Chapter 1 Basic Skills

This chapter introduces you to the windows and controls in CDE, and shows you how to perform tasks you will use everyday, for example, dragging an object using a mouse, re sizing a window, and the like.

For information about logging in to the desktop, refer to Chapter 2, Starting a Desktop Session.

• Mouse Skills

• Desktop

• Running Applications

• Working with Windows

• Using Workspaces

• Using Controls in Application Windows

• Using Menus

• Basic Keyboard Skills

• Leaving the Desktop

• Getting Help

Mouse Skills

To Click

Press and release mouse button 1 without moving the mouse.

By default, mouse button 1 is the left button.

Tasks that you perform by clicking include:

• Selecting a window or icon, making it active or selected

• Choosing a button in a dialog box or a control in the Front Panel

• Choosing a hyperlink within a help window or mail message

To Double-Click

Press and release mouse button 1 twice in rapid succession, without moving the mouse.

Here are some tasks you perform by double-clicking:

• Starting the default action for a File Manager or workspace icon

• Restoring a window icon (displaying the whole window again)

• Closing a window to remove it from the workspace—double-click the Window menu button in the upper left corner of the window frame

To Drag

To move a window or drop an icon, use the press-drag-release motion.

Point to the window's title bar or anywhere on the icon, press and hold mouse button 1, drag the mouse, then release the button.

Tasks you perform by dragging and dropping include:

• Moving windows and icons on your screen

• Moving or copying files and folders within File Manager

• Dragging a slider within a scroll bar to scroll the contents of a window

• Printing a file by dropping its icon on the Printer control in the Front Panel

To Duplicate

1. Select the required text by holding down mouse button 1 and dragging the cursor over it.

2. Release mouse button 1.

3. Point the mouse at the location to which you wish to duplicate the text, and click mouse button 2.

   By default, mouse button 2 is the middle mouse button. The text is copied to the new location without removing it from its original location.

4. (Optional) Repeat step 3 and duplicate the text in other locations.

Desktop

CDE uses windows and other objects to represent applications, files, and services available to the user. When you log into CDE, the CDE desktop is displayed.

Figure 1–1 CDE Desktop

CDE Desktop

The CDE desktop comprises a Front Panel sitting over a selected workspace, or screen background. The Front Panel displays information about your workstation, and enables you to run applications, to log out, and to switch between workspaces. Applications that are running are represented by windows and icons on the workspace. You can also run commands from a Workspace menu, which is displayed when you click mouse button 3 on an unused part of the workspace backdrop.

Front Panel

The Front Panel (see Chapter 4, Using the Front Panel) is a collection of frequently used controls and desktop services available in every workspace.

Workspaces

Workspaces are like separate screens or desktops. You can only display one workspace at a time, but applications in all workspaces can run simultaneously.

By default, four workspaces named One through Four are available. To display another workspace, you click its button in the workspace switch in the center of the Front Panel.

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Tip –

You can specify whether an application is displayed on one or all workspaces by clicking mouse button 3 on its window frame and selecting an item from the pop-up menu.

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Workspace Menu

When you click mouse button 3 on an unused area of a workspace, the Workspace menu (see Figure 1–1) is displayed. It includes items on the Front Panel and Application Manager. Most applications are on the Applications menu.

Working With Files

The Files subpanel gives you access to file-related devices and applications.

Figure 1–2 Location of Files Subpanel

CDE provides full-functioned File Manager and File Finder applications. In File Manager and File Finder, files and folders are represented by icons that indicate their types.

Clicking on mouse button 3 displays options for the selected object, and double-clicking an object invokes the default action for that object. For example, double-clicking a compressed file expands it, and double-clicking an audio file plays it.

Task or Feature	Methods
To find a file	Select Find File on the Files subpanel
To carry out an action on a file	Click mouse button 3 on the file and choose the action from the pop-up menu Drag and drop the file on an appropriate drop zone Click a control on the Files subpanel
To print a file	Drop a file on the printer control on the Front Panel
To access a floppy diskette or CD-ROM	Select Open Floppy or Open CD-ROM on the Files subpanel

Deleting Files

CDE provides a trash can or wastebasket facility. The Trash Can is a temporary store for objects (files and folders) to be deleted. You can move selected objects to the Trash Can using drag and drop, by mapping certain menu items, or by pressing the Delete key. Once in the Trash Can, the objects no longer appear in their original folder.

