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diff --git a/gnome2-system-admin-guide/C/performance.xml b/gnome2-system-admin-guide/C/performance.xml new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4d98630 --- /dev/null +++ b/gnome2-system-admin-guide/C/performance.xml @@ -0,0 +1,591 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> +<chapter id="performance-0"> + <title>Improving Performance</title> + <highlights> + <para>This chapter describes how to improve the performance of +the GNOME desktop. </para> + </highlights> + <sect1 id="performance-1"> + <title>Introduction</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>performance, improving</primary> + <secondary>introduction</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>This chapter lists several preferences whose +settings you can change to improve the performance of the GNOME desktop. You +can use the <command>gconftool-2</command> command to set values for preferences +for users. The example commands in this chapter show how to set values in +the user configuration source. </para> + <para>You can also use the <literal>--direct</literal> and <literal>--config-source</literal> options to set mandatory values or default values for preferences. +You can also use the <command>gconftool-2</command> command in a script to +set the values of many preferences. For more information on the <command>gconftool-2</command> command and the options that are available with the +command, see <citetitle>Using GConf</citetitle>.</para> + </sect1> + <sect1 id="performance-8"> + <title>Reducing CPU Usage</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>performance, improving</primary> + <secondary>reducing CPU +usage</secondary> + </indexterm> + <indexterm> + <primary>reducing</primary> + <secondary>CPU usage</secondary> + </indexterm> + <indexterm> + <primary>CPU usage</primary> + <secondary>reducing</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>This section describes preferences that +you can set to reduce CPU usage by the GNOME desktop. </para> + <sect2 id="performance-3"> + <title>To Use Themes Which Require Less CPU Resources</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>themes</primary> + <secondary>and CPU usage</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>Some window frame themes load image files to draw the window frame. +Other themes use simpler techniques to draw the window frame.</para> + <para>The default theme is Crux. Crux loads image files, and can be slow on +systems with limited CPU resources. To reduce CPU usage, use one of the following +window frame themes: </para> + <itemizedlist> + <listitem> + <para>Atlanta</para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Esco</para> + </listitem> + </itemizedlist> + <para>The following window frame themes also use less CPU resources than Crux:</para> + <itemizedlist> + <listitem> + <para>AgingGorilla</para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Bright</para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Metabox</para> + </listitem> + </itemizedlist> + <note> + <para>Metabox does not work well with inverse desktop themes such as +HighContrastInverse. Use Atlanta with inverse desktop themes.</para> + </note> + <indexterm> + <primary>themes</primary> + <secondary>changing</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>To change the window frame theme, run the following command: </para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 --type string +--set /apps/metacity/general/theme <replaceable>theme_name</replaceable></userinput></para> + <para>For example, to use Atlanta, run the following command:</para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 --type string +--set /apps/metacity/general/theme Atlanta</userinput></para> + <para>Alternatively, users can choose <menuchoice><guimenu>Applications</guimenu><guisubmenu>Desktop Preferences</guisubmenu><guimenuitem>Themes</guimenuitem></menuchoice>, then select the appropriate theme.</para> + <tip> + <para>You can use the <application>Metacity Theme Viewer</application> +to measure the performance of a window frame theme, and to preview the theme. +To start <application>Metacity Theme Viewer</application>, use the following +command:</para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>metacity-theme-viewer <replaceable>theme_name</replaceable></userinput></para> + <para>For example, to measure the performance of Atlanta and preview Atlanta, +run the following command: </para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>metacity-theme-viewer +Atlanta</userinput></para> + </tip> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="performance-2"> + <title>To Reduce CPU Usage by Turning Off Display of Icons in Menus</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>icons, in menus</primary> + <see>menu icons</see> + </indexterm> + <indexterm> + <primary>menu icons</primary> + <secondary>and CPU usage</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>Some items in menus display an icon beside the item. To +turn off this feature, run the following command: </para> + <indexterm> + <primary>menu icons</primary> + <secondary>turning off</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 +--type bool --set /desktop/gnome/interface/menus_have_icons false</userinput></para> + <para>Alternatively, users can choose <menuchoice><guimenu>Applications</guimenu><guisubmenu>Desktop Preferences</guisubmenu><guimenuitem>Menus & Toolbars</guimenuitem></menuchoice>, then deselect the <guilabel>Show icons in menus</guilabel> option.