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diff --git a/introduction-to-gnome/C/introduction-to-gnome.xml b/introduction-to-gnome/C/introduction-to-gnome.xml new file mode 100644 index 0000000..eb090f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/introduction-to-gnome/C/introduction-to-gnome.xml @@ -0,0 +1,1716 @@ +<?xml version="1.0"?> +<!DOCTYPE article PUBLIC "-//OASIS//DTD DocBook XML V4.1.2//EN" +"http://www.oasis-open.org/docbook/xml/4.1.2/docbookx.dtd" [ + <!ENTITY legal SYSTEM "legal.xml"> + <!ENTITY appversion "2.0"> + <!ENTITY manrevision "2.0"> + <!ENTITY date "June 2002"> + <!-- Information about the entities + The legal.xml file contains legal information, there is no need to edit the file. + Use the appversion entity to specify the version of the application. + Use the manrevision entity to specify the revision number of this manual. + Use the date entity to specify the release date of this manual. + Use the app entity to specify the name of the application. --> +]> +<article id="index" lang="en"> + <articleinfo> + <title>Introduction to GNOME V&manrevision;</title> + <copyright> + <year>2001</year> + <year>2002</year> + <holder>Alexander Kirillov</holder> + </copyright> + <copyright> + <year>2000</year> + <year>2001</year> + <holder>Red Hat, Inc.</holder> + </copyright> + <copyright> + <year>2000</year> + <year>2001</year> + <holder>David A. Wheeler</holder> + </copyright> + <publisher> + <publishername> GNOME Documentation Project </publishername> + </publisher> + + &legal; + + <authorgroup> + <author> + <firstname>Alexander</firstname> + <surname>Kirillov</surname> + <affiliation> + <orgname>GNOME Documentation Project</orgname> + <address> <email>kirillov@math.sunysb.edu</email> </address> + </affiliation> + </author> + <author> + <firstname>David</firstname> + <surname>Mason</surname> + <affiliation> + <orgname>Red Hat, Inc.</orgname> + <address> <email>dcm@redhat.com</email> </address> + </affiliation> + </author> + <author> + <firstname>David</firstname> + <surname>Wheeler</surname> + </author> + </authorgroup> + <revhistory> + <revision> + <revnumber>Introduction to GNOME V&manrevision;</revnumber> + <date>&date;</date> + <revdescription> + <para role="author"> + Alexander Kirillov + <email>kirillov@math.sunysb.edu</email>, + David C. Mason, David A. Wheeler + </para> + <para role="publisher">GNOME Documentation Project</para> + <para>Updated for GNOME 2.0. Some descriptions and + screenshots are borrowed from <citetitle>GNOME Desktop 2.0 + User Guide</citetitle> (May 2002), by Sun GNOME + Documentation Team <email>gdocteam@sun.com></email>, + published by GNOME Documentation Project</para> + </revdescription> + </revision> + <revision> + <revnumber>Introduction to GNOME</revnumber> + <date>April 2001</date> + <revdescription> + <para role="author">Alexander Kirillov + <email>kirillov@math.sunysb.edu</email>, + David C. Mason, David A. Wheeler + </para> + <para role="publisher">GNOME Documentation Project</para> + <para>This version described GNOME 1.4</para> + </revdescription> + </revision> + </revhistory> + + + + <releaseinfo> + This document was last updated in June 2002. It describes GNOME + 2.0. + </releaseinfo> + <legalnotice> <title>Feedback</title> <para> To report a bug or + make a suggestion regarding this document, follow the directions + in the <ulink url="ghelp:gnome-feedback" type="help">GNOME + Feedback Page</ulink>. + </para> + </legalnotice> + + </articleinfo> + +<!-- ==================Section: ======================== --> +<sect1 id="whatisGnome"> + <title>What Is GNOME?</title> + <para> + GNOME is a user-friendly graphical desktop environment for UNIX and + UNIX-like systems. GNOME includes a panel (for starting + applications and displaying status), a desktop (where data and + applications can be placed), a set of standard desktop tools and + applications, and a set of conventions that make it easy for + applications to cooperate and be consistent with each other. + Users of other operating systems or environments should feel + right at home using the powerful graphics-driven environment + GNOME provides. GNOME runs on a number of UNIX-like operating + systems, including Linux, FreeBSD, and Solaris. + </para> + <para> GNOME is completely open source (free software) developed by + hundreds of programmers around the world. Both the source code + and ready-to-run binaries of GNOME are available for download on + the Internet; they are distributed under the terms of <ulink + type="help" url="ghelp:gpl"> GNU General Public + License</ulink> (and its cousins, <ulink type="help" + url="ghelp:lgpl">Lesser General Public License</ulink> and + <ulink type="help" url="ghelp:fdl">Free Documentation + License</ulink> for libraries and documentation + respectively). In particular, this means that everyone is free + to use, copy or distribute GNOME. If you would like to learn + more about the GNOME project please visit the <ulink + url="http://www.gnome.org" type="http">GNOME website</ulink>. + </para> + <para> + GNOME is highly configurable, enabling you to set your desktop + the way you want it to look and feel. GNOME supports many human + languages, and more are added every month. GNOME even supports + several drag and drop protocols for maximum interoperability + with non-GNOME applications. + </para> + + <para> + GNOME comes from the acronym for the GNU Network Object Model + Environment (GNOME). GNOME is a part of the larger GNU project, + started in 1984 to develop a completely free UNIX-like operating + system. For more information, visit the <ulink + url="http://www.gnu.org" type="http">GNU website</ulink>. + </para> + <para> + This guide describes GNOME 2.0 which the latest (as of June + 2002) release of GNOME. + </para> + </sect1> + +<!-- ==================Section: ======================== --> +<sect1 id="about"> + <title>Purpose of This Document</title> + <para> + This document gives you a short introduction to GNOME. It is not + intended to cover all details of GNOME; if you need more + information, you should read detailed manuals listed in <xref + linkend="otherinfo"/>. Also, this document assumes you already have + GNOME installed; if you need help installing GNOME, please check + the instructions on <ulink url="http://www.gnome.org" + type="http">GNOME website</ulink>. + </para> + + <para> This document was written by the members of GNOME + Documentation Project (GDP). If you have any comments or + suggestions about this document or if you can offer any other + help in improving or translating GNOME documentation, please + send an e-mail to <email>docs@gnome.org</email>, or visit <ulink + url="http://developer.gnome.org/projects/gdp/" type="http">GDP + website</ulink>. + </para> + <para> The authors of this document assume that you are + using the default configuration of GNOME (that is, default GTK + theme and <application>Sawfish</application> window manager with + <guilabel>Crux</guilabel> theme). GNOME is highly + configurable, so it is easy to change not only the look but also + the behavior of GNOME; however, we recommend that you do so only + after you already have some experience with GNOME. + </para> + </sect1> +<!-- ==================Section: ======================== --> +<sect1 id="conventions"> + <title>Mouse Conventions Used in This Document</title> + <para> + Before describing GNOME, let us introduce some terms used not + only in this guide but in all GNOME documents. Most importantly, + we need to clarify the use of mouse buttons and clicks. + </para> + <para> + Most GNOME documents assume that you are using a standard (for + UNIX) 3-button mouse and talk about left, right, and middle + mouse buttons; if a document says <quote>click</quote> without + explicitly specifying the button, the left button is + assumed. <!