Working With WindowsThe information in this chapter describes how to use windows
in the GNOME Desktop. You can use several types of window manager with the
GNOME Desktop, for example, Metacity and Sawfish. Many of the functions in Metacity
are also available in Sawfish. This chapter describes
the functions that are associated with the Metacity
window manager.Windows and WorkspaceswindowsintroductionworkspacesintroductionYou can display many windows at the same time in the GNOME
Desktop. Your windows are displayed in subdivisions of the GNOME Desktop that
are called workspaces. A workspace is a discrete area in which you can work.
Every workspace contains the same desktop, the same panels, and the same menus.
However, you can run different applications, and open different windows in
each workspace. You can display only one workspace at a time, but you can
have windows open in other workspaces. The Workspace Switcher applet displays a
visual representation of your windows and workspaces, as show in .You can add workspaces at any time. To add workspaces to the GNOME Desktop,
right-click on the Workspace Switcher applet, then
choose Preferences. The Workspace Switcher
Preferences dialog is displayed. Use the Number of workspaces spin box to specify the number of workspaces you require.Window Manager Behaviorwindowswindow managersA window manager controls how windows appear and behave.
The window manager manages where your windows are located, and which window
has focus. The window frame contains buttons that enable you to perform standard
actions such as moving, closing, and resizing windows.You can set some window manager preferences in the Windows preference tool. This manual describes the functions that are
associated with the default configuration of the Metacity
window manager. The default configuration is specified in the Windows preference tool.Types of Windowwindowstypes ofThe GNOME Desktop features the following types of windows: Application windows When you start an application, an application window opens. The window
manager applies a frame to the application window. By default, the top edge
of the application window contains a titlebar. The titlebar contains buttons
that you can use to work with the window. The buttons in an application window
frame enable you to perform actions such as open the Window Menu, or close the window. The Window Menu provides
a number of actions that you can perform on the window. The following figure shows a typical application window. Application window in Simple theme.Dialog windowsA dialog window is a popup window in which you enter information or
commands. The dialog appears within a window frame. You can use the top edge of the frame to work with the window. For example,
you can use the titlebar to move the dialog. The frame also contains buttons
that enable you to do the following:Open the Window MenuClose the dialog windowTypically, you open a dialog window from an application window. When
you open a dialog window, the window is usually raised and has focus. Some
dialog windows do not allow you to use the application until you close the
dialog. Window FrameswindowsframesA window frame is a border around a window. The window frame contains
a titlebar. The titlebar contains buttons that you can use to work with the
window.ThemeswindowsthemesYou can apply several themes to your window frames. The theme determines
how the frame looks. To choose a theme for all your window frames, use the Theme preference tool. Control Elementswindowsframe control elementsYou can use the window frame to perform various actions
with the window. In particular, the titlebar contains various buttons. The
following figure shows the titlebar of an application window:Window titlebar. Callouts: Window Menu button, Titlebar, Minimize, Maximize, Close Window buttons.Dialog windows also contain some of the window frame control elements. describes the active control elements on window
frames, from left to right.
Window Frame Control ElementsControl ElementDescription Window Menu
buttonClick on
the button to open the Window Menu. TitlebarYou can use the titlebar to perform the following actions: To give focus to the window click on the titlebar.To move the window grab the titlebar and drag the window to
the new location. To maximize the window, double-click on the titlebar. To restore
the window to the previous size, double-click on the titlebar again.Minimize button Click on the Minimize button
to minimize the window. Maximize button Click on the Maximize button
to maximize the window. Close Window buttonClick on the Close
Window button to close the window. BorderThe border around the window. Use the border to perform the following actions: To resize the window grab the border and drag the border to
the new size. To open the Window Menu, right-click on
the border.Window contentsThe area inside the window frame. Use the
window contents to perform the following actions:To move a window, press-and-hold Alt, click
in the window contents, then drag the window to the new location.To resize a window, press-and-hold Alt,
then middle-click near the corner you want to resize. To resize the window,
drag from the corner on which you middle-clicked.To open the Window Menu, press-and-hold Alt, then right-click in the window contents.
Menus and Applets for Working With Windows and Workspaceswindowsapplets and menus for working
withThis section describes the menus and applets
that you can use to work with windows and workspaces.Window MenuwindowsWindow MenumenusWindow MenuThe Window Menu is a menu of commands
that you can use to perform actions on your windows. To open the Window Menu perform one of the following actions:Click on the Window Menu button on
the window that you want to work with.Press Altspacebar.Press-and-hold Alt, then right-click on any
part of the window that you want to work with. describes the commands and submenus
in the Window Menu.
Window Menu Commands and SubmenusMenu ItemFunctionMinimizeMinimizes the window.Maximize or UnmaximizeMaximizes
the window. If the window is already maximized, choose Unmaximize to restore the window to its previous size. On TopPlaces
the window above any other open windows on the desktop.MoveEnables you to use the arrow
keys to move the window.ResizeEnables you to use the arrow
keys to resize the window.CloseCloses the window.Put on All
Workspaces or Only on This WorkspacePuts the window on all of your
workspaces. If the window is already on all of your workspaces, choose Only on This Workspace to put the window on the current workspace
only.Move
to Workspace Right or Move to Workspace LeftMove the window to the
workspace to the right of the current workspace. If the window is already
in the last workspace at the right of the Workspace Switcher, choose Move to Workspace Left to move the window to the workspace to
the left of the current workspace.Move
to Another WorkspaceMoves the window to another workspace. Select the workspace to which you want
to move the window from the submenu.
