (continued)
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Configuring GNOME and KDE
• GNOME and KDE – Both highly configurable
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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
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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
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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
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Configuring the Graphical Login Screen (continued)
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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
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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
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The Panel (continued)
• Right-click any icon to:– Move– Remove– View/edit properties
• Can have multiple panels on desktop at same time
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Configuring Other GNOME Features
• Configure many additional features of desktop interface, including:– Background– Keyboard shortcuts– Menus and toolbars– Preferred applications– Windows– Theme
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Configuring Other GNOME Features (continued)
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Core Graphical Utilities
• Three key types of applications– File manager– Text editor– Web browser
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Configuring the Nautilus File Manager
• Nautilus file manager– Provided with GNOME
• Can configure how Nautilus operates – Using Preferences
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Configuring the Nautilus File Manager (continued)
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Configuring the Nautilus File Manager (continued)
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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
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Popular Graphical Programs
• Graphical personal productivity applications for Linux
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OpenOffice.org
• Office suite similar to Microsoft Office
• Includes:– Writer– Calc– Impress– Draw– Database integration
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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
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OpenOffice.org (continued)
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OpenOffice.org (continued)
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Using E-mail Clients
• Default Linux installation provides several powerful graphical e-mail clients
• Evolution– Similar to Microsoft Outlook – Start first time
• Presents user several setup windows
• Must set up your e-mail account information
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Using E-mail Clients (continued)
• Mozilla– Web browser– Includes full-featured e-mail client similar to
Evolution
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Using E-mail Clients (continued)
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Using E-mail Clients (continued)
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Using E-mail Clients (continued)
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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
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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
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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 e-mail readers– Evolution– Mozilla