path: root/gnome2-user-guide/C/gosbasic.xml

<chapter id="gosbasic-1">
<title>Basic Skills</title>
<highlights><para>This chapter introduces you to the basic skills that you
need to work with your desktop.</para></highlights>
<sect1 id="gosbasic-2">
<title>Mouse Skills</title>
<indexterm><primary>basic skills</primary><secondary>mouse skills</secondary>
</indexterm><indexterm><primary>mouse</primary><secondary>skills</secondary>
</indexterm><para>Even if you are very familiar with mouse devices, you should
still familiarize yourself with the use of the mouse in the desktop. </para>
<sect2 id="gosgetstarted-44">
<title>Mouse Button Conventions</title>
<indexterm><primary>mouse</primary><secondary>button conventions</secondary>
</indexterm><para>All the instructions in this manual are for the following
types of mouse devices: <itemizedlist>
<listitem><para>Devices that are configured for right-hand users.</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Three button devices. If you have a two-button mouse device,
then you press the two buttons simultaneously to simulate the effect of a
middle mouse button. </para></listitem>
</itemizedlist> The mouse button conventions used in this manual are as follows: 
</para>
<informaltable frame="topbot">
<tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0"><colspec colname="COLSPEC0" colwidth="36.36*"/>
<colspec colname="COLSPEC1" colwidth="63.64*"/>
<thead>
<row rowsep="1"><entry valign="top"><para>Mouse Button</para></entry><entry
valign="top"><para>Definition </para></entry></row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row><entry valign="top"><para>Left mouse button</para></entry><entry valign="top"><para>
The button on the left side of a mouse device configured for normal right-hand
use. </para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para>Middle mouse button</para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>The middle button of a mouse
device configured for normal right-hand use. </para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para>Right mouse button</para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>The button on the right side
of a mouse device configured for normal right-hand use. </para></entry></row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</informaltable>
<para>To reverse the handedness of your mouse device, choose <menuchoice>
<guimenu>Applications</guimenu><guisubmenu>Desktop Preferences
</guisubmenu><guimenuitem>Mouse</guimenuitem></menuchoice>, then select the
options that you require. If you do reverse the handedness of your mouse device,
then you must reverse the mouse button conventions used in this manual.</para>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="gosgetstarted-45">
<title>Mouse Actions</title>
<indexterm><primary>mouse</primary><secondary>actions</secondary></indexterm>
<para>When you use your mouse with the desktop, the following mouse conventions
apply. </para>
<informaltable frame="topbot">
<tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0"><colspec colname="COLSPEC0" colwidth="36.36*"/>
<colspec colname="COLSPEC1" colwidth="63.64*"/>
<thead>
<row rowsep="1"><entry valign="top"><para>Mouse Button</para></entry><entry
valign="top"><para>Definition </para></entry></row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row><entry valign="top"><para>Left mouse button</para></entry><entry valign="top"><para>
Use to perform the following actions: <itemizedlist>
<listitem><para>Select text. </para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Choose items. </para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Drag items. </para></listitem>
</itemizedlist></para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para>Middle mouse button</para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>Use to perform the following
actions: <itemizedlist>
<listitem><para>Paste text. </para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Move items.</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Open a menu if a menu applies. </para></listitem>
</itemizedlist></para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para>Right mouse button</para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>Opens a menu for the selected
object, if a menu applies. </para></entry></row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</informaltable>
<para>For example, if you want to copy text then perform the following steps: 
</para>
<orderedlist>
<listitem><para>Select the text with the left mouse button.</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Move the mouse pointer to the location where you want to copy
the text.</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Click on the middle mouse button. </para></listitem>
</orderedlist>
<para>You can also right-click on the desktop background to open the <guimenu>
Desktop Background</guimenu> menu.</para>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="gosbasic-6">
<title>Mouse Action Terminology</title>
<indexterm><primary>mouse</primary><secondary>action terminology</secondary>
</indexterm><para>The conventions used in this manual to describe actions
that you take with the mouse are as follows: </para>
<informaltable frame="topbot">
<tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0"><colspec colname="COLSPEC0" colwidth="36.36*"/>
<colspec colname="COLSPEC1" colwidth="63.64*"/>
<thead>
<row rowsep="1"><entry valign="top"><para>Action</para></entry><entry valign="top"><para>
Definition </para></entry></row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para>Click</para></entry><entry
colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>Press and release the left mouse button,
without moving the mouse. </para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para>Click-and-hold</para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>Press and do not release the
left mouse button.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para>Left-click</para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>Same as <emphasis>click</emphasis>.
