Part II Customizing Your GNOME Desktop
You can customize many of the characteristics of your desktop
environment. The customization of each aspect of the desktop is controlled
by a dedicated software tool that is called a desktop environment preference
tool. For convenience, the preference tools are grouped under the following
headings:
-
Basic
-
Accessibility
-
Advanced
You can open your preference tools in either of the following ways:
-
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences. Choose the tool
that you require from the submenus.
-
Double-click on the Start Here object
on the desktop. A Nautilus window opens at the Start Here location. Double-click on the Preferences object in the Nautilus window to display
your preference tools. Double-click on the tool that you require.
This section describes how to configure the desktop environment in the
following chapters.
-
Using the Basic Preference Tools
Read this chapter to find out how to customize your desktop background,
and how to configure your keyboard settings and your mouse settings. This
chapter also describes how to configure shortcut keys, how to set your sound
preferences, and how to configure your network proxy. This chapter also contains
information on how to customize your screensaver, how to choose a theme and
fonts for your desktop, and how to customize your application menubars and
toolbars. This chapter also describes how to customize window focus behavior.
-
Using the Advanced Preference Tools
This chapter describes how to configure file types, your preferred applications,
and your panels. This chapter also contains information on how to customize
your sessions and startup programs.
-
Using the Accessibility Preference Tools
Read this chapter to find out how to use the accessibility features
of the desktop environment. This chapter describes how to use the keyboard
accessibility features.
Chapter 9 Using the Basic Preference Tools
The basic preference tools enable you to customize your
desktop background, and to configure your keyboard settings and your mouse
settings. You can use the basic preference tools to configure shortcut keys,
to set your sound preferences, and to configure your network proxy. You can
also use the basic preference tools to customize your screensaver, choose
a theme and fonts for your desktop, and to customize your application menubars
and toolbars. You can also customize window focus behavior.
This chapter describes how to use the basic preference tools to customize
your desktop.
Opening a Basic Preference Tool
You can open one of the basic preference tools in either of the following
ways:
-
From the Desktop Preferences menu
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences. Choose the preference tool
that you require from the submenu. The dialog for the tool is displayed.
-
From the Start Here location
Open a Nautilus window, then choose Go -> Start Here.
Alternatively, double-click on the Start Here object
on the desktop. The Start Here location is displayed.
Double-click on the Desktop Preferences object in the Nautilus window to display your preference tools.

Double-click on the tool that you require. The dialog for the tool is
displayed.
Customizing the Desktop Background
The desktop background is the image or color that is applied
to your desktop. You can customize the desktop background in the following
ways:
-
Select an image for the desktop background. The image is superimposed
on the desktop background color. The desktop background color is visible if
you select a transparent image, or if the image does not cover the entire
desktop.
-
Select a color for the desktop background. You can select
a solid color, or create a gradient effect with two colors. A gradient effect
is a visual effect where one color blends gradually into another color.
You can also change the appearance of your desktop background from within
the Nautilus file manager.
Figure 9–1 Desktop Background Preference Tool
Table 9–1 lists the background
settings that you can configure.
Table 9–1 Settings for Desktop Background
|
Element
|
Function
|
|
Select picture
|
Choose an image to display on the desktop. To
choose an image, click on the Select picture button.
An image selector dialog is displayed. Use the dialog to choose an image.
When you choose an image, click OK.
|
|
Picture Options
|
To specify how to display the image, select
one of the following options:
-
Wallpaper: Repeats the image to cover
the desktop.
-
Centered: Displays the image in the middle
of the desktop.
-
Scaled: Enlarges the image until the
image meets the screen edges, and maintains the relative dimensions of the
image.
-
Stretched: Enlarges the image to cover
the desktop, and does not maintain the relative dimensions of the image.
-
No Picture: Displays no image.
|
|
Background Style
|
To specify a color scheme, use the options
in the Background Style drop-down list, and the color
selector buttons.
You can specify a color scheme in one of the
following ways:
-
Choose Solid color from the Background Style drop-down list to specify a single color for the
desktop background.
To choose the color that you require, click on the Color button. The Pick a Color dialog is displayed.
Choose a color, then click OK.
-
Choose Horizontal gradient from the Background Style drop-down list. This option creates a gradient
effect from the left screen edge to the right screen edge.
Click on the Left Color button to display the Pick a Color dialog. Choose the color that you want to appear at
the left edge.
Click on the Right Color button. Choose the color
that you want to appear at the right edge.
-
Choose Vertical gradient from the Background Style drop-down list. This creates a gradient effect
from the top screen edge to the bottom screen edge.
Click on the Top Color button to display the Pick a Color dialog. Choose the color that you want to appear at
the top edge.
Click on the Bottom Color button. Choose the
color that you want to appear at the bottom edge.
|
Choosing Default Fonts
Use the Font preference tool
to select the fonts to use on in your applications and on the desktop.
Figure 9–2 Font Preference Tool
Table 9–2 lists the font settings
that you can configure.
