Using Preference Tools
This chapter describes how to use the preference tools to
customize the GNOME Desktop.
Setting Assistive Technology Preferences
accessibility
setting assistive technology
preferences
preference tools
Assistive Technology
Use the
Assistive Technology
preference tool to enable assistive technologies
in the GNOME Desktop. You can also use the
Assistive Technology
preference tool to specify assistive technology applications
to start automatically when you log in.
lists the assistive technology
preferences that you can modify.
Assistive Technology Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
Enable assistive technologies
Select this option to enable assistive technologies
in the GNOME Desktop.
Screenreader
Select this option to start the
Screenreader
application automatically when you log in.
Magnifier
Select this option to start the
Magnifier
application automatically when you log in.
On-screen keyboard
Select this option to start the
On-screen
keyboard
application automatically when you log in.
Customizing the Desktop Background
desktop
customizing background
GNOME Desktop preference tools
preference tools
preference tools
Background
backgrounds
customizing 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.
lists the background preferences
that you can modify.
Desktop Background Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
Desktop Wallpaper
Choose an image from the list.  Alternately, you can select
Add Wallpaper
to choose any image on your computer.
Style
To specify how to display the image, select one of the following
options from the
Style
drop-down list:
Centered
: Displays the image in the middle
of the desktop.
Fill Screen
: Enlarges the image to cover
the desktop and maintains the relative dimensions of the image.
Scaled
: Enlarges the image until the
image meets the screen edges, and maintains the relative dimensions of the
image.
Tiled
: Enlarges the image until the image
meets the screen edges, and maintains the relative dimensions of the image.
Add Wallpaper
Click on
Add Wallpaper
to browse for
an image on your computer.  A standard file selector will be presented.  Choose
the image you want and click
Open
.
Remove
Choose the
Desktop Wallpaper
that you want to remove,
then click
Remove
.  This removes the image from the list of available wallpapers; however, it does not delete the image from your computer.
Desktop Colors
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.
Configuring a CD Database
preference tools
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.
describes the preferences in the
CD Database
preference tool.
CD Database Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
Send no information
Select this option if you do not want to send
any information to the CD database server.
Send real information
Select this option to send your name and hostname information to the CD database
server.
Send other information
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.
Setting File Management Preferences
preference tools
File Management
file
manager
preferences
preference tool
Use the
File
Management
preference tool to set your
Nautilus
file manager preferences. You can also set your file manager preferences in
the
File Management
preferences
dialog, which you can open from the file manager application. For information
on the preferences in the
File Management
preferences dialog and
File Management
preference tool, see
.
Configuring File Types and Programs
preference
tools
File Types and Programs
file types
configuring
services
configuring
Use the
File Types and Programs
preference tool to configure the following:
File types
You can specify how files
of various types are displayed and edited. For example, you can specify an
icon to represent a particular type of file. For another example, you can
specify that if a file is a plain text file, the file is launched in a text
editor.
The file manager 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 filename.
Services
A
Uniform Resource
Identifier
(URI) is a string that identifies a particular location
in a file system or on the Web. For example, the web address of a web page
is a URI. A
service
is a protocol or task that a URI
requests. For example, the
http://www.gnome.org
URI requests
the
http
service.
You can associate an application with a service, so that the application
performs the task required by the service. For example, you can associate
your preferred web browser with the
http
service.
describes the elements
on the
File Types and Programs
preference tool.
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
.
Add Service
Click on this button to add a service. For more
information, see
.
Edit
file types
editing
services
editing
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 delete a file type or a service, select the item that
you want to delete, then click
Remove
.
To Add a File Type
file types
adding
To add a file type, perform the following steps:
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:
Dialog Element
Description
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 this preference tool. Click on the
Choose
to choose a category from the
Choose a file category
dialog.
Filename extensions
Enter the file extensions to associate with the
file type. Enter a file extension in the field on the left side, then press
Return
. To delete a file extension, select the file extension in
the field on the right side, then click on the
Remove
button.
Viewer Component
Select the viewer component to use to display files
of this type in the file manager.
Default action
Select the default application to use to open files
of this type.
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
services
adding
To add a service, perform the following steps:
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:
Dialog Element
Description
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
.
Choosing Default Fonts
preference tools
Font
fonts
desktop
fonts
applications
fonts
window title
fonts
terminal
fonts
rendering
Use the
Font
preference tool
to select the fonts to use in your applications, windows, terminals, and desktop.
lists the font preferences that
you can modify.