</para> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="performance-5"> + <title>To Reduce CPU Usage by Turning On Wireframe Mode</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>wireframe mode</primary> + <secondary>and CPU usage</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>The Metacity window manager has a wireframe mode for when +you move and resize windows. When wireframe mode is turned on, only the outline +of windows is displayed when you move and resize windows. The contents of +the window do not need to be updated during the move or resize. The contents +of the window are displayed when the move or resize is complete.</para> + <indexterm> + <primary>wireframe mode</primary> + <secondary>turning on</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>To turn on wireframe mode, run the following command:</para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 --type bool +--set /apps/metacity/general/wireframe_move_resize true</userinput></para> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="performance-6"> + <title>To Reduce CPU Usage by Turning Off the Splash Screen</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>splash screen</primary> + <secondary>and CPU usage</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>By default, when users log in to the GNOME desktop, a splash +screen is displayed. Icons are displayed on the splash screen while the user +logs in. You can turn off the splash screen to reduce CPU usage during login. </para> + <indexterm> + <primary>splash screen</primary> + <secondary>turning off</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>To turn off the splash screen, run the following command:</para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 --type bool +--set /apps/gnome-session/options/show_splash_screen false</userinput></para> + <para>Alternatively, users can choose <menuchoice><guimenu>Applications</guimenu><guisubmenu>Desktop Preferences</guisubmenu><guisubmenu>Advanced</guisubmenu><guimenuitem>Sessions</guimenuitem></menuchoice>, +then deselect the <guilabel>Show splash screen on login</guilabel> option.</para> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="performance-4"> + <title>To Reduce CPU Usage by Turning Off Panel Animation</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>panels</primary> + <secondary>animation, turning off</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>When users show or hide panels, the panels can show or hide +in an animated style. To turn off panel animation, run the following command: </para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 --type bool +--set /apps/panel/global/enable_animations false</userinput></para> + <para>Alternatively, users can choose <menuchoice><guimenu>Applications</guimenu><guisubmenu>Desktop Preferences</guisubmenu><guisubmenu>Advanced</guisubmenu><guimenuitem>Themes</guimenuitem></menuchoice>, +then deselect the <guilabel>Animation</guilabel> option.</para> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="performance-7"> + <title>Improving File Manager Performance</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>Nautilus</primary> + <see>file manager</see> + </indexterm> + <para>The <application>Nautilus</application> file manager includes some features +that you can modify to improve performance.</para> + <sect3 id="performance-9"> + <title>To Modify Performance Preferences</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>file manager</primary> + <secondary>modifying performance +preferences</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>The file manager includes performance-related +preferences. Each performance preference can take one of three values. The +values are described in the following table:</para> + <informaltable frame="topbot"> + <tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0"> + <colspec colwidth="34.46*"/> + <colspec colwidth="65.54*"/> + <thead> + <row rowsep="1"> + <entry valign="top"> + <para>Value</para> + </entry> + <entry valign="top"> + <para>Description</para> + </entry> + </row> + </thead> + <tbody> + <row> + <entry> + <para> + <literal>always</literal> + </para> + </entry> + <entry> + <para>Performs +the action for both local files, and files on other file systems.</para> + </entry> + </row> + <row> + <entry valign="top"> + <para> + <literal>local_only</literal> + </para> + </entry> + <entry valign="top"> + <para>Performs the action for local files only. When you +set a performance preference to <literal>local_only</literal>, the CPU usage +is reduced.</para> + </entry> + </row> + <row> + <entry valign="top"> + <para> + <literal>never</literal> + </para> + </entry> + <entry valign="top"> + <para>Never performs the action. When you set a performance preference +to never, the CPU usage and the network traffic are reduced.</para> + </entry> + </row> + </tbody> + </tgroup> + </informaltable> + <para>The following table describes the performance preferences for the file +manager. For the fastest performance, set the value of the preferences to <literal>never</literal>.