Table 9–2 Settings for Fonts
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Application
font
|
Click on the font selector button to select a font to use in your applications.
|
|
Desktop font
|
Click on the font selector button to select
a font to use on your desktop only.
|
Configuring Keyboard Settings
Use the Keyboard
preference tool to select the autorepeat settings for your keyboard, and to
configure the sound events that are associated with the keyboard.
You can customize the settings for the Keyboard
preference tool in the following functional areas:
Keyboard Settings
Use the Keyboard tabbed section to set general
keyboard preferences. To start the Keyboard accessibility preference tool, that is, AccessX,
click on the Accessibility button.
Figure 9–3 Keyboard Tabbed Section in Keyboard Preference Tool
Table 9–3 lists the keyboard
settings that you can configure.
Table 9–3 Settings for Keyboard
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Keyboard repeats
when key is held down
|
Select this option to enable keyboard repeat. If keyboard
repeat is enabled, when you press-and-hold a key, the action associated with
the key is performed repeatedly. For example, if you press-and-hold a character
key, the character is typed repeatedly.
|
|
Delay
|
Select the delay from the time you press a key to the time
that the action repeats.
|
|
Speed
|
Select the speed at which the action is repeated.
|
|
Blinks in text boxes and fields
|
Select this option to enable the
cursor to blink in fields and text boxes.
|
|
Speed
|
Use the slider to specify the speed at which the cursor
blinks in fields and text boxes.
|
Sound Settings
Use the Sound tabbed section to set your preferences for keyboard sound.
Figure 9–4 Sound Tabbed Section in Keyboard Preference Tool
Some applications play a bell sound to indicate a keyboard
input error. Use the options in the Sound tabbed section
to configure the bell sound. Table 9–4 lists the
keyboard sound settings that you can configure.
Table 9–4 Settings for Keyboard Sound
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Off
|
Select this option to disable the keyboard bell.
|
|
Beep
|
Select this option to enable the keyboard bell.
|
Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts
A keyboard shortcut is a key or combination of keys that provides
an alternative to standard ways of performing an action.
Use the Keyboard Shortcuts preference tool
to display the default keyboard shortcuts. You can customize the default keyboard
shortcuts to your requirements.
You can also create hot keys. Hot keys are keyboard shortcuts that start applications.
Figure 9–5 Keyboard Shortcuts Preference Tool
Table 9–5 lists the
keyboard shortcut settings that you can customize.
Table 9–5 Default Settings for Keyboard Shortcuts
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Text editing shortcuts
|
Select
one of the following settings:
|
|
Desktop shortcuts
|
This
table lists actions and the shortcut keys that are associated with each action.
To change the shortcut keys for an action, click on the action
to select the action, then click on the shortcut for the action. Press the
keys that you want to associate with the action.
To disable the
shortcut keys for an action, click on the action to select the action, then
click on the shortcut for the action. Press Back Space.
|
|
Custom Shortcuts
|
To add a hot key,
perform the following steps:
-
Click New. A Custom Binding dialog is displayed. Enter the command to associate with the hot
key in the New Command field. Alternatively, to browse
for the command, click on the Browse button. When you
have selected the command, click OK. The command is
added to the Custom Shortcuts section of the Desktop shortcuts table.
-
Click in the Shortcut column of the
command in the Custom bindings section of the Desktop shortcuts table. Press the key or key combination that
you want to associate with the command.
To edit a hot key, select the hot key in the Custom Shortcuts section of the Desktop shortcuts
table, then click Edit. Edit the command in the Custom Binding dialog.
To remove a hot key, select
the hot key in the Custom Shortcuts section of the Desktop shortcuts table, then click Delete.
|
Customizing Menus and Toolbars in Applications
You can use the Menus & Toolbars preference tool to customize the appearance
of menus, menubars, and toolbars for GNOME-compliant applications.
Figure 9–6 Menus and Toolbars Preference Tool
Table 9–6 lists the menu and
toolbar settings that you can customize for GNOME-compliant applications.
Table 9–6 Settings for Customizing Applications
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Button Labels
|
Choose one of the following options to specify
what to display on the toolbars in your GNOME-compliant applications:
-
Text Below Icons: Select this option
to display toolbars with text as well as an icon on each button.
-
Text Beside Icons: Select this option
to display toolbars with an icon only on each button, and with text on the
most important buttons.
-
Icons Only: Select this option to display
toolbars with an icon only on each button.
-
Text Only: Select this option to display
toolbars with text only on each button.
|
|
Toolbars can be detached and moved around
|
Select this option
if you want to move toolbars from application windows to any location on the
screen. If you select this option, handles are displayed on the left side
of the toolbars in your applications. To move a toolbar, click-and-hold on
the handle, then drag the toolbar to the new location.
|
|
Show icons in menus
|
Select this option to display an icon beside
each item in a menu. Some menu items do not have an icon.
|
Configuring Mouse Settings
Use the Mouse preference tool
to configure your mouse for right-hand use or for left-hand use. You can also
specify the speed and sensitivity of mouse movement.
