Using the Basic Preference Tools
The basic preference tools enable you to customize your
desktop background, and to configure your keyboard settings and your mouse
settings. You can use the basic preference tools to configure shortcut keys,
to set your sound preferences, and to configure your network proxy. You can
also use the basic preference tools to customize your screensaver, choose
a theme and fonts for your desktop environment, and to customize your application
menubars and toolbars. You can also customize window focus behavior.
This chapter describes how to use the basic preference tools to customize
your desktop environment.
Opening a Basic Preference Tool
You can open one of the basic preference tools in either of the following
ways:
From the Desktop Preferences menu
Choose ApplicationsDesktop Preferences. Choose the preference tool
that you require from the submenu. The dialog for the tool is displayed.
From the Start Here location
Open a Nautilus file manager window, then
choose GoStart Here. Alternatively, double-click on the Start Here
object on the desktop. The Start Here location is displayed.
Double-click on the Desktop Preferences object in the
file manager window to display your preference tools.
Double-click on the tool that you require. The dialog for the tool is
displayed.
Customizing the Desktop Background
desktop
customizing background
desktop environment preference tools
preference tools
preference tools
Background
backgrounds
customizing desktop background
The desktop background is the image or color that is applied
to your desktop. You can customize the desktop background in the following
ways:
Select an image for the desktop background. The image is superimposed
on the desktop background color. The desktop background color is visible if
you select a transparent image, or if the image does not cover the entire
desktop.
Select a color for the desktop background. You can select
a solid color, or create a gradient effect with two colors. A gradient effect
is a visual effect where one color blends gradually into another color.
You can also change the appearance of your desktop background from within
the Nautilus file manager.
lists the background settings that
you can configure.
Settings for Desktop Background
Element
Function
Select picture
Choose an image to display on the desktop. To
choose an image, click on the Select picture button.
An image selector dialog is displayed. Use the dialog to choose an image.
When you choose an image, click OK.
Picture Options
To specify how to display the image, select
one of the following options:
Wallpaper: Repeats the image to cover
the desktop.
Centered: Displays the image in the middle
of the desktop.
Scaled: Enlarges the image until the
image meets the screen edges, and maintains the relative dimensions of the
image.
Stretched: Enlarges the image to cover
the desktop, and does not maintain the relative dimensions of the image.
No Picture: Displays no image.
Background Style
To specify a color scheme, use the options
in the Background Style drop-down list, and the color
selector buttons.
You can specify a color scheme in one of the
following ways:
Choose Solid color from the Background Style drop-down list to specify a single color for the
desktop background.
To choose the color that you require, click on the Color button. The Pick a Color dialog is displayed.
Choose a color, then click OK.
Choose Horizontal gradient from the Background Style drop-down list. This option creates a gradient
effect from the left screen edge to the right screen edge.
Click on the Left Color button to display the Pick a Color dialog. Choose the color that you want to appear at
the left edge.
Click on the Right Color button. Choose the color
that you want to appear at the right edge.
Choose Vertical gradient from the Background Style drop-down list. This creates a gradient effect
from the top screen edge to the bottom screen edge.
Click on the Top Color button to display the Pick a Color dialog. Choose the color that you want to appear at
the top edge.
Click on the Bottom Color button. Choose the
color that you want to appear at the bottom edge.
Setting File Management Preferences
preference tools
File Management
file manager
preferences
preference tool
Use the File Management preference tool to set your Nautilus file manager preferences. You can also set your file manager
preferences in the File Management preferences dialog,
which you can open from the file manager application. For information on the
settings in the File Management preferences dialog and File Management preference tool, see Nautilus File
Manager.
Choosing Default Fonts
preference tools
Font
fonts
desktop
fonts
applications
fonts
window title
fonts
terminal
fonts
rendering
Use the Font preference tool
to select the fonts to use in your applications, windows, terminals, and desktop.
lists the font settings that you
can configure.
Settings for Fonts
Option
Function
Application
font
Click on the font selector button to select a font to use in your applications.
Desktop font
Click on the font selector button to select
a font to use on your desktop only.
Window title font
Click on the font selector button to select
a font to use in the titlebars of your windows.
