CIS 116 SUNY Ulster

Chapter L5 – The GUI

Karl Wick

GUIs and Linux

X Windows is a graphical interface to the underlying linux components.

Client / Server relationship

The x window system has to power to run a program on one computer and take I/O from another computer. The computer that runs the program is called the X client and the computer that uses the program is called the X server. Note: These terms are reversed from 'normal' networking terminology.

Common Window managers

Enlightenment - Used by GnomeKwm - Used by KDEOver 50 others

AnotherLevelCDEfvwmolwmmwmtwmGnome

Gnome (sometimes pronounced guh-nome)

Is a desktop environment that requires a window manager.

Gnome uses EnlightenmentThe GUI that we installed on the class

computers is gnome,With the standard Red Hat installation you

have a choice of gnome or KDE or both if you have sufficient hard disk space.

Starting the X Window System

Starting X

From the text interface type startx <enter>It is best to use the GUI as a plain user

although it will allow you to come in as root. This will generate a warning message.

Gnome will display a picture and then a list of processed that it is starting. After a short wait you will see the main screen.

Review

You can set the system to automatically run the GUI by editing the /etc/inittab file. If you do this, it is hard to get back to the text interface. If you boot into text mode it is easy to go back and forth between text and GUI shells.

How It’s Done

Look for this line: id:3:initdefault in the /etc/inittab file

3 means boot to text shell 5 means boot to GUI Do NOT use any other value or you can trahs the

system! You can force the program to reread the

configuration file (and avoid the need to shutdown and restart manually) by typing init q <enter>

Gnome - The screen

IconsThe PanelWindowsDesktop area

Windows - Components

A borderTitle barOptions buttonIconify button (like mminimize)Minimixe/Maximize Button (like

maximize/restore)Close ButtonScroll bar

Resizing

Click (single click) the help iconPractice resizing from all four sides and

cornersMove by dragging the title barShade (roll up the window) by double

clicking the title bar

The options button

Choices vary with buildStacking is interestingSo is kill or annihilate

The Panel

The foot is the main menuThe end arrows minimize the panel itselfStandard iconsHelpTerminal emulation

OpenTry commandsLeave open

The Panel

Tool Box Netscape Virtual Desktop selector

Switch to unused and open help Click on terminal quarter, unused and help

Clock

Right click to modify properties

The File Manager

Notice the CDROM and floppy 0 icons on the desktop.

These may not appear automatically with all implementations

Click, foot, programs, file managerClick + and - signs at left.Similar to windows explorer

The File Manager

/dev /home and other directories will be here open the /mnt directory.

You should see cdrom and floppy

Gnome tries to automatically mount these devices

Open /homeYou will see all user account directories (but not

root)

Notice the buttons at the top of the windowIcons, brief, detailed, customMenu bar options

Exercise - file management

Open a new virtual desktopOpen terminal emulationCreate test1 test2 text3 (touch test1 test2 test3)Switch to file manager desktopClick the rescan buttonGo to /home or /root (depending on how you

logged in)The files should appear

Exercise - file management

Right click test1 and click on copy to test4

The display will automatically rescanRight click test1 and deleteRight click test2 and move to test5

Multiple file operations

Switch to brief viewClick test3, Shift click test5Test3 test4 and test5 are selected. <Shift-

click> selects a range of files<CTRL-click> works too. It selects

multiple files

Open file on the menu

Create a new directory called new_dirYou can use relative or absolute paths

Some applicationsCalendar

footprint, programs, applications, calendarexplore it

SpreadsheetFootprint, programs, applications, GnumericGnumeric will read .xls files

Text editorFootprint, programs, applications, gedit

Emacs is also available

Configuring the desktop

Click on configuration tool iconThe "control center" appearsAt the top left is the desktop sectionCheck out the background and

screensaver areasIn screensaver is where you can set a

password to get back on

Adding applets to the panel

Right click on any empty part of panelApplets - monitorsCPU loadMEM loadDisk usage

Adding icons to menus

Open footprintRight click any menu or sub menu Follow menus

Games

Are found under programs