</para> + <informaltable frame="topbot"> + <tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0"> + <colspec colwidth="43.34*"/> + <colspec colwidth="56.66*"/> + <thead> + <row rowsep="1"> + <entry valign="top"> + <para>Preference</para> + </entry> + <entry valign="top"> + <para>Description</para> + </entry> + </row> + </thead> + <tbody> + <row> + <entry valign="top"> + <para> + <literal>show_icon_text</literal> + </para> + </entry> + <entry valign="top"> + <para>Specifies when to preview the content of text files +in the icon that represents the file. To never preview the content of text +files, run the following command: </para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_icon_text +never</userinput></para> + <para>Alternatively, users can perform the following +steps:</para> + <orderedlist> + <listitem> + <para>Choose <menuchoice><guimenu>Edit</guimenu><guimenuitem>Preferences</guimenuitem></menuchoice> from a file manager window, then choose <guilabel>Performance</guilabel>.</para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Select an option for the <guilabel>Show Text in Icons</guilabel> +preference.</para> + </listitem> + </orderedlist> + </entry> + </row> + <row> + <entry valign="top"> + <para> + <literal>show_directory_item_counts</literal> + </para> + </entry> + <entry valign="top"> + <para>Specifies when to show the number of items in folders. +To never show the number of items in folders, run the following command:</para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_directory_item_counts +never </userinput></para> + <para>Alternatively, users can perform the following +steps:</para> + <orderedlist> + <listitem> + <para>Choose <menuchoice><guimenu>Edit</guimenu><guimenuitem>Preferences</guimenuitem></menuchoice> from a file manager window, then choose <guilabel>Performance</guilabel>.</para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Select an option for the <guilabel>Show Number of Items in +Folders</guilabel> preference.</para> + </listitem> + </orderedlist> + </entry> + </row> + <row> + <entry valign="top"> + <para> + <literal>show_image_thumbnails</literal> + </para> + </entry> + <entry valign="top"> + <para>Specifies when to show thumbnails of image files. +To never show thumbnails, run the following command:</para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_image_thumbnails +never </userinput></para> + <para>Alternatively, users can perform the following +steps:</para> + <orderedlist> + <listitem> + <para>Choose <menuchoice><guimenu>Edit</guimenu><guimenuitem>Preferences</guimenuitem></menuchoice> from a file manager window, then choose <guilabel>Performance</guilabel>.</para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Select an option for the <guilabel>Show Thumbnails for Image +Files</guilabel> preference.</para> + </listitem> + </orderedlist> + </entry> + </row> + <row> + <entry valign="top"> + <para> + <literal>preview_sound</literal> + </para> + </entry> + <entry valign="top"> + <para>Specifies when to preview the content of sound files. +To never preview the content of sound files, run the following command:</para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/preview_sound +never </userinput></para> + <para>Alternatively, users can perform the following +steps:</para> + <orderedlist> + <listitem> + <para>Choose <menuchoice><guimenu>Edit</guimenu><guimenuitem>Preferences</guimenuitem></menuchoice> from a file manager window, then choose <guilabel>Performance</guilabel>.</para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Select an option for the <guilabel>Preview Sound Files</guilabel> +preference.</para> + </listitem> + </orderedlist> + </entry> + </row> + </tbody> + </tgroup> + </informaltable> + </sect3> + <sect3 id="performance-10"> + <title>To Turn Off the Side Pane, Toolbar, and Location Bar</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>file manager</primary> + <secondary>side pane, turning off</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>The file manager includes preferences that enable +you to turn off the side pane and the toolbar. To improve file manager performance, +turn off the side pane and the toolbar.</para> + <para>To turn off the side pane, run the following command: </para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 --type bool +--set /apps/nautilus/preferences/start_with_sidebar false</userinput></para> + <para>Alternatively, users can choose <menuchoice><guimenu>Edit</guimenu><guimenuitem>Preferences</guimenuitem></menuchoice> from a file manager window, +then choose <guilabel>Windows</guilabel>, and then deselect the <guilabel>Display side pane</guilabel> option. The next time that users open a file +manager window, the window does not display a side pane. </para> + <indexterm> + <primary>file manager</primary> + <secondary>toolbar, turning off</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>To turn off the toolbar, run the following command: </para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 --type bool +--set /apps/nautilus/preferences/start_with_toolbar false</userinput></para> + <para>Alternatively, users can choose <menuchoice><guimenu>Edit</guimenu><guimenuitem>Preferences</guimenuitem></menuchoice> from a file manager window, +then choose <guilabel>Windows</guilabel>, and then deselect the <guilabel>Display toolbar</guilabel> option. The