Left-click clarifies the action when there might be confusion with <emphasis>
right-click</emphasis>. </para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para>Middle-click</para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>Press and release the middle
mouse button, without moving the mouse. </para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para>Right-click</para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>Press and release the right mouse
button, without moving the mouse. </para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para>Double-click</para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>Press and release the left mouse
button twice in rapid succession without moving the mouse. </para></entry>
</row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para>Drag</para></entry><entry
colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>Click-and-hold a mouse button, then
move an object. For example, you can drag a window or an icon. In the desktop,
the left and middle mouse buttons can perform drag actions. </para></entry>
</row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para>Drag-and-drop</para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>Click-and-hold a mouse button,
then move an object. For example, you can drag-and-drop a window or an icon.
Release the mouse button to place the object in a new location. </para></entry>
</row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para>Grab</para></entry><entry
colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>Point to an item that you can move,
and click-and-hold on the mouse button. For example, you can grab the titlebar
of a window, then drag the window to a new location.</para></entry></row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</informaltable>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="gosbasic-7">
<title>Mouse Pointers</title>
<indexterm><primary>mouse</primary><secondary>pointers</secondary></indexterm>
<indexterm><primary>pointers</primary><see>mouse pointers</see></indexterm>
<para>As you use the mouse, the appearance of the mouse pointer can change.
The appearance of the pointer can provide feedback about a particular operation,
location, or state. The following table lists and describes some of the mouse
pointers in the desktop.</para>
<informaltable frame="topbot">
<tgroup cols="3" colsep="0" rowsep="0"><colspec colname="COLSPEC0" colwidth="36.36*"/>
<colspec colname="COLSPEC2" colwidth="63.64*"/><colspec colname="COLSPEC1"
colwidth="63.64*"/>
<thead>
<row rowsep="1"><entry valign="top"><para>Pointer</para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC2"
valign="top"><para>Associated Action</para></entry><entry valign="top"><para>
Description</para></entry></row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><screenshot>
<mediaobject>
  <imageobject>
    <imagedata fileref="figures/normal_pointer.png" format="PNG"/>
  </imageobject>
  <textobject>
	<phrase>
Shows normal pointer.</phrase>
  </textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC2" valign="top"><para>
Point to an item, choose a menu item</para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"
valign="top"><para>Normal pointer. The pointer that appears during normal
use of the mouse.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><screenshot>
<mediaobject>
  <imageobject>
    <imagedata fileref="figures/move_pointer.png" format="PNG"/>
  </imageobject>
  <textobject>
	<phrase>
Shows move pointer.</phrase>
  </textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC2" valign="top"><para>
Drag-and-drop</para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>
Move pointer. Indicates that when you drop the object, the object is moved
from the old location to the new location.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><screenshot>
<mediaobject>
  <imageobject>
    <imagedata fileref="figures/copy_pointer.png" format="PNG"/>
  </imageobject>
  <textobject>
	<phrase>
Shows copy pointer.</phrase>
  </textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC2" valign="top"><para>
Drag-and-drop</para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>
Copy pointer. Indicates that when you drop the object, a copy of the object
is created where you drop the object.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><screenshot>
<mediaobject>
  <imageobject>
    <imagedata fileref="figures/link_pointer.png" format="PNG"/>
  </imageobject>
  <textobject>
	<phrase>
Shows link pointer.</phrase>
  </textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC2" valign="top"><para>
Drag-and-drop</para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>
Link pointer. Indicates that when you drop the object, a link to the object
is created where you drop the object.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><screenshot>
<mediaobject>