To permanently remove the deleted files in CDE, you use the Empty Trash Can control on the Trash subpanel.

Running Applications

CDE provides the following methods of running applications:

• The Front Panel and the Workspace menu provide access to collections of commonly used applications.

• Where an application is not available from the Front Panel or the Workspace menu, you will probably find it in Application Manager.

• You can run certain applications by dropping files or data on their drop zones in the Front Panel.

• Terminal emulator windows and the File Manager application also enable you to run applications, but this requires a little more understanding of commands, files, and folders.

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Note –

You can also add applications to the Front Panel, Workspace menu, and Application Manager.

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Running Applications from the Front Panel

The Front Panel contains a number of controls, or program icons. Some are on the main panel, which is displayed by default, and others are on subpanels, which can be displayed by clicking a tab marked by a triangle.

You run an application by clicking mouse button 1 on its control.

For instructions on running applications from the Front Panel or for adding and manipulating controls on the Front Panel, see Front Panel Applications and Customizing the Front Panel.

Running Applications from the Workspace Menu

The Workspace menu is displayed when you press mouse button 3 on any unused part of the workspace backdrop. You can run an application by dragging to its menu item and releasing the mouse button.

Running Applications from Application Manager

You can open Application Manager by clicking its control on the Applications subpanel on the Front Panel. Application Manager contains several application groups, such as desktop tools. These groups can be opened by clicking their icons in the Application Manager main window.

Figure 1–3 Front Panel and Application Manager

To run an application in an Application Manager window, you double-click its program icon.

Running Applications from Drop Zones on the Front Panel

Certain controls on the Front Panel—such as the Printer, Mailer and Web Browser controls—act as drop zones (see Front Panel Drop Zones) that activate the relevant application when you drag and drop appropriate text or files on them. For example, if you drop a file on the Mailer control, Mailer displays a New Message window with the file attached to the new message.

For instructions on drop zones, see Front Panel Drop Zones and Tour of the Front Panel.

Running Applications from File Manager

You can run an application by clicking its application icon in a File Manager window. For example, you can run Image Viewer by clicking the file SDTimage in the folder /var/dt/appconfig/appmanager/user-hostname-0/Desktop_Apps/ where user-hostname-0 is a folder specific to your user ID.

If an application uses data files, it may be configured so that the application can be started from File Manager by clicking one of its data files. For example, double-clicking a bitmap file (a file whose name ends with .bm) runs Icon Editor.

For instructions on running applications from File Manager see Executing an Action for a File or Folder.

Running Applications from a Terminal Emulator Window

A terminal emulator is an application whose window provides a command-line interface to your system—for example, operating system commands, script names, or commands that run applications.

All applications have a command that you can type to start them. The application's documentation usually describes how to use the command.

The desktop provides a terminal emulator called dtterm. Your system may include other terminal emulators. To open a terminal emulator window, click the This Host control in the Hosts subpanel.

For more information on using dtterm, see Chapter 14, Using Terminal .

Working with Windows

This section describes how to open, close, and manipulate windows in a workspace.

Window Frame Controls

A window's frame provides controls with which you can:

• Focus attention on a window, making it active (indicated by its frame changing color) for input from your mouse or keyboard

• Move a window

• Minimize a window into an icon

• Size a window

• Close a window, removing it from the desktop

• Display a window in other workspaces

Refer to Chapter 9, Customizing the Desktop Environment for information about settings that make windows active.

Figure 1–4 Window Frame Controls

Click the Window menu button to display the Window menu.

To close a window and remove it from the desktop, double-click the Window menu button or display the Window menu and choose Close.

Click the minimize button to turn the window into a window icon. To restore a window from its icon, double-click the icon.

Click the maximize button to display the window in its largest allowable size. Return the window to its former size by clicking the maximize button again.

The title bar shows the name of the application that owns the window. Select a window by clicking its title bar. You can move a window by dragging its title bar.

Drag a window's resize corner or border to resize the window.

For information on keyboard navigation and windows, see Opening and Closing Windows in Appendix A, Keyboard Shortcuts for the Desktop.

To Open an Application Window (Mouse)

• Click the application's control in the Front Panel.

• Or, from within Application Manager, double-click the application's icon.

• Or, from within Application Manager, double-click the application's icon.

• Or, from the Workspace Programs submenu, choose the item with the application name.