next time that users open a file manager +window, the window does not display a toolbar. </para> + <para>You can also turn off the location bar. Users can use the <keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>L</keycap></keycombo> keyboard shortcut to display a location bar +when required. </para> + <indexterm> + <primary>file manager</primary> + <secondary>location bar, turning +off</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>To turn off the location bar, run the following +command:</para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 --type bool +--set /apps/nautilus/preferences/start_with_location_bar false</userinput></para> + <para>Alternatively, users can choose <menuchoice><guimenu>Edit</guimenu><guimenuitem>Preferences</guimenuitem></menuchoice> from a file manager window, +then choose <guilabel>Windows</guilabel>, and then deselect the <guilabel>Display location bar</guilabel> option. The next time that users open a file +manager window, the window does not display a location bar.</para> + </sect3> + <sect3 id="performance-11"> + <title>To Turn Off the Desktop Background</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>file manager</primary> + <secondary>desktop background, turning +off</secondary> + </indexterm> + <indexterm> + <primary>desktop background</primary> + <secondary>turning off</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>The file manager contains +a preference that enables users to use <application>Nautilus</application> +to manage the desktop background. Users can disable the desktop background +to improve performance. However, if users disable the desktop background, +users cannot do the following:</para> + <itemizedlist> + <listitem> + <para>Use the <guimenu>Desktop Background</guimenu> menu.</para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Use the file manager to change the pattern or color of the +desktop background. </para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Use the <guilabel>Home</guilabel> object and the <guilabel>Trash</guilabel> object. The <guilabel>Home</guilabel> object and the <guilabel>Trash</guilabel> object are not displayed on the desktop. </para> + </listitem> + </itemizedlist> + <para>To disable the desktop background, run the following command: </para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 --type bool +--set /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_desktop false</userinput></para> + <para>Alternatively, users can choose <menuchoice><guimenu>Edit</guimenu><guimenuitem>Preferences</guimenuitem></menuchoice> from a file manager window. +Users can then choose <guilabel>Desktop & Trash</guilabel>, and then deselect +the <guilabel>Use Nautilus to draw the desktop</guilabel> option. </para> + </sect3> + </sect2> + </sect1> + <sect1 id="performance-12"> + <title>Reducing X11 Network Traffic</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>reducing</primary> + <secondary>X11 network traffic</secondary> + </indexterm> + <indexterm> + <primary>X11 network traffic, reducing</primary> + </indexterm> + <indexterm> + <primary>network traffic, reducing</primary> + </indexterm> + <para>This section describes preferences that you can set to reduce X11 network +traffic on the GNOME desktop. </para> + <sect2 id="performance-14"> + <title>To Use Themes Which Create Less Network Traffic</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>themes</primary> + <secondary>and network traffic</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>Remote display protocols do not transfer every pixel in +a block of pixels if all pixels in the block are the same color.</para> + <para>To reduce X11 network traffic, use a window frame theme that uses solid +colors. That is, use one of the following window frame themes:</para> + <itemizedlist> + <listitem> + <para>Atlanta</para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Esco</para> + </listitem> + </itemizedlist> + <para>For information on how to change the theme, see <xref linkend="performance-3"/>.</para> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="performance-15"> + <title>To Reduce Network Traffic by Turning Off Display of Icons in Menus</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>menu icons</primary> + <secondary>and network traffic</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>Some items in menus display an icon beside the item. If +the icon is located on another file system, this feature can increase X11 +network traffic. This feature can also increase X11 network traffic if the +panels are displayed on a remote host. </para> + <para>For information on how to turn off this feature, see <xref linkend="performance-2"/>.</para> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="performance-13"> + <title>To Reduce Network Traffic by Turning On Wireframe Mode</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>wireframe mode</primary> + <secondary>and network traffic</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>If the application that displays the window +is running on a remote host, wireframe mode reduces X11 network traffic.</para> + <para>For more information on wireframe mode, see <xref linkend="performance-5"/>.