You can customize the settings for the Mouse
preference tool in the following functional areas:
Buttons Settings
Use the Buttons tabbed section to specify whether
the mouse buttons are configured for left-hand use. You can also specify the
delay between clicks for a double-click.
Figure 9–7 Buttons Tabbed Section in the Mouse Preference Tool
Table 9–7 lists the mouse button
settings that you can configure.
Table 9–7 Settings for Mouse Buttons
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Left-handed
mouse
|
Select this option to configure your mouse for left-hand use. When you configure
your mouse for left-hand use, the functions of the left mouse button and the
right mouse button are swapped.
|
|
Delay
|
Use the slider to specify
the amount of time that can pass between clicks when you double-click. If
the interval between the first and second clicks exceeds the time that is
specified here, the action is not interpreted as a double-click.
|
Pointer Settings
Use the Cursors tabbed section to set your mouse
pointer preferences.
Figure 9–8 Cursors Tabbed Section in the Mouse Preference Tool
Table 9–8 lists the mouse pointer
settings that you can configure.
Table 9–8 Settings for Mouse Pointers
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Cursor Theme
|
Select the mouse pointer theme that you require
from the list box.
|
|
Show position
of cursor when the Control key is pressed
|
Select this option to enable a mouse
pointer animation when you press and release Ctrl. This feature
can assist you to locate the mouse pointer.
|
Motion Settings
Use the Motion tabbed section to set your preferences
for mouse movement.
Figure 9–9 Motion Tabbed Section in the Mouse Preference Tool
Table 9–9 lists the mouse motion
settings that you can configure.
Table 9–9 Settings for Mouse Motion
|
Setting
|
Function
|
|
Acceleration
|
Use the slider to specify the speed at which your
mouse pointer moves on your screen when you move your mouse.
|
|
Sensitivity
|
Use the slider to specify how sensitive your mouse
pointer is to movements of your mouse.
|
|
Threshold
|
Use the slider to specify the distance that you
must move an item before the move action is interpreted as a drag-and-drop
action.
|
Configuring Network Proxy Settings
The Network
Proxy preference tool enables you to configure how your system
connects to networks. You can configure the desktop environment to connect
to a proxy server, and specify the details of the proxy
server. A proxy server is a server that intercepts requests to another server,
and fulfills the request itself, if it can. You can enter the Domain Name
Service (DNS) name or the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the proxy server.
A DNS name is a unique alphabetic identifier for a
computer on a network. An IP address is a unique numeric
identifier for a computer on a network.
Figure 9–10 Network Proxy Preference Tool
Table 9–10 lists the network proxy
settings that you can configure.
Table 9–10 Network Proxy Settings
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Use HTTP Proxy
|
Select
this option to use a proxy server for the HTTP service.
|
|
Location
|
Enter the DNS name, or the IP
address of the proxy server to use when you request a HTTP service.
|
|
Port
|
Enter the port number of the
HTTP service on the proxy server.
|
|
Proxy requires username and
password
|
Select this
option if the proxy server requires a username and password.
|
|
Save username and password
to disk
|
Select this
option to save the username and password.
|
|
Username
|
Enter your username for the proxy server.
|
|
Password
|
Enter your password for the proxy server.
|
Setting Screensaver Preferences
A screensaver is an application that you can use to
replace the image on your screen when the screen is not in use. You can use
screensavers in the following ways:
-
Activate after a specified period of idle time.
-
Activate when you lock your screen.
-
Manage power used by your monitor when your system is idle.
You can customize the settings for the Mouse
preference tool in the following functional areas:
Display Modes Settings
Use the Display Modes tabbed section to set display
mode preferences.
Figure 9–11 Display Modes Tabbed Section in the Screensaver Preference Tool
Table 9–11 lists the display mode
settings that you can configure.
Table 9–11 Settings for Screensaver Display Mode
|
Setting
|
Function
|
|
Mode
|
Use the drop-down list to specify
the behavior of the screensaver application. Select from the following options:
-
Disable Screen Saver: Select this option
if you do not want to use the screensaver application.
-
Blank Screen Only: Select this option
if you want your screen to become blank when your screen locks.
-
Only One Screen Saver: Select this option
if you want to display a single screensaver display from the display list
when your screen locks.
-
Random Screen Saver: Select this option
if you want to display a random selection of screensaver displays from the
screensaver display list when your screen locks.
|
|
Display list
|
Select the screensaver display
that you require from the list.
|
|
Blank After
|
Specify how long to wait after the last use of the
mouse or keyboard, to activate the screensaver.
|
|
Cycle After
|
Specify how long to show a particular screensaver
display before the next display.
|
|
Lock Screen After
|
Select this option if you want the screen to lock
after the screensaver is activated. Use the spin box to specify the delay
between the activation of the screensaver and when the screen locks.
|
|
Preview
|
Click on this button to preview
the screensaver display that is selected in the screensaver display list.
To stop the preview, press any key or click a mouse button.
|
|
Settings
|
Click on this button to display
the options for the screensaver display that is selected in the screensaver
display list.
|
Advanced Settings
Use the Advanced tabbed section to set advanced
screensaver preferences.
Figure 9–12 Advanced Tabbed Section in the Screensaver Preference Tool
Table 9–12 lists the advanced screensaver
settings that you can configure.
Table 9–12 Advanced Screensaver Settings
|
Setting
|
Function
|
|
Grab Desktop Images
|
Some
screensavers can take a screenshot of your screen, then manipulate the screenshot
to create your screensaver display. Select this option to enable screensavers
to take a screenshot of your screen.
|
|
Grab Video Frames
|
Some
screensavers can capture a frame of video, then manipulate the captured image
to create your screensaver display. If your system has a video capture card,
select this option to enable screensavers to capture a frame of video.
|
|
Choose Random
Image
|
Select this option to enable screensavers to use images from a directory that
you select. Type the path for the directory in the field. Alternatively, click Browse to display a dialog from which you can select a directory.
|
|
Verbose Dialognostics
|
Select
this option if you want to display screensaver diagnostic information.
|
|
Display Subprocess
Errors
|
Select this option if you want to display errors related to screensaver subprocesses
on screen.
|
|
Display Splash
Screen at Startup
|
Select this option to if you want Xscreensaver
to display a splash dialog when Xscreensaver starts.
|
|
Power Management
Enabled
|
Select this option to enable power management of your monitor. Power management
can reduce energy consumption by your monitor when you are not using the monitor.
|
|
Standby After
|
Specify
how long to wait to put the monitor in standby mode. When the monitor is in
standby mode, the screen is black.
|
|
Suspend After
|
Specify
how long to wait to put the monitor in power-saving mode.
|
|
Off After
|
Specify how long to wait to switch
off monitor.
|
|
Install Colormap
|
Select
this option to install a private colormap when the screensaver is active.
Use of a private colormap might improve the quality of the color in particular
screensaver displays.
|
|
Fade to Black
When Blanking
|
Select this option if you want your display to fade to black when the screensaver
activates.
|
|
Fade from Black
When Unblanking
|
Select this option if you want your display to fade from black to the screen
contents when the screensaver stops.
|
|
Fade Duration
|
Specify how long to take to fade to black when the
screensaver activates.
|
Setting Sound Preferences
The Sound preference tool enables
you to control when the GNOME sound server starts. You can also specify which
sounds to play when particular events occur.
You can customize the settings for the Sound
preference tool in the following functional areas:
General Settings
Use the General tabbed section of the Sound preference tool to specify when to launch the GNOME sound
server. You can also enable sound event functions.
Figure 9–13 General Tabbed Section in the Sound Preference Tool
Table 9–13 lists the general sound
settings that you can configure.
Table 9–13 Settings for Sound
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Enable sound
server startup
|
Select this option to start the GNOME sound server when you start a GNOME
session. When the sound server is active, the desktop environment can play
sounds.
|
|
Sounds for
events
|
Select this option to play sounds when particular events occur in your desktop
environment . You can select this option only if the Enable sound
server startup option is selected.
|
Sound Event Settings
Use the Sound Events tabbed section of the Sound preference tool to associate particular sounds with particular
events.
Note –
You must select the Enable sound server startup
option, and the Sounds for events option before you can
access the Sound Events tabbed section.
Figure 9–14 Sound Events Tabbed Section in the Sound Preference Tool
Table 9–14 lists the sound events
settings that you can configure.
Table 9–14 Settings for Sound Events
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Sounds table
|
Use the Sounds table to
associate particular sounds with particular events.
The Event column displays a hierarchical list of events that can occur.
To expand a category of events, click on the right arrow beside a category
of events.
The File to play column lists
the sound file that plays when the event occurs.
|
|
Play
|
Click on this button to play
the sound file that is associated with the selected event.
|
|
Sound file drop-down combination box, Browse
|
To associate
a sound with an event, select the event in the Sounds
table. Enter the name of the sound file that you want to associate with the
selected event in the drop-down combination box. Alternatively, click Browse to display a Select sound file dialog.
Use the dialog to specify the sound file that you want to associate with the
selected event.
Note –
You can only associate sound files in .wav format with events.
|
Setting Themes in the Desktop Environment
Use
the Theme preference tool to select a theme for
your desktop environment and for your window frames. You can customize the
settings for the Theme preference tool in the following
functional areas:
-
Widget Theme
-
Window Frames
The desktop environment theme and the window frame theme are not the
only themes that determine the appearance of your desktop environment. For
example, Nautilus includes themes that you can
use to change the look-and-feel of the Nautilus
windows and the desktop.
Desktop Environment Theme Settings
Use the Widget Theme tabbed section of the Theme preference tool to select a theme for your desktop environment.
Your desktop environment theme specifies the visual appearance of your panels,
menus, and applets. The desktop environment theme also specifies the appearance
of GNOME-compliant application interface items. For example, the theme affects
the appearance of buttons, scrollbars, check boxes, and so on.
You can choose from the list of available themes, or you can install
new themes. The list of available desktop environment themes includes several
themes for users with accessibility requirements.
Figure 9–15 Widget Theme Tabbed Section in the Theme Preference Tool
Table 9–15 lists the desktop
environment theme settings that you can configure.
Table 9–15 Settings for Desktop Environment Themes
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Available themes
|
Select the theme that you require from the list box.
|
|
Install new theme
|
You can add a theme to the list of available themes.
The new theme must be an uncompressed folder.
To add a theme
to the list of available themes, click on the Install new theme button. A dialog is displayed. Enter the location of the theme
folder in the drop-down combination box. Alternatively, to browse for the
folder, click on the Browse button. When you have selected
the folder, click OK.
You can find many
GTK themes on the Internet.
|
|
Go to theme folder
|
Click on this button to open a file manager window
on the default theme folder. You can delete themes from the file manager window.
|
Window Frame Settings
Use the Window Frames tabbed section of the Theme preference tool to select a theme for your window frames.
You can choose from the list of available themes, or you can install new themes.
The list of available window frame themes includes several themes for users
with accessibility requirements.
Figure 9–16 Window Frames Tabbed Section in the Theme Preference Tool
Table 9–16 lists the window frame
theme settings that you can configure.
Table 9–16 Settings for Window Frame Themes
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Available themes
|
Select the theme that you require from the list box.
|
|
Install new theme
|
You can add a theme to the list of available themes.
The new theme must be an uncompressed folder.
To add a theme to
the list of available themes, click on the Install new theme
button. A dialog is displayed. Enter the location of the theme folder in the
drop-down combination box. Alternatively, to browse for the folder, click
on the Browse button. When you have selected the folder,
click OK.
|
|
Go to theme folder
|
Click on this button to open a file manager window
on the default theme folder. You can delete themes from the file manager window.
|
Customizing Window Focus
Use the Window Focus preference tool to customize window focus behavior for your
desktop environment.
Figure 9–17 Window Focus Preference Tool
Table 9–17 lists the window focus
settings that you can customize.
Table 9–17 Settings for Window Focus
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Click to give focus
|
Select this option to give focus to a window
when you click on the window. The window retains focus until you click on
another window.
|
|
Point
to give focus
|
Select this option to give focus to a window when you point
to the window. The window retains focus until you point to another window.
|
|
Raise
window on focus
|
Select this option if you want your windows to be raised
when the windows receive focus.
|
Chapter 10 Using the Advanced Preference Tools
The Advanced preference tools enable
you to customize the behavior and appearance of your applications, panels,
and other user interface items. You can use the Advanced
preference tools to configure file types, your default applications, and your
panels. You can also use the Advanced tools to customize
your sessions and startup programs. This chapter describes how to use the Advanced tools to customize your desktop environment.
Opening an Advanced Preference Tool
You can open an Advanced preference tool in either
of the following ways:
-
From the Desktop Preferences menu
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Advanced. Choose the tool that you require from the submenu. The dialog
for the tool is displayed.
-
From the Start Here location
Open a Nautilus window, then choose Go -> Start Here.
Alternatively, double-click on the Start Here object
on the desktop. The Start Here location is displayed.
Double-click on the Desktop Preferences object in the Nautilus window, then double-click on the Advanced folder. The Advanced preference tools are
displayed.

Double-click on the tool that you require. The dialog for the tool is
displayed.
Configuring a CD Database
The CD Database preference tool
enables you to configure a CD database that your system can query. A CD database
contains information about CDs, such as the name of the artist, the title,
and the track list. When an application plays a CD, the application can query
the CD database about the CD, then display the information.
Figure 10–1 CD Database Preference Tool
Table 10–1 describes the
elements on the CD Database preference tool.
Table 10–1 Settings for CD Database
|
Element
|
Description
|
|
Send no info
|
Select this option if you do not want to send
any information to the CD database server.
|
|
Send real info
|
Select this option to send your name and hostname information to the CD database
server.
|
|
Send other info
|
Select this option to send another name and
hostname to the CD database server. Enter the name in the Name
field. Enter the hostname in the Hostname field.
|
|
FreeDB round robin server
|
FreeDB is a CD database. The FreeDB
round robin server is a load-sharing configuration of FreeDB servers. Select
this option to access the FreeDB CD database from this server.
|
|
Other FreeDB server
|
Select this option to access the FreeDB CD
database from another server. Select the server that you require from the
server table.
|
|
Update server list
|
Click on this button to update the list of available
FreeDB servers in the server table.
|
|
Other server
|
Select this option to use another CD database.
Enter the name of the server on which the database resides in the Hostname field. Enter the port number on which you can access the
database in the Port field.
|
Configuring File Types and Programs
Use the File Types and
Programs preference tool to specify how files of various types
are created, displayed, and edited. For example, you can specify that if a
file is a plain text file, the file is launched in a text editor.
Nautilus and other GNOME applications check
the contents of a file to determine the type of a file. If the first lines
do not determine the type of the file, then the application checks the file
extension.
Figure 10–2 File Types and Programs Preference Tool
Table 10–2 describes the elements
on the File Types and Programs preference tool.
