Working With PanelsThe information in this chapter describes how to use panels. Introducing PanelspanelsintroductionA panel is an area in the GNOME Desktop from which you can run applications
and applets, and perform other tasks. When you start a session for the first
time, the GNOME Desktop contains at least one panel. Your system administrator
might have set your default panels according to your local requirements, so
you might see slightly different default panels.You can change the behavior and appearance of your panels to suit your
requirements. You can also add or remove objects from your panels. You can
create multiple panels, and choose different properties, objects, and backgrounds
for each panel. You can also hide panels.Typically, the GNOME Desktop contains a panel at the top edge of the screen,
and a panel at the bottom edge of the screen. The following sections describe
these panels.Top Edge Panelpanelstop edge paneltop edge paneltop edge panelintroduction
shows an example panel at the top edge of the screen. Your system administrator
might have set your default top edge panel according to your local requirements,
so you might see a slightly different top edge panel. A top edge panel may contain the following objects: top edge paneldefault contentsObjectDescription Menu Bar appletContains the Applications and the Actions menu. The Applications menu contains the standard GNOME applications. The Actions menu provides commands that enable you to various tasks.Browse FilesystemClick on this launcher to open your home folder
in a Nautilus file browser manager window.Terminal launcherClick on this launcher to start
the Terminal application. Terminal provides access to a UNIX command line.Clock appletClock shows the current
time. Click on the time readout to display a menu of clock commands.Volume Control
appletVolume Control enables you to control the volume of the speaker on your system.top edge panelwindow list iconWindow Selector appletWindow Selector lists all your
open windows. To give focus to a window, click on the window selector icon
at the extreme right of the top edge panel, then choose the window.Bottom Edge Panelpanelsbottom edge panelbottom edge panelbottom edge panelintroduction
shows a typical bottom edge panel. Your system administrator might have set
your default bottom edge panel according to your local requirements, so you
might see a slightly different bottom edge panel. bottom edge paneldefault contentsThe bottom edge panel contains the following
items:Show Desktop button: Click on this
button to minimize all open windows and show the desktop.Window List applet: Displays a
button for each window that is open. Window List
enables you to minimize and restore windows.Workspace Switcher applet: Enables
you to navigate between your workspaces.Managing Your PanelspanelsmanagingThe following sections describe how to manage your panels.To Add a New Panelpanelsadding newTo add a panel, right-click on a vacant space on any panel, then choose New Panel. The new panel is added to the GNOME Desktop. The
new panel contains no objects. You can customize the new panel to suit your
preferences.To Interact With a Panelpanelsinteracting withTo interact with a panel, you must left-click, middle-click,
or right-click on a vacant space on the panel. You can also middle-click or
right-click on one of the hide buttons to select the panel, if the panel has
no vacant space. If the hide buttons are not visible on a panel, modify the
properties of the panel so that the hide buttons are visible. You use the mouse buttons to interact with a panel in the following
ways:Middle-clickEnables you to grab
a panel, then drag the panel to a new location.Right-clickOpens the panel popup
menu.To Move a PanelpanelsmovingYou can move panels to different locations. To move a panel, middle-click
and hold on any vacant space on the panel, then drag the panel to the new
location.To Hide a PanelpanelshidingYou can hide or show panels. To hide a panel, use a hide button. If
the hide buttons are not visible on a panel, modify the panel properties so
that the hide buttons are visible. Hide buttons are at either end of a panel. The hide buttons contain
an optional arrow icon. The following illustration shows hide buttons. A horizontal panel and a vertical panel, both with hide buttons.To hide a panel, click on one of the hide buttons. The panel reduces
in the direction of the arrow on the hide button. The hide button at the other
end of the panel remains visible.To show a hidden panel again, click on the visible hide button. The
panel expands in the direction of the arrow on the hide button. Both hide
buttons are now visible.You can set a panel to autohide. When you set autohide, the panel hides
automatically when the mouse is not pointing to the panel. The panel reappears
when you point to the part of the screen where the panel resides. To set your
panel to autohide, modify the properties of the panel.To Modify Panel Propertiespanelsmodifying propertiesTo modify preferences for all panels, use the Panel preference tool to make the changes that you require. For
example, you can modify animation preferences for panels. You can also modify properties for each individual panel. You can change
the features for each panel, such as the position of the panel, the hide behavior,
and the visual appearance. To modify the properties of a panel, perform the following
steps: Right-click on a vacant space on the panel, then choose Properties to display the Panel Properties
dialog. The Panel Properties dialog contains the following
tabbed sections: GeneralBackgroundTo modify panel size, position, and hiding properties, click
on the General tab. The following table describes the
dialog elements on the General tabbed section: Dialog ElementDescription NameType a name for the panel. When you use shortcut
keys to switch between your panels and the desktop, this panel name is displayed.OrientationSelect the position of the panel on your screen.