Terminal font
Click on the font selector button to select
a font to use in the Terminal application
Font Rendering
To specify how to render fonts on your screen,
select one of the following options:
Monochrome: Renders fonts in black and
white only. The edges of characters might appear jagged in some cases because
the characters are not antialiased. Antialiasing is
an effect that is applied to the edges of characters to make the characters
look smoother.
Best shapes: Antialiases fonts where
possible. Use this option for standard Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors.
Best contrast: Adjusts fonts to give
the sharpest possible contrast, and also antialiases fonts, so that characters
have smooth edges. This option might enhance the accessibility of the desktop
environment to users with visual impairments.
Subpixel smoothing (LCDs): Uses techniques
that exploit the shape of individual Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) pixels to
render fonts smoothly. Use this option for LCD or flat-screen displays.
Details
Click on this button to specify further details of how
to render fonts on your screen.
Resolution (dots per inch): Use the spin
box to specify the resolution to use when your screen renders fonts.
Smoothing: Select one of the options
to specify how to antialias fonts.
Hinting: Hinting
is a font-rendering technique that improves the quality of fonts at small
sizes and an at low screen resolutions. Select one of the options to specify
how to apply hinting your fonts.
Subpixel order: Select one of the options
to specify the subpixel color order for your fonts. Use this option for LCD
or flat-screen displays.
Previewing Fonts
fonts
previewing
You can use the file manager to preview fonts. To preview fonts, perform
the following steps:
Open a file manager window.
Enter the URI fonts:/// in the location
bar. The fonts are displayed as icons in the view pane.
Double-click on an icon to display a preview of the font.
Configuring Keyboard Settings
preference tools
Keyboard
keyboard
configuring general
preferences
Use the Keyboard
preference tool to select the autorepeat settings for your keyboard, and to
configure typing break settings.
You can customize the settings for the Keyboard
preference tool in the following functional areas:
Keyboard
Typing Break
Keyboard Settings
Use the Keyboard tabbed section to set general
keyboard preferences. To start the Keyboardaccessibility preference tool, that is, AccessX,
click on the Accessibility button.
lists the keyboard settings that
you can configure.
Settings for Keyboard
Option
Function
Keyboard repeats
when key is held down
Select this option to enable keyboard repeat. If keyboard
repeat is enabled, when you press-and-hold a key, the action associated with
the key is performed repeatedly. For example, if you press-and-hold a character
key, the character is typed repeatedly.
Delay
Select the delay from the time you press a key to the time
that the action repeats.
Speed
Select the speed at which the action is repeated.
Blinks in text boxes and fields
Select this option to enable the
cursor to blink in fields and text boxes.
Speed
Use the slider to specify the speed at which the cursor
blinks in fields and text boxes.
Typing Break Settings
Use the Typing Break tabbed section to set typing
break preferences. To start the Keyboardaccessibility preference tool, that is, AccessX,
click on the Accessibility button.
lists the typing break settings
that you can configure.
Typing Break Settings
Option
Function
Lock screen to enforce typing break
Select this option to
lock the screen when you are due a typing break.
Work interval lasts
Use the spin box to specify how long you can work
before a typing break occurs.
Break interval lasts
Use the spin box to specify the length of your typing
breaks.
Allow postponing of breaks
Select this option if you want to be able to postpone
typing breaks.
Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts
preference tools
Keyboard Shortcuts
shortcut keys
configuring
keyboard shortcuts
configuring
hot keys
configuring
A keyboard shortcut is a key or combination of keys that provides
an alternative to standard ways of performing an action.
Use the Keyboard Shortcuts preference tool
to display the default keyboard shortcuts. You can customize the default keyboard
shortcuts to your requirements.
lists the keyboard shortcut settings that you
can customize.
Default Settings for Keyboard Shortcuts
Option
Function
Text editing shortcuts
Select
one of the following settings:
Default: Use this setting for standard
shortcut keys.
Emacs: Use this setting for Emacs shortcut keys.
Desktop shortcuts
This
table lists actions and the shortcut keys that are associated with each action.
To change the shortcut keys for an action, click on the action
to select the action, then click on the shortcut for the action. Press the
keys that you want to associate with the action.
To disable the
shortcut keys for an action, click on the action to select the action, then
click on the shortcut for the action. Press Back Space.