  <imageobject>
    <imagedata fileref="figures/ask_pointer.png" format="PNG"/>
  </imageobject>
  <textobject>
	<phrase>
Shows ask pointer.</phrase>
  </textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC2" valign="top"><para>
Drag-and-drop</para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>
Ask pointer. Indicates that when you drop the object, a menu opens. You can
choose to move or copy the object, or to create a link to the object.</para></entry>
</row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><screenshot>
<mediaobject>
  <imageobject>
    <imagedata fileref="figures/not_available_pointer.png" format="PNG"/>
  </imageobject>
  <textobject>
	<phrase>
Shows not available pointer.</phrase>
  </textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC2" valign="top"><para>
Drag-and-drop</para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>
Not available pointer. Indicates that you can not drop the object at the current
location.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><screenshot>
<mediaobject>
  <imageobject>
    <imagedata fileref="figures/move_panel_object_pointer.png" format="PNG"/>
  </imageobject>
  <textobject>
	<phrase>
Shows move panel object pointer.</phrase>
  </textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC2"
valign="top"><para>Move panel object</para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"
valign="top"><para>Move panel object pointer. Indicates that you have selected
a panel object to move. </para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><screenshot>
<mediaobject>
  <imageobject>
    <imagedata fileref="figures/horiz_resize_pointer.png" format="PNG"/>
  </imageobject>
  <textobject>
	<phrase>
Shows horizontal resize pointer.</phrase>
  </textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC2"
valign="top"><para>Resize window horizontally</para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"
valign="top"><para>Horizontal resize pointer. Indicates that you have selected
a vertical window border to resize the window horizontally.</para></entry>
</row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><screenshot>
<mediaobject>
  <imageobject>
    <imagedata fileref="figures/vert_resize_pointer.png" format="PNG"/>
  </imageobject>
  <textobject>
	<phrase>
Shows vertical resize pointer.</phrase>
  </textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC2"
valign="top"><para>Resize window vertically</para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"
valign="top"><para>Vertical resize pointer. Indicates that you have selected
a horizontal window border to resize the window vertically.</para></entry>
</row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><screenshot>
<mediaobject>
  <imageobject>
    <imagedata fileref="figures/corner_resize_pointer.png" format="PNG"/>
  </imageobject>
  <textobject>
	<phrase>
Shows corner resize pointer.</phrase>
  </textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC2" valign="top"><para>
Resize window horizontally and vertically</para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"
valign="top"><para>Corner resize pointer. Indicates that you have selected
a corner of a window border to resize the window horizontally and vertically.
</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><screenshot>
<mediaobject>
  <imageobject>
    <imagedata fileref="figures/column_resize_pointer.png" format="PNG"/>
  </imageobject>
  <textobject>
	<phrase>
Shows window pane or table column resize pointer.</phrase>
  </textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot></entry><entry
colname="COLSPEC2" valign="top"><para>Resize window pane or resize table column
</para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>Window pane or
table column resize pointer. Indicates that you have selected a column in
a table to resize.</para></entry></row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</informaltable>
</sect2>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="gosbasic-51">
<title>Keyboard Skills</title>
<para>This section provides information on how to use the keyboard to work
with the desktop. </para>
<para>For almost every task that you can perform with the mouse, you can use
the keyboard to perform the same task. A <glossterm>shortcut key</glossterm>
is a series of one or more keystrokes that provides a quick way to perform
a task. </para>
<para>You can use shortcut keys to work with the desktop and to work with
interface items such as panels and windows. You can also use shortcut keys
in applications. To customize your shortcut keys, choose <menuchoice><guimenu>
Applications</guimenu><guisubmenu>Desktop Preferences</guisubmenu>
<guimenuitem>Keyboard Shortcuts</guimenuitem></menuchoice>. For more information,
see <xref linkend="goscustdesk-39"/>.</para>
<para>You can also customize the desktop to use keyboard accessibility features.