Font Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
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.
Window title font
Click on the font selector button to select
a font to use in the titlebars of your windows.
Terminal font
Click on the font selector button to select
a font to use in the
Terminal
application
Font Rendering
To specify how to render fonts on your screen,
select one of the following options:
Monochrome
: Renders fonts in black and
white only. The edges of characters might appear jagged in some cases because
the characters  are not antialiased.
Antialiasing
is
an effect that is applied to the edges of characters to make the characters
look smoother.
Best shapes
: Antialiases fonts where
possible. Use this option for standard Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors.
Best contrast
: Adjusts fonts to give
the sharpest possible contrast, and also antialiases fonts, so that characters
have smooth edges. This option might enhance the accessibility of the GNOME
Desktop to  users with visual impairments.
Subpixel smoothing (LCDs)
: Uses techniques
that exploit the shape of individual Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) pixels to
render fonts smoothly. Use this option for LCD or flat-screen displays.
Details
Click on this button to specify further details of how
to render fonts on your screen.
Resolution (dots per inch)
: Use the spin
box to specify the resolution to use when your screen renders fonts.
Smoothing
: Select one of the options
to specify how to antialias fonts.
Hinting
:
Hinting
is a font-rendering technique that improves the quality of fonts at small
sizes and an at low screen resolutions. Select one of the options to specify
how to apply hinting your fonts.
Subpixel order
: Select one of the options
to specify the subpixel color order for your fonts. Use this option for LCD
or flat-screen displays.
Go
to font folder
Click on this button to open the
Fonts
folder.
To Preview a Font
fonts
previewing
You can use the file manager to preview a font. To preview a font, perform
the following steps:
Open a file manager window.
Enter the URI
fonts:///
in the location
bar. The fonts are displayed as icons in the view pane.
Double-click on an icon to display a preview of the font.
To Add a TrueType Font
You can use the file manager to add a TrueType font. To add a TrueType
font, perform the following steps:
Open a file manager window and select the TrueType font that
you want to add.
From a file browser window, access the
fonts:///
location. The fonts are displayed as icons.
Copy the TrueType font file that you want to add to the
fonts:///
location.
Setting Your Login Photo
desktop
login photo
GNOME Desktop preference tools
preference
tools
preference tools
Login Photo
The
Login Photo
preference tool enables you to change the picture that is displayed in your
login screen.
From the
Login Photo
preference tool, select an
image to display in your login screen. Type the path for the folder from where
you want to select your image. Alternatively, click
Browse
to display a dialog from which you can select an image to display as your
photograph and click
OK
.
Configuring Your Network
Proxy Connection
preference
tools
Network Proxy
network proxy
setting preferences
Internet
configuring connection
proxy
setting preferences
The
Network Proxy
preference tool enables you to configure how your system connects to the Internet.
You can configure the GNOME Desktop 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.
lists the Internet connection preferences
that you can modify.
Internet Connection Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
Direct internet
connection
Select this option if you want to connect directly to the Internet, without
a proxy server.
Manual proxy configuration
Select
this option if you want to connect to the Internet through a proxy server,
and you want to configure the proxy server manually.
HTTP proxy
Enter the DNS name, or the IP
address of the proxy server to use when you request a HTTP service. Enter
the port number of the HTTP service on the proxy server in the
Port
spin box.
Secure HTTP proxy
Enter
the DNS name, or the IP address of the proxy server to use when you request
a Secure HTTP service. Enter the port number of the Secure HTTP service on
the proxy server in the
Port
spin box.
FTP proxy
Enter the DNS name, or the IP
address of the proxy server to use when you request a FTP service. Enter the
port number of the FTP service on the proxy server in the
Port
spin box.
Socks host
Enter the DNS name, or the IP
address of the Socks host to use. Enter the port number for the Socks protocol
on the proxy server in the
Port
spin box.
Automatic proxy
configuration
Select this option if you want to connect to the Internet through a proxy
server, and you want to configure the proxy server automatically.
Autoconfiguration
URL
Enter the URL that contains the information required to configure the proxy
server automatically.
Configuring Keyboard Accessibility Options
AccessX
preference tools, Keyboard Accessibility
keyboard
configuring
accessibility options
accessibility
configuring keyboard
preference tools
Keyboard Accessibility
Use the
Keyboard
accessibility
preference tool to set the keyboard accessibility preferences. The
Keyboard
accessibility preference tool is also known as
AccessX
.
