Using the Basic Preference Tools Using the Advanced Preference Tools

Using the Basic Preference Tools

The basic preference tools enable you to customize your desktop background. You can use the basic preference tools to configure your keyboard settings and your mouse settings. You can also use the basic preference tools to configure shortcut keys, and to set your sound preferences. This chapter describes how to use the basic preference tools to customize your desktop.

II.9.1. Opening a Basic Preference Tool

You can open one of the basic preference tools in either of the following ways:

  • From the Desktop Preferences menu

    Choose Applications ▸ Desktop Preferences. Choose the preference tool that you require from the submenu. The dialog for the tool is displayed.

  • From the Start Here location

    Open a Nautilus window, then choose Go ▸ Start Here. Alternatively, double-click on the Start Here object on the desktop background. The Start Here location is displayed. Double-click on the Preferences object in the Nautilus window to display your preference tools, as shown in the following figure:

    Double-click on the tool that you require. The dialog for the tool is displayed.

II.9.2. Customizing the Desktop Background

The desktop background is the part of the desktop where there are no interface graphical items, such as panels and windows. The desktop background is always beneath the other interface items.

You can customize the desktop background in the following ways:

  • Select an image to display on 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 background.
  • 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.

You can also change the appearance of your desktop background from within the Nautilus file manager.

Figure II.9-1 Settings for Desktop Background

Table II.9-1 lists the background settings that you can configure.

Table II.9-1 Settings for Desktop Background
Element Function
Picture Choose an image to display on the desktop background. To choose an image, click on the Picture button. An image selector dialog is displayed. Choose an image from the dialog. Alternatively, to choose an image from another directory, click Browse. When you choose an image, click OK.
Picture Options

To specify how to display the image, select one of the following options:

  • Wallpaper: Repeats the image to cover the desktop background.
  • Centered: Displays the image in the middle of the desktop background.
  • Scaled: Enlarges the image until the image meets the screen edges, and maintains the relative dimensions of the image.
  • Stretched: Enlarges the image to cover the desktop background, and does not maintain the relative dimensions of the image.
  • No Picture: Displays no image.
Border the picture with a

To specify a color scheme, use the options in the Border the picture with a drop-down list box, and the color selector buttons.

You can specify a color scheme in one of the following ways:

  • Choose Solid from the Border the picture with a drop-down list box to specify a single color as the desktop background.

    To choose the color that you require, click on the first color selector button on the right side of the drop-down list box. The Pick a Color dialog is displayed. Choose a color, then click OK.

  • Choose Horizontal Gradient from the Border the picture with a drop-down list box. This option creates a gradient effect from one horizontal screen edge to the other horizontal screen edge.

    Click on the first color selector button on the right side of the drop-down list box to display the Pick a Color dialog. Choose the color that you want to appear at the top horizontal edge.

    Click on the second color selector button on the right side of the drop-down list box to display the Pick a Color dialog. Choose the color that you want to appear at the bottom horizontal edge.

  • Choose Vertical Gradient from the Border the picture with a drop-down list box. This creates a gradient effect from one vertical screen edge to the other vertical screen edge.

    Click on the first color selector button on the right side of the drop-down list box to display the Pick a Color dialog. Choose the color that you want to appear at the left vertical edge.

    Click on the second color selector button on the right side of the drop-down list box to display the Pick a Color dialog. Choose the color that you want to appear at the right vertical edge.

II.9.3. Choosing Default Fonts

Use the Font preference tool to specify the fonts to use on your desktop.

Figure II.9-2 Default Settings for the Font Selector

Table II.9-2 lists the font settings that you can configure for the desktop.

Table II.9-2 Settings for Fonts
Option Function
Standard Desktop Font Click on the font selector button to select a font to use throughout your desktop and your applications.
File Manager Font Click on the font selector button to select a font to use in your file manager only.

II.9.4. Configuring Keyboard Settings

Use the Keyboard preference tool to specify the autorepeat settings for your keyboard, and to configure the sound events that are associated with the keyboard.

You can customize the settings for the Keyboard preference tool in the following functional areas:

  • Keyboard
  • Sound

II.9.4.1. Keyboard Settings

Use the Keyboard tabbed section to specify general keyboard preferences.

Figure II.9-3 Settings for Keyboard

Table II.9-3 lists the keyboard settings that you can configure.