Customizing Menus and Toolbars in Applications
toolbars, customizing appearance
preference tools
Menus & Toolbars
menus
in applications,
customizing appearance
You can use the Menus & Toolbars preference tool to customize the appearance
of menus, menubars, and toolbars for GNOME-compliant applications.
lists the menu and toolbar settings that
you can customize for GNOME-compliant applications.
Settings for Customizing Applications
Option
Function
Show icons in menus
Select this option to display an icon beside
each item in a menu. Some menu items do not have an icon.
Detachable toolbars
Select this option if you want to move toolbars
from application windows to any location on the screen. If you select this
option, handles are displayed on the left side of the toolbars in your applications.
To move a toolbar, click-and-hold on the handle, then drag the toolbar to
the new location.
Toolbar button labels
Choose one of the following options to specify
what to display on the toolbars in your GNOME-compliant applications:
Text Below Icons: Select this option
to display toolbars with text as well as an icon on each button.
Text Beside Icons: Select this option
to display toolbars with an icon only on each button, and with text on the
most important buttons.
Icons Only: Select this option to display
toolbars with an icon only on each button.
Text Only: Select this option to display
toolbars with text only on each button.
Configuring Mouse Settings
preference tools
Mouse
mouse
configuring
Use the Mouse preference tool
to configure your mouse for right-hand use or for left-hand use. You can also
specify the speed and sensitivity of mouse movement.
You can customize the settings for the Mouse
preference tool in the following functional areas:
Buttons
Cursors
Motion
Buttons Settings
Use the Buttons tabbed section to specify whether
the mouse buttons are configured for left-hand use. You can also specify the
delay between clicks for a double-click.
lists the mouse button settings
that you can configure.
Settings for Mouse Buttons
Option
Function
Left-handed
mouse
Select this option to configure your mouse for left-hand use. When you configure
your mouse for left-hand use, the functions of the left mouse button and the
right mouse button are swapped.
Delay
Use the slider to specify
the amount of time that can pass between clicks when you double-click. If
the interval between the first and second clicks exceeds the time that is
specified here, the action is not interpreted as a double-click.
Pointer Settings
Use the Cursors tabbed section to set your mouse
pointer preferences.
lists the mouse pointer settings
that you can configure:
Settings for Mouse Pointers
Option
Function
Cursor Theme
Select the mouse pointer theme that you require
from the list box.
Show position
of cursor when the Control key is pressed
Select this option to enable a mouse
pointer animation when you press and release Ctrl. This feature
can assist you to locate the mouse pointer.
Motion Settings
Use the Motion tabbed section to set your preferences
for mouse movement.
lists the mouse motion settings
that you can configure:
Settings for Mouse Motion
Setting
Function
Acceleration
Use the slider to specify the speed at which your
mouse pointer moves on your screen when you move your mouse.
Sensitivity
Use the slider to specify how sensitive your mouse
pointer is to movements of your mouse.
Threshold
Use the slider to specify the distance that you
must move an item before the move action is interpreted as a drag-and-drop
action.
Configuring Network Proxy Settings
preference tools
Network Proxy
network proxy
setting
preferences
proxy
setting preferences
The Network
Proxy preference tool enables you to configure how your system
connects to networks. You can configure the desktop environment to connect
to a proxy server, and specify the details of the proxy
server. A proxy server is a server that intercepts requests to another server,
and fulfills the request itself, if it can. You can enter the Domain Name
Service (DNS) name or the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the proxy server.
A DNS name is a unique alphabetic identifier for a
computer on a network. An IP address is a unique numeric
identifier for a computer on a network.
lists the network proxy settings
that you can configure.
Network Proxy Settings
Option
Function
Direct internet
connection
Select this option if you want to connect directly to the Internet, without
a proxy server.
Manual proxy configuration
Select
this option if you want to connect to the Internet through a proxy server,
and you want to configure the proxy server manually.
HTTP proxy
Enter the DNS name, or the IP
address of the proxy server to use when you request a HTTP service. Enter
the port number of the HTTP service on the proxy server in the Port spin box.
Secure HTTP proxy
Enter
the DNS name, or the IP address of the proxy server to use when you request
a Secure HTTP service. Enter the port number of the Secure HTTP service on
the proxy server in the Port spin box.
