The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration Ch. 2 powerpoint

Chapter 2:Exploring the Desktop

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration 2

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


Linux Graphical Desktops

• Graphical display – Optional– Most users choose to use GUI

• X window system– Foundation of graphical display


Understanding the X Window System

• Project Athena– 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


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


Components of the X Window System

• X server

• X client

• Window manager

• Graphical libraries

• Graphical application – Provides a comprehensive user interface


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)– Basic window manager – Available on most Linux distributions– Does not include desktop interface– Used to launch other graphical applications



• Window managers available for Linux– twm – fvwm (feeble virtual window manager)– wm2– Window Maker and Afterstep– mwm (motif window manager)– olwm (openlook window manager)– kwm



• 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


Starting X

• startx– Standard command to start Xwindow system


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


Desktop Interfaces (continued)

• KDE interface includes suite of applications– Internet access – System maintenance – Personal productivity – Other basic tasks

• Panel– Set of icons at bottom of screen


Desktop Interfaces (continued)

• GNOME desktop– 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


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


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”


Working with Graphical Windows (continued)

• Common to have multiple windows open at same time on desktop

• Workspace – Empty background – Can open application windows– Typically have four– Sometimes called virtual desktops

• Can use keyboard shortcuts


Working with Graphical Windows (continued)


Configuring GNOME and KDE

• GNOME and KDE – Both highly configurable


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


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


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


Configuring the Graphical Login Screen (continued)


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


The Panel

• Bar across bottom of GNOME desktop interface– KDE includes similar bar

• Displays:– 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


The Panel (continued)

• Right-click any icon to:– Move– Remove– View/edit properties

• Can have multiple panels on desktop at same time


Configuring Other GNOME Features

• Configure many additional features of desktop interface, including:– Background– Keyboard shortcuts– Menus and toolbars– Preferred applications– Windows– Theme


Configuring Other GNOME Features (continued)


Core Graphical Utilities

• Three key types of applications– File manager– Text editor– Web browser


Configuring the Nautilus File Manager

• Nautilus file manager– Provided with GNOME

• Can configure how Nautilus operates – Using Preferences


Configuring the Nautilus File Manager (continued)


Configuring the Nautilus File Manager (continued)


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


Popular Graphical Programs

• Graphical personal productivity applications for Linux


OpenOffice.org

• Office suite similar to Microsoft Office

• Includes:– Writer– Calc– Impress– Draw– Database integration


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






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


Using E-mail Clients (continued)

• Mozilla– Web browser– Includes full-featured e-mail client similar to

Evolution








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


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


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

Date post:	18-Nov-2014
Category:	Documents
Upload:	wannabeef9
View:	1,013 times
Download:	2 times

The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration Ch. 2 powerpoint

Documents