Window List AppletwindowsWindow List appletWindow List appletWindow List appletintroductionwindow listsWindow List appletappletsWindow ListWindow List displays a button for each application
window that is open. You can use the Window List
to perform the following tasks:To minimize a windowClick on the button that represents the window.To restore a minimized windowClick on the button that represents the window.To give focus to a windowClick on the button that represents the window.When you open an application window, Window List
displays a button that represents the window. The window list buttons show
which application windows are open. You can view which windows are open even
if some windows are minimized, or other windows overlap a window. Window List can display buttons for the windows in your current
workspace, or in all workspaces. To select this option, you must change the
preferences of Window List.You can also right-click on a window list button to open the Window Menu for the window that the button represents.
For more information on the Window Menu commands, see . shows Window List
when the following windows are open:geditDictionaryGHexGNOME TerminalThe buttons in the applet show the status of your windows.
explains the information that the window list buttons provide about the window.
The examples in refer to .
Window Status Information on Window List ButtonsWindow List appletwindow status informationStateIndicatesExampleButton is pressed in.The window has focus.geditSquare brackets around window title.The window is minimized.[Dictionary]Button is not pressed in, no square brackets
around title.The window is displayed,
and is not minimized.ghexNumeral on button, in parentheses.The button represents
a group of buttons. Gnome-terminal (3)
Grouping ButtonsWindow List appletgrouping buttonsWindow List can group
the buttons that represent windows in the same class under one window list
button. The Gnome-terminal button in
is an example of a button that represents a group of buttons. The following
figure shows an example of Window List with a button
group open:Window List applet with button group open.To open a list of the windows in a group, click on the window list button
that represents the group. You can click on the items in the list to give
focus to windows, minimize windows, and restore windows.To open the Window Menu for a window in a button
group, right-click on the window list button that represents the group. A
list of the windows in the group is displayed. To open the Window
Menu for a window in the group, point to the item in the list.
For more information on the Window Menu commands, see .Workspace Switcher AppletworkspacesWorkspace Switcher appletappletsWorkspace
SwitcherWorkspace Switcher appletWorkspace Switcher
displays a visual representation of your workspaces, as shown in . shows the applet when the GNOME session contains
four workspaces. Your workspaces appear as buttons on the applet. The background
of the button in the applet that represents the current workspace is highlighted.
The current workspace in is the workspace
at the left of the applet. To switch to another workspace, click on the workspace
in the applet.Workspace Switcher also displays the application
windows and dialogs that are open in your workspaces.The applet displays the workspaces in order from left to right across
the rows of the applet. In , the applet
is set up to display the workspaces in one row. You can specify the number
of rows in which your workspaces are displayed in Workspace Switcher. You can also change the default behavior of the applet to
display the names of your workspaces in the applet.Window Selector Applettop edge panelwindow selector iconwindow selectortop edge panelYou can view a list of all windows
that are currently open. You can also choose a window to give focus to. To
view the window list, click on the Window Selector
applet. The following figure shows an example of the Window Selector applet:Window selector applet displayed from the top edge panel.To give focus to a window, select the window from the Window Selector applet.The Window Selector lists the windows in
all workspaces. The windows in all workspaces other than the current workspace,
are listed under a separator line.Manipulating WindowswindowsmanipulatingThis section describes how to manipulate windows.To Give Focus to a Windowwindowsgiving focus tofocus, giving to a windowA window that has focus can receive input from the mouse and the keyboard.
