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A Guide to Unix Using Linux Fourth Edition. Chapter 11 The X Window System. Objectives. Describe the X Window System and its client/server model Understand the role of the Window Manager Understand desktops such as GNOME and KDE Start the X Window System. Objectives (continued).
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A Guide to Unix Using Linux Fourth Edition Chapter 11 The X Window System
Objectives • Describe the X Window System and its client/server model • Understand the role of the Window Manager • Understand desktops such as GNOME and KDE • Start the X Window System A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Objectives (continued) • Interact with the X Window System and use its components • Use Nautilus and Konqueror for file management • Run an application • Configure a desktop • Shut down a system from the desktop A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
What is the X Window System? • X Window System: GUI that runs on Linux and many UNIX operating systems • Two popular desktops: • GNOME • KDE • Originally developed at MIT • Currently in its eleventh version: X11 • Current release is R7.2.0 (X11R7) • XFree86: free version of X11 that was ported from non-PC-based UNIX computers to run on PCs • Compatible with Linux A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
X Window Clients and Servers • Use X Window System to run programs stored: • On your local computer • Over a network • X Window System uses a client/server model: • X server: underlying desktop system from which you run a program • X client: system that hosts and executes the program • X server approaches for Windows-based PCs: • X-Win32, X-Win32 Flash, and Exceed A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Using Window Managers • X Window System is layered and built from components • At top layer is the Window Manager • Window Manager: controls how windows appear and how users control them • Many Window Managers have been developed • Most of them are available for free A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Using a Desktop • Desktop: provides GUI appearance, software applications, and other resources that you use • Works hand-in-hand with a Window Manager • Enables you to create and place icons in your screen’s workspace • Is customizable • Most popular UNIX/Linux desktops: • GNOME • KDE A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Using GNOME • GNOME: GNU Network Object Model Environment • Product of the GNU Project • Desktop environment that is used along with a Window Manager • Installed by default in Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux • Very user-friendly • Very popular • Compatible with X11 • Compatible with a variety of Window Managers A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Using KDE • KDE is an alternative to GNOME • Can be installed along with GNOME • Is more popular internationally than GNOME • Offers a broader range of drag-and-drop capabilities • Intended to provide UNIX/Linux users with a graphical point-and-click experience • Compatible with X11 • Compatible with a variety of Window Managers A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Starting the X Window System • startx is intended for a computer or login session that does not automatically boot into X Window A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Configuring Linux to Automatically Start the X Window System • To change runlevel, modify /etc/inittab • From: id:3:initdefault: • To: id:5:initdefault: A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Interacting with the X Window System Using GNOME A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Interacting with Windows A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
More About the Window Menu Button • Options of Window Menu button (when clicked): • Minimize (and Maximize/Unmaximize) • On Top • Move • Resize • Close • Always on Visible Workspace/Only on This Workspace • Move to Workspace Right (and Left) • Move to Another Workspace A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Interacting with the Panel • The Panel in Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux appears, by default, at the top of the desktop • Another Panel is at the bottom • Top panel: • Bottom panel: • On left side: button to hide all windows • On right side: access to the four workspaces A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Interacting with the Panel (continued) • Applications menu: • Submenus and programs that you can open • Places menu has options to: • Open your home folder • Access items on desktop • Open storage devices and file systems on computer • Create a CD/DVD • Access network servers and resources • Perform a fast search for a specific item • Access recently opened documents A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Interacting with the Panel (continued) • System menu options: • A submenu for setting preferences on the computer • A submenu for administering the computer • An option to obtain help • An option to find out about GNOME • An option to learn more about the OS • An option to lock screen • An option to log off • An option to suspend the computer’s operation • An option to shut down the computer A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Using Nautilus • Nautilus: GNOME’s file management tool • Used to: • View files and folders • Create new folders • Delete and move files and folders • Copy and paste files and folders • Configure permissions • Open a file or start a program • Access the Internet • Set a bookmark (to a file, folder, or Internet location) A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Using Nautilus (continued) A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Configuring the Desktop • You can customize many aspects of the X Window System • Examples: • Change background image • Specify screensaver • Configure items on the Panel • Add applets to the Panel • Add a new Panel to desktop A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Changing the Background • Background: desktop area behind all windows and icons • Is customizable: • Can change color • Can specify a wallpaper to be used as background • To change background in GNOME: • Right-click a blank area in the desktop • Select Change Desktop Background A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Changing the Screensaver • Use screensaver to deter unauthorized use of a server or workstation by requiring a password • In Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux: • Click System menu • Point to Preferences • Click Screensaver • In SUSE: • Click Computer menu • Click Control Center • Click Screensaver A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Configuring the Panel • GNOME Panel can be configured in several ways: • Add an icon or applet to the Panel • Rearrange placement of icons • Add programs you have written • Move the Panel to another location: • Move pointer to a blank area of Panel • Drag and drop Panel to another location A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Configuring the Panel (continued) A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Adding a Menu to the Panel • You can add a menu within the Applications or Computer menu directly to the Panel • Example: • Put the Office menu on the Panel A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Adding a New Panel • General steps: • Right-click an open space on an existing Panel • Click New Panel • If you want to change the location of the new Panel, click and drag it to the new location • Right-click the new Panel, click Add to Panel, and select what you want to place on the Panel A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Shutting Down from the GNOME Desktop • Proper shutdown is important to ensure that all files are closed and to protect file system integrity • In Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux: • Click System menu • Click Shut Down • In SUSE: • Click Computer menu • Click Log Out • Click Shut down A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Interacting with the X Window System Using KDE A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Interacting with Konqueror A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Interacting with Kicker • Kicker is similar to the Panel in GNOME • Can be customized in several ways: • Relocate it, add/remove applets, add panels, etc. A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Configuring the KDE Desktop • You can customize the KDE desktop in X Window • Examples: • Change the desktop background • Specify a screensaver • Create additional desktops • Beyond the four set up by default A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Changing the Background in KDE • Right-click unused desktop area Configure Desktop A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Configuring the Screensaver • KDE offers a huge selection of screensavers • Use Configure – KDesktop utility to choose a screensaver • For security reasons, set it up so that it requires a password after it starts • Use Screen Saver option to set up your screensaver preferences A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Configuring Additional Desktops • KDE is set by default to enable four desktops • Accessible through Kicker • Configurable to fewer than four or up to 20 desktops • Use the Configure – KDesktop utility • Then, click Multiple Desktops in side pane A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Shutting Down from the KDE Desktop • Proper shutdown of KDE desktop is important • Ensures all of your open program and system files are properly closed and kept intact • General steps: • Click the K Menu • Click Log Out • Click End Current Session or Turn Off Computer A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
OpenOffice.org and Open Source Software • OpenOffice.org: suite of office productivity software • Open source software • Included in many UNIX/Linux distributions • Also available for Windows and Mac OS systems • Program elements include: • Writer • Calc • Impress • Draw • Math • Base A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Summary • X Window System runs on UNIX/Linux systems • Window Manager: layer with which user interacts • Use startx to start the X Window System • Modify /etc/inittab to have it start automatically • GNOME environment is a popular desktop • The Panel provides access to menus, icons, Workspace Switcher, and other utilities • Nautilus is a graphical application for managing directories/files and for navigating the file system • Desktop background and other elements are customizable A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Summary (continued) • KDE is another popular desktop • Similar in functionality to GNOME • Major components include: • Icons • Kicker • Similar to the Panel in GNOME • Windows • Desktop area on which to work • Konqueror: application for managing files/folders • Desktop background, screensaver, and other features are customizable A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition
Command Summary A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition