J
Jarret W. Buse
Guest
Linux+: Linux X Window 02 – Desktop
The Desktop is a standard part of any Graphical User Interface (GUI). The Desktop is the interface seen on the monitor for a GUI system.
All Desktops have similarities. Desktops have shortcuts which are icons used to start common programs. There is usually a panel of some type which allows the user to switch workspaces and start applications. A task bar is present to show currently running programs. The current applications can easily be switched to another running application for multitasking.
As shown in Figure 1, this is a sample desktop.
FIGURE 1
To determine your Windows Manager, or Desktop, go to a terminal and type: “echo $XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP”. The desktop type should then be displayed.
Some of the environments are as follows:
Each environment has its own default applications for various tasks. For example, GNOME and KDE use different file browsers. Gnome uses Nautilus and KDE uses Dolphin. It is possible to install various windows managers on a single Linux system and switch between them when logging into the system. During login, an option to switch the default desktop is available. If both types of desktops are installed, then multiple applications types will also be available. As in the example of file browsers, if you install both GNOME and KDE both file browsers will exist.
To get to know each desktop they can be installed on a Debian based system. To install the various desktop environments on a system which does not have it, use the following commands:
Each environment has its own configuration file to store information about your personal settings for the environment. The configuration files are as follows:
The main function of the desktop is to provide easy access to the system for the user. Items can be dragged and dropped. Folders can be created and deleted. The desktop can contain shortcuts to applications and drives.
The environments also provide access to virtual desktops. Each desktop can contain multiple running applications. It is possible to have different icons on each workspace or all of them be identical.
Each application runs within its own window. Each window has Title Bar usually located at the top of the window. The Title Bar may contain the application name as well as a few buttons to allow the window to be minimized, maximized and closed. Windows also can be resized from any side or corner. Simply place the cursor at one side or corner and the mouse cursor should change. Hold down the left mouse button and move the window to the desired size.
Most windows provide a similar menu at the top. Standard menus can include “File”, “Edit”, “Help” and others depending on the program. Application menus can vary since each program has differing needs for the user interface.
Linux systems use a clipboard for storing copy and cut information. When text or files are highlighted then you can left or right-click the highlighted information. You can then choose “Cut” or “Copy” from the drop-down menu. “Copy” will place a copy of the text or files on the clipboard for later use. If the information is “Cut”, then it is deleted from the current location and placed on the clipboard. The user should then go to the destination and left or right-click as before to select “Paste” from the drop-down menu. The information in the clipboard will be placed into the selected destination.
NOTE: On most systems, the drop-down menu appears when right-clicking the mouse.
For more information on the specific desktop shells see the article “Linux Desktop Shells” at “http://www.linux.org/threads/linux-desktop-shells.6002/”.
Be aware to test out each shell type. Look especially into KDE and GNOME.
The Desktop is a standard part of any Graphical User Interface (GUI). The Desktop is the interface seen on the monitor for a GUI system.
All Desktops have similarities. Desktops have shortcuts which are icons used to start common programs. There is usually a panel of some type which allows the user to switch workspaces and start applications. A task bar is present to show currently running programs. The current applications can easily be switched to another running application for multitasking.
As shown in Figure 1, this is a sample desktop.
FIGURE 1
To determine your Windows Manager, or Desktop, go to a terminal and type: “echo $XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP”. The desktop type should then be displayed.
Some of the environments are as follows:
- GNOME
- KDE
- Unity (GNOME)
- Xfce (GNOME 2)
- Cinnamon (GNOME 3)
- MATE (GNOME 2)
- LXDE (GNOME)
- Enlightenment (GNOME, KDE)
Each environment has its own default applications for various tasks. For example, GNOME and KDE use different file browsers. Gnome uses Nautilus and KDE uses Dolphin. It is possible to install various windows managers on a single Linux system and switch between them when logging into the system. During login, an option to switch the default desktop is available. If both types of desktops are installed, then multiple applications types will also be available. As in the example of file browsers, if you install both GNOME and KDE both file browsers will exist.
To get to know each desktop they can be installed on a Debian based system. To install the various desktop environments on a system which does not have it, use the following commands:
- GNOME (first way)
- sudo apt-get install gnome-shell
- KDE (standard)
- sudo apt-get install kde-standard
- KDE (netbook)
- sudo apt-get install kde-plasma-netbook
- KDE (minimal)
- sudo apt-get install kde-plasma-desktop
- KDE (Full)
- sudo apt-get install kde-full
- Unity
- sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
- XFCE
- sudo apt-get xfce4
- Cinnamon
- sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tsvetko.tsvetkov/cinnamon
- sudo apt-get update
- sudo apt-get install cinnamon
- MATE
- sudo apt-get install mate-desktop-environment
- LXDE (lubuntu customized version)
- sudo apt-get install lubuntu-desktop
- LXDE (basic)
- sudo apt-get install lxde
- Enlightenment
- sudo apt-get install e17
Each environment has its own configuration file to store information about your personal settings for the environment. The configuration files are as follows:
- GNOME – /etc/gdm/gdm.conf
- KDE - /home/username/.kde/share/config/
- Unity - /home/username/.gconf/
- XFCE - /home/username/.config/xfce4/
- Cinnamon - /home/username/.cinnamon/
- Mate - /home/username/.config/mate
The main function of the desktop is to provide easy access to the system for the user. Items can be dragged and dropped. Folders can be created and deleted. The desktop can contain shortcuts to applications and drives.
The environments also provide access to virtual desktops. Each desktop can contain multiple running applications. It is possible to have different icons on each workspace or all of them be identical.
Each application runs within its own window. Each window has Title Bar usually located at the top of the window. The Title Bar may contain the application name as well as a few buttons to allow the window to be minimized, maximized and closed. Windows also can be resized from any side or corner. Simply place the cursor at one side or corner and the mouse cursor should change. Hold down the left mouse button and move the window to the desired size.
Most windows provide a similar menu at the top. Standard menus can include “File”, “Edit”, “Help” and others depending on the program. Application menus can vary since each program has differing needs for the user interface.
Linux systems use a clipboard for storing copy and cut information. When text or files are highlighted then you can left or right-click the highlighted information. You can then choose “Cut” or “Copy” from the drop-down menu. “Copy” will place a copy of the text or files on the clipboard for later use. If the information is “Cut”, then it is deleted from the current location and placed on the clipboard. The user should then go to the destination and left or right-click as before to select “Paste” from the drop-down menu. The information in the clipboard will be placed into the selected destination.
NOTE: On most systems, the drop-down menu appears when right-clicking the mouse.
For more information on the specific desktop shells see the article “Linux Desktop Shells” at “http://www.linux.org/threads/linux-desktop-shells.6002/”.
Be aware to test out each shell type. Look especially into KDE and GNOME.
