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diff --git a/gnome2-system-admin-guide/C/performance.xml b/gnome2-system-admin-guide/C/performance.xml index 4d98630..0c26d10 100644 --- a/gnome2-system-admin-guide/C/performance.xml +++ b/gnome2-system-admin-guide/C/performance.xml @@ -1,19 +1,18 @@ -<?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> +the GNOME Desktop.</para> </highlights> <sect1 id="performance-1"> - <title>Introduction</title> + <title>Introduction to Improving Performance</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 +settings you can change to improve the performance of the desktop environment. +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. @@ -37,18 +36,24 @@ usage</secondary> <secondary>reducing</secondary> </indexterm> <para>This section describes preferences that -you can set to reduce CPU usage by the GNOME desktop. </para> +you can set to reduce CPU usage by the desktop environment. </para> <sect2 id="performance-3"> - <title>To Use Themes Which Require Less CPU Resources</title> + <title>To Use Theme Options Which Require Less CPU Resources</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>themes</primary> + <secondary>window frame options</secondary> + <tertiary>and CPU usage</tertiary> + </indexterm> <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> + <para>Some window frame theme +options load image files to draw the window frame. Other options use simpler +techniques to draw the window frame.</para> + <para>The default window frame option 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 options: </para> <itemizedlist> <listitem> <para>Atlanta</para> @@ -57,7 +62,8 @@ window frame themes: </para> <para>Esco</para> </listitem> </itemizedlist> - <para>The following window frame themes also use less CPU resources than Crux:</para> + <para>The following window frame options also use less CPU resources than +Crux:</para> <itemizedlist> <listitem> <para>AgingGorilla</para> @@ -70,30 +76,39 @@ window frame themes: </para> </listitem> </itemizedlist> <note> - <para>Metabox does not work well with inverse desktop themes such as -HighContrastInverse. Use Atlanta with inverse desktop themes.</para> + <para>Metabox does not work well with inverse controls options such +as HighContrastInverse. Use Atlanta with inverse controls options.</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><indexterm><primary>themes</primary><secondary>window frame options</secondary><tertiary>changing</tertiary></indexterm>To change the window +frame theme option, run the following command: </para> + <para> + <computeroutput>#</computeroutput> + <userinput>gconftool-2 --type string +--set /apps/metacity/general/theme <replaceable>option-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> + <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>Theme</guimenuitem></menuchoice>, then select the appropriate option.</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 measure the performance of a window frame option, and to preview the option. 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> + <computeroutput>#</computeroutput> + <userinput>metacity-theme-viewer <replaceable>option-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> + <para> + <computeroutput>#</computeroutput> + <userinput>metacity-theme-viewer +Atlanta</userinput> + </para> </tip> </sect2> <sect2 id="performance-2"> @@ -106,51 +121,35 @@ Atlanta</userinput></para> <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>Some items in menus display an icon beside the +item. To turn off this feature, run the following command: </para> + <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>By default, when users log in to the desktop environment, +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> + <para><indexterm><primary>splash screen</primary><secondary>turning off</secondary></indexterm>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> @@ -162,9 +161,12 @@ then deselect the <guilabel>Show splash screen on login</guilabel> option.</para </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>, + <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>Panel</guimenuitem></menuchoice>, then deselect the <guilabel>Animation</guilabel> option.</para> </sect2> <sect2 id="performance-7"> @@ -238,7 +240,7 @@ to never, the CPU usage and the network traffic are reduced.</para> </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> +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*"/> @@ -264,10 +266,13 @@ manager. For the fastest performance, set the value of the preferences to <lite <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> + <para> + <computeroutput>#</computeroutput> + <userinput>gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/</userinput> + <userinput>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> @@ -288,10 +293,12 @@ preference.</para> <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> + <para> + <computeroutput>#</computeroutput> + <userinput>gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/</userinput> + <userinput>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> @@ -312,10 +319,12 @@ Folders</guilabel> preference.</para> <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> + <para> + <computeroutput>#</computeroutput> + <userinput>gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/</userinput> + <userinput>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> @@ -336,8 +345,11 @@ Files</guilabel> preference.