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