Table 10–2 Elements on File Types and Programs Preference Tool
|
Element
|
Description
|
|
Table
|
To view the contents of a category of file types, click on the right arrow
next to the category name. The category expands, and displays a description
of each file type, and the file extension that is associated with the file
type.
To select a file type that you want to work with, click
on the file type.
|
|
Add File Type
|
Click on this button to add a file type. For more information, see To Add a File Type.
|
|
Add Service
|
Click on this button to add a service. For more
information, see To Add a Service.
|
|
Edit
|
To edit a file type, a service, or a file type category,
select the item that you want to edit, then click Edit.
|
|
Remove
|
To remove a file type or a service, select the item that
you want to remove, then click Remove.
|
To Add a File Type
To add a file type, perform the following steps:
-
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Advanced -> File Types and Programs
to start the File Types and Programs preference
tool.
-
Click on the Add file type button.
The Add file type dialog is displayed.
-
Enter the properties of the file type in the dialog. The following
table describes the dialog elements on the Add file type
dialog:
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
No Icon
|
Choose an icon to represent the file type. To choose
an icon, click on the No Icon button. An icon selector
dialog is displayed. Choose an icon from the dialog. Alternatively, to choose
an icon from another directory, click Browse. When
you choose an icon, click OK.
|
|
Description
|
Type a description of the file type.
|
|
MIME Type
|
Enter the MIME type for this type of file.
|
|
Category
|
Enter the category to which you want the file type
to belong in the File Types and Programs preference
tool. Click on the Choose to choose a category from
the Choose a file category dialog.
|
|
Filename Extensions
|
Enter the filename extensions to associate with
the file type. Enter a filename extension in the field on the left side, then
press Return. To delete a filename extension, select the
filename extension in the field on the right side, then click on the Remove button.
|
|
Viewer Component
|
Information to be supplied in a future release.
|
|
Default action
|
Information to be supplied in a future release.
|
|
Program to Run
|
Specify a program to associate with the file type.
Enter the command to start the program in this field. Alternatively, to choose
a command that you entered previously, click the down arrow button, then
choose the command to run.
You can also use the Browse button to choose a command to run.
|
|
Run in Terminal
|
Select this option to run the program in a terminal
window. Choose this option for a program that does not create a window in
which to run.
|
-
Click OK.
To Add a Service
To add a service, perform the following steps:
-
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Advanced -> File Types and Programs
to start the File Types and Programs preference
tool.
-
Click on the Add service button. The Add service dialog is displayed.
-
Enter the properties of the service in the dialog. The following
table describes the dialog elements on the Add service
dialog:
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Description
|
Type a description of the service.
|
|
Protocol
|
Enter the protocol for the service.
|
|
Program
|
Specify the program to associate with the service.
Enter the command to start the program in this field. Alternatively, to choose
a command that you entered previously, click the down arrow button, then
choose the command to run.
You can also use the Browse button to choose a command to run.
|
|
Run in Terminal
|
Select this option to run the program in a terminal
window. Choose this option for a program that does not create a window in
which to run.
|
-
Click OK.
Customizing Your Panels
The Panel
preference tool enables you to configure the behavior of panels. Any changes
that you make with the Panel preference tool affect
all of your panels.
Figure 10–3 Panel Preference Tool
Table 10–3 Settings for Panels
|
Setting
|
Function
|
|
Close drawer when launcher is clicked
|
Select this option if
you want a drawer on a panel to close when you choose a launcher in the drawer.
|
|
Animation
|
Select this option if you want your panels to show
and to hide in an animated style.
|
|
Animation speed
|
Select the speed of the panel animation from the
drop-down list.
|
Choosing Your Preferred Applications
Use the Preferred
Applications preference tool to specify the applications that
you want the desktop environment to use when the desktop environment starts
an application for you. For example, you can specify Xterm
as your preferred terminal application. When you open the Desktop menu then choose New Terminal, Xterm starts.
You can customize the settings for the Preferred Applications preference tool in the following functional areas.
-
Web Browser
-
Text Editor
-
Terminal
Web Browser Settings
Use the Web Browser
tabbed section to configure your preferred web browser. The preferred web
browser opens when you click on a URL. For example, the preferred web browser
opens when you select a URL in an application, or when you select a URL launcher
on the desktop.
Figure 10–4 Web Browser Tabbed Section in the Preferred Applications Preference
Tool
Table 10–4 lists the preferred
web browser settings that you can configure.
Table 10–4 Settings for Preferred Web Browser
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Select a Web Browser
|
Select this option if you want to use a standard
web browser. Use the drop-down combination box to select your preferred web
browser.
|
|
Custom Web Browser
|
Select this option if you want to use a custom
web browser.
|
|
Command
|
Enter the command to execute to start the custom web browser.
To enable the browser to display a URL that you click on, include “%s” after the command.
|
|
Start in Terminal
|
Select this option to run the command in a terminal
window. Select this option for a browser that does not create a window in
which to run.
|
Text Editor Settings
Use the Text Editor
tabbed section to configure your preferred text editor.