</para> <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> + <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> @@ -365,55 +377,56 @@ preference.</para> 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> + <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><indexterm><primary>file manager</primary><secondary>toolbar, turning +off</secondary></indexterm>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 + <para><indexterm><primary>file manager</primary><secondary>location bar, turning +off</secondary></indexterm>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> + <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> + <title>To Turn Off the Desktop</title> <indexterm> <primary>file manager</primary> - <secondary>desktop background, turning -off</secondary> + <secondary>desktop, turning off</secondary> </indexterm> <indexterm> - <primary>desktop background</primary> - <secondary>turning off</secondary> + <primary>desktop</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> + <para>The file manager contains a preference that +enables users to use <application>Nautilus</application> to manage the desktop. +Users can disable the desktop to improve performance. However, if users disable +the desktop, users cannot do the following:</para> <itemizedlist> <listitem> - <para>Use the <guimenu>Desktop Background</guimenu> menu.</para> + <para>Use the <guimenu>Desktop</guimenu> menu.</para> </listitem> <listitem> <para>Use the file manager to change the pattern or color of the @@ -423,9 +436,12 @@ desktop background. </para> <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>To disable the desktop, 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> @@ -433,29 +449,37 @@ the <guilabel>Use Nautilus to draw the desktop</guilabel> option. </para> </sect2> </sect1> <sect1 id="performance-12"> - <title>Reducing X11 Network Traffic</title> + <title>Reducing X Window System Network Traffic</title> <indexterm> <primary>reducing</primary> - <secondary>X11 network traffic</secondary> + <secondary>X Window System network traffic</secondary> </indexterm> <indexterm> - <primary>X11 network traffic, reducing</primary> + <primary>X Window System 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> + <para>This section describes preferences that you can +set to reduce X Window System network traffic on the desktop environment. </para> <sect2 id="performance-14"> - <title>To Use Themes Which Create Less Network Traffic</title> + <title>To Use Theme Options Which Create Less Network Traffic</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>themes</primary> + <secondary>window frame options</secondary> + <tertiary>and network traffic</tertiary> + </indexterm> <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> + <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 X Window System network traffic, use a window frame theme +option that uses solid colors. That is, use one of the following window frame +options:</para> <itemizedlist> <listitem> <para>Atlanta</para> @@ -464,7 +488,7 @@ colors. That is, use one of the following window frame themes:</para> <para>Esco</para> </listitem> </itemizedlist> - <para>For information on how to change the theme, see <xref linkend="performance-3"/>.</para> + <para>For information on how to change theme options, 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> @@ -473,21 +497,11 @@ colors. That is, use one of the following window frame themes:</para> <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> +the icon is located on another file system, this feature can increase X Window +System network traffic. This feature can also increase X Window System 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> @@ -505,48 +519,54 @@ is running on a remote host, wireframe mode reduces X11 network traffic.</para> <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>. + <para>The desktop environment uses the <firstterm>websafe 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> +some visual components of the desktop environment 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> + Many themes, background images, and icons use colors that are not in the +websafe 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> + <para>Applications that do not use the websafe 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> +that use the websafe color palette, and applications that do not use this +palette. The applications that do not use the websafe 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> +desktop environment for systems that support 8-bit color. </para> <sect2 id="performance-20"> - <title>To Use Themes That Use the Netscape Color Palette</title> + <title>To Use Theme Options That Use the Websafe Color Palette</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>themes</primary> + <secondary>window frame options</secondary> + <tertiary>and color usage</tertiary> + </indexterm> <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> + <para>Some window +frame theme options use colors that are in the websafe color palette. Bright +and Esco use colors from the websafe color palette. Bright and Esco do not +have the grainy appearance of other window frame options 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 theme options, 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> @@ -555,8 +575,8 @@ modes. </para> <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> +the icon contains colors that are not in the websafe 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"> @@ -566,7 +586,7 @@ color palette, this feature can increase the number of colors used.