Click on the required position for the panel. SizeUse the spin box to specify the size of the panel.ExpandSelect this option if you want the panel to
expand to the full length of the edge of the screen where the panel is located.AutohideSelect this option to enable autohide. Show hide buttonsSelect this option to display hide buttons on your
panel.Arrows on hide buttonSelect this option to display arrows on the hide
buttons, if the hide button is enabled.To modify the panel background, click on the Background tab. Choose the type of background for the panel. The choices
are as follows:Dialog ElementDescriptionNone (use system theme)Select this option to use the default panel background.
The default panel background depends on the settings in the Theme preference tool.Solid colorSelect this option to specify a single color for
the panel background. Click on the Color button to
display the color selector dialog. Choose the color that you require from
the color selector dialog. Use the Style
slider to specify the degree of transparency or opaqueness for the color.
For example, to make the panel transparent, move the slider towards the Transparent end.Background imageSelect this option to specify an image for the panel
background. Enter the filename of the image to use 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. You can also drag a color or image on to a panel to set the color or
image as the background of the panel. For more information, see .Click Close to close the Panel Properties dialog.To Drag a Color or Image to the Background of a Panelpanelschanging backgroundYou can drag a color or image on to a panel to set the color
or image as the background of the panel. You can drag a color or image from
many applications. For example, you can drag a color from the Nautilus file manager to a panel to set the color as the background
of the panel. You can also drag a color from any color selector dialog.You can drag an image to a panel to set the image as the background
of the panel. You can also drag pattern images from the file manager to set
the background of the panel.To Delete a PanelpanelsdeletingTo delete a panel from the GNOME Desktop, right-click on the panel that
you want to delete, then choose Delete This Panel.You must always have at least one panel in the GNOME Desktop.
If you have only one panel in the GNOME Desktop, you cannot delete that panel.Panel Objectspanelspanel objectspanel objectsThis section describes the objects that
you can add to your panels, and use from your panels.Interacting With Panel Objectspanel objectsinteracting withYou use the mouse buttons to interact with a panel object
in the following ways:Left-clickLaunches the panel object.Middle-clickEnables you to grab
an object, then drag the object to a new location.Right-clickOpens the panel object
popup menu.You interact with applet panel objects in a different
way. For more information, see .To Add an Object to a Panelpanel objectsaddingYou can add an object to a panel in several ways, as follows: From the panel popup menuRight-click on a vacant space on a panel to open the panel popup menu.
The panel popup menu contains an Add to Panel submenu.
The Add to Panel submenu enables you to add the following
objects to your panels: Applets in the following categories: Accessory, Amusement, Internet, Multimedia, Utility.Buttons for quick access to common actions: Force
Quit button, Lock button, Log
Out button, Show Desktop button, Run
button, Screenshot button, Search
button .LaunchersLaunchers from menusMain MenuMenu BarDrawersFrom any menuWhen you right-click on a launcher in any menu, a popup menu for the
launcher opens. You can use this popup menu to add the launcher to a panel. You can also drag menus, launchers, and applets from menus to panels. From the file managerEach launcher corresponds to a .desktop file. You
can drag the .desktop file on to your panels to add the
launcher to the panel. To Modify the Properties of an Objectpanel objectsmodifying propertiesSome panel objects, such as launchers and drawers,
have a set of associated properties. The properties are different for each
type of object. The properties specify details such as the following: The command that starts a launcher application.The location of the source files for a menu.The icon that represents the object.To modify the properties of an object perform the following steps: panel object popup menu, illustrationRight-click on the object to open the panel object popup
menu, as shown in .Choose Properties. Use the Properties dialog to modify the properties as required. The properties
in the Properties dialog depend on which object you select
in step 1. Click OK to apply the changes, then
close the Properties dialog.To Move a Panel Objectpanel objectsmovingYou can move panel objects within a panel, and from one panel to another
panel. You can also move objects between panels and drawers.To move a panel object, middle-click and hold on the object and drag
the object to a new location. When you release the middle mouse button, the
object anchors at the new location.Alternatively, you can use the panel object popup menu to move an object,
as follows: Right-click on the object, then choose Move.Point to the new location for the object, then click any mouse
button to anchor the object to the new location. This location can be on any
panel that is currently in the GNOME Desktop. Movement of a panel object affects the position of other objects on
the panel. To control how objects move on a panel, you can specify a movement
mode. To specify the movement mode, press one of the following keys as you
move the panel object:KeyMovement ModeDescriptionNo keySwitched movementThe object swaps places with other panel
objects. Switched movement is the default movement mode.Alt keyFree movementThe object jumps over other panel objects
into the next vacant space on the panel.Shift key Push movementThe object pushes other panel objects
further along the panel. To Lock a Panel Objectpanel objectslockinglocking panel objectsYou can lock panel objects so that the objects stay in the same position
on the panel. This feature is useful if you do not want some panel objects
to change position when you move other panel objects.To lock an object to the current location of the object in the panel,
right-click on the object to open the panel object popup menu, then choose Lock. To unlock the object, right-click on the object, then
choose Unlock. To Remove a Panel Objectpanel objectsremovingTo remove an object from a panel right-click on the object
to open the panel object popup menu, then choose Remove From
Panel. Appletsappletsintroductionpanel objectsappletsappletsAn applet is a small application whose
user interface resides within a panel. You use the applet panel object to
interact with the applet. For example, the following figure shows the following
applets, from left to right: Window List: Displays the windows
currently open on your system.CD Player: Enables you to control
the compact disc player on your system.Volume Control: Enables you to
control the volume of the speaker on your system.Sample applets. The context describes the graphic.To Add an Applet to a Panelappletsadding to panelYou can add an applet to a panel from the panel popup menu.
Right-click on any vacant space on the panel to open the panel popup menu.
Choose Add to Panel, then choose the applet that you want
to add from one of the following submenus:AccessoriesAmusementsInternetMultimediaUtilityAlternatively, drag the applet from the submenu on to the panel. To Select an AppletappletsselectingTo modify the properties of an applet, you must first right-click on
the applet to display the panel object popup menu. To move an applet, you
must middle-click on the applet. Some restrictions apply on where you can click on an applet in order
to display the panel object popup menu, or to move the applet, as follows: Some applets have popup menus of applet-specific commands
that open when you right-click on particular parts of the applet. For example,
the Window List applet has a vertical handle on
the left side, and buttons that represent your windows on the right side.
To open the panel object popup menu for the Window List
applet, you must right-click on the handle. If you right-click on a button
on the right side, a popup menu for the button opens.Some applets have areas that you cannot use to select the
applet. For example, the Command Line applet has
a field in which you enter commands. You cannot middle-click or right-click
on this field to select the applet. Instead, middle-click or right-click on
another part of the applet. To Modify Preferences for an Appletappletsmodifying preferencesTo modify the preferences for an applet perform the following
steps: Right-click on the applet, then choose Preferences. Use the Preferences dialog to modify
the preferences as required. The preferences for applets vary depending on
the applet.Click Close to close the Preferences dialog.Launcherspanel objectslauncherslaunchersWhen you click on a launcher, you initiate
one of the following actions: Start a particular application.Execute a command.Open a folder in a file manager window.Open a browser at a particular Uniform Resource
Locator (URL). A URL is the address of a particular location on
the Web.Open special Uniform Resource Identifiers
(URIs). The GNOME Desktop contains special URIs that enable you to access
particular functions from the file manager. special URI
locationsand launchersYou can find launchers in the following places in the GNOME Desktop:Panels: On panels, launchers are represented by icons.Menus: On menus, launchers are represented by menu items.
The menu items usually have an icon beside the menu item.Desktop: On the desktop, launchers are represented by icons.You can modify the properties of a launcher. For example, the properties
of a launcher include the name of the launcher, the icon that represents the
launcher, and how the launcher runs. To Add a Launcher to a Panellaunchersadding to panelYou can add a launcher to a panel in one of the following
ways:From the panel popup menuTo create a new launcher, right-click on any vacant space on the panel,
then choose Add to PanelLauncher. A Create Launcher
dialog is displayed. For more information on how to complete this dialog,
see .Alternatively, to add an existing launcher to the panel, choose Add to PanelLauncher from menu from the panel popup menu. Choose the launcher that you want
to add from the menu.From any menuTo add a launcher to a panel from any menu, perform one of the following
steps:Open a menu that contains the launcher. Drag the launcher
on to the panel. Open the menu that contains the launcher from the panel where
you want the launcher to reside. Right-click on the title of the launcher.
Choose Add this launcher to panel. From the file managerTo add a launcher to a panel from the file manager, find the .desktop file for the launcher in your file system. To add the
launcher drag the .desktop file to the panel. To Create a Launcher With the Create Launcher DialogTo create a launcher with the Create Launcher dialog
perform the following steps: Right-click on any part of a panel to open the panel popup
menu. Choose Add to PanelLauncher to display the Create Launcher dialog. The dialog displays the Basic tabbed
section.Enter the properties of the launcher in the dialog. The following
table describes the dialog elements on the Basic tabbed
section: Dialog ElementDescription NameUse this text box to specify the name of the launcher.
You can use the Advanced tab to add translations of the
name. This name is the name that appears when you add the launcher to a menu
or to the desktop. Generic nameUse this text box to specify the class of
application to which the launcher belongs. For example, you might type Text Editor in this text box for a gedit
launcher. You can use the Advanced tab to add translations
of the generic name.CommentUse this text box to specify a short description
of the launcher. The comment is displayed as a tooltip when you point to the
launcher icon on the panel. You can use the Advanced
tabbed section to add translations of the comment. CommandUse this field to specify a command to execute when
you click on the launcher. For sample commands, see the next section.TypeUse this drop-down combination box to specify the type
of launcher. Select from the following: Application: Select this option to create
a launcher that starts an application.Link: Select this option to create a
launcher that links to a URI.IconChoose an icon to represent the launcher. To choose an
icon, click on the No Icon button. An icon selector
dialog is displayed. Choose an icon from the dialog. Alternatively, to choose
an icon from another directory, click Browse. When
you choose an icon, click OK. Run in TerminalSelect this option to run the application or command
in a terminal window. Choose this option for an application or command that
does not create a window in which to run.To set advanced properties for the launcher, click on the Advanced tab. The Launcher Properties dialog
displays the Advanced tabbed section.Enter the advanced properties of the launcher in the dialog.
The following table describes the dialog elements on the top part of the Advanced tabbed section: Dialog ElementDescription Try this before usingEnter a command here to check before starting the
launcher. If the command is executable and is in your path, the launcher appears
on the panel.DocumentationEnter the path to the help file for the launcher.
If you enter a path in this field, a Help on launcher-name Application menu item is displayed on the popup
menu for the launcher.You can also add a translation of the Name, Generic name, and Comment fields from the Basic tabbed section. To add a translation, enter the details of
the translation in the Name/Comment translations table
as follows: FieldDescription First fieldEnter the two-letter code for the language for which you want to add a translation.Second fieldEnter the translation of the Name of the launcher.Third fieldEnter the translation of the Generic name of the launcher.Fourth fieldEnter the translation for the Comment for the launcher. Then click on the Add/Set button. To edit a translation, select the translation. The translated text appears
in the lower part of this dialog. Edit the fields as required, then click
on the Add/Set button.To remove a translation, select the translation, then click on the Remove button.To create the launcher and close the Launcher Properties dialog, click OK.Launcher CommandsThe type of commands that you can enter in the Command
field depend on the option that you choose from the Type
drop-down combination box. If you choose Application
from the Type drop-down combination box, you can enter
a normal command. The following table shows some sample commands and the actions
that the commands perform:Sample Application CommandActiongeditStarts the gedit text editor application.gedit /user123/loremipsum.txtOpens the file /user123/loremipsum.txt in the gedit text editor application.If you choose Link from the Type
drop-down combination box, you can enter a link command. The following table
shows some sample link commands and the actions that the commands perform:special URIslaunchersSample Link CommandActionhttp://www.gnome.orgOpens
the GNOME website in your default browser.ftp://ftp.gnome.orgOpens the GNOME FTP site in your default browser. applications:///Opens the Applications
location in a file manager window. Double-click on an application to start
the application.preferences:///Opens the Desktop Preferences
location in a file manager window. Double-click on a preference tool to start
the preference tool.To Modify the Properties of a Launcherlaunchersmodifying propertiesTo modify the properties of a launcher perform the following
steps: Right-click on the launcher to open the panel object popup
menu.Choose Properties. Use the Launcher Properties dialog to modify the properties as required.