Table II.9-3 Settings for Keyboard
Option Function
Keyboard repeats when key is held down Select this option to enable keyboard repeat. If keyboard repeat is enabled, when you press-and-hold a key, the action associated with the key is performed repeatedly. For example, if you press-and-hold a character key, the character is typed repeatedly.
Delay before repeating Select the delay from the time you press a key to the time that the action repeats.
Repeat speed Select the speed at which the action is repeated.
Cursor blinks in text fields Select this option to enable the cursor to blink in fields and text boxes.
Blink speed Use the slider to specify the speed at which the cursor blinks in fields and text boxes.
Accessibility Click on this button to start the AccessX preference tool.

II.9.4.2. Sound Settings

Use the Sound tabbed section to specify your preferences for keyboard sound.

Figure II.9-4 Settings for Keyboard Sound

Table II.9-4 lists the keyboard sound settings that you can configure.

Table II.9-4 Settings for Keyboard Sound
Option Function
Keypress makes sound Select this option to enable a click sound when you press a key.
Volume Use the slider to specify the volume at which to play the key click sound.
Keyboard Bell

Some applications play a bell sound to indicate a keyboard input error. Use the options in the Keyboard Bell group to configure the bell sound.

  • Keyboard bell off: Select this option to disable the keyboard bell.
  • Keyboard bell enabled: Select this option to enable the keyboard bell.
  • Custom keyboard bell: Select this option to enable a keyboard bell. Select the custom bell from the drop-down combination box. Alternatively, click on the Browse button to find a keyboard bell in another location.

II.9.5. Customizing Shortcut Keys

Shortcut keys enable you to use the keyboard to perform tasks in the desktop and in applications.

Use the Keyboard Shortcuts preference tool to display the default shortcut keys. You can customize the default shortcut keys to your requirements.

Figure II.9-5 Default Shortcut Keys

Table II.9-5 lists the shortcut key settings that you can customize.

Table II.9-5 Default Settings for Shortcut Keys
Option Function
Keyboard Navigation scheme for use in applications

Select one of the following settings:

  • Default: Use this setting for standard shortcut keys.
  • Emacs: Use this setting for Emacs shortcut keys.
Desktop Shortcuts

This table displays the shortcut key settings. The actions are listed with their key combinations.

Use this table to display your shortcut key settings.

To customize a shortcut key, double-click in the shortcut column for the function you want to change. Press the key combination that you want to associate with the function you want to change.

To disable a shortcut key, double-click in the shortcut column for the function you want to change, then press Back Space.

II.9.6. Configuring Mouse Settings

Use the Mouse preference tool to configure your mouse for right–hand use or for left-hand use. You can also specify the speed and sensitivity of mouse movement.

You can customize the settings for the Mouse preference tool in the following functional areas:

  • Buttons
  • Cursors
  • Motion

II.9.6.1. Buttons Settings

Use the Buttons tabbed section to specify whether the mouse buttons are configured for left-hand use. You can also specify the delay between clicks for a double-click.

Figure II.9-6 Default Settings for Mouse Buttons

Table II.9-6 lists the mouse button settings that you can configure.

Table II.9-6 Settings for Mouse Buttons
Option Function
Left-handed mouse Select this option to configure your mouse for left hand use. When you configure your mouse for left hand use, the functions of the left and right mouse buttons are swapped.
Delay Use the slider to specify the amount of time that can pass between clicks when you double-click a mouse button. If the interval between the first and second clicks exceeds the time that is specified here, the action is not interpreted as a double-click.

II.9.6.2. Pointer Settings

Use the Cursors tabbed section to set your mouse pointer preferences.

Figure II.9-7 Settings for Mouse Pointers

Table II.9-7 lists the mouse pointer settings that you can configure:

Table II.9-7 Settings for Mouse Pointers
Option Function
Cursor Theme Select the mouse pointer theme that you require from the list box.
Show position of cursor when the Control key is pressed Select this option to enable a mouse pointer animation when you press Ctrl. This feature can assist you to locate the mouse pointer on your desktop.

II.9.6.3. Motion Settings

Use the Motion tabbed section to set your preferences for mouse movement.

Figure II.9-8 Settings for Mouse Motion

Table II.9-8 lists the mouse motion settings that you can configure:

Table II.9-8 Settings for Mouse Motion
Setting Function
Acceleration Use the slider to specify the speed at which your mouse pointer moves on your screen when you move your mouse.
Sensitivity Use the slider to specify how sensitive your mouse pointer is to movements of your mouse.
Threshold Use the slider to specify the distance that you must move an item before the move action is interpreted as a drag-and-drop action.

II.9.7. Configuring Network Settings

The Network preference tool enables you to configure how your desktop connects to networks. You can configure the desktop to connect to a proxy server, and specify the details of the proxy server.

Figure II.9-9 Settings for Network

Table II.9-9 lists the network settings that you can configure.