You can customize the preferences for the keyboard accessibility in
the following functional areas:
Basic
Filters
Mouse
Basic Preferences
lists the basic keyboard accessibility
preferences that you can modify.
Keyboard Accessibility Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
Enable keyboard
accessibility features
Select this option to enable keyboard accessibility features.
When you select this option, the other options in the preference tool become
available.
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
Beep when features
turned on or off from keyboard
Select this option for an audible indication when a feature
such as sticky keys or slow keys is activated, or deactivated.
Import Feature
Settings
Click on this button to import an
AccessX
configuration
file.
Enable Sticky
Keys
accessibility
sticky keys
Select this option to perform multiple simultaneous keypress operations by
pressing the keys in sequence. Alternatively, to enable the sticky keys feature,
press
Shift
five times.
You can set the following
sticky keys preferences:
Beep when modifier is pressed
: Select
this option for an audible indication when you press a modifier key.
Disable if two keys pressed together
:
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.
Enable Repeat
Keys
accessibility
repeat keys
Select this option to enable the autorepeat settings for your keyboard. You
can set the following autorepeat preferences:
Delay
: Use the slider or the spin box
to specify the interval to wait after the first keypress before the automatic
repeat of a pressed key.
Speed
: Use the slider or the spin box
to specify the number of characters per second to enter.
Type to test settings
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.
For more information on configuring keyboard accessibility preferences,
see
GNOME 2.6 Desktop Accessibility Guide
.
Filter Preferences
lists the filter preferences that
you can modify.
Filter Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
Enable keyboard
accessibility features
Select this option to enable keyboard accessibility features.
When you select this option, the other options in the preference tool become
available.
Enable Slow Keys
accessibility
slow keys
Select this option to control the period of time that you must press-and-hold
a key before acceptance. Alternatively, to enable the slow keys feature, press-and-hold
Shift
for eight seconds.
You can set the following slow
keys preferences:
Only accept keys held for
: Use the slider
or the spin box to specify the period of time that you must press-and-hold
a key before acceptance.
Beep when key is
: Select the appropriate
option or options for an audible indication  when a key is pressed, accepted,
or rejected.
Enable Bounce
Keys
accessibility
bounce keys
Select this option to accept a key input and to control the key repeat characteristics
of the keyboard. You can set the following bounce keys preferences:
Ignore duplicate keypresses within
: Use
the slider or the spin box to specify the interval to wait after the first
keypress before the automatic repeat of a pressed key.
Beep if key is rejected
: Select this
option for an audible indication of key rejection.
Enable Toggle
Keys
accessibility
toggle 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.
Type to test settings
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.
For more information on configuring keyboard accessibility preferences,
see
GNOME 2.6 Desktop Accessibility Guide
.
Mouse Preferences
lists the mouse preferences that
you can modify.
Mouse Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
Enable keyboard
accessibility features
Select this option to enable keyboard accessibility features.
When you select this option, the other options in the preference tool become
available.
Enable Mouse Keys
accessibility
mouse keys
Select this option to make the numeric keypad emulate mouse actions. You can
set the following mouse key preferences:
Maximum pointer speed
: Use the slider
or the spin box to specify the maximum speed that the pointer moves across
the screen.
Time to accelerate to maximum speed
:
Use the slider or the spin box to specify the duration of the acceleration
time of the pointer.
Delay between keypress and pointer movement
:
Use the slider or the spin box to specify the period of time that must pass
after a keypress before the pointer moves.
Mouse Preferences
Click on this button to open the
Mouse
preference tool.
For more information on configuring keyboard accessibility preferences,
see
GNOME 2.6 Desktop Accessibility Guide
.
Configuring Keyboard Preferences
preference tools
Keyboard
keyboard
configuring
general preferences
Use the
Keyboard
preference tool to modify the autorepeat preferences for
your keyboard, and to configure typing break settings.
You can set the preferences for the
Keyboard
preference tool in the following functional areas:
Keyboard
Typing Break
Layouts
Layout Options
Keyboard Preferences
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.
lists the keyboard preferences
that you can modify.
Keyboard Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
Key presses
repeat 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.
Cursor 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.
Type
to test settings
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.