For more information, see <xref linkend="goscustaccess-1"/>.</para>
<para>The following sections describe the shortcut keys that you can use.
</para>
<sect2 id="gosbasic-62">
<title>Desktop Shortcut Keys</title>
<indexterm><primary>shortcut keys</primary><secondary>desktop</secondary>
</indexterm><para>Desktop shortcut keys enable you to use the keyboard to
perform desktop tasks. The following table lists some desktop shortcut keys:
</para>
<informaltable frame="topbot">
<tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0">

<colspec colname="COLSPEC0" colwidth="35.67*"/><colspec colname="COLSPEC1"
colwidth="64.33*"/>
<thead>
<row rowsep="1"><entry valign="top"><para>Default shortcut key</para></entry>
<entry valign="top"><para>Function</para></entry></row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>F1</keycap></keycombo></para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Opens the <guimenu>GNOME Menu</guimenu>.</para></entry>
</row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>F2</keycap></keycombo></para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Displays the <guilabel>Run Program</guilabel>
dialog.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycap>Print Screen</keycap></para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Takes a screenshot. </para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>Print
Screen</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Takes a screenshot
of the window that has focus. </para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>right arrow</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>
Switches to the workspace to the right of the current workspace.</para></entry>
</row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>left arrow</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>
Switches to the workspace to the left of the current workspace.</para></entry>
</row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>up arrow</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>
Switches to the workspace above the current workspace.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>down arrow</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>
Switches to the workspace below the current workspace.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>d</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Minimizes
all windows and gives focus to the desktop background.</para></entry></row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</informaltable>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="gosbasic-58">
<title>Window Shortcut Keys</title>
<indexterm><primary>shortcut keys</primary><secondary>window</secondary></indexterm>
<para>Window shortcut keys enable you to use the keyboard to perform window
tasks. The following table lists some window shortcut keys:</para>
<informaltable frame="topbot">
<tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0">

<colspec colname="COLSPEC0" colwidth="35.67*"/><colspec colname="COLSPEC1"
colwidth="64.33*"/>
<thead>
<row rowsep="1"><entry valign="top"><para>Default shortcut key</para></entry>
<entry valign="top"><para>Function</para></entry></row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>Tab</keycap></keycombo></para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Switches between windows. Release the keys
to select a window.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>Esc</keycap></keycombo></para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Switches between windows in reverse order.
Release the keys to select a window.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>spacebar</keycap></keycombo> </para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Opens the <guilabel>Window Menu</guilabel>. </para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para>Arrow keys</para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>
Moves the focus between items in a menu.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycap>Return</keycap></para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Chooses a menu item. </para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycap>Esc</keycap></para></entry><entry
colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Closes an open menu.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>right arrow</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>
Switches to the workspace to the right of the current workspace.</para></entry>
</row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>left arrow</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>
Switches to the workspace to the left of the current workspace.</para></entry>
</row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>up arrow</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>
Switches to the workspace above the current workspace.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para></para><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>down arrow</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>
Switches to the workspace below the current workspace.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>d</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Minimizes
all windows and gives focus to the desktop background.</para></entry></row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</informaltable>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="gosbasic-61">
<title>Panel Shortcut Keys</title>
<indexterm><primary>shortcut keys</primary><secondary>panel</secondary></indexterm>
<para>Panel shortcut keys enable you to use the keyboard to perform panel
tasks. The following table lists some panel shortcut keys:</para>
<informaltable frame="topbot">
<tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0">

<colspec colname="COLSPEC0" colwidth="31.36*"/><colspec colname="COLSPEC1"
colwidth="68.64*"/>
<thead>
<row rowsep="1"><entry valign="top"><para>Default shortcut key</para></entry>
<entry valign="top"><para>Function</para></entry></row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>Tab</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Switches
the focus between the panels and the desktop background.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>F10</keycap></keycombo></para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Opens the popup menu for the selected panel.
</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycap>Tab</keycap></para></entry><entry
colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Switches the focus between objects on a panel.</para></entry>
</row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycap>Return</keycap></para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Chooses the selected panel object or menu
item.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Shift</keycap><keycap>F10
</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Opens the popup menu
for the selected panel object.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para>Arrow keys</para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>
Moves the focus between items in a menu. Also moves the focus between interface
items in an applet.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycap>Esc</keycap></para></entry><entry
colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Closes an open menu.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycap>F10</keycap></para></entry><entry
colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Opens the <guimenu>Applications</guimenu> menu on
the <guilabel>Menu Panel</guilabel>, if the <guilabel>Menu Panel</guilabel>
is selected.</para></entry></row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</informaltable>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="gosbasic-59">
<title>Application Shortcut Keys</title>
<indexterm><primary>shortcut keys</primary><secondary>application</secondary>
</indexterm><para>Application shortcut keys enable you to perform application
tasks. You can use shortcut keys to perform application tasks more quickly
than if you use a mouse. The following table lists some application shortcut
keys:</para>
<informaltable frame="topbot">
<tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0">

<colspec colname="COLSPEC0" colwidth="45.00*"/><colspec colname="COLSPEC1"
colwidth="55.00*"/>
<thead>
<row rowsep="1"><entry valign="top"><para>Shortcut Key </para></entry><entry
valign="top"><para>Command</para></entry></row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>N</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>New
</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>X</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>Cut
</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>C</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>Copy
</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>V</keycap></keycombo></para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC1" valign="top"><para>Paste
</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>Z</keycap></keycombo></para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Undo</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>S</keycap></keycombo></para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Save</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0"><para><keycombo><keycap>Ctrl</keycap><keycap>Q</keycap></keycombo></para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC1"><para>Quit</para></entry></row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</informaltable>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="gosbasic-63">
<title>Access Keys</title>
<indexterm><primary>access keys</primary></indexterm><para>An <glossterm>
access key</glossterm> is an underlined letter in a menu or dialog that you
can use to perform an action. </para>
<para>On a menubar, the access key for each menu is underlined. To open a
menu, press <keycap>Alt</keycap>, then press the access key. In the menu,
the access key for each menu item is underlined. To choose a menu item, press
the access key for the menu item. The following table shows example access
keys from the <application>Text Editor</application> application:</para>
<informaltable frame="topbot">
<tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0"><colspec colwidth="41.44*"/><colspec
colwidth="58.56*"/>
<thead>
<row rowsep="1"><entry valign="top"><para>Access Key</para></entry><entry
valign="top"><para>Function</para></entry></row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row><entry valign="top"><para><keycombo><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>F</keycap></keycombo></para></entry>
<entry valign="top"><para>Opens the <guimenu>File</guimenu> menu.</para></entry>
</row>
<row><entry valign="top"><para><keycap>N</keycap></para></entry><entry valign="top"><para>
Chooses the <guimenuitem>New</guimenuitem> item on the <guimenu>File</guimenu>
menu.</para></entry></row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</informaltable>
<para>You can also use access keys to access elements in a dialog. In a dialog,
one letter in most dialog elements is underlined. To access a particular dialog
element, press <keycap>Alt</keycap>, then press the access key. The following
table shows an example access key from the <guilabel>Preferences</guilabel>
dialog in <application>Text Editor</application> application:</para>
<informaltable frame="topbot">
<tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0"><colspec colwidth="50*"/><colspec colwidth="50*"/>
<thead>
<row rowsep="1"><entry valign="top"><para>Access Key</para></entry><entry
valign="top"><para>Function</para></entry></row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row><entry valign="top"><para><keycombo><keycap>Alt</keycap><keycap>U</keycap></keycombo></para></entry>
<entry valign="top"><para>Gives focus to the <guilabel>Use default theme font
</guilabel> check box.</para></entry></row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</informaltable>
<para>You can use also other keys to navigate within a window or dialog.</para>
<informaltable frame="topbot">
<tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0"><colspec colwidth="36.36*"/><colspec
colwidth="63.64*"/>
<thead>
<row rowsep="1"><entry valign="top"><para>Key</para></entry><entry valign="top"><para>
Function</para></entry></row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row><entry valign="top"><para><keycap>Tab</keycap></para></entry><entry valign="top"><para>
Moves the focus from element to element in a window or dialog.</para></entry>
</row>
<row><entry valign="top"><para>Arrow keys</para></entry><entry valign="top"><para>
Perform the following actions:</para><itemizedlist>
<listitem><para>On a menubar, moves the focus from one menu to the next menu.
In an open menu, moves the focus from one menu item  to the next menu item. 
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Moves the focus from one option to the next option to make
your selection, for example, within a group of radio buttons in a dialog.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Changes the value that a spin box displays.</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist></entry></row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</informaltable>
</sect2>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="gosbasic-46">
<title>Using Windows and Dialogs</title>
<indexterm><primary>basic skills</primary><secondary>using windows and dialogs
</secondary></indexterm><para>This section provides information on how to
use windows and dialogs.</para>
<sect2 id="gosbasic-48">
<title>To Resize Panes in Windows</title>
<indexterm><primary>windows</primary><secondary>resizing panes</secondary>
</indexterm><indexterm><primary>panes</primary><secondary>resizing</secondary>
</indexterm><para>Some windows contain more than one <glossterm>pane</glossterm>.
A pane is a subdivision of a window. For example, the <application>Nautilus
</application> window contains a side pane and a view pane. A window that
contains panes has a resize handle on the edge between the panes. To resize
the pane, grab the resize handle, then drag the edge to the size you require.
</para>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="gosbasic-49">
<title>Using Tables</title>
<indexterm><primary>windows</primary><secondary>using tables</secondary></indexterm>
<indexterm><primary>tables</primary><secondary>using</secondary></indexterm>
<para>Some windows contain information that is organized in a table. This
section describes how to work with tables.</para>
<para>To change the width of a column, drag one of the vertical edges of the
column.</para>
<para>In some tables, you can sort the information by a particular column.
To sort information in a table, click on the heading on top of the column
by which you want to sort the information. An up arrow is displayed in the
column heading by which the table is sorted. The following figure shows the
up arrow.</para>
<screenshot>
<mediaobject>
  <imageobject>
    <imagedata fileref="figures/naut_sort_arrow_icon.png" format="PNG"/>
  </imageobject>
  <textobject>
	<phrase>Shows an up arrow in a column heading.
</phrase>
  </textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>To reverse the sort order, click on the column heading again. The up
arrow changes to a down arrow. The down arrow indicates that the information
in the column is sorted in reverse order.</para>
<para>In some tables, you can select multiple items. The following table describes
how to select items in tables.</para>
<informaltable frame="topbot">
<tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0"><colspec colname="COLSPEC0" colwidth="36.36*"/>
<colspec colname="COLSPEC2" colwidth="63.64*"/>
<thead>
<row rowsep="1"><entry valign="top"><para>Task</para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC2"
valign="top"><para>Action</para></entry></row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para>Select an item</para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC2" valign="top"><para>Click on the item.</para></entry>
</row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para>Select a group of contiguous
items</para></entry><entry colname="COLSPEC2" valign="top"><para>Press and
hold <keycap>Shift</keycap>. Click on the first item in the group, then click
on the last item in the group.</para></entry></row>
<row><entry colname="COLSPEC0" valign="top"><para>Select multiple items</para></entry>
<entry colname="COLSPEC2" valign="top"><para>Press and hold <keycap>Ctrl</keycap>.
Click on the items that you want to select.</para></entry></row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</informaltable>
</sect2>
</sect1>
</chapter>