FTP proxy
Enter the DNS name, or the IP
address of the proxy server to use when you request a FTP service. Enter the
port number of the FTP service on the proxy server in the Port
spin box.
Socks host
Enter the DNS name, or the IP
address of the Socks host to use. Enter the port number for the Socks protocol
on the proxy server in the Port spin box.
Automatic proxy
configuration
Select this option if you want to connect to the Internet through a proxy
server, and you want to configure the proxy server automatically.
Autoconfiguration
URL
Enter the URL that contains the information required to configure the proxy
server automatically.
Setting Screensaver Preferences
preference tools
Screensaver
sessions
configuring screensaver
screensaver, setting preferences
XScreenSaver
screensaver
A screensaver is an application that you can use to
replace the image on your screen when the screen is not in use. You can use
screensavers in the following ways:
Activate after a specified period of idle time.
Activate when you lock your screen.
Manage power used by your monitor when your system is idle.
You can customize the settings for the Mouse
preference tool in the following functional areas:
Display Modes
Advanced
Display Modes Settings
Use the Display Modes tabbed section to set display
mode preferences.
lists the display mode settings
that you can configure.
Settings for Screensaver Display Mode
Setting
Function
Mode
Use the drop-down list to specify
the behavior of the screensaver application. Select from the following options:
Disable Screen Saver: Select this option
if you do not want to use the screensaver application.
Blank Screen Only: Select this option
if you want your screen to become blank when your screen locks.
Only One Screen Saver: Select this option
if you want to display a single screensaver display from the display list
when your screen locks.
Random Screen Saver: Select this option
if you want to display a random selection of screensaver displays from the
screensaver display list when your screen locks.
Display list
Select the screensaver display
that you require from the list.
Blank After
Specify how long to wait after the last use of the
mouse or keyboard, to activate the screensaver.
Cycle After
Specify how long to show a particular screensaver
display before the next display.
Lock Screen After
Select this option if you want the screen to lock
after the screensaver is activated. Use the spin box to specify the delay
between the activation of the screensaver and when the screen locks.
Preview
Click on this button to preview
the screensaver display that is selected in the screensaver display list.
To stop the preview, press any key or click a mouse button.
Settings
Click on this button to display
the options for the screensaver display that is selected in the screensaver
display list.
Advanced Settings
Use the Advanced tabbed section to set advanced
screensaver preferences.
lists the advanced screensaver settings
that you can configure.
Advanced Screensaver Settings
Setting
Function
Grab Desktop Images
Some
screensavers can take a screenshot of your screen, then manipulate the screenshot
to create your screensaver display. Select this option to enable screensavers
to take a screenshot of your screen.
Grab Video Frames
Some
screensavers can capture a frame of video, then manipulate the captured image
to create your screensaver display. If your system has a video capture card,
select this option to enable screensavers to capture a frame of video.
Choose Random
Image
Select this option to enable screensavers to use images from a directory that
you select. Type the path for the directory in the field. Alternatively, click Browse to display a dialog from which you can select a directory.
Verbose Dialognostics
Select
this option if you want to display screensaver diagnostic information.
Display Subprocess
Errors
Select this option if you want to display errors related to screensaver subprocesses
on screen.
Display Splash
Screen at Startup
Select this option to if you want Xscreensaver
to display a splash dialog when Xscreensaver starts.
Power Management
Enabled
Select this option to enable power management of your monitor. Power management
can reduce energy consumption by your monitor when you are not using the monitor.
Standby After
Specify
how long to wait to put the monitor in standby mode. When the monitor is in
standby mode, the screen is black.
Suspend After
Specify
how long to wait to put the monitor in power-saving mode.
Off After
Specify how long to wait to switch
off monitor.
Install Colormap
Select
this option to install a private colormap when the screensaver is active.
Use of a private colormap might improve the quality of the color in particular
screensaver displays.
Fade to Black
When Blanking
Select this option if you want your display to fade to black when the screensaver
activates.
Fade from Black
When Unblanking
Select this option if you want your display to fade from black to the screen
contents when the screensaver stops.
Fade Duration
Specify how long to take to fade to black when the
screensaver activates.