</para> + </sect2> + </sect1> + <sect1 id="performance-17"> + <title>Reducing Color Usage and Improving Display Quality</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>reducing</primary> + <secondary>color usage</secondary> + </indexterm> + <indexterm> + <primary>color usage</primary> + <secondary>reducing</secondary> + </indexterm> + <indexterm> + <primary>display quality, improving</primary> + </indexterm> + <para>Many modern computer systems support 24-bit color, that is, 16,777,216 colors. +However, many users still use systems that support 8-bit color, that is, 256 +colors. </para> + <para>The GNOME desktop uses the <firstterm>Netscape color palette</firstterm>. +This palette is a general-purpose palette of 216 colors, which is designed +to optimize the use of color on systems that support 8-bit color. However, +some visual components of the GNOME desktop are designed for systems that +support 24-bit color.</para> + <para>The following display problems might occur on systems that support 8-bit +color:</para> + <itemizedlist> + <listitem> + <para>Windows, icons, and background images might appear grainy. + Many themes, background images, and icons use colors that are not in the <application>Netscape</application> color palette. The colors that are not in the palette +are replaced with the nearest equivalent or a dithered approximation. This +use of replacement colors causes the grainy appearance.</para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Applications that do not use the <application>Netscape</application> +color palette have less colors available. Color errors might occur. Some colors +might not appear in the user interface of the application. Some applications +might crash if the application cannot allocate colors.</para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Color flashing might occur when users switch between applications +that use the <application>Netscape</application> color palette, and applications +that do not use this palette. The applications that do not use the <application>Netscape</application> color palette might use a custom colormap. When the +custom colormap is used, other visual components might lose colors, then become +unviewable.</para> + </listitem> + </itemizedlist> + <para>The following sections describe how to optimize the appearance of the +GNOME desktop for systems that support 8-bit color. </para> + <sect2 id="performance-20"> + <title>To Use Themes That Use the Netscape Color Palette</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>themes</primary> + <secondary>and color usage</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>Some window frame themes use colors that are in the Netscape +color palette. Bright and Esco use colors from the Netscape color palette. +Bright and Esco do not have the grainy appearance of other themes on 8-bit +color displays. Use Bright or Esco for the best color display on 8-bit visual +modes. </para> + <para>For information on how to change the theme, see <xref linkend="performance-3"/>.</para> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="performance-21"> + <title>To Reduce Color Usage by Turning Off Display of Icons in Menus</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>menu icons</primary> + <secondary>and color usage</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>Some items in menus display an icon beside the item. If +the icon contains colors that are not in the <application>Netscape</application> +color palette, this feature can increase the number of colors used.</para> + <para>For information on how to turn off this feature, see <xref linkend="performance-2"/>.</para> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="performance-18"> + <title>To Reduce Color Usage by Turning Off the Splash Screen</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>splash screen</primary> + <secondary>and color usage</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>You can turn off the splash screen to make more colors available +for the GNOME desktop and applications.</para> + <para>For information on how to turn off the splash screen, see <xref linkend="performance-6"/>.</para> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="performance-19"> + <title>To Reduce Color Usage by Using a Solid Color for the Desktop Background</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>desktop background</primary> + <secondary>using solid color</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>Use a solid color for the desktop background. +Use of a solid color reduces the number of colors used by the GNOME desktop. </para> + <para>To set a solid color for the desktop background, run the following commands: </para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 --type string +--set /desktop/gnome/background/picture_options none</userinput></para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 --type string +--set /desktop/gnome/background/color_shading_type solid</userinput></para> + <para><computeroutput>#</computeroutput> <userinput>gconftool-2 --type string +--set /desktop/gnome/background/primary_color \#<replaceable>hexadecimal_color</replaceable></userinput></para> + <para>Alternatively, users can choose <menuchoice><guimenu>Applications</guimenu><guisubmenu>Desktop Preferences</guisubmenu><guimenuitem>Background</guimenuitem></menuchoice>, then choose a solid color for the desktop +background.</para> + </sect2> + </sect1> +</chapter> |