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<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"><title>Chapter 3. Customizing Your Settings</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="susebooks.css" type="text/css"><meta name="generator" content="DocBook XSL Stylesheets V1.75.2"><link rel="home" href="index.html" title="Documentation"><link rel="up" href="part.gnome.desktop.html" title="Part I. Introduction"><link rel="prev" href="cha.gnomeuser.use.html" title="Chapter 2. Working with Your Desktop"><link rel="next" href="cha.gnome.accessibility.html" title="Chapter 4. Assistive Technologies"></head><body bgcolor="white" text="black" link="#0000FF" vlink="#840084" alink="#0000FF"><div class="navheader"><table width="100%" summary="Navigation header" border="0" class="bctable"><tr><td width="80%"><div class="breadcrumbs"><p><a href="index.html"> Documentation</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><a href="book.gnomeuser.html">GNOME User Guide</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><a href="part.gnome.desktop.html">Introduction</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><strong><a accesskey="p" title="Chapter 2. Working with Your Desktop" href="cha.gnomeuser.use.html"><span>◀</span></a> <a accesskey="n" title="Chapter 4. Assistive Technologies" href="cha.gnome.accessibility.html"><span>▶</span></a></strong></p></div></td></tr></table></div><div class="chapter" title="Chapter 3. Customizing Your Settings"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title"><a name="cha.gnome.settings"></a>Chapter 3. Customizing Your Settings<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#cha.gnome.settings">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><div class="toc"><p><b>Contents</b></p><dl><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.gnome.settings.html#sec.gnome.settings.cc">3.1. The Control Center</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.gnome.settings.html#sec.gnome.settings.hardware">3.2. Hardware</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.gnome.settings.html#sec.gnome.settings.look">3.3. Look and Feel</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.gnome.settings.html#sec.gnome.settings.personal">3.4. Personal</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="cha.gnome.settings.html#sec.gnome.settings.system">3.5. System</a></span></dt></dl></div><p>
You can change the way the GNOME desktop looks and behaves to suit your
own personal tastes and needs. Some of the settings you might want to
change include:
</p><div class="itemizedlist"><ul class="itemizedlist" type="bullet"><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
Keyboard and mouse configuration, as described in
<a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.settings.html#sec.gnome.settings.hardware.keyboard" title="3.2.2. Modifying Keyboard Preferences">Section 3.2.2, “Modifying Keyboard Preferences”</a> and
<a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.settings.html#sec.gnome.settings.hardware.mouse" title="3.2.3. Configuring the Mouse">Section 3.2.3, “Configuring the Mouse”</a>
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
Desktop background, as described in
<a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.settings.html#sec.gnome.settings.look.deskback" title="3.3.1. Changing the Desktop Background">Section 3.3.1, “Changing the Desktop Background”</a>
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
Screen saver, as described in
<a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.settings.html#sec.gnome.settings.look.ssaver" title="3.3.4. Configuring the Screen Saver">Section 3.3.4, “Configuring the Screen Saver”</a>
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
Password, as described in
<a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.settings.html#sec.gnome.settings.personal.password" title="3.4.1. Changing Your Password">Section 3.4.1, “Changing Your Password”</a>
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
Sounds, as described in
<a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.settings.html#sec.gnome.settings.hardware.audio" title="3.2.6. Setting Sound Preferences">Section 3.2.6, “Setting Sound Preferences”</a>
</p></li></ul></div><p>
These settings and others can be changed in the Control Center.
</p><div class="sect1" title="3.1. The Control Center"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.cc"></a>3.1. The Control Center<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.cc">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><p>
While YaST is a desktop independent system-wide tool to configure most
aspects of your openSUSE installation, such as hardware settings,
network devices and services, software management or virtualization, the
Control Center is a GNOME configuration tool and focuses more on the look
and feel, personal settings and preferences of your GNOME desktop.
</p><p>
To access the Control Center, click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control Center</span>. The Control Center is divided into the following four
categories:
</p><div class="variablelist"><dl><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Hardware</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
Allows you to configure hardware components such as graphics cards,
monitors, printers or keyboard layout, and to set up your sound device
and desktop sound effects. For more information, see
<a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.settings.html#sec.gnome.settings.hardware" title="3.2. Hardware">Section 3.2, “Hardware”</a>.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Look and Feel</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
Contains settings for the desktop background, the screen saver and the
fonts appearing on the desktop. You can modify themes, window behavior
and styles of desktop elements such as menus and scroll bars. You can
also configure 3D desktop effects (Compiz). For more information see
<a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.settings.html#sec.gnome.settings.look" title="3.3. Look and Feel">Section 3.3, “Look and Feel”</a>.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Personal</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
Go here to change your login password or to configure keyboard
shortcuts and keyboard accessibility settings. For more information
see <a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.settings.html#sec.gnome.settings.personal" title="3.4. Personal">Section 3.4, “Personal”</a>.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term">System</span></dt><dd><p>
Lets you configure system settings such as language, network
connections, software sources and updates, your preferred
applications, or power management. Define how GNOME handles sessions
on login or shutdown and modify the Beagle search settings. For more
information see <a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.settings.html#sec.gnome.settings.system" title="3.5. System">Section 3.5, “System”</a>.
</p></dd></dl></div><div class="figure"><a name="id420990"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.1. GNOME Control Center</b></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="75%"><tr><td><img src="images/controlcenter.png" width="100%" alt="GNOME Control Center"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><p>
In order to change some system-wide settings, Control Center will prompt
you for the <code class="systemitem">root</code> password and start YaST. This
is mostly the case for administrator settings (including most of the
hardware, the graphical user interface, Internet access, security
settings, user administration, software installation and system updates
and information). Follow the instructions in YaST to configure these
settings. <span>For
information about using YaST, refer to the integrated YaST help texts
or refer to Start-Up (↑Start-Up).</span>
</p><p>
This chapter focuses on individual settings you can change directly in
the GNOME Control Center (without YaST interaction).
</p></div><div class="sect1" title="3.2. Hardware"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.hardware"></a>3.2. Hardware<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.hardware">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><p>
In the following sections you will find examples of how to configure some
hardware aspects of your GNOME desktop, including keyboard or mouse
preferences, handling of removable drives (and other media) or screen
resolution.
</p><div class="sect2" title="3.2.1. Configuring Bluetooth Settings"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.hardware.bluetooth"></a>3.2.1. Configuring Bluetooth Settings<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.hardware.bluetooth">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
The Bluetooth module lets you set the visibility of your machine over
Bluetooth, the name of your machine used for Bluetooth communication and
whether you want to show the Bluetooth applet in your panel. To
configure Bluetooth connectivity, follow these steps:
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">Bluetooth</span> or right-click the
Bluetooth icon in GNOME panel and select
<span class="guimenu">Preferences</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
On the <span class="guimenu">General</span> tab set the visibility of the
Bluetooth applet icon in the <span class="guimenu">Notification area</span> of
the GNOME panel. Right-click the applet icon to set connections with
Bluetooth devices and file transfers.
</p></li><li><p>
On the <span class="guimenu">General</span> tab use options under <span class="guimenu">Power
switches</span> for switching the Bluetooth adapter on and off. The
available options depend on the hardware used.
</p></li><li><p>
If the Bluetooth hardware is available and switched on, there is
another available tab. Under <span class="guimenu">Visibility setting</span> set
the visibility of the machine over a Bluetooth network. If the
<span class="guimenu">Temporary visible</span> option is chosen use the slider
to set the visibility period. The <span class="guimenu">Friendly name</span>
option specifies the name of the computer in the Bluetooth network.
</p></li><li><p>
The <span class="guimenu">Known devices</span> section lists all known Bluetooth
devices. Use the button with the plus icon to configure a new device
connection.
</p></li><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Close</span>.
</p></li></ol></div><p>
To configure file sharing over Bluetooth, follow these steps:
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">Personal File
Sharing</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
In the <span class="guimenu">Share Files over Bluetooth</span> section configure
the sharing of files in your <code class="filename">~/Public</code> directory.