Typing Break Preferences
Use the
Typing Break
tabbed section to set typing
break preferences. To start the
Keyboard
accessibility
preference tool, that is,
AccessX
,
click on the
Accessibility
button.
lists the typing break preferences
that you can modify.
Typing Break Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
Lock screen to enforce typing break
Select this option to
lock the screen when you are due a typing break.
Work interval lasts
Use the spin box to specify how long you can work
before a typing break occurs.
Break interval lasts
Use the spin box to specify the length of your typing
breaks.
Allow postponing of breaks
Select this option if you want to be able to postpone
typing breaks.
Keyboard Layout
Use the
Layouts
tabbed section to set your keyboard
layout. Select your keyboard model from the drop-down list. Use the navigational
buttons to add or remove a selected layout from the list of available layouts.
You can choose different layouts to suit different locales. For more
information on keyboard layouts, see the
Keyboard Layout Switcher
manual.
To start the
Keyboard
accessibility
preference tool, that is,
AccessX
,
click on the
Accessibility
button.
Keyboard Layout Options
Use the
Layout Options
tabbed section to set your
keyboard layout options. Select an option from the list of available layout
options and click
Add
to select an option. Use
Remove
to remove a selected option.
For more information on the layout options, see the
Keyboard
Layout Switcher
manual.
To start the
Keyboard
accessibility
preference tool, that is,
AccessX
,
click on the
Accessibility
button.
Customizing Menus and Toolbars in Applications
toolbars, customizing appearance
preference tools
Menus & Toolbars
menus
in applications,
customizing appearance
You can use the
Menus & Toolbars
preference tool to customize the appearance
of menus, menubars, and toolbars for GNOME-compliant applications.
lists the menu and toolbar preferences that
you can modify for GNOME-compliant applications.
Menu and Toolbar Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
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.
Detachable toolbars
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.
Toolbar 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.
Setting Mouse Preferences
preference tools
Mouse
mouse
configuring
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
Cursors
Motion
Buttons Preferences
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.
lists the mouse button preferences
that you can modify.
Mouse Button Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
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.
Timeout
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 Preferences
Use the
Cursors
tabbed section to set your mouse
pointer preferences.
lists the mouse pointer preferences
that you can modify:
Mouse Pointer Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
Small
Select this option to display a small mouse
pointer.
Medium
Select this option to display a medium mouse
pointer.
Large
Select this option to display a large mouse pointer.
Highlight the
pointer when you press Ctrl
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 Preferences
Use the
Motion
tabbed section to set your preferences
for mouse movement.
lists the mouse motion preferences
that you can modify:
Mouse Motion Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
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.
Customizing Your Panels
preference tools
Panel Preferences
panels
customizing
behavior and appearance
The
Panel
Preferences
preference tool enables you to configure the behavior
of panels. Any changes that you make with the
Panel Preferences
preference tool affect all of your panels.
lists the panel preferences
that you can modify:
Panel Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
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.
Drawer and panel animation
Select this option if you want your panels and drawers
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
preference tools
Preferred Applications
default applications
preferred applications
Use the
Preferred
Applications
preference tool to specify the applications that
you want the GNOME Desktop to use when the GNOME Desktop starts an application
for you. For example, you can specify
Xterm
as
your preferred terminal application. When you open the
Desktop
menu then choose
Open Terminal
,
Xterm
starts.
You can customize the preferences for the
Preferred Applications
preference tool in the following functional areas.
Web Browser
Mail Reader
Text Editor
Terminal
Web Browser Preferences
preferred applications
web browser
web browser, preferred application
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.
lists the preferred web browser
preferences that you can modify.
Preferred Web Browser Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
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.
Email Client Preferences
preferred applications
email client
email client, preferred application
Use the
Mail Reader
tabbed section to configure your preferred email client.
lists the preferred email
client preferences that you can modify.
Preferred Email Client Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
Select a Mail Reader
Select this option if you want to use a standard
email client. Use the drop-down combination box to select your preferred email
client.
Custom Mail Reader
Select this option if you want to use a custom
email client.
Command
Enter the command to execute to start the custom email
client.
Start in Terminal
Select this option to run the command in a terminal
window. Select this option for an email client that does not create a window
in which to run.
Text Editor Preferences
preferred applications
text editor
text editor, preferred application
Use the
Text Editor
tabbed section to configure your preferred text editor.
lists the preferred text editor preferences
that you can modify.