You can also select an icon in a File Manager or Application Manager window by clicking it and then choose an action for the selected icon from the Selected menu.

To Open an Application Window (Keyboard)

From the Front Panel:

1. Press Alt+Tab to move the keyboard focus to the Front Panel.

2. Press the arrow keys to move the highlight within the Front Panel and select a control.

3. Press Spacebar or Return to choose the control and open the application's window.

To Close an Application Window

Closing an application window removes it from all workspaces. Closing an application is the same as quitting an application on other systems.

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Caution –

Before closing an application window, save your work. In most applications you can do this by choosing Save from the File menu.

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• Choose Close from the application's File menu.

• Or, double-click the Window menu button (in the upper left corner of the application's window).

• Press Alt+Tab to move the highlight to the window you want to close and press Alt+F4.

To Turn a Window into an Icon (Mouse)

To save screen space, you can minimize windows into window icons. This keeps the windows easily available and programs running in them continue to run.

Click the window's minimize button.

To Turn a Window into an Icon (Keyboard)

1. Press Alt+Spacebar to display the Window menu.

2. Choose Minimize:

• Press Down Arrow until you select Minimize, then press Return.

• Or, press N, the menu's mnemonic for Minimize.

To Restore a Window from an Icon (Mouse)

Double-click the icon.

To Restore a Window from an Icon (Keyboard)

1. With keyboard focus on the icon, press Alt+Spacebar to display the Window menu.

2. Press Down Arrow to select Restore, then press Return.

To Move a Window or Window Icon (Mouse)

1. Point to the window's title bar or icon.

2. Drag the window or icon to its new location.

To Move a Window or Window Icon (Keyboard)

1. Press Alt+Spacebar to display the Window menu.

2. Press M, the menu's mnemonic for Move.

3. Press the arrow keys to relocate the window or icon.

   Hold down Control while you press an arrow key to speed up the movement of the window or icon.

4. When you've moved the window or icon to where you want it, press Return.

To cancel the move operation, press Esc.

To Resize a Window (Mouse)

1. Place the pointer on a window's border or corner.

   The pointer changes to a resize arrow.

2. Drag the border or corner. An outline appears to show you the window's new size.

3. Release the mouse button when the outline shows the window's desired size.

   

To Resize a Window (Keyboard)

1. Press Alt+Spacebar to display the Window menu.

2. Press S, the menu's mnemonic for Size.

3. Press the arrow keys to stretch or shrink the window.

   Hold down Control while you press an arrow key to size the window faster.

4. When the outline shows the size you want, press Return.

   To cancel the resize operation, press Esc.

To Move a Window or Icon to the Foreground or Background (Mouse)

1. Click a visible part of the window's frame or anywhere on the icon.

2. Choose Shuffle Up or Shuffle Down from the Workspace menu.

To Move a Window or Icon to the Foreground or Background (Keyboard)

• To bring the bottom window or icon in a workspace forward, press Alt+Up Arrow.

• To place the top window in the background, press Alt+Down Arrow.

• To cycle through and select the windows and icons in a workspace, press Alt+Tab or Alt+Esc.

• To cycle through and select the windows and icons in reverse order, press Shift+Alt+Tab or Shift+Alt+Esc.

Copying and Pasting Text into Windows

Copying and pasting eliminates the need to retype text.

You can copy from and paste text into:

• Text fields

• Terminal emulator windows

• Text Editor windows

• Mailer Compose windows

You can also copy text from a Mailer message view and a Help Viewer window and paste it into Text Editor, terminal emulator, and Mailer Compose windows.

To Select the Text To Be Copied

1. Move the pointer to the start of the text to be pasted.

2. Drag to the end of the text to be pasted, then release the mouse button, leaving the text highlighted.

To Paste Text

1. Place the text insertion cursor in the target location.

2. Click mouse button 2 to paste the text.

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   Note –

   To deselect text, click in an empty area of the window that has the text selected, or press Esc.

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   For related information, refer to:

   • Chapter 3, Getting Help

   • Chapter 12, Using Text Editor

   • Chapter 14, Using Terminal

Using Workspaces

Workspaces are like separate screens or windows. To help organize your desktop, you can have separate workspaces for different groups of related tasks. For example, a workspace you've named Reports could contain the tools you use to prepare reports, such as a spreadsheet, desktop publisher, and graphics applications. You might set up other workspaces according to your projects.