Use <span class="guimenu">Share Public files over Bluetooth</span> to activate
or deactivate sharing of this directory. Specify whether remote
devices can delete public files and whether they are required to bond
with your computer.
</p></li><li><p>
In the <span class="guimenu">Receive Files over Bluetooth</span> section specify
whether to accept files sent over Bluetooth, from which devices and
whether you want to be notified about received files.
</p></li><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Close</span>.
</p></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect2" title="3.2.2. Modifying Keyboard Preferences"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.hardware.keyboard"></a>3.2.2. Modifying Keyboard Preferences<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.hardware.keyboard">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
To modify some keyboard settings (such as autorepeat preferences or
typing break sessions) click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Hardware</span>+<span class="guimenu">Keyboard</span>.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="fig.gnome.settings.hardware.keyboard"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.2. Keyboard Preferences Dialog</b><span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#fig.gnome.settings.hardware.keyboard">¶</a></span></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="55%"><tr><td><img src="images/preferences_keyboard.png" width="100%" alt="Keyboard Preferences Dialog"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
On the <span class="guimenu">General</span> tab you can set some general
keyboard preferences, such as enabling keyboard repeat with individual
delay and speed options or enabling or disabling the blinking of the
cursor and defining the speed. For more information about the
individual options, click <span class="guimenu">Help</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
To select your keyboard model click the <span class="guimenu">Layouts</span> tab
and select your model from the <span class="guimenu">Keyboard model</span> list.
</p></li><li><p>
To add a new language layout, click <span class="guimenu">Add</span> and choose
a language layout to add to the list. You can select different layouts
to suit different locales. Select one layout as
<span class="guimenu">Default</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
On the <span class="guimenu">Typing Break</span> tab you can set typing break
preferences. For more information about the individual options click
<span class="guimenu">Help</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
If all options are set according to your wishes, click
<span class="guimenu">Close</span>.
</p></li></ol></div><p>
For configuration of keyboard accessibility options refer to the
<a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.accessibility.html#sec.accessible.keyboard" title="4.2.1.4. Accessible Keyboard">Section 4.2.1.4, “Accessible Keyboard”</a>.
</p></div><div class="sect2" title="3.2.3. Configuring the Mouse"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.hardware.mouse"></a>3.2.3. Configuring the Mouse<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.hardware.mouse">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
To modify some mouse options click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control Panel</span>+<span class="guimenu">Hardware</span>+<span class="guimenu">Mouse</span> to
open the <span class="guimenu">Mouse Preferences</span>.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="fig.gnome.settings.hardware.mouse"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.3. Mouse Preferences Dialog</b><span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#fig.gnome.settings.hardware.mouse">¶</a></span></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="45%"><tr><td><img src="images/preferences_mouse.png" width="100%" alt="Mouse Preferences Dialog"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
The <span class="guimenu">General</span> tab is divided into several sections.
Use the radio buttons in the <span class="guimenu">Mouse Orientation</span>
section to specify if the mouse buttons are configured for left-hand
or right-hand use.
</p></li><li><p>
Check the option in the <span class="guimenu">Locate Pointer</span> section on
the <span class="guimenu">General</span> tab to enable a mouse pointer animation
when you press and release <span class="keycap">Ctrl</span>. This feature
can help you locate the mouse pointer.
</p></li><li><p>
Use the sliders in the <span class="guimenu">Pointer Speed</span> section on the
<span class="guimenu">General</span> tab to define the
<span class="guimenu">Acceleration</span> and <span class="guimenu">Sensitivity</span> of
your mouse pointer.
</p></li><li><p>
Use the slider in the <span class="guimenu">Drag and Drop</span> section on the
<span class="guimenu">General</span> tab to modify the distance that you must
move an item with the pointer before the action is interpreted as a
drag and drop action.
</p></li><li><p>
Use the slider in the <span class="guimenu">Double-Click Timeout</span> section
on the <span class="guimenu">General</span> tab to define the maximum delay
between the two clicks of a double-click. If the interval between two
clicks is greater than the interval specified here, the action is
interpreted as two separate clicks instead of a double-click. Use the
light bulb icon to check double-click sensitivity: the light will
light up briefly for a click, but stay lit for a double-click.
</p></li><li><p>
If all options are set according to your wishes, click
<span class="guimenu">Close</span>.
</p></li></ol></div><p>
For configuration of mouse accessibility options refer to
<a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.accessibility.html#sec.access.mouse.behavior" title="4.2.1. Mouse Behavior">Section 4.2.1, “Mouse Behavior”</a>.
</p></div><div class="sect2" title="3.2.4. Installing and Configuring Printers"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.hardware.printer"></a>3.2.4. Installing and Configuring Printers<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.hardware.printer">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
The Printing module lets you connect to any available local or remote
CUPS server and configure printers.
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
To start the Printers module, click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Hardware</span>+<span class="guimenu">Printing</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
The CUPS server to which you are connected is shown in the status bar.
To connect to a different CUPS server, click <span class="guimenu">Server</span>+<span class="guimenu">Connect</span>,
enter URL of the CUPS server and press <span class="guimenu">Connect</span>. The
printers available at the server are shown in the main window. Update
the list of available printers with the <span class="guimenu">Refresh</span>
button.
</p></li><li><p>
To add a new printer press <span class="guimenu">New</span> in the toolbar and
follow the configuration wizard.
</p></li><li><p>
To configure printer properties, set it as the default printer or view
its print queue, right-click the printer's icon and select appropriate
option from the menu.
</p></li></ol></div><div class="figure"><a name="fig.gnome.settings.hardware.printer"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.4. Printer Configuration Dialog</b><span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#fig.gnome.settings.hardware.printer">¶</a></span></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="46%"><tr><td><img src="images/preferences_printer.png" width="100%" alt="Printer Configuration Dialog"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><p>
For detailed information refer to <a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.print.html" title="Chapter 7. Managing Printers">Chapter 7, <i>Managing Printers</i></a>.
</p></div><div class="sect2" title="3.2.5. Configuring Screens"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.hardware.screen"></a>3.2.5. Configuring Screens<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.hardware.screen">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
To specify the resolution, refresh rate and orientation for your screen
or to configure multiple screens, click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Hardware</span>+<span class="guimenu">Display</span> and
modify the options.
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Press <span class="guimenu">Detect Displays</span> to detect all monitors
connected to your computer.
</p></li><li><p>
To set options for any monitor, click on the monitor's icon in the
blue preview area and set its <span class="guimenu">Resolution</span>,
<span class="guimenu">Refresh Rate</span>, and <span class="guimenu">Rotation</span>
(orientation) using the drop-down lists underneath.
</p></li><li><p>
If you use multiple monitors, you can set their respective positions
by dragging their icons in the blue preview area to the appropriate
location. Alternatively, you can configure your monitors to show the
same image by checking <span class="guimenu">Mirror Screens</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
To show an applet icon in your system tray which enables you to rotate
your screens, check <span class="guimenu">Show Displays in Panel</span>.
</p></li></ol></div><div class="figure"><a name="fig.gnome.settings.hardware.screen"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.5. Monitor Resolution Settings Dialog</b><span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#fig.gnome.settings.hardware.screen">¶</a></span></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="45%"><tr><td><img src="images/preferences_screen.png" width="100%" alt="Monitor Resolution Settings Dialog"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><p>
For more information about screen rotation support refer to
Section “Rotating Your Display” (Chapter 33, <i>Using Tablet PCs</i>, ↑Reference).
</p></div><div class="sect2" title="3.2.6. Setting Sound Preferences"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.hardware.audio"></a>3.2.6. Setting Sound Preferences<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.hardware.audio">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
The <span class="guimenu">Sound Preferences</span> tool lets you manage sound
devices. You can also specify which sounds to play when particular
events occur.
</p><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Hardware</span>+<span class="guimenu">Sound</span> to open the <span class="guimenu">Sound Preferences</span> tool.