-- Some documents use notations <quote>mouse button + 1</quote>, <quote>mouse button 2</quote> and <quote>mouse button + 3</quote> (or MB1, MB2, MB3 for short) for left, middle, and + right buttons respectively. --> + </para> + <para> + If you are using a two-button mouse, you can emulate the middle + mouse button by pressing left and right buttons simultaneously; + if you have a wheel mouse, the wheel can be used in place of the + middle mouse button. + </para> + <para> + You can switch the roles of the buttons using <application>Mouse + preference tool</application> in <guisubmenu>Desktop + Preferences</guisubmenu> submenu of + <guimenu>Applications</guimenu> menu. Many left-handers + choose to reverse the right and left buttons. If you have done + so, you need to use the right mouse button whenever document + instructs you to click, and use <emphasis>left</emphasis> mouse + button whenever a document talks about + <quote>right-clicking</quote> or mouse button 3. + </para> + <para> + If you use a mouse with some unusual placement of buttons, a + trackball, or some other input device, you need to find out + which buttons correspond to <quote>right</quote>, + <quote>left</quote> and <quote>middle</quote>; this information + can usually be found in the manual which came with your + device. Usually, <quote>left</quote> button (MB1) is the one + under your index finger. + </para> + + </sect1> + + +<!-- ==================Section: ======================== --> +<sect1 id="firstglance"> + <title>First Glance at GNOME: Desktop and Panel</title> + <para> + <xref linkend="desktop-fig"/> shows an example of GNOME + running. GNOME is very configurable, so your screen may look + quite different. + </para> +<!-- figure --> + <figure id="desktop-fig"> + <title>Sample GNOME Display.</title> + <screenshot> + <mediaobject> + <imageobject><imagedata + fileref="figures/typical_anno_desktop.png" format="PNG"/> + </imageobject> + <textobject> + <phrase>Figure of GNOME desktop, with menu panel, usual + panel, Nautilus window, and standard desktop icons: home + folder, Start here and Trash </phrase> + </textobject> + </mediaobject> + </screenshot> + </figure> +<!-- /figure --> +<!-- =======Subsection ============ --> +<sect2 id="panel"> + <title>Panel</title> + <para> + The two long bars at the top and bottom of <xref + linkend="desktop-fig"/> are <emphasis>panels</emphasis>. The + top one is called the menu panel, the bottom one is an edge + panel (you can have more than one edge panel). + Panels can contain a number of useful objects, such as + </para> + <variablelist> + <!-- ############## --> + <varlistentry> + <term><guibutton>GNOME Menu</guibutton> button</term> + <listitem> + <para>This is the button with the stylized footprint (in + the example of <xref linkend="desktop-fig"/>, it is the + left-most button on the top panel). Clicking this button + brings up a menu containing all GNOME applications and + commands, including the logout command. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <!-- ############## --> + <varlistentry> + <term>Other menus</term> + <listitem> + <para> + Panels can also contain other menus, either submenus of + the <guimenu>GNOME Menu</guimenu> or menus created by + user. In the example above, the top panel contains + <guimenu>Applications</guimenu> and + <guimenu>Actions</guimenu> menus. Both of them are + actually submenus of the <guimenu>GNOME Menu</guimenu>. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + + <!-- ############## --> + <varlistentry> + <term>Application launchers</term> + <listitem> + <para>These are buttons that start various programs. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <!-- ############## --> + <varlistentry> + <term>Panel applets</term> + <listitem> + <para>These are are tiny programs designed to + work inside the panel. For example, the + <application>clock</application> applet on the far right + of the top panel shows the current time, and + <application>Window List</application> applet (in the + left side of the bottom panel) shows the list of all application + windows on your desktop (this will be discussed in + detail in <xref linkend="tasklist"/>). + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + </variablelist> + + + + <para> As with all GNOME components, panels are highly + configurable: you can add or remove application launchers and + applets, edit the <guimenu>GNOME Menu</guimenu>, change panel + background, or even remove and create new panels. This will be + discussed in <xref linkend="customizing-panel"/>. + </para> + <note> + <title>NOTE</title> + <para> + The top panel in <xref linkend="desktop-fig"/> is called + <emphasis>menu</emphasis> panel and is slightly different + properties than other panels. For example, you can not move + it to a different location. + </para> + </note> + <para> + To configure an object, get help on it, or remove it + from the panel, right-click on it and select the appropriate + item from the popup menu. To hide the panel when you are not + using it, click on one of the <guibutton>Hide + buttons</guibutton> (with small arrows) at the ends of the + panel. + </para> + <para>More panel operations are available from the + <guimenu>Panel</guimenu> menu, which you can open by + right-clicking in any vacant space on the panel (for example, + in the hide arrows) and selecting + <guisubmenu>Panel</guisubmenu> from the menu. The + <guimenu>Panel</guimenu> menu also contains <ulink type="help" + url="ghelp:panel">Panel manual</ulink>, which describes + all these options in detail. </para> + </sect2> +<!-- =======Subsection ============ --> + <sect2 id="desktop"> + <title>Desktop</title> + <para> + Everything outside the panel is called + <quote>desktop</quote>. You can place icons for files, applications, + and other items on the desktop (a default collection of icons is + installed with GNOME), after which you can double-click on an item + to use it: + </para> + <itemizedlist mark="bullet"> + <listitem> + <para> + If the item is a program, that program will start. + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para> + If it is a data file, the appropriate program will start + up with that data loaded. + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + + <para> + If it is a folder (directory), <application>File + Manager</application> will start and show the contents of + that directory. Your desktop will probably have a icon + showing a house and labeled + <guilabel><replaceable>yourname</replaceable>'s + Home</guilabel>. Double-clicking on this icon will start + the <application>File Manager</application> at your home + directory. + </para> + </listitem> + </itemizedlist> + <para> + The easiest way to place an item on the desktop is to drag a + file from the, as described in detail in <ulink type="help" + url="ghelp:nautilus">Nautilus manual</ulink>. Once the item is + placed on the desktop, you can move it around the desktop + using the left mouse button, or you can click on it with the + right mouse button to bring up the popup menu which allows you + to delete the item or change its properties. + </para> + </sect2> + +<!