This section describes how to display workspaces, place windows in specific workspaces, and rename workspaces.

For information about using your keyboard for desktop navigation, refer to Appendix A, Keyboard Shortcuts for the Desktop.

To Display Another Workspace (Mouse)

Click the workspace's button in the workspace switch of the Front Panel.

To Display Another Workspace (Keyboard)

1. Press Alt+Tab until the keyboard focus, as shown by the highlight, is on the Front Panel.

2. Press the arrow keys to move the highlight to the button for the

   workspace you want to display.

3. Press Return.

To Place a Window in Other Workspaces (Mouse)

1. Click the Window menu button.

   The Window menu appears.

2. Choose Occupy Workspace from the Window menu.

3. In the Workspaces list of the Occupy Workspace dialog box, select the workspaces in which you want the window to appear.

   • To select more than one contiguous workspace name in the list, hold down Shift while you click.

   • To select discontiguous workspace names in the list, hold down Control while you click.

   • Click a selected workspace to deselect it.

   • To place the window in every workspace, click the All Workspaces button.

4. Click OK.

To Place a Window in Other Workspaces (Keyboard)

1. To display the Window menu, press Alt+Spacebar.

2. Press the Down Arrow key to select Occupy Workspace, then press Return.

   The Occupy Workspace dialog box appears.

3. Press Tab until the keyboard focus, as shown by the highlight, is in the Workspaces list.

4. Select the workspaces in which you want the window to appear:

   • Press Down Arrow or Up Arrow to move through the list.

   • To select more than one workspace, press Shift+Down Arrow or Shift+Up Arrow.

5. Press Return.

To Rename a Workspace (Mouse)

1. Click the Front Panel button for the workspace whose name you want to change.

   That workspace is displayed.

2. Click the workspace's Front Panel button again.

   The button becomes a text field.

3. Edit the workspace's name in the text field.

4. Once you've renamed the workspace, press Return.

To Rename a Workspace (Keyboard)

1. Press Alt+Tab until the keyboard focus, as shown by the highlight, is on the Front Panel.

2. Press the arrow keys to move the highlight to the button for the workspace you want to rename.

3. Press Shift+F10 to display the workspace button's pop-up menu.

4. Press the Down Arrow key to select the Rename item, then press Return.

   The button becomes a text field.

5. Edit the workspace's name in the text field.

6. Once you've renamed the workspace, press Return.

Using Controls in Application Windows

Windows and dialog boxes contain controls that help you work with applications. You use controls to manipulate objects, select choices, or type information.

This section describes various types of controls you'll come across while using the desktop. Here's a list of the most common controls:

• Buttons initiate commands, start actions, or specify options and settings. Types of buttons include push buttons and radio buttons.

• Check boxes specify options and settings.

• Text fields provide areas where you can type information.

• Lists display a scrollable list of choices from which you can select.

• Sliders provide incremental selection from a range of values.

• Scroll bars enable you to scroll through a window's contents.

Push Buttons

Choosing a push button immediately performs the associated command or action. For example, choosing an OK button applies any changes made to a dialog box then closes it.

As a shortcut, many dialog boxes automatically give focus to the OK button so that you can quickly specify settings and then press Return to choose OK.

To Choose a Push Button (Mouse)

Click the button.

To Choose a Push Button (Keyboard)

1. Press Tab and the arrow keys until the button has the keyboard focus, as shown by the highlight.

2. Press Return.

Check Boxes and Radio Buttons

You select a check box to specify an option or setting. You can select more than one check box in a group.

You also use a radio button (sometimes referred to as a choice button) to specify an option or setting, but only one radio button in a group can be selected at a time.

To Select a Check Box or Radio Button (Mouse)

Click the check box or radio button you want to select.

To Select a Check Box or Radio Button (Keyboard)

1. Press Tab and the arrow keys until the check box or radio button has the keyboard focus, as shown by the highlight.

2. Press the Spacebar.

To Scroll the Contents of a Window

Windows often contain more information than you can see at one time. Use a window's scroll bar to bring the window's contents into view.

To Scroll (Keyboard)

1. Press Tab to move to the window area you want to scroll.

2. Press the arrow keys, or Prev and Next, or Page Up and Page Down.

   Hold down Control while you press an arrow key to scroll faster.