</p><div class="sect3" title="3.2.6.1. Setting Sound Devices"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="id305461"></a>3.2.6.1. Setting Sound Devices<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#id305461">¶</a></span></h4></div></div></div><p>
Use the <span class="guimenu">Hardware</span> tab to configure the device to use
for various types of sounds.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="id305475"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.6. Setting Sound Devices</b></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="65%"><tr><td><img src="images/sound_devices.png" width="100%" alt="Setting Sound Devices"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><p>
Select one device present in the system from the list of available
sound devices. Below the list, choose the sound device setting you
prefer from the <span class="guimenu"> Settings for the selected device</span>
drop-down list. Here you can turn the device off, use only its input or
output, or use both input and output of the sound device.
</p><p>
Use the <span class="guimenu">Input</span> tab to set the input device volume or
to mute the input temporarily. You can also select default device for
audio input in the <span class="guimenu">Choose a device for sound input</span>
list.
</p><p>
Use the <span class="guimenu">Output</span> tab to set the device for sound
output from the list of devices. Below the list, you can set detailed
settings for the selected output sound device, like sound balance.
</p></div><div class="sect3" title="3.2.6.2. Setting Sound Effects"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="id387609"></a>3.2.6.2. Setting Sound Effects<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#id387609">¶</a></span></h4></div></div></div><p>
Use the <span class="guimenu">Sound Effects</span> tab to configure sound event
functions.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="fig.gnome.settings.system.audioj"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.7. Setting Sound Effects Preferences</b><span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#fig.gnome.settings.system.audioj">¶</a></span></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="75%"><tr><td><img src="images/preferences_sound.png" width="100%" alt="Setting Sound Effects Preferences"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><p>
Check <span class="guimenu">Enable window and button sounds</span> to play sounds
when particular events occur in the desktop. -
</p><p>
Select the <span class="guimenu">Sound Theme</span> to use or select <span class="guimenu">No
sounds</span> to switch sound themes off.
</p><p>
Check the alert sound you prefer from the list, and set the
<span class="guimenu">Alert Volume</span>.
</p></div></div></div><div class="sect1" title="3.3. Look and Feel"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.look"></a>3.3. Look and Feel<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.look">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><p>
In the following sections find examples of how to configure some look and
feel aspects of your GNOME desktop, like the desktop background and
screens saver, 3D desktop effects, themes, window behavior or menus.
</p><div class="sect2" title="3.3.1. Changing the Desktop Background"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.look.deskback"></a>3.3.1. Changing the Desktop Background<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.look.deskback">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
The desktop background is the image or color that is applied to your
desktop. You can customize the desktop background in the following ways:
</p><div class="itemizedlist"><ul class="itemizedlist" type="bullet"><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
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.
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
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.
</p></li></ul></div><p>
To change the desktop preferences:
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Look and Feel</span>+<span class="guimenu">Appearance</span>+<span class="guimenu">Background</span>.
</p><div class="informalfigure"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="45%"><tr><td><img src="images/preferences_background.png" width="100%"></td></tr></table></div></div></li><li><p>
To change the picture on the background select one of the
<span class="guimenu">Desktop Background</span> from the list and select the
<span class="guimenu">Style</span> in which to arrange the image on the desktop.
Your desktop immediately updates to show the new settings
</p></li><li><p>
To use a custom picture, click <span class="guimenu">Add</span> and select an
image file from the file system.
</p></li><li><p>
If you do not want a picture on the background, select <span class="guimenu">No
Desktop Background</span> from the <span class="guimenu">Desktop
Background</span> list and specify a color scheme using the options
in the <span class="guimenu">Color</span> drop-down list and the color selector
buttons. Your desktop immediately changes to show the new settings
</p></li><li><p>
When you are satisfied with your choices, click
<span class="guimenu">Close</span>.
</p></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect2" title="3.3.2. Configuring Fonts"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.look.fonts"></a>3.3.2. Configuring Fonts<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.look.fonts">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
To select the fonts to use in your applications, windows, terminals and
desktop, click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Look and Feel</span>+<span class="guimenu">Appearance</span>+<span class="guimenu">Fonts</span>.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="fig.gnome.settings.look.fonts"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.8. Font Preferences Dialog</b><span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#fig.gnome.settings.look.fonts">¶</a></span></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="40%"><tr><td><img src="images/fonts.png" width="100%" alt="Font Preferences Dialog"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><p>
The upper part of the dialog shows the fonts selected for applications,
documents, the desktop, window titles and a fixed-width font for
terminals. Click one of the buttons to open a selection dialog where you
can set the font family, style and size. For more information on the
individual options, click <span class="guimenu">Help</span>.
</p><p>
In the <span class="guimenu">Rendering</span> section, you can change the way
fonts are rendered on the screen. There are four basic options:
<span class="guimenu">Monochrome</span> (monochrome rendering without any
smoothing), <span class="guimenu">Best Shapes</span> (rendering optimized for
precise character shapes), <span class="guimenu">Best Contrast</span> (rendering
optimized for high contrast) and <span class="guimenu">Subpixel Smoothing</span>
(taking advantage of LCD subpixel structure). Advanced options for
display resolution, smoothing, hinting and subpixel order are available
after clicking on <span class="guimenu">Details</span>.
</p></div><div class="sect2" title="3.3.3. Configuring Menus and Toolbars"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.look.menu"></a>3.3.3. Configuring Menus and Toolbars<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.look.menu">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
You can configure the appearance and behavior of menus and toolbars.
Click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Look and Feel</span>+<span class="guimenu">Appearance</span>+<span class="guimenu">Interface</span>.
</p><p>
If you want icons to appear in menus, select <span class="guimenu">Show icons in
menus</span>. Not all menu items have icons.
</p><p>
If you want to be able to define new keyboard shortcuts for menu items,
select <span class="guimenu">Editable menu shortcut keys</span>. When this option
is enabled, you can change an application shortcut key by placing the
mouse pointer over the menu item you want to change and pressing the new
key combination. To remove a shortcut key combination, place the mouse
pointer over the menu item, then press <span class="keycap"><—</span> or
<span class="keycap">Del</span>.
</p><div class="important"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%" summary="Important: New Keyboard Combinations Can Change Defaults"><tr class="head"><td width="32"><img alt="[Important]" src="admon/important.png"></td><th align="left">New Keyboard Combinations Can Change Defaults</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top"><p>
If you assign a new keyboard combination that was previously assigned
to something else, you are not warned. The previous assignment is
removed and replaced by the new one. There is no automatic way to
restore the default keyboard shortcut for a command. You must manually
reassign the keyboard shortcut.
</p><p>
This feature does not maintain shortcuts that are normally assigned to
all applications, such as <span class="keycap">Ctrl</span>+<span class="keycap">C</span> for copy. This might lead to
inconsistencies in your GNOME applications.
</p></td></tr></table></div><p>
Select one of the following options to specify how toolbar button labels
display in your GNOME-compliant applications:
</p><div class="variablelist"><dl><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Text below icons</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
Displays icon labels below the icons for each button.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Text beside icons</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
Displays icons on the toolbar, with text beside the most important
icons.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Icons only</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
Displays icons only, without any text labels.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Text only</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
Displays text labels on each button, without icons.
</p></dd></dl></div><p>
A preview of the selected option appears in the dialog.
</p></div><div class="sect2" title="3.3.4. Configuring the Screen Saver"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.look.ssaver"></a>3.3.4. Configuring the Screen Saver<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.look.ssaver">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
A screen saver is a program that blanks the screen or displays graphics
when the computer is not used for a specified amount of time. Screen
savers originally protected monitors from having images burned into
them. Now they are used primarily for entertainment or security reasons.
</p><p>
To configure a screen saver click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Look and Feel</span>+<span class="guimenu">Screensaver</span>.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="fig.gnome.settings.look.ssaver"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.9. Screensaver Preferences Dialog</b><span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#fig.gnome.settings.look.ssaver">¶</a></span></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="40%"><tr><td><img src="images/preferences_screensaver.png" width="100%" alt="Screensaver Preferences Dialog"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><p>
From the list on the left select the screen saver theme you like. You
can also select <span class="guimenu">Random</span> for a random selection of a
screen savers or just a <span class="guimenu">Blank Screen</span>. A preview of
the currently selected screen saver appears on the right or, by pressing
the <span class="guimenu">Preview</span> button, you can test the selected screen
saver in a fullscreen mode.
</p><p>
Use the slider to specify the amount of time that the computer is to be
idle before the screen saver is activated. If you want the screen saver
to be activated after the specified time the <span class="guimenu">Activate
screensaver when computer is idle</span> checkbox should be checked.
If you also want the screen to lock automatically when the screen saver
is activated the <span class="guimenu">Lock screen when screensaver is
active</span> checkbox should be checked.
</p><p>
You can also access general power management options from here by
clicking <span class="guimenu">Power management</span>.
</p></div><div class="sect2" title="3.3.5. Choosing a Theme"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.look.style"></a>3.3.5. Choosing a Theme<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.look.style">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
A theme is a group of coordinated settings that specifies the visual
appearance of a part of the desktop. You can choose themes to change the
appearance of the desktop. Use the <span class="guimenu">Theme</span> tab of the
<span class="guimenu">Appearance</span> tool to select from a list of preinstalled
themes. The list of available themes includes several themes for users
with accessibility requirements.
</p><p>
To choose a theme, click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Look and Feel</span>+<span class="guimenu">Appearance</span>+<span class="guimenu">Theme</span>.
</p><p>
Basic appearance and color settings for the desktop and applications are
controlled using themes. You can choose from a variety of preinstalled
themes. Selecting a style from the list overview applies it
automatically. <span class="guimenu">Customize</span> opens another dialog where
you can customize the style of single desktop elements like window
content, window borders, and icons. Making changes and leaving the
dialog by clicking <span class="guimenu">Close</span> causes the theme to switch
to <span class="guimenu">Custom Theme</span>. Click <span class="guimenu">Save As</span> to
save your modified theme under a custom name. The Internet and other
sources provide many additional themes for GNOME as
<code class="filename">.tar.gz</code> files. Install these with
<span class="guimenu">Install...</span>.
</p><p>
The <span class="guimenu">Customize Theme</span> dialog has the following tabs and
options:
</p><div class="variablelist"><dl><dt><span class="term">Controls</span></dt><dd><p>
The controls setting for a theme determines the visual appearance of
windows, panels and applets. It 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 control
settings that are available are designed for special accessibility
needs. You can select a control setting in the
<span class="guimenu">Controls</span> tab of the <span class="guimenu">Customize
Theme</span> dialog.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term">Colors</span></dt><dd><p>
The colors of the text in windows, input boxes, selected items and
tooltips (as well as color of the text background) can be configured
in the <span class="guimenu">Colors</span> tab of the <span class="guimenu">Customize
Theme</span> dialog.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term">Window Border</span></dt><dd><p>
The window border setting for a theme determines the appearance of
the borders around windows (window decorations). You can select the
window border settings in the <span class="guimenu">Window Border</span> tab of
the <span class="guimenu">Customize Theme</span> dialog.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term">Icons</span></dt><dd><p>
The icon setting for a theme determines the appearance of the icons
on panels and the desktop background. You can select the icon
settings in the <span class="guimenu">Icons</span> tab of the
<span class="guimenu">Customize Theme</span> dialog.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term">Pointer</span></dt><dd><p>
The style and size of the mouse pointer can be configured in the
<span class="guimenu">Pointer</span> tab of the <span class="guimenu">Customize
Theme</span> dialog.
</p></dd></dl></div><div class="procedure" title="Procedure 3.1. Creating a Custom Theme"><a name="id386425"></a><p class="title"><b>Procedure 3.1. Creating a Custom Theme</b></p><p>
The themes that are listed in the <span class="guimenu">Theme Preferences</span>
tool are different combinations of control settings, window frame
options and icon options. You can create a custom theme that employs
different combinations of options. To create a custom theme:
</p><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Look and Feel</span>+<span class="guimenu">Appearance</span>+<span class="guimenu">Theme</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
Select a theme from the list of themes and click
<span class="guimenu">Customize</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
Select the controls option you want to use in the custom theme from
the list in the <span class="guimenu">Controls</span> tabbed page.
</p></li><li><p>
Click the <span class="guimenu">Colors</span> tab, then select colors you want
to use for windows, input boxes, text and other parts of the
interface. Some control themes do not support setting custom colors.
</p></li><li><p>
Click the <span class="guimenu">Window Border</span> tab and select the window
frame option that you want to use in the custom theme.
</p></li><li><p>
Click the <span class="guimenu">Icons</span> tab and select the icons option
that you want to use in the custom theme.
</p></li><li><p>
Click the <span class="guimenu">Pointer</span> tab and select the mouse pointer
option that you want to use in the custom theme.
</p></li><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Close</span>+<span class="guimenu">Save As</span>.
</p><p>
A <span class="guimenu">Save Theme</span> dialog is displayed.
</p></li><li><p>
Type a name and a short description for the custom theme in the
dialog, then click <span class="guimenu">Save</span>. The custom theme now
appears in your list of available themes.
</p></li></ol></div><div class="procedure" title="Procedure 3.2. Installing a New Theme"><a name="id425162"></a><p class="title"><b>Procedure 3.2. Installing a New Theme</b></p><p>
You can add a theme to the list of available themes. The new theme must
be a compressed archive file (a <code class="filename">.tar.gz</code> file).
</p><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Look and Feel</span>+<span class="guimenu">Appearance</span>+<span class="guimenu">Theme</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Install</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
Select the file and click <span class="guimenu">Open</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
If you want to apply the new theme immediately click <span class="guimenu">Apply
New Theme</span>. You can also <span class="guimenu">Keep Current
Theme</span>.
</p></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect2" title="3.3.6. Customizing Window Behavior"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.look.window"></a>3.3.6. Customizing Window Behavior<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.look.window">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
Use the <span class="guimenu">Window Preferences</span> tool to customize window
behavior for the desktop. You can determine how a window reacts to
contact with the mouse pointer or to double-clicks on its title bar and
you can define which key to hold for moving an application window.
</p><p>
To customize window behavior click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Look and Feel</span>+<span class="guimenu">Windows</span>.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="fig.gnome.settings.look.window"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.10. Window Preferences Dialog</b><span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#fig.gnome.settings.look.window">¶</a></span></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="50%"><tr><td><img src="images/window.png" width="100%" alt="Window Preferences Dialog"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><p>
When several application windows populate the desktop, the active window
by default is the one last clicked. Change this behavior by activating
<span class="guimenu">Select Windows When the Mouse Moves over Them</span>. If
desired, activate <span class="guimenu">Raise Selected Window after an
Interval</span> and adjust the latency with the slider. This raises
the window a short time after the window receives focus.
</p><p>
Under <span class="guimenu">Titlebar Action</span>, it is possible to specify an
action that is performed when the window's title bar is double-clicked.
Select the desired action from the drop-down list. Possible actions
include minimizing the window, maximizing it in one or both directions
or rolling it up, leaving only the title bar visible. The default
behavior is for the title bar to maximize in both directions.
</p><p>
Using the radio buttons, select a modifier key to press for moving a
window (<span class="keycap">Ctrl</span>, <span class="keycap">Alt</span> or
the <span class="keycap">Windows</span> key).
</p></div><div class="sect2" title="3.3.7. Configuring File Management Preferences"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.look.filemanpref"></a>3.3.7. Configuring File Management Preferences<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.look.filemanpref">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
The file management preference include settings for the GNOME file
manager Nautilus as well as the settings for handling of removable
media. You can access the preferences in the Control Center by clicking
<span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Look and Feel</span>+<span class="guimenu">File
Management</span> or directly from Nautilus by clicking
<span class="guimenu">Edit</span>+<span class="guimenu">Preferences</span>.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="id321099"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.11. File Manager Preferences</b></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="54%"><tr><td><img src="images/fm_views.png" width="100%" alt="File Manager Preferences"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
On the <span class="guimenu">Views</span> tab define options for various
Nautilus views. For example, select if Nautilus should show hidden
files and backup files.
</p></li><li><p>
On the <span class="guimenu">Behavior</span> tab define several options such as
to open files or folders in Nautilus upon single or double
mouse-click, or to include a <span class="guimenu">Delete</span> menu item in
Nautilus which deletes files or folders directly from your file system
instead of moving them to the trash.
</p></li><li><p>
On the <span class="guimenu">Display</span> tab configure the date format and
the way icon captions appear in Nautilus.
</p></li><li><p>
Switch to the <span class="guimenu">List Columns</span> tab to configure the
columns that appear in Nautilus, as well as the order in which they
appear.
</p></li><li><p>
Click the <span class="guimenu">Preview</span> tab to specify for which files to
show previews in Nautilus and if folders should show the number of
items they contain.
</p></li><li><p>
Click the <span class="guimenu">Media</span> tab to specify actions that should
be performed automatically whenever media such as audio CDs, video
DVDs, blank disks, media players, digital cameras and other devices
are connected. In general, you do not need to change these settings
unless you want to change the behavior of a device when connected. If
you attach a device for the first time and it behaves in an unexpected
or undesired way, change the settings for the particular device.
</p></li><li><p>
For more information on the available options click
<span class="guimenu">Help</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Close</span> when you are ready to apply changes.
</p></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect2" title="3.3.8. Locking Desktop Functions"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.look.lockdown"></a>3.3.8. Locking Desktop Functions<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.look.lockdown">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
openSUSE ships with a graphical lockdown editor
(<code class="systemitem">pessulus</code> package) that lets you disable
(lockdown) certain desktop functions. This is useful if you want to
restrict the actions that users can perform on a computer. For example,
you might want to prevent command line operations on a computer that is
for public use at a trade show.
</p><p>
If the <code class="systemitem">pessulus</code> package is already installed,
start the Lockdown Editor from the main menu with <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Look and Feel</span>+<span class="guimenu">Lockdown Editor</span> or press <span class="keycap">Alt</span>+<span class="keycap">F2</span> and enter <span class="command"><strong>pessulus</strong></span>.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="fig.gnome.settings.look.lockdown"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.12. General Lockdown Editor Settings</b><span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#fig.gnome.settings.look.lockdown">¶</a></span></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="70%"><tr><td><img src="images/lockdown_general.png" width="100%" alt="General Lockdown Editor Settings"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><p>
When the Lockdown Editor starts, it tries to connect to the GConf
mandatory configuration source
(<code class="filename">xml:merged:$prefix/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.mandatory</code>).
If you run <span class="command"><strong>pessulus</strong></span> as <code class="systemitem">root</code>, you have access to
this configuration source and a lock icon is displayed next to the
checkbox for each setting. Click the lock to specify if the setting is
mandatory. If the setting is mandatory, regular users will not be able
to change or override the setting. If you do not have access to the
mandatory configuration source, the lock icon does not appear. In this
case, all disabled settings are stored in the user's default
configuration source and can be modified later using other tools such as
<span class="command"><strong>gconf-editor</strong></span> or <span class="command"><strong>gconftool-2</strong></span>. For
more information about GConf and mandatory configuration sources see
<a class="ulink" href="http://library.gnome.org/admin/system-admin-guide/stable/" target="_top">
<span class="quote">“<span class="quote">Using GConf</span>”</span> </a> in the
<em class="citetitle">GNOME Desktop System Administration
Guide</em>
.
</p><p>
Click a category on the left to view the settings for this category that
can be disabled.
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
To disable access to the command line, saving to disk and printing (or
prevent the user from modifying print settings) set the relevant
options in the <span class="guimenu">General</span> category.
</p></li><li><p>
Use the options in the <span class="guimenu">Panel</span> category to lock down
the panel, disable the panel applets you specify and disable the force
quit, lock screen and log out options.
</p></li><li><p>
Use the options in the <span class="guimenu">Epiphany Web Browser</span>
category to control access to features in Epiphany.
</p></li><li><p>
Use the options in the <span class="guimenu">GNOME Screensaver</span> category
to lock the screen (when the screen saver goes active), enable or
disable the logout (after a delay option in the unlock dialog box) and
to enable or disable the switch user option in the unlock dialog box.
</p></li><li><p>
For more information on the available options of each category, click
<span class="guimenu">Help</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
If all options are set according to your wishes, click
<span class="guimenu">Close</span> to apply the changes.
</p></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect2" title="3.3.9. Customizing the Main Menu"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.look.mainmenu"></a>3.3.9. Customizing the Main Menu<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.look.mainmenu">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
Use the <span class="guimenu">Main Menu</span> tool to customize the traditional
GNOME main menu. The traditional GNOME menu is not enabled by default,
but you can add it to your GNOME panel by right-clicking it and choosing
<span class="guimenu">Add to Panel</span>+<span class="guimenu">Traditional Main
Menu</span>+<span class="guimenu">Add</span>+<span class="guimenu">Close</span>. To customize the traditional GNOME main menu, use
<span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Look and Feel</span>+<span class="guimenu">Main
Menu</span>.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="fig.gnome.settings.look.mainmenu"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.13. Main Menu Editor</b><span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#fig.gnome.settings.look.mainmenu">¶</a></span></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="78%"><tr><td><img src="images/main_menu_editor.png" width="100%" alt="Main Menu Editor"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><p>
The current main menu submenus are displayed on the left of the main
window, the items belonging to the selected submenu are shown on the
right. Groups in a submenu are nested below that submenu. To find an
item, click the arrow next to a submenu in the <span class="guimenu">Menus</span>
list, select the group containing that item and locate the item in the
<span class="guimenu">Items</span> list.
</p><div class="note"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%" summary="Note: Implications of Main Menu Changes"><tr class="head"><td width="32"><img alt="[Note]" src="admon/note.png"></td><th align="left">Implications of Main Menu Changes</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top"><p>
Changes you make to the main menu are not overwritten during a
subsequent system update. Changes are applied after the latest menu
view is generated.
</p></td></tr></table></div><div class="procedure" title="Procedure 3.3. Editing the Main Menu"><a name="id415988"></a><p class="title"><b>Procedure 3.3. Editing the Main Menu</b></p><p>
You can change the order in which items appear in the main menu, rename
menu items, show (or hide) menu items, delete items from the menu or
add new menu items. For example, you might want to place your
frequently used applications at the top of the menu or at the top of
their groups to make them easier to find. Adding new items to the main
menu is helpful when you install an application, but it is also useful
if you have other applications that do not currently appear on the
menu. You can also add a directory, a link or another type of item to
the menu.
</p><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
To move a menu item click the menu item in the
<span class="guimenu">Items</span> list on the right and drag it to a new
location in the menu. You can move the item to a new location in the
same menu or drop it on an item in the <span class="guimenu">Menus</span> list
(to move it to a new menu or group). Use the <span class="guimenu">Move
Up</span> and <span class="guimenu">Move Down</span> buttons to change an
item's location in the menu.
</p></li><li><p>
To rename an existing menu item right-click the item in the
<span class="guimenu">Items</span> list, select <span class="guimenu">Properties</span>
and enter a new name.
</p></li><li><p>
To hide an item (so it does not appear in the menu) deactivate the
checkbox next to the item in the <span class="guimenu">Items</span> list. An
activated checkbox indicates that the item is currently shown in the
menu. When an item is hidden it still remains in the
<span class="guimenu">Items</span> list and can be shown at any time you decide
you want it to (re)appear in the menu.
</p></li><li><p>
To delete an item from the <span class="guimenu">Items</span> list right-click
the item and click <span class="guimenu">Delete</span>. If you want to show a
deleted item in the menu again you must add it like you would a new
application.
</p></li><li><p>
To add a new item, proceed as follows:
</p><ol type="a" class="substeps"><li><p>
In the <span class="guimenu">Menus</span> list click the arrow next to the
menu containing the group where you want to add the application,
then select the group. The contents of that group appear in the
<span class="guimenu">Items</span> list.
</p></li><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">New Item</span> and select the
<span class="guimenu">Type</span> of menu item to add. For example, to add an
application select <span class="guimenu">Application</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Browse</span> and select the item to add.
</p></li><li><p>
Enter a <span class="guimenu">Name</span> for the new menu item.
</p></li><li><p>
If you want a short description to appear in the main menu during a
hover state enter the description in the <span class="guimenu">Comment</span>
field.
</p></li><li><p>
If you want to assign an icon to the new item, click the image frame
on the left, then select an icon for the item. If you do not select
an icon, the item appears in the menu without an icon.
</p></li></ol></li><li><p>
If you want to restore the default menu layout click
<span class="guimenu">Revert</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
If all options are set according to your wishes click
<span class="guimenu">Close</span> to apply your changes.
</p><div class="note"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%" summary="Note"><tr class="head"><td width="32"><img alt="[Note]" src="admon/note.png"></td><th align="left"></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top"><p>
The first time you use the <span class="guimenu">Main Menu</span> application
to edit the menu, changes do not take effect until your next login.
Subsequent changes appear immediately.
</p></td></tr></table></div></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect2" title="3.3.10. Configuring Desktop Effects"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.look.xgl"></a>3.3.10. Configuring Desktop Effects<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.look.xgl">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
Compiz is a compositing window manager for the X Window System that uses
3D graphics hardware to create fast compositing desktop effects for
window management. Effects are implemented as loadable plugins. Compiz
lets you turn your desktop into a rotating 3D cube, tile windows so they
do not overlap and switch tasks while viewing live thumbnails. You can
enable translucent or transparent windows, zoom in and out of the
desktop screen, and use other window effects such as shadows, fading and
transformations. You can also configure windows to snap to other windows
and screen edges when they are moved.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="fig.gnome.settings.look.xgl.cube"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.14. 3D Desktop</b><span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#fig.gnome.settings.look.xgl.cube">¶</a></span></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="88%"><tr><td><img src="images/xgl_cube1.png" width="100%" alt="3D Desktop"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><div class="sect3" title="3.3.10.1. Enabling Desktop Effects"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.look.xgl.enable"></a>3.3.10.1. Enabling Desktop Effects<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.look.xgl.enable">¶</a></span></h4></div></div></div><p>
To enable desktop effects you need a graphics adapter capable of
providing 3D support and the graphics driver that Linux uses to operate
the graphics adapter. This driver must be able to handle OpenGL (or 3D)
requests from the Linux kernel. If your configuration is compatible
with desktop effects it will be enabled by default. If your
configuration does not support desktop effects you will be warned upon
activation.
</p><p>
To enable or disable desktop effects follow these steps:
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Desktop Effects</span> in the <span class="guimenu">Look and
Feel</span> group.
</p><div class="informalfigure"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="49%"><tr><td><img src="images/xgl_enable.png" width="100%"></td></tr></table></div></div></li><li><p>
If your system is configured for desktop effects check
<span class="guimenu">Enable Desktop Effects</span>. To keep desktop effects
enabled press <span class="guimenu">Yes</span> in the dialog that opens.
Otherwise, the desktop effects will be deactivated automatically in
ten seconds.
</p><p>
To disable desktop effects uncheck the <span class="guimenu">Enable Desktop
Effects</span> option.
</p></li><li><p>
The default set of desktop effects is now enabled. You can change the
enabled effects and their settings on the several tabs of the
<span class="guimenu">Desktop Effects</span> dialog or just select a
<span class="guimenu">Profile</span> from the dropdown list. To activate the
selected profile press the green button.
</p></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect3" title="3.3.10.2. Modifying Desktop Effects"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.look.xgl.modify"></a>3.3.10.2. Modifying Desktop Effects<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.look.xgl.modify">¶</a></span></h4></div></div></div><p>
A simplified configuration tool for desktop effects is included in the
<span class="guimenu">Look and Feel</span> section of GNOME Control Center. Open
<span class="guimenu">Desktop Effects</span> tool from the main menu by clicking
<span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Look and Feel</span>+<span class="guimenu">Desktop
Effects</span>.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="fig.gnome.settings.look.xgl.modify"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.15. Desktop Effects Configuration</b><span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#fig.gnome.settings.look.xgl.modify">¶</a></span></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="49%"><tr><td><img src="images/xgl_effects.png" width="100%" alt="Desktop Effects Configuration"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Use the <span class="guimenu">Info</span> tab to get general information about
the current desktop effect settings.
</p></li><li><p>
Use the options on the <span class="guimenu">Animations</span> tab to specify
what happens when you open, close, focus or minimize windows.
</p></li><li><p>
Use the options on the <span class="guimenu">Effects</span> tab to specify what
type of <span class="guimenu">Switcher</span> to use. This is the desktop
effect activated when switching between windows using the <span class="keycap">Alt</span>+<span class="keycap">→|</span>
combination. This is where you can set various desktop effects like
opacity of the desktop cube or wobbling windows.
</p></li><li><p>
Use the options on the <span class="guimenu">Desktop</span> tab to configure
the representation of virtual desktops you want to use (three
dimensional <span class="guimenu">Desktop Cube</span> or planar
<span class="guimenu">Desktop Wall</span>) and to set how many virtual desktops
you want to use.
</p></li><li><p>
Use the options on the <span class="guimenu">Accessibility</span> tab to
configure screen and area zoom.
</p></li><li><p>
Use the <span class="guimenu">Edges</span> tab to configure functions
associated with active screen edges.
</p></li><li><p>
For more information on the individual options, click
<span class="guimenu">Help</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
If all options are set according to your wishes, click
<span class="guimenu">Close</span> to apply the changes.
</p></li></ol></div><div class="note"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%" summary="Note: Advanced Configuration Tool"><tr class="head"><td width="32"><img alt="[Note]" src="admon/note.png"></td><th align="left">Advanced Configuration Tool</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top"><p>
An advanced configuration tool can be started from the <span class="guimenu">Look
and feel</span> menu by clicking <span class="guimenu">CompizConfig Settings
Manager</span>, or form a terminal emulator with command
<span class="command"><strong>ccsm</strong></span>. This offers a greater selection of
configuration options than the simplified tool in GNOME Control
Center.
</p></td></tr></table></div><p>
You can also use <span class="command"><strong>gconf-editor</strong></span> to change desktop
effects settings.
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">More
Applications</span>+<span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">GNOME
Configuration Editor</span> or press <span class="keycap">Alt</span>+<span class="keycap">F2</span> and enter
<span class="command"><strong>gconf-editor</strong></span>.
</p></li><li><p>
Navigate to the <code class="filename">apps/compiz/general</code> and
<code class="filename">apps/compiz/plugins</code> registry folders and make
the desired changes.
</p></li><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">File</span>+<span class="guimenu">Quit</span> to close the <span class="guimenu">Configuration Editor</span>.
</p></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect3" title="3.3.10.3. Desktop Effects Shortcuts"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h4 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.look.xgl.shortcuts"></a>3.3.10.3. Desktop Effects Shortcuts<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.look.xgl.shortcuts">¶</a></span></h4></div></div></div><p>
The following table contains a list of the default keystrokes and mouse
movements you can use to perform desktop effects. To change any of
these shortcuts, see use the advanced configuration tool
(<span class="guimenu">CompizConfig Settings Manger</span>). The shortcuts for
zoom function can be configured in the <span class="guimenu">Desktop
Effects</span> tool available from GNOME Control Center.