Only one window can have focus at a time. The window that has focus has a
different appearance than other windows. You can use the following elements to give focus to a window:ElementActionMouseClick on the window, if the window is visible. Shortcut keysUse shortcut keys to switch between
the windows that are open. To give focus to a window, release the keys. The
default shortcut keys to switch between windows are AltTab. Window ListClick on the button that represents the window in Window List.Window SelectorClick on the Window Selector icon. A list of your open windows is displayed. Select the
window from the list.Workspace SwitcherClick on the window that you want to give focus to in the Workspace
Switcher display. If you click on a window in another workspace, Workspace Switcher switches to the new workspace, and gives
focus to the window. To Minimize a WindowwindowsminimizingminimizingwindowsTo minimize a window, perform one of the following actions: Click on the Minimize button on the
window frame.Open the Window Menu, then choose Minimize. If the window has focus, click on the button that represents
the window in Window List. If the window does not
have focus, click twice on the button that represents the window. Right-click on the button that represents the window in Window List, then choose Minimize
from the popup menu.To Maximize a Windowwindowsmaximizingmaximizing windowsWhen you
maximize a window, the window expands as much as possible. To maximize a window,
perform one of the following actions: To maximize the window, click on the Maximize
button on the window frame. Alternatively, open the Window Menu,
then choose Maximize.Right-click on the button that represents the window in Window List, then choose Maximize
from the Window Menu.To Restore a WindowwindowsrestoringrestoringwindowsTo restore a maximized window, perform one of the following actions: Click on the Maximize button on the
window frame.Open the Window Menu. Choose Unmaximize. Right-click on the button that represents the window in Window List to open the Window Menu. Choose Unmaximize.To restore a minimized window, click on the button that represents the
window in Window List.To Place a Window on Top of Other WindowsTo place a window on top of other windows, open the Window
Menu, then choose On Top.To Close a Windowwindowsclosingclosing windowsTo close a
window perform one of the following actions: Click on the Close Window button on
the window frame.Open the Window Menu. Choose Close.Right-click on the button that represents the window in Window List, then choose Close from
the Window Menu.If you have unsaved data in the window, you are prompted to save your
data.To Resize a Windowwindowsresizingresizing windowsTo resize
a window perform one of the following actions:Point to a corner of the window. The mouse pointer changes
to indicate that you can resize the window. Grab the corner and drag the window
to the new size.Right-click on the button that represents the window in Window List. Choose Resize from the Window Menu. Use the arrow keys to resize the window.Press-and-hold Alt, then middle-click near
the corner that you want to resize. The mouse pointer changes to indicate
that you can resize from the corner. To resize the window, drag from the corner
on which you middle-clicked.To resize a window horizontally point to one of the vertical
edges of the window. The mouse pointer changes to indicate that you can resize
the window. Grab the edge and drag the window to the new size.To resize a window vertically point to the bottom edge of
the window. The mouse pointer changes to indicate that you can resize the
window. Grab the edge and drag the window to the new size.You cannot resize some dialog windows. Also, some application
windows have a minimum size below which you cannot reduce the window.To Move a Windowwindowsmovingmoving windowsTo move a window
perform one of the following actions: Grab the titlebar of the window and drag the window to the
new location. Press-and-hold Alt, then drag the window
to the new location. Open the Window Menu, then choose Move. Use the arrow keys to move the window to the new location.Right-click on the button that represents the window in Window List, then choose Move from
the Window Menu. Use the arrow keys to move the window
to the new location.To Roll Up a Windowwindowsrolling uprolling up windowsshading windowsrolling up windowsYou
can roll up and roll down windows, as follows:Roll upReduce the window so that
only the titlebar is visible.Roll downSwitch a window from a
rolled-up state so that the full window is displayed.To roll up a window perform one of the following actions: Double-click on the titlebar of the window. To roll down the
window, double-click on the titlebar again. You must select Roll
up in the Windows preferences tool to
perform this action.Right-click on the button that represents the window in Window List, then choose Roll Up
from the Window Menu. To roll down the window, choose Unroll.To Put a Window on All Workspaceswindowsputting on all workspacesTo put a window in all workspaces, open the Window Menu. Choose Put on All Workspaces.
To set the window to appear only in the current workspace, choose Only on This Workspace.To Move a Window to Another Workspacewindowsmoving to another workspaceworkspacesmoving windows to You can move a window to another
workspace in either of the following ways:Use Workspace SwitcherIn the Workspace Switcher display, drag the
window to the workspace you require.Use the Window MenuOpen the Window Menu. To move the window to another
workspace, choose Move to Workspace Right or Move to Workspace Left. Alternatively, Move to
Another Workspace workspace-name.Manipulating WorkspacesworkspacesmanipulatingThis section describes how to manipulate workspaces.To Switch Between Workspacesworkspacesswitching betweenYou can switch between workspaces in any of the following
ways: Use Workspace SwitcherClick on the workspace that you want to switch to in Workspace
Switcher.Use shortcut keysThe default shortcut keys to switch between the workspaces are as follows: Default Shortcut KeysFunctionCtrlAltright arrowSelects the workspace to the
right. CtrlAltleft arrowSelects the workspace to the
left. To Add WorkspacesworkspacesaddingTo add workspaces to the GNOME Desktop, right-click on Workspace Switcher, then choose Preferences.
The Workspace Switcher Preferences dialog is displayed.
Use the Number of workspaces spin box to specify the
number of workspaces you require. Workspace Switcher
adds new workspaces at the end of the workspace list.To Name WorkspacesworkspacesnamingThe default names of your workspaces are Workspace 1, Workspace 2, Workspace 3, and so on. To assign
names to your workspaces, right-click on Workspace Switcher,
then choose Preferences. The Workspace
Switcher Preferences dialog is displayed. Use the Workspaces
names list box to specify the names of your workspaces. Select
a workspace, then type the new name for the workspace.To Delete WorkspacesworkspacesdeletingWhen you delete a workspace the windows in the workspace are moved to
another workspace, and the empty workspace is deleted. To delete workspaces from the GNOME Desktop, right-click on Workspace Switcher, then choose Preferences.
The Workspace Switcher Preferences dialog is displayed.
Use the Number of workspaces spin box to specify the
number of workspaces you require. Workspace Switcher
deletes workspaces from the end of the workspace list.