For more information on the Launcher Properties dialog,
see . Click Close to close the Launcher Properties dialog.Buttonsbuttonsadding to panelaction buttonsbuttonsYou can add buttons to your panels to provide quick access
to common actions and functions. Force Quit ButtonbuttonsForce Quitpanel objectsForce Quit buttonForce Quit buttonterminating applicationsapplicationsterminatingForce Quit icon.The Force Quit button enables you to select a
window to terminate an application. This button is useful if you want to terminate
an application that does not respond to your commands. To terminate an application, click on the Force Quit
button, then click on a window from the application that you want to terminate.
If you do not want to terminate an application after you click on the Force Quit button, press Esc.Lock ButtonLock screen icon.buttonsLockpanel objectsLock buttonLock buttonlocking screenThe Lock
button locks your screen and activates your screensaver. To access your session
again, you must enter your password. To lock your screen correctly, you must
have a screensaver enabled.To add a Lock button to a panel, right-click
on any vacant space on the panel. Choose Add to PanelActionsLock. Right-click on the Lock button to open a menu
of screensaver-related commands. describes
the commands that are available from the menu.
Lock Screen Menu ItemsMenu ItemFunctionActivate ScreensaverActivates the screensaver immediately, but does
not lock the screen.Lock ScreenLocks the screen immediately. This command performs
the same function as when you click on the Lock button.Kill Screensaver DaemonTerminates the screensaver process. After you terminate
the screensaver process, you cannot lock your screen.Restart Screensaver DaemonTerminates and restarts the screensaver process.
Use this command after you change your password. When you restart the screensaver
process, use your new password with the screensaver.PropertiesDisplays the XScreenSaver preference
tool.
Log Out ButtonLog Out icon.buttonsLog Outpanel objectsLog Out buttonLog Out buttonThe Log Out button begins the process to log out of
a GNOME session. To add a Log Out button to a panel, right-click
on any vacant space on the panel. Choose Add to PanelActionsLog Out. To log out of your session or shut down your system, click
on the Log Out button. Run ButtonRun Application icon.buttonsRunpanel objectsRun buttonRun buttonYou
can use the Run button to open the Run Application dialog. To add a Run button to a panel, right-click on
any vacant space on the panel. Choose Add to PanelActionsRun. To open the Run Application dialog, click
on the Run button. For more information on the Run Application dialog,
see Working With Menus.Screenshot ButtonScreenshot icon.buttonsScreenshotpanel objectsScreenshot buttonScreenshot buttonYou can use the Screenshot button to take a screenshot
of your screen. To add a Screenshot button to a panel, right-click
on any vacant space on the panel. Choose Add to PanelActionsScreenshot. To take a screenshot of your screen, click on
the Screenshot button.For more information on how to take screenshots, see Working
With Menus.Search ButtonSearch Tool icon.buttonsSearchpanel objectsSearch buttonSearch buttonYou can use the Search button to open the Search Tool. To add a Search button to a panel, right-click
on any vacant space on the panel. Choose Add to PanelActionsSearch. To open the Search Tool, click on
the Search button. For more information on the Search Tool,
see the Search Tool Manual.Show Desktop
ButtonbuttonsMinimise Windowspanel objectsMinimise
Windows buttonMinimise Windows
buttonShow Desktop icon.You can use the Show Desktop button to minimize all open windows and show the desktop.To add a Show Desktop button to a panel, right-click on any vacant
space on the panel. Choose Add to PanelActionsShow Desktop. To minimize all windows and show the desktop,
click on the Show Desktop button. Notification Area AppletappletsNotification Areapanel objectsNotification
Area appletNotification Area appletNotification Area icon.The Notification Area applet displays icons
from various applications to indicate activity in the application. For example,
when you use the CD Player application to play
a CD, a CD icon is displayed in the Notification Area
applet. The graphic above illustrates the CD icon in the Notification
Area applet. To add a Notification Area applet to a panel,
right-click on any vacant space on the panel. Choose Add to PanelUtilityNotification Area.Menusmenusadding to panelpanel objectsmenusYou can add the following types of menu to your panels: Main Menu: You can access almost all of
the standard applications, commands, and configuration options from the Main Menu. To add a Main Menu to a panel, right-click
on any vacant space on the panel, then choose Add to
PanelMain Menu.
You can add as many Main Menu objects to your panels as
you want. Menu Bar: You can access almost
all of the standard applications, commands, and configuration options from
the menus in the Menu Bar. The Menu
Bar contains the Applications menu and the Actions menu. To add a Menu Bar to a
panel, right-click on any vacant space on the panel, then choose Add to PanelMenu Bar. You can add as many Menu Bar objects
to your panels as you want. System menus: System menus contain the standard applications
and tools that you can use in the GNOME Desktop. The Applications menu and Actions menu are system menus. To add
a system menu to a panel, right-click on a launcher in the menu, then choose Entire menuAdd this as menu to panel. Menus that you add to your panels are represented by an icon with an
arrow. The arrow indicates that the icon represents a menu or drawer. shows how menus typically appear on panels. Drawerspanel objectsdrawersdrawersA drawer is an extension of a panel. You
can open and close a drawer in the same way that you can show and hide a panel.
A drawer can contain all panel objects, including launchers, menus, applets,
other panel objects, and other drawers. When you open a drawer, you can use
the objects in the same way that you use objects on a panel. The following figure shows an open drawer that contains two panel objects. Open drawer. The context describes the graphic.The arrow on the drawer icon indicates that the icon represents a drawer
or menu.You can add, move, and remove objects from drawers in the same way that
you add, move, and remove objects from panels. To Open and Close a DrawerdrawersopeningdrawersclosingTo open a drawer, click on the drawer object in a panel. You can close
a drawer in the following ways: Click on the drawer.Click on the drawer hide button.To Add a Drawer to a Paneldrawersadding to panelYou can add a drawer to a panel in the following ways: From the panel popup menuRight-click on any vacant space on the panel, then choose Add to PanelDrawer. From any menuYou can add a menu as a drawer object to a panel.To add a menu as a drawer to a panel, open the menu from the panel.
Right-click on any launcher in the menu, then choose Entire menuAdd this as drawer to panel.To Add an Object to a Drawerdrawersadding objects toYou add an object to a drawer in the same way that you add
objects to panels. For more information, see .To Modify Drawer Propertiesdrawersmodifying propertiesTo modify preferences for all panels and drawers, use the Panel preference tool. For example, you can select various options
related to the appearance and behavior of objects on panels and drawers. You
can also select options that relate to drawers only. For example, you can
select an option to close your drawers when you click on a launcher in the
drawer.You can also modify other properties for each individual drawer. You
can change features for each drawer, such as the visual appearance of the
drawer and whether the drawer has hide buttons.To modify properties for a drawer perform the following steps: Right-click on the drawer, then choose Properties to display the Panel Properties dialog.
The dialog displays the General tabbed section.Select the properties for the drawer in the dialog. The following
table describes the elements on the General tabbed section:Dialog ElementDescription NameType a name for the panel. When you use shortcut
keys to switch between your panels and the desktop, this panel name is displayed.SizeSelect the size of the panel.IconChoose an icon to represent the drawer. Click
on the Icon button to display an icon selector dialog.
Choose an icon from the dialog. Alternatively, click Browse
to choose an icon from another directory. When you choose an icon, click OK.Show hide buttonsSelect this option to display hide buttons on your
panel.Arrows on hide buttonSelect this option to display arrows on the hide
buttons, if the hide button is enabled.You can use the Background tabbed section
to set the background for the drawer. For information on how to complete the Background tabbed section, see the step on this topic in . You can also drag a color or image on to a drawer
to set the color or image as the background of the drawer. For more information,
see .Click Close to close the Panel Properties dialog.