Hidden Directories

GNOME 2.6 Desktop System Administration Guide

This appendix describes the hidden directories that the GNOME Desktop adds to the home directories of users.

A hidden directory is a directory that has a name that begins with a period (.). Table A-1 describes the hidden directories that the GNOME Desktop adds to the home directories of users.

Table A-1 Hidden Directories in User Home Directories

Directory	Description
.esd_auth	Contains the authentication cookie for the GNOME sound daemon. The GNOME sound daemon is the Enlightened Sound Daemon (ESD).
.gconf	Contains the GConf configuration source for the user. When the user sets a preference, the new preference information is added to this location.
.gconfd	Contains the following GConf daemon details: Configuration information. Lock information for objects that are referenced by an Interoperable Object Reference (IOR). State information for objects that are referenced by an IOR.
.gnome	Contains user-specific application data that is not stored in the GConf repository. For example, this directory contains MIME type information and session information for the user.
.gnome-desktop	The Nautilus file manager contains a preference that enables users to use the file manager to manage the desktop. If this option is selected, this directory contains the objects that are on the desktop of the user. This directory contains the following: Objects on the desktop, for example, the Home object, the Trash object, and other launchers. The objects appear in the directory as desktop entry files. For example, the starthere.desktop file contains a link to the Start Here location. Removable media volumes that are mounted. The file manager also contains a preference that enables users to use the home directory as the desktop directory, instead of .gnome-desktop. If a user selects this option, the contents of the home directory are displayed as desktop objects.
.gnome2	Contains user-specific application data that is not stored in the GConf repository. For example, this directory contains the following: Keyboard shortcut information. Window location information. Desktop entry files for panel launchers. This directory also contains user-specific menu data. If a user modifies menus, the details are stored here.
.gnome2-private	Ignore this directory. This directory has no function at the time of publication of this guide.
.metacity	Contains session data for the Metacity window manager.
.nautilus	Contains file manager data that is specific to the user. For example, this directory can contain the following: Metadata for the directories with which the user works. Nautilus emblems that the user adds. Nautilus desktop images.
.themes	Contains controls theme options, window frame theme options, and icons theme options that the user adds. The user can add themes from the Theme preference tool.
.thumbnails	Contains image thumbnails for the user. The image thumbnails are used in the file manager. The file manager contains a preference that the user can select to stop generation of thumbnail images.
.xscreensaver	Contains screensaver configuration data and screensaver preference data.