To Use a Slider (Keyboard)

1. Press Tab or an arrow key to move the highlight to the slider.

2. Press Up Arrow or Down Arrow to move the slider.

   Hold down Control while you press an arrow key to move the slider faster.

Selecting List Items

A selected list item becomes highlighted. The highlighted item is acted upon when you click a button, such as OK.

To Select a List Item (Mouse)

1. Click the list item.

   In a multiple-selection list, hold down Shift while you click the items.

   To deselect an item, click it again.

2. Click a button, such as OK.

   In some lists, double-clicking an item selects the item and chooses the default command.

   

To Select a List Item (Keyboard)

1. Press Tab to move to the list.

2. Select the list item:

   • In a single-selection list, use the arrow keys to reach your choice.

   • In a multiple-selection list, use the arrow keys to reach your first selection, then press Shift+Up Arrow or Shift+Down Arrow.

   To deselect an item, press the Spacebar.

3. Press Tab to move to a button, such as OK or Apply, then press Return.

Text Fields

A text field accepts information you type.

To Enter Text in a Field (Mouse)

1. Click the field to display the text insertion cursor.

2. Type the text.

   In many dialog boxes, pressing Return completes the text entry and activates the default button, such as OK or Apply.

To Enter Text in a Field (Keyboard)

1. Press Tab, Shift+Tab, or the arrow keys until you reach the text field

   .

   A blinking cursor indicates that the text field has the keyboard focus.

2. Type the text, then press Control+Tab to move keyboard focus out of the text field.

To Edit Text in a Field (Mouse)

1. Select the text in the field to edit:

   Characters - Drag from the first character to the last character

   Word - Double-click the word

   Line - Triple-click the line

   Multiline - Quadruple-click the field

   To deselect text, click an empty area in the window.

2. Type the replacement text.

To Edit Text in a Field (Keyboard)

1. Press Tab, Shift+Tab, or the arrow keys until you reach the field.

2. Use the editing keys to edit the field's contents, then type the replacement text.

   Arrow key - Move the text insertion cursor

   Backspace - Delete the character to the left of the cursor

   Delete or Delete char - Delete the character to the right of the cursor

   Control+Delete or Control+Delete char - Delete from the cursor to the end of the line

3. Press Control+Tab to move keyboard focus out of the text field.

Using Menus

Menus provide access to commands you use to manage windows and operate software applications.

Choosing a menu item performs an associated action on the currently selected object. For example, when you select a window and choose Minimize from its Window menu, the window becomes an icon.

Menu items that appear dimmed are available only under certain conditions. For example, the Window menu's Restore item is available only when the window is an icon.

Menus you'll use on the desktop include:

• Menus that you “pull down” from an application's menu bar by clicking the menu's name or typing Alt and its mnemonic. A mnemonic is an underlined character in a menu or item name.

  

  An application's File menu is shown here.

  The sequence of keys listed to the right of some items is called a shortcut key. Typing mnemonics and shortcut keys gives you quick keyboard access to menu items.

• Menus that “pop up” when you click mouse button 3 (or press Shift+F10) in an application window or on a workspace object.

  

Window Menu

Use Window menu items to control windows and window icons.

This menu is displayed when you:

• Click the Window menu button in the upper left corner of a window

• Click a window icon

• Press Alt+Spacebar with the keyboard focus on a window or window icon

  

  Restore - Turns an icon back into a window

  Move - Changes the window's location

  Size - Changes the size of the window (inactive for icons)

  Minimize - Turns the window into an icon

  Maximize - Enlarges the window to its greatest allowable size

  Lower - Moves the window to the background

  Occupy Workspace - Use to select the workspaces in which you want the window to appear

  Occupy All Workspaces - Displays the window in all workspaces

  Close - Closes the window, removing it from the workspace

Workspace Menu

The Workspace menu is a pop-up menu that contains items for managing the workspace.

To display the Workspace menu, click mouse button 3 on the workspace backdrop. You cannot access this menu through your keyboard.

Figure 1–5 Workspace Menu with Applications Submenu Displayed

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Note –

You can start many of the applications listed in the Applications submenu by clicking their Front Panel controls or Application Manager icons.

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To Choose a Workspace Menu Item

1. Move the pointer over the workspace backdrop.

2. Press mouse button 3, drag to the item, then release the mouse button.

   To close the menu without choosing an item, move the pointer away from the menu and click.

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   Note –

   You cannot choose a Workspace menu item using your keyboard.