Preferred Text Editor Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
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 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 Preferences
preferred applications
terminal
terminal, preferred application
Use the
Terminal
tabbed section
to configure your preferred terminal.
lists the preferred terminal
preferences that you can modify.
Preferred Terminal Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
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.
Setting Screen Resolution Preferences
preference tools
Screen Resolution
Use the
Screen Resolution
preference tool to specify the resolution settings for your screen.
lists the screen resolution preferences that
you can modify.
Screen Resolution Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
Resolution
Select the resolution to use for the screen from
the drop-down list.
Refresh rate
Select the screen refresh rate to use for the screen
from the drop-down list.
Make default for
this computer only
Select this option to make the screen resolution settings the default settings
for the system that you are logged in to only.
Configuring Sessions
preference tools
Sessions
sessions
preferences
startup applications
customizing
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 the GNOME Desktop,
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 Preferences
sessions
setting options
Use the
Session Options
tabbed section
to manage multiple sessions, and to set preferences for the current session.
lists the session options that
you can modify.
Session Options
Dialog Element
Description
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
startup applications
session-managed
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 GNOME Desktop, 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
Sessions
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
Sessions
table. Click on the
Delete
button.
When you log in on GDM, you choose
a session. When you choose a session, you can select which of the multiple
sessions to use.
Setting Session Properties
startup applications
session-managed
sessions
setting 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.
lists the session properties that you can
configure.
Session Properties
Dialog Element
Description
Order
The
Order
property 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
property 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.
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.
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
startup applications
non-session-managed
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
.
lists the startup applications
preferences that you can modify.
Startup Programs Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
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.
Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts
preference tools
Keyboard Shortcuts
shortcut
keys
configuring
keyboard shortcuts
configuring
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.
lists the keyboard shortcut settings that you can customize.
Keyboard Shortcuts Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
Text editing shortcuts
Select
one of the following settings:
GNOME Default
: Use this setting for standard
shortcut keys.
Emacs
: Use this setting for
Emacs
shortcut keys.
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 the
Backspace
key.
Setting Sound Preferences
preference tools
Sound
sound
setting preferences
sound
associating
events with sounds
events, associating
sounds with
sound server
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
Sound Events
System Bell
General Sound Preferences
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.
lists the general sound preferences
that you can modify.
General Sound Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
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 GNOME Desktop can play sounds.
Sounds for
events
Select this option to play sounds when particular events occur in the GNOME
Desktop. You can select this option only if the
Enable sound server
startup
option is selected.
Sound Event Preferences
Use the
Sound Events
tabbed section of the
Sound
preference tool to associate particular sounds with particular
events.
You must select the
Enable sound server startup
option, and the
Sounds for events
option before you can
access the
Sound Events
tabbed section.
lists the sound events preferences
that you can modify.
Sound Event Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
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.
You can only associate sound files in
.wav
format with events.
System Bell Settings
keyboard
configuring sound preferences
sound
configuring
system bell preferences
system
bell
configuring preferences
Use the
System Bell
tabbed section to set your preferences
for the system bell.
Some applications play a bell sound to indicate a keyboard input error.
Use the preferences in the
System Bell
tabbed section
to configure the bell sound.
lists the
system bell preferences that you can modify.
System Bell Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
Sound
an audible bell
Select this option to enable the system bell.
Visual feedback
Select this option to enable visual feedback
to indicate input errors.
Flash
window titlebar
Select this option if you want window titlebars to flash
to indicate an input error.
Flash
entire screen
Select this option if you want the entire screen to flash
to indicate an input error.
Customizing Themes
themes
setting controls options
themes
setting window
frame options
themes
setting icons options
windows
setting frame theme options
preference tools
Theme
A theme is a group of coordinated settings that specifies
the visual appearance of a part of the GNOME Desktop. You can choose themes
to change the appearance of the GNOME Desktop. Use the
Theme
preference tool to select a theme. You can choose from a list
of available themes. The list of available themes includes several themes
for users with accessibility requirements.
A theme contains settings that affect different parts of the GNOME Desktop,
as follows:
Controls
GTK+
themes
themes, controls options
themes
controls options
introduction
The controls setting for a theme determines
the visual appearance of windows, panels, and applets. The controls setting
also determines the visual appearance of the GNOME-compliant interface items
that appear on windows, panels, and applets, such as menus, icons, and buttons.