Setting Screen Resolution Preferences
preference tools
Screen Resolution
Use the Screen Resolution preference tool to
specify the resolution settings for your screen.
lists the screen resolution settings that you can configure.
Settings for Screen Resolution
Setting
Description
Resolution
Select the resolution to use for the screen from
the drop-down list.
Refresh rate
Select the screen refresh rate to use for the screen
from the drop-down list.
Make default for
this computer only
Select this option to make the screen resolution settings the default settings
for the system that you are logged in to only.
Setting Sound Preferences
preference tools
Sound
sound
setting preferences
sound
associating
events with sounds
events, associating
sounds with
sound server
The Sound preference tool enables
you to control when the GNOME sound server starts. You can also specify which
sounds to play when particular events occur.
You can customize the settings for the Sound
preference tool in the following functional areas:
General
Sound Events
System Bell
General Settings
Use the General tabbed section of the Sound preference tool to specify when to launch the GNOME sound
server. You can also enable sound event functions.
lists the general sound settings
that you can configure.
Settings for Sound
Option
Function
Enable sound
server startup
Select this option to start the GNOME sound server when you start a GNOME
session. When the sound server is active, the desktop environment can play
sounds.
Sounds for
events
Select this option to play sounds when particular events occur in your desktop
environment. You can select this option only if the Enable sound
server startup option is selected.
Sound Event Settings
Use the Sound Events tabbed section of the Sound preference tool to associate particular sounds with particular
events.
You must select the Enable sound server startup
option, and the Sounds for events option before you can
access the Sound Events tabbed section.
lists the sound events settings
that you can configure.
Settings for Sound Events
Option
Function
Sounds table
Use the Sounds table to
associate particular sounds with particular events.
The Event column displays a hierarchical list of events that can occur.
To expand a category of events, click on the right arrow beside a category
of events.
The File to play column lists
the sound file that plays when the event occurs.
Play
Click on this button to play
the sound file that is associated with the selected event.
Sound file drop-down combination box, Browse
To associate
a sound with an event, select the event in the Sounds
table. Enter the name of the sound file that you want to associate with the
selected event in the drop-down combination box. Alternatively, click Browse to display a Select sound file dialog.
Use the dialog to specify the sound file that you want to associate with the
selected event.
You can only associate sound files in .wav format with events.
System Bell Settings
keyboard
configuring sound preferences
sound
configuring
system bell preferences
system
bell
configuring preferences
Use the System Bell tabbed section to set your preferences
for the system bell.
Some applications play a bell sound to indicate a keyboard input error.
Use the options in the System Bell tabbed section to
configure the bell sound. lists the system
bell settings that you can configure.
Settings for System Bell
Option
Function
Sound
an audible bell
Select this option to enable the system bell.
Visual feedback
Select this option to enable visual feedback
to indicate input errors.
Flash
window titlebar
Select this option if you want window titlebars to flash
to indicate an input error.
Flash
entire screen
Select this option if you want the entire screen to flash
to indicate an input error.
Customizing Themes in the Desktop Environment
themes
setting controls themes
themes
setting window
frame themes
themes
setting icons themes
windows
setting frame themes
preference tools
Theme
A
theme is a group of coordinated settings that specifies the visual appearance
of a part of the desktop environment. You can choose themes to change the
appearance of the desktop environment. Use the Theme
preference tool to select a theme for your desktop environment. You can choose
from a list of available themes. The list of available themes includes several
themes for users with accessibility requirements.
A theme contains settings that affect different parts of the GNOME desktop,
as follows:
Controls
GTK+
themesthemes, controls optionsthemescontrols optionsintroductionThe controls setting for a theme determines
the visual appearance of windows, panels, and applets. The controls setting
also determines the visual appearance of the GNOME-compliant interface items
that appear on windows, panels, and applets, such as menus, icons, and buttons.
Some of the controls setting options that are available are designed for special
accessibility needs. You can choose an option for the controls setting from
the Controls tabbed section in the Theme preference tool.
Window frame
themeswindow frame optionsintroductionMetacity themesthemes, window frame optionsThe window frame setting for
a theme determines the appearance of the frames around windows only. You can
choose an option for the window frame setting from the Window Border tabbed section in the Theme preference
tool.