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To Choose a Window Menu Item (Mouse)

1. Click the Window menu button to display the menu.

   If the window is an icon, click the icon.

2. Click a menu item.

   To close the menu without choosing an item, click anywhere other than the menu.

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Tip –

For faster access, you can press mouse button 1 over the Window menu button or icon, drag to the item, then release the mouse button.

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To Choose a Window Menu Item (Keyboard)

1. Press Alt+Tab until you've placed the keyboard focus, as shown by the highlight, on the window or window icon.

2. Press Alt+Spacebar to display the Window menu.

3. Press the key for the item's mnemonic, the underlined character in the item name.

   To close the menu without choosing an item, press Esc.

To Choose a Menu Item with the Mouse

1. Display the menu:

   • Pull-down (menu bar) menu: Using mouse button 1, click the menu name.

   • Pop-up menu: Click mouse button 3 inside the application.

   • Object's pop-up menu: Click the object with mouse button 3.

2. Click the item.

   You can also choose a menu item by pressing the mouse button, dragging to the item, then releasing the mouse button.

   To close a menu without choosing an item, move the pointer away from the menu and click.

To Choose a Pull-Down Menu Item With the Keyboard

1. Press Alt+Tab until you've placed the keyboard focus, as shown by the highlight, on the application window.

2. Display the menu by holding down Alt and then pressing the key for the menu's mnemonic (the underlined character in the menu's name as shown in the menu bar).

3. Press the key for the item's mnemonic.

   Or, press an arrow key to move to the item, then press Return.

To Choose a Pop-up Menu Item With the Keyboard

1. Press Alt+Tab until the keyboard focus is on the application window or workspace object.

2. Press Shift+F10 to display the pop-up menu.

3. Press the key for the item's mnemonic.

   Or, press Down Arrow to move to the item, then press Return.

   To close a menu without choosing an item, press Esc.

   For more information about using your keyboard for desktop navigation, refer to Appendix A, Keyboard Shortcuts for the Desktop.

Using Tear-Off Menus

In some applications such as Mailer and Calendar, you can “tear off” a menu, which keeps it open on your desktop for repeated use. You can recognize the availability of a tear-off menu by the appearance of a dotted line at the top of the menu.

To Keep a Tear-Off Menu on the Desktop

1. Display the menu by clicking its name in the menu bar.

2. Click the dotted line above the first menu item.

   The tear-off menu stays on your desktop until you dismiss it by either pressing Alt+F4 or double-clicking the Window menu button (in the upper left corner of the application's window).

Basic Keyboard Skills

You can perform desktop tasks using your keyboard instead of your mouse. When you use your keyboard for desktop navigation, note the following:

• The Alt key is the same as the Extend char key on some keyboards

• Return is the same as Enter on some keyboards

• Pressing Esc halts most interactive operations

• In Style Manager, the Window Behavior setting must be Click In Window To Make Active (this is the default value)

  For more information on the Window Behavior setting, refer to Chapter 9, Customizing the Desktop Environment.

Keyboard focus uses the highlight to show you which element of a window, menu, or control will respond to your input. To activate a selected menu item or control (such as a button), press the Spacebar.

Here's a summary of several common keyboard operations:

• To move the highlight to the next window: Press Alt+Tab.

• To move the keyboard highlight within a window: Press Tab and the arrow keys (up, down, left, and right).

• To close a window and remove it from the workspace: Press Alt+F4.

• To minimize a window (turn it into an icon): Press Alt+Spacebar, then N to choose Minimize from the Window menu.

• To move a window: Press Alt+Spacebar, then M to choose Move from the Window menu. Press the arrow keys to move the window up, down, left, or right, then press Return.

  Hold down Control while you press an arrow key to move the window faster.

For more information about using your keyboard for desktop navigation, refer to Appendix A, Keyboard Shortcuts for the Desktop. For information on currency symbols and characters from other languages, see Composing Special Characters. For information on displaying, manipulating and printing characters from the Thai and Hebrew Locales, see Appendix D, Locale Notes.

Leaving the Desktop

This section describes how to log out of and exit the desktop, and how to lock your display to prevent unauthorized use of your system when you are away from it and have not logged out.

To Log Out

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Caution –

Before logging out of the desktop, save your work in all open application windows. Remember to check each workspace.

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Click the Exit control in the Front Panel.

Or, choose Log out from the Workspace menu.