-- =======Subsection ============ --> + <sect2 id="mouse"> + <title>Using the Mouse</title> + <para> + As you have already seen, you can do almost anything just by + clicking with your mouse. Here are some conventions which work + almost anywhere in GNOME: + </para> + + <itemizedlist mark="bullet"> + <listitem><para> + Clicking on an item with the left mouse button selects + (hilights) it. If you need to select several objects, hold down + <keycap>Ctrl</keycap> key while clicking. + </para></listitem> + <listitem><para> + Double-clicking on an item runs the default action for + this item (running an application, opening the file, etc.) + </para></listitem> + <listitem><para> + Clicking on an item with the right mouse button brings up + the context menu, which contains all the commands and + information available for this item. If you have selected + a group of items, right-clicking on any of them will bring + up the context menu which applies to all of these items. + </para></listitem> + <listitem><para> + You can + select text anywhere on the screen using the left mouse + button, and then insert this text into any other place on + the screen which accepts text input, by clicking with the + <link linkend="conventions">middle mouse button</link>. + </para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + <para> + In addition, right-clicking on any vacant + place on your desktop brings up the <guimenu>Desktop + Background</guimenu> menu, which allows you to change desktop + background or other properties, or add a new object to the + desktop. Clicking on the desktop with the middle mouse button + produces the <guimenu>Root</guimenu> menu, provided by the + window manager (see <xref linkend="windows"/>). </para> + </sect2> + +<!-- =======Subsection:Logging out ============ --> + <sect2 id="logout"> + <title>Logging Out</title> + + <para> To log out of GNOME, click on the <guimenu>GNOME Menu</guimenu> + button and select <guimenuitem>Log out</guimenuitem>. GNOME + will prompt you for confirmation; it will also give you an + option to save the session — that is, information about + currently open applications and their location on the screen + will be saved, so that when you login next time, the same + applications will be in the same places (this only works for + applications which are fully GNOME-compliant). + </para> + </sect2> + + </sect1> + +<!-- ==================Section: working with windows =============== --> +<sect1 id="windows"> + <title>Working With Windows</title> + <para> + The graphical system used by all UNIX-like operating systems, X + Window System, allows you to have several windows on your + screen, with a different application running in each window. By + itself, however, X Window System can only do very low-level + operations, so it is always used in combination with another + piece of software, called <emphasis>window manager</emphasis>. A + window manager provides windows' frames, titlebar, and buttons, + allows you to move, close, and resize windows, etc. GNOME can + work with many window managers. The most popular are <ulink + type="http" url="http://sawmill.sourceforge.net"> + <application>Sawfish</application></ulink> (included as part of + GNOME distribution) and <ulink type="http" + url="http://www.gnome.org/softwaremap/projects/Metacity"> + <application>Metacity</application></ulink>. Each window manager + can use many different styles of window decorations and buttons + (this is referred to as <quote>window manager + theme</quote>). Since it is impossible to cover them all, in + this section we only describe the default window manager shipped + with GNOME, <application>Sawfish</application>, and its default + theme, <guilabel>Crux</guilabel>. An example of the window + titlebar using <guilabel>Crux</guilabel> theme is shown in <xref + linkend="cruxborder"/> + </para> + +<!-- figure --> + <figure id="cruxborder"> + <title>Window Titlebar Using Crux Theme.</title> + <screenshot> + <mediaobject> + <imageobject><imagedata + fileref="figures/titlebar_anno_window.png" format="PNG"/> + </imageobject> + <textobject> + <phrase>Titlebar in Crux style, focused. Close button in + the left side, minimize, maximize, and shade buttons on + the right. </phrase> + </textobject> + </mediaobject> + + </screenshot> + </figure> +<!-- /figure --> + <para> + So, what can you do with windows? + </para> + <variablelist> + <varlistentry> + <term> + Closing, Minimizing, and Maximizing Windows + </term> + <listitem> + <para> To <emphasis>close</emphasis> a window, click on + the <guibutton>Close Window</guibutton> button (with the + small <quote>x</quote>) in the window titlebar. If the + application has any unsaved data, it will prompt you to + save it. + </para> + <para> + To <emphasis>maximize</emphasis> a window, i.e. make it + fill the entire screen (except for the part taken by the + panels), click on the <guibutton>Maximize</guibutton> + button (middle button on the right side). Clicking on + this button once again will restore the window to its + original size. + </para> + <para> To <emphasis>minimize</emphasis> (sometimes also + called hide or iconify) a window, click on the + <guibutton>Minimize</guibutton> button. The window will + disappear from screen. However, it is not lost: the + application in this window continues running, no data is + lost — it is just temporarily hidden. All + minimized windows are shown in the <link + linkend="tasklist"><application>Window List</application> + applet</link> and can be restored as described below. + </para> + <para> A convenient alternative to minimizing windows is + <emphasis>shading</emphasis> them. When you shade a window, it + <quote>rolls up</quote> into its own titlebar, so the + titlebar is the only part of the window left on + screen. To shade a window, click on + <guibutton>Shade</guibutton> button; to unshade, click + on this button again. You can also shade and unshade + window by double-clicking on the titlebar. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <varlistentry> + <term> + Raising and Lowering Windows + </term> + <listitem> + <para> Windows on your screen can overlap, so that one of + the windows is <quote>on top</quote> of another. You can + <quote>raise</quote> a window (i.e., put it on top of + all others) by clicking on the window titlebar. You can + also switch a window from raised to lowered and back by + right-clicking in the titlebar, or by right-clicking + anywhere inside the window while holding down + <keycap>Alt</keycap> key. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <varlistentry> + <term> + Focus + </term> + <listitem> + <para> Of all the windows on your screen, only one is active + (in computer parlance, <quote>focused</quote>), which means + that anything you type on the keyboard will be sent to the + application running in that window. (It does not mean that the + applications in other windows are idle — they can + be running as well.) To help you see which window has + focus, the titlebar of this window has different color + (left side is blue, as opposed to gray for all other + windows). To change focus to another window, just click + anywhere in that window. You can also click in the + window titlebar to focus and raise the window + simultaneously. + </para> + <para> + You can also use <keycombo><keycap>Alt</keycap> + <keycap>Tab</keycap> </keycombo> shortcut to switch + between windows. This cyclically switches all existing + windows. The window to which you switch is raised and + given focus. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <varlistentry> + <term> + Moving and Resizing Windows + </term> + <listitem> + <para> To move a window, drag its titlebar to a new + location using left mouse button (i.e., click in the + title bar and move the mouse without releasing the + button). You can also move a window by clicking anywhere + inside the window while holding down the + <keycap>Alt</keycap> key. + </para> + <para> + To resize a window, place the mouse cursor on any of the + window borders or corners. The + mouse cursor will change to an arrow pushing a line or + corner, allowing you to drag the border or corner to a new + position. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + </variablelist> + + + <sect2 id="tasklist"> + <title>Window List Applet</title> + <para> + All the windows on your desktop (including the minimized ones) + are shown in the <application>Window List</application> + applet, located on your panel. For each window, a mini-icon + and beginning of the window title is shown. To restore a + minimized window, just click on its title in the + <application>Window List</application> + applet. Right-clicking on the window title brings up the + popup menu which allows you to shade a + window, close it, etc. <!-- NEEDS WORK + or kill the application running in the + window. The last option should only be used when an + application is frozen and does not respond to <quote>close + window</quote> command. If you kill an application, you lose + all unsaved data! --> + </para> + </sect2> + + <sect2 id="wm-menus"> + <title>Window Menu</title> + <para> + <application>Sawfish</application> also provides a menu for + each window; this menu contains all the operations for this + window described above, and then some. To access this menu, + right-click on the <guibutton>Close</guibutton> button, or + click anywhere inside the window with the <link + linkend="conventions">middle mouse button</link> while holding + down the <keycap>Alt</keycap> key. + </para> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="wm-desktop-menu"> + <title>Root Menu</title> + <para> + Finally, <application>Sawfish</application> also provides + so-called <guimenu>Root</guimenu> menu. It can be accessed by + clicking on any empty space of the desktop with the <link + linkend="conventions">middle mouse button</link>. It contains + the following items: + </para> + <variablelist> + <varlistentry> + <term> + <guimenuitem>Windows</guimenuitem> + </term> + <listitem> + <para> + Provides list of all windows, including minimized + ones. Selecting one of these windows restores it (if it + was minimized) and raises it over other windows. Very + convenient if you have so many windows that the one you + need is completely covered by others. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <varlistentry> + <term> + <guimenuitem>Workspaces</guimenuitem> + </term> + <listitem> + <para>Allows you to switch from one workspace to another, + create and delete workspaces. See <citetitle>GNOME Desktop + User Guide</citetitle> for details. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <varlistentry> + <term> + <guimenuitem>Programs</guimenuitem> + </term> + <listitem> + <para> + Same as <guisubmenu>Applications</guisubmenu> section + of the <guimenu>GNOME Menu</guimenu>. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <varlistentry> + <term> + <guimenuitem>Customize</guimenuitem> + </term> + <listitem> + <para> + Allows the user to customize + <application>Sawfish</application> (see <xref + linkend="customizing-wm"/> for details). + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <varlistentry> + <term> + <guimenuitem>Help</guimenuitem> + </term> + <listitem> + <para> + Provides links to <application>Sawfish</application> + website, <application>Sawfish</application> manual + (beware: this is not a user's manual but rather a manual + for people who write extensions/customizations to + <application>Sawfish</application> using LISP + programming language), link to <citetitle>GNOME Users + Guide</citetitle>, and to <ulink type="http" + url="http://www.gnome.org">GNOME website</ulink>. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + </variablelist> + </sect2> + + </sect1> + +<!-- ==================Section: ======================== --> +<sect1 id="nautilus"> + <title>Nautilus: GNOME File Manager</title> + <para> + GNOME includes a <quote>graphical shell</quote>, + <application>Nautilus</application>. It combines file manager, + web browser, FTP client, and much more. It also provides access + to tools for customizing GNOME (thus replacing + <application>GNOME Control Center</application> which was + included in GNOME 1.4 and earlier releases). + </para> + + <para>To open a new <application>Nautilus</application> window, + choose <menuchoice><guimenu>Applications</guimenu> + <guimenuitem>Home folder</guimenuitem></menuchoice> in the + <guimenu>GNOME Menu</guimenu>, or double-click on any folder + icon on your desktop, such as <guiicon>Home</guiicon> icon. + </para> + + <sect2 id="nautilus-fm"> + <title>Managing Your Files With Nautilus</title> +<!-- figure --> + <figure id="figure-nautilus"> + <title>Nautilus Window</title> + <screenshot> + <mediaobject> + <imageobject><imagedata + fileref="figures/naut_iconview_window.png" format="PNG"/> + </imageobject> + <textobject> + <phrase>Nautilus Window, in icon mode</phrase> + </textobject> + </mediaobject> + + </screenshot> + </figure> +<!-- /figure --> + + <para> + As most modern graphic file managers, + <application>Nautilus</application> shows the contents of a + selected folder using icons to represent files and + subfolders. Double-clicking on any file or folder opens it + (for data files, it starts the appropriate application which + opens this file, as configured in <application>File Types and + Programs </application> preference tool). Right-clicking on a + file or folder produces a popup menu. Using this menu, you + can delete or rename the file, view and change file properties + or permissions, and more. + </para> + + <para> <application>Nautilus</application> also provides an easy + way to move and copy files between folders. To move a file + from one folder to another, open these folders in separate + <application>Nautilus</application> windows (you can use + <menuchoice><guimenu>File</guimenu><guimenuitem>New + window</guimenuitem></menuchoice> command). Select the file + you want to move, and drag it from one window into another + using the mouse. You can also drag a file or folder to the + desktop. To copy file, press-and-hold <keycap>Ctrl</keycap> + while dragging the file. + </para> + <para> + To delete files, drag them to the trash can icon on your + desktop. + </para> + <para> <application>Nautilus</application> provides many more + tools to manipulate your files. It is also highly + customizable, so you can easily change the way files are + displayed (for example, you can choose a custom icon for a + given file). For detailed description of all these + possibilities, read <citetitle>Nautilus manual</citetitle>, + available from <guimenu>Help</guimenu> menu of + <application>Nautilus</application>. + </para> + </sect2> + + <sect2 id="nautilus-floppies"> + <title> + Accessing Floppies and Other Removable Media</title> + <para> + To access files on floppy disks, CD-ROMs and other removable + media, right-click on any vacant spot on the desktop and + choose the required media from the + <guisubmenu>Disks</guisubmenu> submenu of the + <guimenu>Desktop Background</guimenu> menu (assuming that your + system is correctly configured, that is, you have the + appropriate entry in <filename>/etc/fstab</filename> + file). This will open a <application>Nautilus</application> + window showing the contents of the selected media. + </para> + <warning> + <title>WARNING</title> + <para> + Before