</p><div class="table"><a name="tab.gnome.settings.look.xgl.shortcuts"></a><p class="title"><b>Table 3.1. Desktop Effects Shortcuts</b><span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#tab.gnome.settings.look.xgl.shortcuts">¶</a></span></p><div class="table-contents"><table summary="Desktop Effects Shortcuts" border="1"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><thead><tr><th>
<p>
Effect
</p>
</th><th>
<p>
Shortcut
</p>
</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>
<p>
Panoramic view of all desktops (if the desktop cube effect is
enabled)
</p>
</td><td>
<p>
<span class="keycap">Ctrl</span>+<span class="keycap">Alt</span>+<span class="keycap">↓</span> (use the Left and Right
arrows to scroll)
</p>
</td></tr><tr><td>
<p>
Rotate desktop cube (if the desktop cube effect is enabled) or
switch desktops (if the desktop wall effect is enabled)
</p>
</td><td>
<p>
<span class="keycap">Ctrl</span>+<span class="keycap">Alt</span>+<span class="keycap">←</span> or <span class="keycap">→</span>
(<span class="keycap">↑</span> or <span class="keycap">↓</span> keys can be
used in case of desktop wall effect with multiple rows)
</p>
</td></tr><tr><td>
<p>
Rotate desktop cube manually (if the desktop cube effect is
enabled)
</p>
</td><td>
<p>
<span class="keycap">Ctrl</span>+<span class="keycap">Alt</span>+<span class="keycap">left-click</span> the desktop and drag the
mouse pointer
</p>
</td></tr><tr><td>
<p>
Rotate desktop cube (if the desktop cube effect is enabled) or
switch desktops (if the desktop wall effect is enabled) while
keeping the current active window with you
</p>
</td><td>
<p>
<span class="keycap">Ctrl</span>+<span class="keycap">Alt</span>+<span class="keycap">Shift</span>+<span class="keycap">←</span>
or <span class="keycap">→</span>
</p>
</td></tr><tr><td>
<p>
Switch windows (thumbnail view)
</p>
</td><td>
<p>
<span class="keycap">Alt</span>+<span class="keycap">→|</span>
</p>
</td></tr><tr><td>
<p>
Wobbly window (if the wobbly effect is enabled)
</p>
</td><td>
<p>
Left-click the window and drag
</p>
</td></tr><tr><td>
<p>
Zoom in manually (if the screen zoom is enabled)
</p>
</td><td>
<p>
Super key (Windows key) and scroll wheel up
</p>
</td></tr><tr><td>
<p>
Zoom out manually (if the screen zoom is enabled)
</p>
</td><td>
<p>
Super key (Windows key) and scroll wheel down
</p>
</td></tr><tr><td>
<p>
Zoom in area under mouse pointer (if the area zoom is enabled)
</p>
</td><td>
<p>
Shift, super key (Windows key) and scroll wheel up
</p>
</td></tr><tr><td>
<p>
Zoom out area under mouse pointer (if the area zoom is enabled)
</p>
</td><td>
<p>
Shift, Super key (Windows key) and scroll wheel down
</p>
</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><br class="table-break"></div></div></div><div class="sect1" title="3.4. Personal"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.personal"></a>3.4. Personal<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.personal">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><p>
The following sections introduce examples of how to configure some
personal aspects of your GNOME desktop, like your password or keyboard
shortcuts. For configuration of assistive technologies refer to
<a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.accessibility.html" title="Chapter 4. Assistive Technologies">Chapter 4, <i>Assistive Technologies</i></a>.
</p><div class="sect2" title="3.4.1. Changing Your Password"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.personal.password"></a>3.4.1. Changing Your Password<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.personal.password">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
For security reasons, it is a good idea to change your login password
from time to time. To change your password:
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Personal</span>+<span class="guimenu">About
Me</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
In the upper right corner, click <span class="guimenu">Change password</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
Type your old (current) password.
</p></li><li><p>
Type your new password.
</p></li><li><p>
Confirm your new password by typing it again, then click
<span class="guimenu">Change Password</span>.
</p></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect2" title="3.4.2. Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.personal.shortcut"></a>3.4.2. Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.personal.shortcut">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
A keyboard shortcut is a key or combination of keys that provide an
alternative to standard ways of performing an action. You can customize
the keyboard shortcuts for a number of actions.
</p><p>
To open the Keyboard Shortcuts tool click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">Personal</span>+<span class="guimenu">Keyboard Shortcuts</span>.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="fig.gnome.settings.personal.shortcut"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.16. Keyboard Shortcuts Dialog</b><span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#fig.gnome.settings.personal.shortcut">¶</a></span></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="60%"><tr><td><img src="images/keyboard_shortcuts.png" width="100%" alt="Keyboard Shortcuts Dialog"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><p>
To change the shortcut keys for an action, select the action and then
press the keys you want to associate with the action. To disable the
shortcut keys for an action, click the shortcut for the action, then
press <span class="keycap"><—</span>.
</p></div></div><div class="sect1" title="3.5. System"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.system"></a>3.5. System<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.system">¶</a></span></h2></div></div></div><p>
In the following sections you will find examples of how to configure some
system aspects of your GNOME desktop like language settings, power
management, preferred applications, session (and session sharing)
preferences, Beagle search options and audio preferences.
</p><div class="sect2" title="3.5.1. Configuring Language Settings"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.lang"></a>3.5.1. Configuring Language Settings<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.lang">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
openSUSE can be configured to use any of a number of languages. The
language setting determines the language of dialogs and menus and can
also determine the keyboard and clock layout.
</p><p>
You can set the following language settings:
</p><div class="itemizedlist"><ul class="itemizedlist" type="bullet"><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
Primary language
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
Whether the keyboard language setting should correlate to the primary
language
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
Whether the time zone should correlate to the primary language
</p></li><li class="listitem" style="list-style-type: disc"><p>
Secondary languages
</p></li></ul></div><p>
To configure your language settings:
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">Language</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
Enter the <code class="systemitem">root</code> password.
</p><p>
If you do not know the root password contact your system
administrator. You cannot continue without the root password.
</p></li><li><p>
Specify the primary language, whether you want to adapt the keyboard
layout or time zone to the primary language, and any secondary
languages you need to support on the computer.
</p></li><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Accept</span>.
</p><p>
The language configuration settings are written to several
configuration files. This process can take a few minutes. The new
settings take effect immediately after they are written to the
configuration files.
</p></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect2" title="3.5.2. Configuring Network Proxies"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.system.proxy"></a>3.5.2. Configuring Network Proxies<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.system.proxy">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
The Network Proxy Configuration tool lets you configure how your system
connects to the Internet. You can configure the desktop to connect to a
proxy server and specify the details of the server. A proxy server is a
server that intercepts requests to another server and fulfills the
request itself, if it can. You can specify 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.
</p><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">Network
Proxy</span>.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="fig.gnome.settings.system.proxy"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.17. Network Proxy Configuration Dialog</b><span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#fig.gnome.settings.system.proxy">¶</a></span></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="65%"><tr><td><img src="images/preferences_network.png" width="100%" alt="Network Proxy Configuration Dialog"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><p>
For more information on the individual options, click
<span class="guimenu">Help</span>.
</p></div><div class="sect2" title="3.5.3. Configuring Power Management"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.system.power"></a>3.5.3. Configuring Power Management<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.system.power">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
The Power Management module lets you manage your system's power-saving
options. It is especially useful for extending the life of a laptop’s
battery charge. However, several options also help to save electricity
when you are using a computer that is plugged in to an electrical power
outlet.
</p><p>
Sleep mode shuts down the computer when it is dormant for a specified
period of time. Whether you are using battery or AC power, you can
specify the period of time that the computer remains dormant before it
is put to sleep. You can also put the computer’s display to sleep
without shutting down the computer, saving the power required by the
display.
</p><p>
Sleep mode is especially important when the computer is operating under
battery power. Both the screen and the computer draw power from the
battery, so you can save a significant amount of battery power by
shutting down one or both. It is common to put the display to sleep
after a shorter period of time. Then, if the computer remains dormant
for an additional period of time, it is also put to sleep.
</p><p>
There are several sleep modes or actions you can set in the Power
Management module:
</p><div class="variablelist"><dl><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Do nothing</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
The computer does not shut down or automatically go into any kind of
power-saving mode. If you have a laptop, the laptop continues to run
normally when the lid is closed.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Blank screen</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
The screen is blanked, reducing power consumption.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Suspend</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
Suspend mode turns off power-consuming computer components such as
the display and the hard drive without saving the contents of RAM.