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Note –

You cannot display the Workspace menu using your keyboard.

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As you log out of the desktop, your current session is saved. When you log back in, the desktop will appear as it did before you logged out.

Applications that do not get saved as part of the current session include:

• Applications that you run in terminal emulator windows

• Non-desktop applications that do not preserve their state during logout

  You'll need to restart these applications when you log in. For more information, see Chapter 2, Starting a Desktop Session.

To Lock Your Display

To prevent unauthorized use of your system when you are away from it and have not logged out:

Click the Lock control in the Front Panel.

To unlock your display, type your password.

For information about screen lock options, refer to Chapter 9, Customizing the Desktop Environment.

Composing Special Characters

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Note –

This section applies to users of English language locales only.

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Characters such as £ and ¢ are not displayed on all types of keyboard. However, if you are using a code set that supports the character you require, you can use special key compose sequences to insert the required character in a document. For example, to compose the e acute symbol (é), you press the Compose key, followed by the e key, followed by the ' (apostrophe) key.

The commonly used ISO 8859-1, or “ISO Latin-1” code set provides most of the commonly used characters for Western European languages. For a table containing the Compose Key Sequences for ISO 8859-1 see Appendix C, Compose Key Sequences.

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Note –

For information on displaying, manipulating and printing text from CTL (Complex Text Layout) locales such as Thai and Hebrew, see Appendix D, Locale Notes.

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Euro Currency Symbol

Established code sets such as ISO Latin-1 do not support the Euro symbol: They will not enable you to create the symbol in a document; they will not display the symbol.

To create or display the Euro symbol, you need to be running one of the following:

• an ISO 8859–15 based code set such as en_US.8859–15 or en_UK.8859–15 (shipped with Solaris 7 Operating Environment and compatible versions)

• A UTF-8 code set (commonly used by multilingual users) such as en_US.UTF-8 or en_GB.UTF-8.

Figure 1–6 Euro Currency Symbol

Keyboard Placement

Table 1–1 shows the placement of the Euro on Sun Type 6 keyboards:

Table 1–1 Placement of Euro on Sun Type 6 Keyboards

Type 6 Keyboards	Euro Placement
US	AltGraph+4
UNIX	AltGraph-E
UNIX/Logoless	AltGraph-E
French	AltGraph-E
Danish	AltGraph-E
Italian	AltGraph-E
Netherlands/Dutch	AltGraph-E
Norwegian	AltGraph-E
Portuguese	AltGraph+E
Spanish	AltGraph-E
Swedish	AltGraph-E
Finnish	AltGraph-E
Swiss/French	AltGraph-E
Swiss/German	AltGraph-E
UK (Ireland)	AltGraph-E

Keyboard Input in UTF-8 Locales

Two additional methods exist for typing the Euro in UTF-8 locales.

• Unicode Hexadecimal code input method

  To generate the Euro, type the Unicode value for this symbol: U+20AC

• Table Lookup Method

  Activate this method by pressing Compose, followed by Ctrl+I. Select Latin from the list of possible scripts, and choose the Euro from the table of characters.

Getting Help

You can request help by:

• Pressing F1 or the Help key

• Choosing an item from an application's Help menu

• Clicking the Help button in a dialog box

• Opening the Help Manager to browse all the available help

  For more information on using help, refer to Chapter 3, Getting Help.

  The quickest and easiest way to get help is to press the F1 key. When you press F1, the application you are using displays the help topic most closely related to your current activity.

  Some keyboards have a dedicated Help key that may take the place of the F1 key.

Help Menu

Most applications have a Help menu for requesting specific kinds of help.

Overview - Displays introductory information about the application

Tasks - Displays instructions for using the application

Table of Contents - Displays a standard Table of Contents for the help volume

Reference - Displays summary information about application components

On Item - Changes the pointer to a question mark—click the question mark pointer on an item to display its description

Using Help - Displays information about using Help

About - Displays version and copyright information about the application (in this case, Text Editor)

To learn more about using help windows, choose Using Help from an application's Help menu. Or, you can press F1 while using a Help window.

To Display the Help Manager

The Help Manager lists all the online help volumes installed on your system.

1. Click the Help Manager control in the Front Panel.

   The Help Viewer opens, displaying the Help Manager.

2. Choose the Common Desktop Environment topic to display the list of help volumes for the desktop.

3. Browse the list of titles. To open a volume, click its title.