removing a floppy disk or other removable media + from the drive, you must + <orderedlist> + <listitem> + <para> + Close all windows accessing files on this + disk, including <application>Nautilus</application> + windows, terminal windows, and others + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para> + Unmount the disk by right-clicking on the disk icon on + the desktop and choosing <guimenuitem>Unmount + volume</guimenuitem> from the popup menu. + </para> + </listitem> + </orderedlist> + If you remove the disk without unmounting it first, you may + lose data! + </para> + </warning> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="nautilus-cool"> + <title>Other Features of Nautilus</title> + <para> + In addition to the basic features listed above, + <application>Nautilus</application> has many other advanced + and exciting capabilities. Here we list some of them, + referring the reader to <citetitle>>Nautilus + manual</citetitle> for detailed descriptions. + </para> + <itemizedlist> + <listitem> + <para><application>Nautilus</application> can be customized + in many ways. In particular, you can change background and + icons used for files and folders and font used for captions. + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>You can assign custom icon to a specific file, or + rescale the icon for a specific file, so that the most + important files really stand out. + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>You can assign an <quote>emblem</quote> (such as + <guilabel>New</guilabel> or <guilabel>Favorite</guilabel>) + to a file, which will be put on top of the file icon. + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Files can be sorted by name, type, modification date, + or the emblem you assigned to them. + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para><application>Nautilus</application> can also be used + as Web browser (with limited capabilities) and FTP client: + just enter the URL (for example, + <systemitem>ftp://ftp.gnome.org</systemitem>) in the + <guilabel>Go To</guilabel> field. + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para> + <application>Nautilus</application> can also be used + as a music player: just open a folder containing music files + in MP3 format, and <application>Nautilus</application> + switches to music player mode. + </para> + </listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </sect2> + </sect1> + + +<!-- ==================Section: ======================== --> +<sect1 id="customizing"> + <title>Customizing GNOME</title> + <para> + GNOME is highly configurable — you can change almost + anything: background color, key bindings, location of panels and + contents of the <guimenu>GNOME Menu</guimenu>, and more. To see + examples of different customizations of GNOME desktop, take a + look at the screenshots on <ulink type="http" + url="http://www.gnome.org/start/2.0/screenshots/index.html">GNOME + website</ulink> and notice how different they look. + </para> + <para>The following sections list + some of the most common customizations. In addition, you can + change properties of various items — most notably, panels + and icons on your desktop — by clicking on them with the + right mouse button and selecting + <guimenuitem>Properties</guimenuitem> from the popup menu. + </para> + <para> + Almost every GNOME application has its own preferences settings + (look for <guimenu>Preferences</guimenu> or + <guimenu>Settings</guimenu> in the menus), so you can change, + for example, colors used by the <application>GNOME + Terminal</application> or make it transparent — the + possibilities are unlimited! + </para> + <sect2 id="customizing-desktop"> + <title>Desktop Preferences</title> + <para> + To customize the appearance of your desktop and user + interface, use special <emphasis>desktop preference + tools</emphasis>, which can be found in <guisubmenu>Desktop + Preferences</guisubmenu> submenu of <guimenu>Applications + </guimenu> menu. You can also access the preferences tools by + double-clicking on <guiicon>Start Here</guiicon> icon on your + desktop. This will open a <application>Nautilus</application> + window. Double-click on <guiicon>Preferences</guiicon> and + then on the tool you require. + </para> + <para> + Here we would like to give an overview of the most commonly + used preferences tools. + </para> + <variablelist> + <varlistentry> + <term>Background</term> + <listitem> + <para> + This tool allows you to change desktop background. You can + select solid color, gradient (visual effect where one + color blends gradually into another color), or an image + file. + </para> + <tip> + <title>TIP</title> + <para> + You can also change desktop background color by + right-clicking on desktop background and choosing + <guimenuitem>Change Desktop Background</guimenuitem>, or + by dragging a color from another window or dialog to + desktop background. + </para> + </tip> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <varlistentry> + <term><guilabel>Theme</guilabel> + </term> + <listitem> + <para> + This tool allows you to change the desktop theme (to be + precise, GTK2 theme). A <emphasis>theme</emphasis> is a + collection of settings that determine the look of all menus, + panels, toolbars, scrollbars, checkbuttons and other elements + of graphical user interface for all GNOME applications. + </para> + <para> + You can select one of the themes installed as part of your + GNOME distribution, or download and install more themes + from the Internet. In particular, you can find many GTK + themes at <ulink type="http" + url="http://sunshineinabag.co.uk/">Sunshine In a + Bag</ulink> website (look for GTK2 themes). + </para> + <para> + Please note that GTK2 theme will not change the appearance + of window decorations (borders, titlebars, and buttons in + window titlebar); this is determined by your window + manager settings and can be changed as described in <xref + linkend="customizing-wm"/>. Also, GTK 2 theme only + controls GNOME 2 applications. If you are using GNOME 1.x + applications in GNOME 2, their appearance will not be + affected (it is determined by GTK1 theme which is + configured independently from GTK 2 themes). + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + + <varlistentry> + <term><guilabel>Font</guilabel> + </term> + <listitem> + <para> + This tool allows you to choose the default font which will + be used by all menus, dialogs, and other user interface + elements. This overrides the font specified by your + desktop theme. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> +<!-- <varlistentry> + <term><guilabel>Session</guilabel></term> + <listitem> + <para>NEEDS WORK + In this section you can define + the startup programs (that is, programs that are run every + time you log in), enable or disable login hints and logout + confirmation dialog. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> --> + </variablelist> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="customizing-wm"> + <title>Customizing Window Manager</title> + <para> + To customize <application>Sawfish</application> window + manager, middle-click on the desktop and choose + <guimenuitem>Customize</guimenuitem> submenu. This submenu + contains a number of customization tools. The same tools can + also be accessed using <menuchoice> + <guimenu>Applications</guimenu> + <guisubmenu>Desktop Preferences</guisubmenu> + <guisubmenu>Advanced</guisubmenu> + <guisubmenu>Sawfish</guisubmenu> + </menuchoice>. + </para> + <para> + Most popular customization tool is + <guilabel>Appearance</guilabel>, which allows you to select + the window manager theme (which determines the appearance of + window frame, titlebar, and buttons) and font to use in window + titlebar. Other tools (such as <guilabel>Bindings</guilabel> + tool which allows you to specify keybindings for various + window operations) are only recommended for advanced users. + </para> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="customizing-panel"> + <title>Customizing Panels</title> + <para> + You can customize GNOME panels as follows: + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para> + To remove a panel, right-click on a vacant space on the + panel and choose <guimenuitem>Remove this + panel</guimenuitem> from the panel popup menu. + </para></listitem> + <listitem><para> + To create a new panel, right-click on a vacant space on + any existing panel and choose <guimenuitem>Create + panel</guimenuitem> from the panel popup menu. + </para></listitem> + <listitem><para> + To move an existing panel to a new location, drag it + with the middle mouse button. + </para> + <note> + <title>NOTE</title> + <para>The menu panel can not be moved.</para> + </note> + </listitem> + <listitem><para> + To modify panel properties (background, size, + auto-hide), right-click on a vacant space on the + panel and choose <guimenuitem>Properties</guimenuitem> + from the panel popup menu. + </para></listitem> + <listitem><para> + To remove an object (menu, applet, application launcher) + from the panel, right-click on the object and choose + <guimenuitem>Remove from panel</guimenuitem> from the + object popup menu. + </para></listitem> + <listitem><para> + To add a new object to the panel, right-click on a + vacant space on the panel and choose + <guimenuitem>Add to panel</guimenuitem> + from the panel popup menu. Alternatively, to add an + application from one of the menus as a launcher to the + panel, right-click on the menu + item and choose <guimenuitem>Add this launcher to + panel</guimenuitem> from the popup menu. + </para></listitem> + <listitem><para> + To move a panel object, drag it with the middle mouse + button. You can even drag an object from one panel to + another. + </para></listitem> + <listitem><para> + To configure a panel object, right-click on it and choose + <guimenuitem>Properties</guimenuitem> from the popup + menu. + </para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </para> + </sect2> + + </sect1> + +<!-- ==================Section: ======================== --> +<sect1 id="apps"> + <title>GNOME Applications and Utilities</title> + <para> + GNOME comes with many applications and utilities; in addition, + GNOME allows you to use any third party applications such as + <application>Netscape</application>), KDE applications, or other + applications and utilities installed on your system. You can + also use GNOME 1.x applications under GNOME 2 (if you have + installed appropriate GNOME 1.x libraries). + </para> + + <para> + Below is a partial list of some of the most useful tools and + applications which you can find in <guimenu>GNOME + Menu</guimenu>. + </para> + <note> + <title>NOTE</title> + <para> + The contents of <guimenu>GNOME Menu</guimenu> depends on the + applications installed on your system. In addition, if you are + using a copy of GNOME packaged by someone other than GNOME + project (for example, packaged as part of your a Linux + distribution), the menu is likely to be slightly different + from the one described here. For example, distributors can add + some distribution-specific applications to the menu, or even + completely reorganize the menus. In this case refer to + documentation which came with your distribution. + </para> + </note> + + + <sect2 id="actions"> + <title>Actions Menu</title> + <para> + This submenu contains the following utilities. + </para> + + + <variablelist> + <!-- ########## --> + <varlistentry> + <term><guimenuitem>Run Program</guimenuitem> + </term> + <listitem> + <para> + This allows you to manually enter a command to run, + saving you from starting full-blown terminal emulator. + </para> + <tip> + <title>TIP</title> + <para> + You can also start <application>Run + Program</application> dialog by using <keycombo> + <keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>F2</keycap></keycombo> + shortcut. + </para> + </tip> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <!-- ########## --> + <varlistentry> + <term><guimenuitem>Search for Files</guimenuitem> + </term> + <listitem> + <para>This utility allows you to search for files and + folders on your system. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <!-- ########## --> + <varlistentry> + <term><guimenuitem>Take Screenshot</guimenuitem> + </term> + <listitem> + <para> + Takes a screenshot of your desktop and saves it in a + file. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + </variablelist> + </sect2> + + <sect2 id="applications"> + <title>Applications Menu</title> + + + <variablelist> + <!-- ########## --> + <varlistentry> + <term><guisubmenu>Accessories</guisubmenu> + </term> + <listitem> + <para> These include office and productivity applications + such as </para> + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para> + <application>Gnumeric</application>, + a full-featured Excel-compatible spreadsheet + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para> + <application>AbiWord</application>, a lightweight + word processing application. + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para> + <application>GNOME Calculator</application> + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para> Several text editors, from simple and + easy to use <application>Gnome editor</application> + (gedit) to the (arguably) the most powerful text + editor ever created, <application>Emacs</application> + (which is not a GNOME application) + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para> + <application>Dictionary</application>, allowing you + to look up a word in one of freely available + dictionaries on the Internet. + </para></listitem> + + </itemizedlist> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + + + <!-- ########## --> + <varlistentry> + <term><guisubmenu>Desktop Preferences</guisubmenu></term> + <listitem> + <para> + This submenu contains preferences tools used to + customize your desktop; see <xref + linkend="customizing"/> for details. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <!-- ########## --> + <varlistentry> + <term><guisubmenu>Games</guisubmenu></term> + <listitem> + <para> + Lots of them — just try! + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <!--########## --> + <varlistentry> + <term><guisubmenu>Graphics</guisubmenu> + </term> + <listitem> + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para> + <application>Gimp</application> — + image editing program for power users; rivals + <application>Photoshop</application> + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para>Image viewers such as <application>Eye of + GNOME</application>, <application>GQview</application> and + <application>gThumb</application> + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para> + <application>GNOME Postscript Viewer</application>, + which can also be used for viewing PDF files. + </para> + </listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <!-- ########## --> + <varlistentry> + <term><guisubmenu>Internet</guisubmenu></term> + <listitem> + <para> + Here you will find <application>Galeon</application> web + browser. If you haven't used it before, give it a try + — you will never want to go back to + <application>Netscape</application>. + </para> + <para>Depending on the + software installed on your system, you are also likely to find + here + </para> + <itemizedlist> + <listitem> + <para> + <application>Netscape</application> web + browser + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem><para> <application>X-Chat</application>, an + Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client + </para></listitem> + <listitem><para> + <application>GNOME-ICU</application> for talking + with other people using ICQ protocol + </para></listitem> + <listitem><para> + <application>gftp</application>, a graphical + tool for file transfers, supporting FTP, HTTP, and + SSH protocols. Note that GNOME file manager, + <application>Nautilus</application>, also has + built-in FTP capabilities. + </para> + </listitem> + </itemizedlist> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <!-- ########## --> + <varlistentry> + <term><guisubmenu>Programming</guisubmenu></term> + <listitem> + <para><application>Bug report tool</application>. Use this + tool to make suggestions and report bugs in GNOME + applications. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <!-- ########## --> + <varlistentry> + <term><guisubmenu>Sound & Video</guisubmenu></term> + <listitem> + <para> + Here you will find <application>CD player</application>, + <application>Volume Control</application>, and an MP3 + player <application>XMMS</application>. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <!-- ########## --> + <varlistentry> + <term><guisubmenu>System Tools</guisubmenu></term> + <listitem> + <para> + This submenu contains various tools used for managing + your system, such as + </para> + <itemizedlist> + <listitem> + <para><application>System Monitor</application>. This + application can be used to view all processes (tasks) + currently running on your system and the resources + (memory and processor time) + they use. You can also use <application>System + Monitor</application> to kill a frozen or otherwise + misbehaving application. + </para> + </listitem> + <listitem> + <para> + <application>Configuration + Editor</application>. This tool is only recommended + for advanced users. It allows you to change + <emphasis>all</emphasis> settings used by GNOME + applications (unlike <link + linkend="customizing-desktop">preferences + tools</link> which only cover some of the + settings). However, it provides little assistance + or safeguards, so it is easy to make your system + completely unusable if you do not know what you are + doing. + </para> + </listitem> + + <listitem> + <para> + <application>Archive Generator</application>, tool + for creating archive files. + </para> + </listitem> + + <listitem> + <para> + <application>Floppy Formatter</application> + </para> + </listitem> + </itemizedlist> + + <para> This submenu also contains tools for managing + software installed on your system, namely + <application>GnoRPM</application> and <application>Red + Carpet</application> (if you are using the distribution + of GNOME prepared by Ximian, Inc.). + <application>GnoRPM</application> allows you to view all + software packages installed on your system (if you are + using a distribution of Linux based on RPM packages, + such as Red Hat, SuSe, or Mandrake); it also allows you + to remove, update, or install new packages. + <application>Red Carpet</application> provides an + extremely easy, almost one-click, way to update your + GNOME installation. Both of these utilities, however, + require that you have system administrator (root) + privileges. + </para> + + <para> + And finally, the same submenu also contains various + terminal emulators (<application>xterm</application>, + <application>Color xterm</application>, + <application>GNOME Terminal</application>) letting you use + the most powerful (although not most user friendly) interface + ever created — the command line prompt. + </para> + + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <!-- ########## --> + <varlistentry> + <term><guisubmenu>Help</guisubmenu></term> + <listitem> + <para> + This starts GNOME help browser, + <application>Yelp</application>, described in <xref + linkend="Gnome-docs"/>. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <!-- ########## --> + <varlistentry> + <term><guisubmenu>Home Folder</guisubmenu></term> + <listitem> + <para> + This opens a new <application>Nautilus</application> + window showing the contents of your home folder. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + </variablelist> + </sect2> + </sect1> + +<!-- ==================Section: ======================== --> +<sect1 id="trouble"> + <title>Help — I Am in Trouble!</title> + <para> + Everyone runs into trouble sooner or later. Here is some + advice on how to handle the most common problems: + </para> + + <sect2 id="kill-an-app"> + <title>Killing a Stalled Application</title> + <para> + If an application is stalled or frozen — that is, if it + does not respond to your mouse clicks and keyboard commands, + you can either wait and hope that it wakes up, or kill it. If + you decide to kill it (NOTE: You will lose all unsaved data), + start the <application>GNOME System monitor</application> + (from <menuchoice> <guimenu>GNOME Menu</guimenu> + <guisubmenu>Applications</guisubmenu> <guisubmenu>Sytem + Tools</guisubmenu> </menuchoice>). Select the application you + want to kill and click on <guibutton>End process</guibutton> + button at the bottom. You can also right-click on the + application name and choose <guimenuitem>End + process</guimenuitem>; if it doesn't help, right-click and + choose choose <guimenuitem>Kill process</guimenuitem>. Using + <application>GNOME System monitor</application> also allows + you to find and kill all helper processes started by this + application. + </para> + <para> + If a GNOME application freezes or crashes (unexpectedly dies) + repeatedly, you should file a bug report as described in + <ulink type="help" url="ghelp:gnome-feedback">GNOME feedabck + page</ulink>. + </para> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="kill-X11"> + <title>My Whole System Froze!</title> + + <para> If your whole system is frozen and is not responding, do not + hurry to push the power button on the computer + — this is usually the worst solution. Most probably, it is + not the operating system itself that is frozen (UNIX systems are + known for stability), but just the graphical part, X Window + System. In this case, you can try to restart X Window System by + simultaneously pressing + <keycombo> + <keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>Backspace</keycap> + </keycombo>. This should work for + the implementation of X Window system used on Linux and *BSD, + XFree86 (unless it was disabled by your system + administrator). Of course, in this way you also lose all unsaved + data, but at least you do not risk to mess up the whole file + system. + </para> + </sect2> + +<!-- <sect2 id="icons-messedup"> + <title>My GNOME Desktop Icons Are All Messed up!</title> + <para> + This sometimes happens when upgrading from an older version of + GNOME. In this case, try this trick: delete the file + <filename>~/.GNOME/metadata.db</filename> (note the dot!), where + <filename>~</filename> is your home directory, then log out and + login again. If this didn't help, read on. + </para> + </sect2> --> + + <sect2 id="Gnome-messedup"> + <title>My Whole GNOME Configuration Is Messed Up!