Icon
themesicons optionsintroductionicon themesthemes, icons optionsThe icon setting for a theme determines the appearance of
the icons on panels and the desktop background. You can choose an option for
the icon setting from the Icons tabbed section in the Theme preference tool.
To Create a Custom Theme
The themes that are listed in the Theme preferences
tool are different combinations of controls options, window frame options,
and icon options. You can create a custom theme that uses different combinations
of controls options, window frame options, and icon options.
To create a custom theme, perform the following steps:
To open the Theme preference tool,
choose ApplicationsDesktop
PreferencesTheme.
Select a theme in the list of themes.
Click on the Details button. A Theme Details dialog is displayed.
Select the controls option that you want to use in the custom
theme from the list in the Controls tabbed section. The
list of available controls options includes several options for users with
accessibility requirements.
Click on the Window Border tab to display
the Window Border tabbed section. Select the window frame
option that you want to use in the custom theme from the list of available
options. The list of available window frame options includes several options
for users with accessibility requirements.
Click on the Icons tab to display the Icons tabbed section. Select the icons option that you want to
use in the custom theme from the list of available options. The list of available
icons options includes several options for users with accessibility requirements.
Click Close to close the Theme Details dialog.
On the Theme preferences tool,
click on the Save theme button. A Save theme
to disk dialog is displayed.
Type a name and a short description for the custom theme in
the dialog, then click Save. The custom theme now appears
in your list of available themes.
To Install a New Theme
You can add a theme to the list of available themes. The new theme must
be an archive file that is tarred and zipped. That is, the new theme must
be a .tar.gz file.
To install a new theme, perform the following steps:
To open the Theme preference tool,
choose ApplicationsDesktop
PreferencesTheme.
Click on the Install theme button.
An Install New Theme dialog is displayed.
Enter the location of the theme archive file in the drop-down
combination box. Alternatively, to browse for the file, click on the Browse button. When you have selected the file, click OK.
Click on the Install button to install
the new theme.
To Install a New Theme Option
You can install new controls options, window frame options, or icons
options. You can find many controls options on the Internet.
To install a new controls option, window frame option, or icons option,
perform the following steps:
To open the Theme preference tool,
choose ApplicationsDesktop
PreferencesTheme.
Click on the Details button. An Theme Details dialog is displayed.
Click on the tab for the type of theme that you want to install.
For example, to install an icons option, click on the Icons
tab.
Click on the Install new theme button.
An Install New Theme dialog is displayed.
Enter the location of the option archive file in the drop-down
combination box. Alternatively, to browse for the file, click on the Browse button. When you have selected the file, click OK.
Click on the Install button to install
the new option.
To Delete a Theme Option
You can delete controls options, window frame options, or icons options.
To delete a controls option, window frame option, or icons option, perform
the following steps:
To open the Theme preference tool,
choose ApplicationsDesktop
PreferencesTheme.
Click on the Details button. A Theme Details dialog is displayed.
Click on the tab for the type of option that you want to delete.
Click on the Go to theme folder button.
A file manager window opens on the default option folder.
Use the file manager window to delete the option.
Previewing Themes
You can use the file manager to preview themes. To preview themes, perform
the following steps:
Open a file manager window.
Enter the URI themes:/// in the location
bar. The themes are displayed as icons in the view pane.
Double-click on a theme to display a preview of the theme.
Customizing Windows
window manager
customizing
preference tools
Windows
Use the Windows preference
tool to customize window behavior for your desktop environment.
lists the window behavior settings
that you can customize.
Settings for Window Behavior
Option
Function
Select windows when the mouse moves over them
Select this option
to give focus to a window when you point to the window. The window retains
focus until you point to another window.
Raise selected windows after an interval
Select this option to raise windows
a short time after the window receives focus.
Interval before raising
Specify the interval to wait before
raising a window that has received focus.
Double-click titlebar to perform this action
Select the behavior
that you want to occur when you double-click on a window titlebar. Select
one of the following options:
Roll up: Shades the window.
Maximize: Maximizes the window.
To move a window, press-and-hold this key then grab the window
Select
the key to press-and-hold when you drag a window to move the window.