Figure 10–5 Text Editor Tabbed Section in the Preferred Applications Preference
Tool
Table 10–5 lists the preferred text
editor settings that you can configure.
Table 10–5 Settings for Preferred Text Editor
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Select an Editor
|
Select this option if you want to use a standard
text editor. Use the drop-down combination box to specify your preferred text
editor.
|
|
Custom Editor
|
Select this option if you want to use a custom
text editor. A Custom Editor Properties dialog is displayed.
-
Name: Type the name of the custom text
editor.
-
Command: Enter the command to execute
to start the custom text editor.
-
This application can open multiple files:
Select this option if the default text editor can open multiple files.
-
This application needs to be run in a shell:
Select this option to run the command in a terminal window. Select this option
for an editor that does not create a window in which to run.
After you specify a custom text editor, you can click
on the Properties button to display the Custom Editor Properties dialog. You can use the dialog to modify
the properties of the custom text editor.
|
|
Use this editor to open text files in the file manager
|
Select
this option if you want the file manager to start the custom text editor to
display text files.
|
Terminal Settings
Use the Terminal tabbed section
to configure your preferred terminal.
Figure 10–6 Terminal Tabbed Section in the Preferred Applications Preference Tool
Table 10–6 lists the preferred
terminal settings that you can configure.
Table 10–6 Settings for Preferred Terminal
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Select a Terminal
|
Select this option if you want to use a standard
terminal. Use the drop-down combination box to specify your preferred terminal.
|
|
Custom Terminal
|
Select this option if you want to use a custom
terminal.
|
|
Command
|
Enter the command to execute to start the custom terminal.
|
|
Exec Flag
|
Enter the exec option to use with the
command.
|
Configuring Sessions
The Sessions
preference tool enables you to manage your sessions. You can set session preferences,
and specify which applications to start when you start a session. You can
configure sessions to save the state of applications in your desktop environment,
and to restore the state when you start another session. You can also use
this preference tool to manage multiple GNOME sessions.
You can customize the settings for sessions and startup applications
in the following functional areas:
-
Session Options
-
Current Session
-
Startup Programs
Setting Session Options
Use the Session Options tabbed section
to manage multiple sessions, and to set preferences for the current session.
Figure 10–7 Session Options Tabbed Section in the Sessions Preference Tool
Table 10–7 lists the session
options settings that you can configure.
Table 10–7 Settings for Session Options
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Show splash
screen on login
|
Select this option to display a splash screen when you start a session.
|
|
Prompt on logout
|
Select this option to display a confirmation
dialog when you end a session.
|
|
Automatically save changes to session
|
Select this
option if you want the session manager to save the current state of your session.
The session manager saves the session-managed applications that are open,
and the settings associated with the session-managed applications. The next
time that you start a session, the applications start automatically, with
the saved settings.
If you do not select this option, when you
end you session the Logout Confirmation dialog displays
a Save current setup option.
|
|
Sessions
|
Use this area of the dialog to manage multiple sessions
in the desktop environment, as follows:
-
To create a new session, click on the Add
button. The Add a new session dialog is displayed. Use
this dialog to specify a name for your session.
-
To change the name of a session, select the session in the Choose Current Session table. Click on the Edit
button. The Edit session name dialog is displayed. Type
a new name for your session.
-
To delete a session, select the session in the Choose Current Session table. Click on the Delete
button.
|
Setting Session Properties
Use the Current
Session tabbed section to specify startup order values, and to
choose restart styles for the session-managed applications in your current
session.
Figure 10–8 Current Session Tabbed Section in the Sessions Preference Tool
Table 10–8 lists the session properties
that you can configure.
Table 10–8 Session Properties
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Order
|
The Order
setting specifies the order in which the session manager starts session-managed
startup applications. The session manager starts applications with lower order
values first. The default value is 50.
To specify the startup
order of an application, select the application in the table. Use the Order spin box to specify the startup order value.
|
|
Style
|
The Style setting determines the restart
style of an application. To select a restart style for an application, select
the application in the table, then choose one of the following styles:
-
Normal
Starts automatically when you start a GNOME session. Use the kill command to terminate applications with this restart style during
a session.
-
Restart
Restarts automatically whenever you close or terminate the application.
Choose this style for an application if the application must run continuously
during your session. To terminate an application with this restart style,
select the application in the table, then click on the Remove
button.
-
Trash
Does not start when you start a GNOME session.
-
Settings
Starts automatically when you start a session. Applications with this
style usually have a low startup order, and store your configuration settings
for GNOME and session-managed applications.
|
|
Remove
|
Click on the Remove button to delete
the selected application from the list. The application is removed from the
session manager, and closed. Application that you delete are not started
the next time that you start a session.
|
|
Apply
|
Click on the Apply button to apply changes to the startup
order and the restart style.
|
Configuring Startup Applications
Use the Startup Programs
tabbed section of the Sessions preference tool
to specify non-session-managed startup applications.
Startup applications are applications that start automatically when you start
a session. You specify the commands that run the non-session-managed applications
in the Startup Programs tabbed section. The commands
execute automatically when you log in.