</title> + <para> + If you have a serious problem with your GNOME settings — + for example, if your panel is missing — the radical solution + is to remove all your GNOME configuration files and start from + scratch. This is an emergency solution, as you lose all + configuration settings and will need to configure your menus, + panels, etc. again from scratch, that is, from the default GNOME + configuration. However, this only affects GNOME configuration, + so your data files and settings for non-GNOME applications + remain intact. + </para> + <para> To remove all your GNOME configuration settings and return + to the original GNOME configuration, logout then log in again + holding down keys <keycap>Ctrl</keycap> and + <keycap>Shift</keycap> (immediately after entering your + password in the login dialog). You will be presented a dialog, + offering you the choice to reset the saved session (that is, + which applications were open when you last logged out); reset + your GNOME configuration settings; or both. + </para> + <para> + Finally, if you have really severe problems and your system + freezes or becomes otherwise unusable as soon as you login, + you have one last option. You can select + <guimenuitem>Failsafe</guimenuitem> session type instead of + the default <guimenuitem>GNOME</guimenuitem> in the login + screen. Both GNOME and KDE Login Managers support this. In + this session type, GNOME is not started; instead, you are + presented with a single terminal window. This is almost + guaranteed to start OK, and if you know how to use + command-line tools to find and fix your problem, you have a + chance. Otherwise, ask an expert. + </para> + </sect2> + </sect1> + +<!-- ==================Section: ======================== --> +<sect1 id="otherinfo"> + <title>Where to Find More Information</title> + <sect2 id="Gnome-docs"> + <title>GNOME Help System</title> + <para> + GNOME includes detailed documentation for the majority + of applications, utilities and other components, such as Panel + or Nautilus file manager. To view a manual for an application, + choose <guimenu>Help</guimenu> menu in the application; to + view help about the panel or panel objects, right-click on it + and choose <guimenuitem>Help</guimenuitem> from the popup + menu. This will automatically launch GNOME help browser, + <application>Yelp</application>, showing appropriate + manual. + </para> + <para> + You can also start <application>Yelp</application> by + choosing <menuchoice><guimenu>Applications</guimenu> + <guisubmenu>Help</guisubmenu> </menuchoice>. This will show the + top-level help system page, listing all GNOME documents + conveniently organized by topic. + </para> + + <para> In addition to the manuals for individual applications, + GNOME documentation also includes: + </para> + <variablelist> + <varlistentry> + <term> + <ulink type="help" url="ghelp:gnome2-user-guide"> + <citetitle>GNOME Desktop 2.0 User Guide</citetitle> + </ulink> + </term> + <listitem> + <para> This user + guide provides general overview of GNOME and detailed + documentation for core GNOME + components (desktop, panel, Nautilus, and desktop + preferences tools). + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + <varlistentry> + <term> <ulink type="help" url="gnome-help:unix-primer"> + <citetitle>If you are new to UNIX/Linux...</citetitle> + </ulink> + </term> + <listitem> + <para> + This short document gives the minimal necessary + information about UNIX and UNIX-like operating systems, + including such things as filenames, paths and + directories, permissions, symbolic links and most + confusing of them all, the notion of + <quote>mounting</quote>. If you never used UNIX system + before, be sure to read this. + </para> + </listitem> + </varlistentry> + </variablelist> + + <para><application>Yelp</application> can also be used for + viewing non-GNOME documentation, namely man pages and info + pages (see below). + </para> + + </sect2> + <sect2 id="gnome-www"> + <title> GNOME Resources on the Internet</title> + <para> + In addition to documentation shipped with GNOME, there is also + wealth of information available on the Internet. A good + starting point is the <ulink type="http" + url="http://www.gnome.org">GNOME website</ulink>. There you + will find instructions for installing GNOME, reviews and tips, + developer information, and more. + </para> + <para> + If you can not find an answer to your question there, you + may ask other GNOME users and developers on GNOME mailing list + (subscription instructions can be found <ulink type="http" + url="http://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/gnome-list">here</ulink>). + Note, however, that this list is for GNOME-related questions + only (do not ask how to configure X Window System, for instance), + and it is impolite (to say the least) to ask a question without + first checking if this question is already answered in available + documents such as <ulink type="ghelp" + url="ghelp:gnome2-user-guide">GNOME User Guide</ulink>. + </para> + <para> + Finally, if you use IRC (Internet Relay Chat), you can find + other GNOME users and developers and ask questions on + <systemitem>#gnome</systemitem> channel on + <systemitem>irc.gnome.org</systemitem>. + </para> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="not-Gnome-docs"> + <title>Everything Not GNOME</title> + <para> + You should realize that GNOME is just part of your computer + system. If you want to unleash the full potential of your + computer, you need to understand not just GNOME but also the + underlying operating system (UNIX/Linux/FreeBSD), various + tools and utilities included with it, and its graphics system + (X Window System). Each of these components usually comes with + its own documentation. Most of UNIX commands and utilities are + documented in so-called <quote>manual pages</quote>, or man pages + for short. You can view them using + <application>Yelp</application> help browser + (see <xref linkend="Gnome-docs"/>). This documentation is usually + very detailed and more technical than most users would like. + Another documentation format used by utilities from the + GNU project is called <quote>info pages</quote>. They, too, + can be viewed using <application>Yelp</application>. Many + applications also have documentation in other formats. Sometimes +` it is not easy to find documentation for a given application — + try looking in the directories <filename>/usr/share/doc</filename> + and <filename>/usr/doc</filename> + </para> + <para> Documentation for operating system itself varies from one + system to another. The best advice is to check the printed manual + which came with your system. For Linux, a good source of information + is the Linux Documentation Project (LDP); you can read their + documentation on the Internet (at <ulink type="http" + url="http://www.linuxdoc.org">http://www.linuxdoc.org</ulink>). + Virtually all Linux distributions also include copies of LDP + documents; usually they are found at + <filename>/usr/share/doc/LDP</filename> or + <filename>/usr/share/doc/HOWTO</filename>. + </para> + <para> + And of course, there is a number of books available about all + flavors of UNIX/Linux, GNOME, and about anything else you might + be interested in. Check your local bookstore. + </para> + </sect2> + <sect2 id="feedback"> + <title>Feedback</title> + <para> + If you have found a bug in one of GNOME applications, or have + some comments or suggestions regarding GNOME applications or + documentation, please let us know! Instructions for submitting + bug reports and comments are given in <ulink type="help" + url="ghelp:gnome-feedback">GNOME Feedback Page</ulink>. + </para> + </sect2> + </sect1> +</article> + + + + + + + + |