</para> <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> +for the desktop environment and for applications.</para> <para>For information on how to turn off the splash screen, see <xref linkend="performance-6"/>.</para> </sect2> <sect2 id="performance-19"> @@ -576,16 +596,171 @@ for the GNOME desktop and applications.</para> <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> +Use of a solid color reduces the number of colors used by the desktop environment. </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> + <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> + <sect1 id="performance-23"> + <title>Improving Performance of Help</title> + <indexterm> + <primary>improving</primary> + <secondary>Help performance</secondary> + </indexterm> + <indexterm> + <primary>Help</primary> + <secondary>improving performance</secondary> + </indexterm> + <indexterm> + <primary>performance, improving</primary> + <secondary>Help</secondary> + </indexterm> + <para>The source documents for the +Help are XML files. The XML files are converted to HTML, and the <application>Yelp</application> Help browser displays the HTML. The HTML can be <firstterm>pregenerated</firstterm>, that is, the XML can be converted to HTML before +the Help is used.</para> + <para>Alternatively, the conversion can be performed automatically when a +user calls a Help file. If the conversion is performed when the user calls +the Help file, the conversion has a significant impact on the speed with which +Help documents are displayed.</para> + <para>To avoid performance problems with the Help, pregenerate the HTML so +that the Help browser does not need to do the conversion. Use the <command>yelp-pregenerate</command> command to pregenerate a Help document. The syntax +of the <command>yelp-pregenerate</command> command is as follows: </para> + <cmdsynopsis> + <command>yelp-pregenerate</command> + <group> + <arg choice="plain"> + <option>a</option> + </arg> + <arg choice="opt"> + <option>f</option> + <replaceable>filename</replaceable> + </arg> + </group> + <arg choice="opt"> + <option role="nodash"> + <replaceable>locale</replaceable> + </option> + </arg> + </cmdsynopsis> + <para>The following table describes the options and arguments +for the <command>yelp-pregenerate</command> command:</para> + <informaltable frame="topbot"> + <tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0"> + <colspec colwidth="33.33*"/> + <colspec colwidth="66.67*"/> + <thead> + <row rowsep="1"> + <entry> + <para>Option or Argument</para> + </entry> + <entry> + <para>Description</para> + </entry> + </row> + </thead> + <tbody> + <row> + <entry> + <para> + <literal>-a</literal> + </para> + </entry> + <entry> + <para>Pregenerates +all XML files that are registered in the <application>ScrollKeeper</application> +database. This option is the default option.</para> + </entry> + </row> + <row> + <entry> + <para> + <literal>-f</literal> + </para> + </entry> + <entry> + <para>Pregenerates +only the XML files that you specify in the command.</para> + </entry> + </row> + <row> + <entry> + <para> + <literal>filename</literal> + </para> + </entry> + <entry> + <para>The name of the XML file or XML files that you want to pregenerate.</para> + </entry> + </row> + <row> + <entry> + <para> + <literal>locale</literal> + </para> + </entry> + <entry> + <para>The +locale for which you want to pregenerate the XML files. The default locale +is C, or English.</para> + </entry> + </row> + </tbody> + </tgroup> + </informaltable> + <para>For example, to pregenerate the English version of all XML files in +the file system, run the following command:</para> + <para> + <computeroutput>#</computeroutput> + <userinput>yelp-pregenerate -a</userinput> + </para> + <para>You do not need to specify the locale in this example, as the default +locale is <literal>C</literal>. To pregenerate the Spanish version of the <application>gedit</application> manual, run the following command: </para> + <para> + <computeroutput>#</computeroutput> + <userinput>yelp-pregenerate -f gedit.xml +es</userinput> + </para> + <para>When a user opens a Help file, the Help browser does the following: </para> + <orderedlist> + <listitem> + <para>The Help browser searches for the appropriate HTML file. If +the Help browser finds the HTML file, the Help browser compares the modification +dates of the HTML file and the corresponding XML file. If the HTML file is +more recent than the XML file, the HTML file is displayed.</para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>If the HTML file is older than the XML file, the XML file +is converted to HTML.</para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>If the Help browser does not find a HTML file for a Help document, +the XML file is converted to HTML.</para> + </listitem> + </orderedlist> + <para>In other words, the Help browser displays pregenerated HTML if the pregenerated +HTML file is present. If the pregenerated HTML file is not present, the Help +browser converts the XML file to HTML.</para> + <note> + <para>You might want to pregenerate the Help for any new applications +that you want to add to your desktop environment. If there are severe space +restrictions in your environment, you might choose not to pregenerate the +Help.</para> + </note> + </sect1> </chapter> |