Table II.9-9 Network Settings
Option Function
Use HTTP Proxy Select this option to use a proxy server for the HTTP service.
Location Enter the DNS name, or the IP address of the proxy server to use when you request a HTTP service.
Port Enter the port number of the HTTP service on the proxy server.
Proxy requires a username and password Select this option if the proxy server requires a username and password.
Username Enter the username for the proxy server.
Password Enter the password for the proxy server.

II.9.8. Setting Sound Preferences

The Sound preference tool enables you to control when the GNOME sound engine starts. You can also specify which sounds to play when particular events occur.

You can customize the settings for the Sound preference tool in the following functional areas.

  • General
  • Sound Events

II.9.8.1. General Settings

Use the General tabbed section of the Sound preference tool to specify when to launch the GNOME sound engine. You can also enable sound event functions.

Figure II.9-10 Settings for Sound

Table II.9-10 lists the general sound settings that you can configure.

Table II.9-10 Settings for Sound
Option Function
Enable sound server startup Select this option to start the GNOME sound engine when you start a GNOME session. When the sound engine is active, the desktop can play sounds.
Sounds for events Select this option to play sounds when particular events occur in your desktop. You can select this option only if the Enable sound server startup option is selected.

II.9.8.2. Sound Event Settings

Use the Sound Events tabbed section of the Sound preference tool to associate particular sounds with particular events.

You must select the Enable sound server startup option, and the Sounds for events option before you can access the Sound Events tabbed section.

Figure II.9-11 Default Settings for Sound Events

Table II.9-11 lists the sound events settings that you can configure.

Table II.9-11 Settings for Sound Events
Option Function
Sounds table

Use the Sounds table to associate particular sounds with particular events.

The Event column displays a hierarchical list of events that can occur. To expand a category of events, click on the right arrow beside a category of events.

The File to play column lists the sound file that plays when the event occurs.
Play Click on this button to play the sound file that is associated with the selected event.
Sound file drop-down combination box, Browse

Enter the name of the sound file that you want to associated with the selected event in the drop-down combination box. Alternatively, click Browse to display a Select sound file dialog. Use the dialog to specify the sound file that you want to associate with the selected event.

You can only associate sound files in .wav format with events.

II.9.9. Setting Themes in the Desktop

A theme is a group of coordinated settings that specify the visual appearance of a part of your interface. Use the Theme preference tool to select a theme for your desktop.

Your desktop theme specifies the visual appearance of your panels, applets, and windows. The desktop theme also specifies the appearance of GNOME-compliant application interface items. For example, the theme affects the appearance of buttons, scrollbars, check boxes, and so on.

You can choose from the list of available themes, or you can install new themes.

Figure II.9-12 Settings for the Theme Selector

Table II.9-12 lists the theme settings that you can configure.

Table II.9-12 Settings for Themes
Option Function
Installed Themes Select the theme that you require from the list box.
Install new theme Click on this button to install a new theme.
Go to theme folder Click on this button to open a file manager window on the default theme folder.

II.9.10. Customizing Toolbars and Menus

You can use the Toolbars & Menus preference tool to customize the appearance of menus, menubars, and toolbars for GNOME-compliant applications.

Figure II.9-13 Settings for Toolbars and Menus

Table II.9-13 lists the toolbar and menu settings that you can customize for GNOME-compliant applications.

Table II.9-13 Settings for Customizing Applications
Option Function
Toolbars have

Choose one of the following options to specify what to display on the toolbars in your GNOME-compliant applications:

  • Icons and Text: Select this option to display toolbars with text as well as an icon on each button.
  • Priority text only: Select this option to display toolbars with an icon only on each button, and with text on the most important buttons.
  • Icons only: Select this option to display toolbars with an icon only on each button.
Toolbars can be detached and moved around Select this option if you want to move toolbars from application windows to any location on the desktop. If you select this option, handles are displayed on the left side of the toolbars in your applications. To move a toolbar, click-and-hold on the handle, then drag the toolbar to the new location on the desktop.
Menu items have icons Select this option to display an icon beside each item in a menu. Some menu items do not have an icon.

II.9.11. Customizing Window Focus

Use the Window Behavior preference tool to customize window focus behavior for your desktop.

Figure II.9-14 Settings for Window Focus

Table II.9-14 lists the window focus settings that you can customize.

Table II.9-14 Settings for Window Focus
Option Function
Click to give focus Select this option to give focus to a window when you click on the window. The window retains focus until you click on another window.
Point to give focus Select this option to give focus to a window when you point to the window. The window retains focus until you point to another window.
Raise window on focus Select this option if you want your windows to be raised when the windows receive focus.
Using the Basic Preference Tools Using the Advanced Preference Tools