Any unsaved data is lost.
</p></dd><dt><span class="term"><span class="guimenu">Hibernate</span>
</span></dt><dd><p>
The computer saves the contents of RAM to the hard disk and shuts
down. When you turn the computer on again, the saved data is put back
into RAM, restoring your computer to its previous state.
<span class="guimenu">Hibernate</span> requires an amount of free hard disk
space equal to the amount of RAM installed on the computer.
</p></dd></dl></div><p>
To open the Power Management module, click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">Power Management</span>.
</p><div class="procedure" title="Procedure 3.4. Specifying Your Computer's Sleep Settings"><a name="id402509"></a><p class="title"><b>Procedure 3.4. Specifying Your Computer's Sleep Settings</b></p><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Click the tab for the type of power you are using: if your computer
uses AC power click <span class="guimenu">On AC Power</span>. If your computer
runs on battery power click <span class="guimenu">On Battery Power</span>. If
your computer operates on both AC and battery power, you can configure
the settings on both tabs.
</p></li><li><p>
Use the drop-down lists to set the amount of inactive time that passes
before the display and computer go into sleep mode.
</p><p>
When the display is in sleep mode, the computer continues to run. When
the computer is in sleep mode, power to the display and hard disk is
shut off and the computer uses only the power needed to maintain the
contents of RAM.
</p></li><li><p>
If the computer is a laptop, set the actions you want taken when the
laptop lid is closed.
</p></li><li><p>
You can also save some energy by enabling the hard disk to spin down
during idle times.
</p></li><li><p>
If you configure how a laptop manages battery power, specify the
action you want taken if battery power reaches a critical level.
</p><p>
Choose the option you prefer by selecting it from the menu. If you
have sufficient free disk space, <span class="guimenu">Hibernate</span> is the
best choice.
</p></li><li><p>
In the <span class="guimenu">Display</span> pane, specify the amount of time
after which the display will enter the sleep mode. You can set other
options for idle mode here as well, like dimming the display or
reducing backlight brightness.
</p></li><li><p>
On the <span class="guimenu">General</span> tab you can set further options, for
example the action to take when the power button is pressed or the
sleep type to use when the computer is inactive. The options available
there depend on the type of computer you use (laptop or other
computer).
</p></li><li><p>
You can also define when and how to display the power icon in the
notification area.
</p></li><li><p>
When all options are set according to your wishes, click
<span class="guimenu">Close</span>. The options you selected go into effect
immediately.
</p></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect2" title="3.5.4. Setting Preferred Applications"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.prefapps"></a>3.5.4. Setting Preferred Applications<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.prefapps">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
The Preferred Applications module allows you change the default
application for various common tasks such as browsing the Internet,
sending mails or transferring data with FTP.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="id402661"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.18. Preferred Applications</b></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="65%"><tr><td><img src="images/preferences_preferred_apps.png" width="100%" alt="Preferred Applications"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">Preferred
Applications</span>.
</p></li><li><p>
Click the tab for the type of application you want to set.
</p></li><li><p>
Select one of the available applications from the drop-down list or
enter the command used to start the application.
</p></li><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Close</span>.
</p></li></ol></div><p>
The changes take effect immediately.
</p></div><div class="sect2" title="3.5.5. Setting Session Sharing Preferences"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.share"></a>3.5.5. Setting Session Sharing Preferences<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.share">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
The <span class="guimenu">Remote Desktop Preference</span> dialog box lets you
share a GNOME desktop session between multiple users and set
session-sharing preferences.
</p><div class="important"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%" summary="Important: Sharing Desktop Sessions Affects System Security"><tr class="head"><td width="32"><img alt="[Important]" src="admon/important.png"></td><th align="left">Sharing Desktop Sessions Affects System Security</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top"><p>
Be aware that sharing desktop sessions can be a security risk. Use the
restriction options available. If you need to adjust the options to a
lower security level, do not forget to switch back to a higher security
level as soon as possible.
</p></td></tr></table></div><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">Remote
Desktop</span>.
</p><div class="informalfigure"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="48%"><tr><td><img src="images/remote_desktop_a.png" width="100%" alt="Remote Desktop Preferences dialog box"></td></tr></table></div></div></li><li><p>
To share your desktop session with other users activate <span class="guimenu">Allow
other users to view your desktop</span>. All keyboard, pointer and
clipboard events from the remote user are ignored.
</p></li><li><p>
If you want or need to allow other users to access and control your
session from a remote location, activate <span class="guimenu">Allow other users to
control your desktop</span>. Click the highlighted text below to
send the system address by e-mail to a remote user.
</p></li><li><p>
Make use of the security options available. If <span class="guimenu">Ask you for
confirmation</span> is activated, remote users require your
confirmation before they can connect to your session. To achieve a
higher security level, activate <span class="guimenu">Require the user to enter
this password</span> (if authentication is used).
</p></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect2" title="3.5.6. Configuring Search with Beagle Settings"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.system.beagle"></a>3.5.6. Configuring Search with Beagle Settings<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.system.beagle">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
Beagle is the search engine used on the GNOME desktop. By default,
Beagle is configured to start automatically and index your home
directory. If you want to change these settings, specify the number of
results displayed after a search or change the Beagle privacy settings,
click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">Search
Settings</span>.
</p><div class="figure"><a name="id416587"></a><p class="title"><b>Figure 3.19. Search Preferences</b></p><div class="figure-contents"><div class="mediaobject"><table border="0" summary="manufactured viewport for HTML img" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="48%"><tr><td><img src="images/preferences_beagle.png" width="100%" alt="Search Preferences"></td></tr></table></div></div></div><br class="figure-break"><p>
For more information, see <a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.beagle.html#sec.gnome.beagle.prefs" title="6.4. Setting Search Preferences">Section 6.4, “Setting Search Preferences”</a> and
<a class="xref" href="cha.gnome.beagle.html#sec.gnome.beagle.indexing_exclude" title="6.6. Preventing Files and Directories from Being Indexed">Section 6.6, “Preventing Files and Directories from Being Indexed”</a>.
</p></div><div class="sect2" title="3.5.7. Setting Software Updates"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.system.updates"></a>3.5.7. Setting Software Updates<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.system.updates">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
The <span class="guimenu">Software Updates</span> tool lets you configure the
frequency of update checking, automatic updates and update
notifications.
</p><div class="procedure"><ol class="procedure" type="1"><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Computer</span>+<span class="guimenu">Control
Center</span>+<span class="guimenu">System</span>+<span class="guimenu">Software
Updates</span> to open the <span class="guimenu">Software Updates
Preferences</span> tool.
</p></li><li><p>
In the <span class="guimenu">Update Settings</span> section, set the frequency
of update checking and whether updates should be installed
automatically. You can limit automatic installation to security
updates.
</p></li><li><p>
Click <span class="guimenu">Close</span>.
</p></li></ol></div></div><div class="sect2" title="3.5.8. Configuring Administrative Settings with YaST"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h3 class="title"><a name="sec.gnome.settings.admin"></a>3.5.8. Configuring Administrative Settings with YaST<span class="permalink"><a alt="Permalink" title="Copy Permalink" href="#sec.gnome.settings.admin">¶</a></span></h3></div></div></div><p>
For your convenience, YaST is available from the Control Panel as well
as the Applications menu.
<span>For information about using YaST, refer to
Start-Up (↑Start-Up).</span>
</p></div></div></div><div class="navfooter"><table width="100%" summary="Navigation footer" border="0" class="bctable"><tr><td width="80%"><div class="breadcrumbs"><p><a href="index.html"> Documentation</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><a href="book.gnomeuser.html">GNOME User Guide</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><a href="part.gnome.desktop.html">Introduction</a><span class="breadcrumbs-sep"> > </span><strong><a accesskey="p" title="Chapter 2. Working with Your Desktop" href="cha.gnomeuser.use.html"><span>◀</span></a> <a accesskey="n" title="Chapter 4. Assistive Technologies" href="cha.gnome.accessibility.html"><span>▶</span></a></strong></p></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>
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