You can also start session-managed applications automatically. For more
information, see Setting Session Options.
Figure 10–9 Startup Programs Tabbed Section in the Sessions Preference Tool
Table 10–9 lists the startup
applications settings that you can configure.
Table 10–9 Settings for Startup Programs
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Additional startup programs
|
Use this table to manage non-session-managed
startup applications as follows:
-
To add a startup application, click on the Add button. The Add Startup Program dialog is
displayed. Enter the command to start the application in the Startup
Command field.
If you specify more than one startup application, use the Priority spin box to specify the startup order of the each application.
The startup order is the order in which you want the startup applications
to start.
-
To edit a startup application, select the startup application,
then click on the Edit button. The Edit Startup
Program dialog is displayed. Use the dialog to modify the command
and the startup order for the startup application.
-
To delete a startup application, select the startup application,
then click on the Delete button.
|
Chapter 11 Using the Accessibility Preference Tools
This chapter describes how to use the Accessibility preference tools to customize the accessibility features of your
desktop environment.
Opening an Accessibility Tool
You can open an Accessibility preference tool in
the following ways:
-
From the Desktop Preferences menu
Choose Applications -> Desktop Preferences -> Accessibility. Choose the preference tool that you require from the submenu.
The dialog for the tool is displayed.
-
From the Start Here location
Open a Nautilus window, then choose Go -> Start Here.
Alternatively, double-click on the Start Here object
on the desktop. The Start Here location is displayed.
Double-click on the Desktop Preferences object in the Nautilus window, then double-click on the Accessibility folder.

Configuring Keyboard Accessibility Options
Use the Keyboard accessibility
preference tool to set the keyboard accessibility preferences. The Keyboard accessibility preference tool is also known as AccessX.
Figure 11–1 Keyboard Accessibility Preference Tool
Table 11–1 lists the keyboard
accessibility settings that you can modify.
Table 11–1 Keyboard Accessibility Settings
|
Option
|
Function
|
|
Enable keyboard
accessibility
|
Select this option to enable keyboard accessibility features. When you select
this option, the other options in the preference tool become available.
|
|
Beep when enabling/disabling
keyboard accessibility features
|
Select this option for an audible indication when a feature
such as sticky keys or slow keys is activated, or deactivated.
|
|
Disable if unused
for
|
Select this option to deactivate keyboard accessibility preferences if the
keyboard is not used for a specified period of time. Use the slider to specify
the number of seconds of keyboard idle time required before the system disables
the keyboard accessibility preferences. When the specified number of seconds
elapses, the following keyboard accessibility preferences are disabled:
-
Bounce keys
-
Mouse keys
-
Slow keys
-
Sticky keys
-
Toggle keys
|
|
Enable Mouse Keys
|
Select this option to make the numeric keypad emulate mouse actions. You can
specify the following mouse key settings:
-
Maximum pointer speed: Use this setting
to specify the maximum speed that the pointer moves across the screen.
-
Time to accelerate to maximum speed:
Use this setting to specify the duration of the acceleration time of the pointer.
-
Start moving this long after keypress:
Use this setting to specify the period of time that must pass after a keypress
before the pointer moves.
|
|
Enable Slow Keys
|
Select this option to control the period of time that you must press-and-hold
a key before acceptance. You can specify the following slow keys settings:
-
Only accept keypress after: Use this
setting to specify the period of time that you must press-and-hold a key before
acceptance.
-
Beep when key is pressed: Select this
option for an audible indication of a keypress.
-
Beep when key is accepted: Select this
option for an audible indication of key acceptance.
-
Beep when key is rejected: Select this
option for an audible indication of key rejection.
|
|
Enable Bounce
Keys
|
Select this option to accept a key input and to control the key repeat characteristics
of the keyboard. You can specify the following bounce keys settings:
-
Ignore keypresses within: Use this setting
to specify the interval to wait after the first keypress before the automatic
repeat of a pressed key.
-
Beep when key is rejected: Select this
option for an audible indication of key rejection.
|
|
Enable Sticky
Keys
|
Select this option to perform multiple simultaneous keypress operations by
pressing the keys in sequence. You can specify the following sticky keys settings:
-
Beep when modifier is pressed: Select
this option for an audible indication when you press a modifier key.
-
Turn off Sticky Keys when two keys pressed simultaneously: Select this option to specify that when you press two keys simultaneously,
you can no longer press keys in sequence to perform multiple simultaneous
keypresses.
|
|
Toggle and Repeat
Keys
|
Select this option for an audible indication of a toggle keypress. You hear
one beep when a toggle key is turned on. You hear two beeps when a toggle
key is turned off.
|
|
Testing Area
|
The test area is an interactive
interface so you can see how the keyboard settings affect the display as you
type. Type text in the test area to test the effect of your settings.
|
|
Import CDE AccessX
file
|
Click on this button to import a CDE AccessX configuration file.
|
For more information on configuring keyboard
accessibility preferences, see GNOME 2.0 Desktop for
the Solaris Operating Environment Accessibility Guide.