The GNOME file manager now uses an improved and standardized file-type system. This allows applications to tell GNOME that they can open certain types of file. The same system will soon be used by other desktops such as KDE, so this will allow different desktops and applications to work together more smoothly. Because this is a new system, applications must update how they register their file types. This should happen automatically when Linux distributions provide an upgrade to GNOME 2.8.

For each file-type there is a default application that will open the file when you double-click on the it. However, other applications might also be able to open the file type, so you can right-click and choose "Open With" to select one of these applications.

Figure 1. New MIME system

In the rare case that an application has not registered itself properly, or when you wish to use a different application to open a certain file type, you can add it manually. You can also use the properties page to select your default application for files of that type.

Figure 2. Add a new file handler

GNOME now supports DNS-Based Service Discovery, also known as Rendezvous in Apple's products. This allows you to view locally-available shares in your Network view.

Figure 3. Network Shares

Removable storage devices, such as CDs, DVDs, USB memory sticks, and cameras, can now be recognised and mounted automatically. GNOME can even start an appropriate application automatically, such as a music or DVD player, or a photograph organiser. This uses the Hardware Abstraction Layer from freedesktop.org, which we also expect future versions of other desktops to use.

Figure 4. Inserting a multisession Compact Disc

Other File Manager improvements include:

GNOME contains several user interface themes, allowing you to change the appearance of your whole environment via the themes control panel. And GNOME 2.8 contains the new "Glider" theme. It's intended to be simple yet attractive.

Figure 5. The Glider theme.

The Keyboard control panel can now show an on-screen preview of each keyboard layout. Just press the key on your keyboard to see how it will be recognised with the layout.

Figure 6. Keyboard Preferences - Layouts

Never miss another appointment. The calendar view, available by clicking on the clock, now connects to Evolution to show your calendar and tasks.

Figure 8. The clock, showing the GNOME release date

The network monitor has been improved and now has support for wireless interfaces, showing signal strength in the properties dialog and on the panel.

Figure 9. Network Monitor - wireless connection

The battery monitor has been improved dramatically. It now estimates the time remaining as well as the remaining battery capacity. In addition, the low battery warning is now more visible, more informative and vanishes automatically when you plug your laptop back in.

Figure 10. Battery Monitor

The weather applet now has more locations than ever before. As well as support for the new United Kingdom weather forecasts.

Figure 11. Weather Report

GNOME 2.8 now includes Evolution 2.0, the integrated Email and Groupware client. Evolution supports traditional mail setups, as well as Novell Groupwise and Microsoft Exchange. With Evolution you can read, write, and manage your emails, contacts, and calendar events.

Evolution is already well known and successful, but this new version has some extra features, such as:

Figure 12. The email client

GNOME's "Epiphany" web browser, based on Mozilla, has some more enhancements. For instance, working with bookmarks is now even easier:

Other web browser improvements include:

Figure 13. The web browser

GNOME 2.8 now includes a VNC (virtual network computing) client, allowing remote control of a user's desktop. For instance, a system administrator could control the user's applications, to make changes, or to just demonstrate how to perform tasks.

The new Remote Desktop Preferences control panel lets users choose how much control should be allowed.

Figure 14. Remote Desktop Preferences

The new system tools allow you to configure your system clock and your network connection, as well as manage the users and groups on your system. Previously, most Linux/*BSD/UNIX distributors provided their own tools, all with their own problems. The GNOME developers hope that they will work together on these unified tools to provide a consistent and reliable solution.

At present, these system tools are most appropriate for single computers rather than large networks of computers.

Figure 15. The Clock, Network, and Users/Groups tools

The new network tools allow users to provide diagnostic information to system administrators when they have problems with their network connection or with certain network services. Although the same functionality is available from the command-line, we think that system administrators will find it much easier to guide users through the simpler user interface of the network tools.

Figure 16. A selection of tools for network diagnostics

The configuration editor has the following new features:

Figure 17. Configuration Editor - searching