Some of the controls setting options that are available are designed for special
accessibility needs. You can choose an option for the controls setting from
the
Controls
tabbed section in the
Theme Details
.
Window frame
themes
window frame options
introduction
Metacity themes
themes, window frame options
The window frame setting for
a theme determines the appearance of the frames around windows only. You can
choose an option for the window frame setting from the
Window Border
tabbed section in the
Theme Details
.
Icon
themes
icons options
introduction
icon themes
themes, icons options
The icon setting for a theme determines the appearance of
the icons on panels and the desktop background. You can choose an option for
the icon setting from the
Icons
tabbed section in the
Theme Details
.
To Create a Custom Theme
The themes that are listed in the
Theme
preferences
tool are different combinations of controls options, window frame options,
and icon options. You can create a custom theme that uses different combinations
of controls options, window frame options, and icon options.
To create a custom theme, perform the following steps:
Start the
Theme
preference tool.
Select a theme in the list of themes.
Click on the
Theme Details
button. A
Theme Details
dialog is displayed.
Select the controls option that you want to use in the custom
theme from the list in the
Controls
tabbed section. The
list of available controls options includes several options for users with
accessibility requirements.
Click on the
Window Border
tab to display
the
Window Border
tabbed section. Select the window frame
option that you want to use in the custom theme from the list of available
options. The list of available window frame options includes several options
for users with accessibility requirements.
Click on the
Icons
tab to display the
Icons
tabbed section. Select the icons option that you want to
use in the custom theme from the list of available options. The list of available
icons options includes several options for users with accessibility requirements.
Click
Close
to close the
Theme Details
dialog.
On the
Theme
preferences tool,
click on the
Save theme
button. A
Save theme
to disk
dialog is displayed.
Type a name and a short description for the custom theme in
the dialog, then click
Save
. The custom theme now appears
in your list of available themes.
To Install a New Theme
You can add a theme to the list of available themes. The new theme must
be an archive file that is tarred and zipped. That is, the new theme must
be a
.tar.gz
file.
To install a new theme, perform the following steps:
Start the
Theme
preference tool.
Click on the
Install Theme
button.
A
Theme Installation
dialog is displayed.
Enter the location of the theme archive file in the drop-down
combination box. Alternatively, to browse for the file, click on the
Browse
button. When you have selected the file, click
OK
.
Click on the
Install
button to install
the new theme.
To Install a New Theme Option
You can install new controls options, window frame options, or icons
options. You can find many controls options on the Internet.
To install a new controls option, window frame option, or icons option,
perform the following steps:
Start the
Theme
preference tool.
Click on the
Theme Details
button.
An
Theme Details
dialog is displayed.
Click on the tab for the type of theme that you want to install.
For example, to install an icons option, click on the
Icons
tab.
Click on the
Install Theme
button.
A
Theme Installation
dialog is displayed.
Enter the location of the option archive file in the drop-down
combination box. Alternatively, to browse for the file, click on the
Browse
button. When you have selected the file, click
OK
.
Click on the
Install
button to install
the new option.
To Delete a Theme Option
You can delete controls options, window frame options, or icons options.
To delete a controls option, window frame option, or icons option, perform
the following steps:
Start the
Theme
preference tool.
Click on the
Theme Details
button.
A
Theme Details
dialog is displayed.
Click on the tab for the type of option that you want to delete.
Click on the
Go To Theme Folder
button.
A file manager window opens on the default option folder.
Use the file manager window to delete the option.
Previewing Themes
You can use the file manager to preview and change themes. To change
themes, perform the following steps:
Use the file manager to access the
themes:///
URI. The themes are displayed as icons.
Double-click on a theme to change the theme.
Customizing Windows
window manager
customizing
preference tools
Windows
Use the
Windows
preference tool to customize window behavior for the GNOME Desktop.
lists the windows preferences
that you can modify.
Windows Preferences
Dialog Element
Description
Select windows when the mouse moves over them
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 selected windows after an interval
Select this option to raise windows
a short time after the window receives focus.
Interval before raising
Specify the interval to wait before
raising a window that has received focus.
Double-click titlebar to perform this action
Select the behavior
that you want to occur when you double-click on a window titlebar. Select
one of the following options:
Maximize
: Maximizes the window.
Roll up
: Roll up the window.
To move a window, press-and-hold this key then grab the window
Select
the key to press-and-hold when you drag a window to move the window.
