2.1. Using the Desktop

Your first view of the graphical desktop will look something like Figure 2-1.

The graphical desktop gives you access to the applications and system settings on your computer. You will notice that it offers three main tools to make use of the applications on your system: panel icons, desktop icons, and menus.

The long bar across the bottom of the desktop is the panel. The panel contains application launcher icons, a notification area for notification icons, and small applications called applets that let you control sound volume, switch workspaces, and displays the status of your system.

The icons elsewhere on the desktop can be shortcuts to file folders, application launchers, and shortcuts to removable devices such as CD-ROM and diskettes when they have been mounted. To open a folder or launch an application, double-click on its icon.

The menu systems can be found by clicking on the Main Menu button . They can also be found by double-clicking on the Start Here icon on the desktop and then clicking the Applications icon.

The desktop works in the manner you might expect it to when working with other operating systems. You can drag and drop files and application icons to areas that are easily accessible. You can add new icons for files and applications to the desktop, panel, and file manager. You can change the appearance of most of the tools and applications and change system settings with provided configuration tools.