Chapter 9. Using the Basic Preference Tools

The basic preference tools enable you to customize your desktop background, and to configure your keyboard settings and your mouse settings. You can use the basic preference tools to configure shortcut keys, to set your sound preferences, and to configure your network proxy. You can also use the basic preference tools to customize your screensaver, choose a theme and fonts for your desktop environment, and to customize your application menubars and toolbars. You can also customize window focus behavior.

This chapter describes how to use the basic preference tools to customize your desktop environment.

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 file manager window, then choose Go->Start Here. Alternatively, double-click on the Start Here object on the desktop. The Start Here location is displayed. Double-click on the Desktop Preferences object in the file manager window to display your preference tools.

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

9.2. Customizing the Desktop Background

The desktop background is the image or color that is applied to your desktop. You can customize the desktop background in the following ways:

  • Select an image for 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.

  • 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.

Table 9.1 lists the background settings that you can configure.

Table 9.1. Settings for Desktop Background

Element

Function

Select picture

Choose an image to display on the desktop. To choose an image, click on the Select picture button. An image selector dialog is displayed. Use the dialog to choose an image. 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.

  • Centered: Displays the image in the middle of the desktop.

  • 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, and does not maintain the relative dimensions of the image.

  • No Picture: Displays no image.

Background Style

To specify a color scheme, use the options in the Background Style drop-down list, and the color selector buttons.

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

  • Choose Solid color from the Background Style drop-down list to specify a single color for the desktop background.

    To choose the color that you require, click on the Color button. The Pick a Color dialog is displayed. Choose a color, then click OK.

  • Choose Horizontal gradient from the Background Style drop-down list. This option creates a gradient effect from the left screen edge to the right screen edge.

    Click on the Left Color button to display the Pick a Color dialog. Choose the color that you want to appear at the left edge.

    Click on the Right Color button. Choose the color that you want to appear at the right edge.

  • Choose Vertical gradient from the Background Style drop-down list. This creates a gradient effect from the top screen edge to the bottom screen edge.

    Click on the Top Color button to display the Pick a Color dialog. Choose the color that you want to appear at the top edge.

    Click on the Bottom Color button. Choose the color that you want to appear at the bottom edge.

9.3. Setting File Management Preferences

Use the File Management preference tool to set your Nautilus file manager preferences. You can also set your file manager preferences in the File Management preferences dialog, which you can open from the file manager application. For information on the settings in the File Management preferences dialog and File Management preference tool, see Nautilus File Manager.

9.4. Choosing Default Fonts

Use the Font preference tool to select the fonts to use in your applications, windows, terminals, and desktop.

Table 9.2 lists the font settings that you can configure.

Table 9.2. Settings for Fonts

Option

Function

Application font

Click on the font selector button to select a font to use in your applications.

Desktop font

Click on the font selector button to select a font to use on your desktop only.

Window title font

Click on the font selector button to select a font to use in the titlebars of your windows.

Terminal font

Click on the font selector button to select a font to use in the Terminal application

Font Rendering

To specify how to render fonts on your screen, select one of the following options:

  • Monochrome: Renders fonts in black and white only. The edges of characters might appear jagged in some cases because the characters are not antialiased. Antialiasing is an effect that is applied to the edges of characters to make the characters look smoother.

  • Best shapes: Antialiases fonts where possible. Use this option for standard Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors.

  • Best contrast: Adjusts fonts to give the sharpest possible contrast, and also antialiases fonts, so that characters have smooth edges. This option might enhance the accessibility of the desktop environment to users with visual impairments.

  • Subpixel smoothing (LCDs): Uses techniques that exploit the shape of individual Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) pixels to render fonts smoothly. Use this option for LCD or flat-screen displays.

Details

Click on this button to specify further details of how to render fonts on your screen.

  • Resolution (dots per inch): Use the spin box to specify the resolution to use when your screen renders fonts.

  • Smoothing: Select one of the options to specify how to antialias fonts.

  • Hinting: Hinting is a font-rendering technique that improves the quality of fonts at small sizes and an at low screen resolutions. Select one of the options to specify how to apply hinting your fonts.

  • Subpixel order: Select one of the options to specify the subpixel color order for your fonts. Use this option for LCD or flat-screen displays.

9.4.1. Previewing Fonts

You can use the file manager to preview fonts. To preview fonts, perform the following steps:

  1. Open a file manager window.

  2. Enter the URI fonts:/// in the location bar. The fonts are displayed as icons in the view pane.

  3. Double-click on an icon to display a preview of the font.

9.5. Configuring Keyboard Settings

Use the Keyboard preference tool to select the autorepeat settings for your keyboard, and to configure typing break settings.

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

  • Keyboard

  • Typing Break

9.5.1. Keyboard Settings

Use the Keyboard tabbed section to set general keyboard preferences. To start the Keyboardaccessibility preference tool, that is, AccessX, click on the Accessibility button.

Table 9.3 lists the keyboard settings that you can configure.

Table 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

Select the delay from the time you press a key to the time that the action repeats.

Speed

Select the speed at which the action is repeated.

Blinks in text boxes and fields

Select this option to enable the cursor to blink in fields and text boxes.

Speed

Use the slider to specify the speed at which the cursor blinks in fields and text boxes.

9.5.2. Typing Break Settings

Use the Typing Break tabbed section to set typing break preferences. To start the Keyboardaccessibility preference tool, that is, AccessX, click on the Accessibility button.

Table 9.4 lists the typing break settings that you can configure.

Table 9.4. Typing Break Settings

Option

Function

Lock screen to enforce typing break

Select this option to lock the screen when you are due a typing break.

Work interval lasts

Use the spin box to specify how long you can work before a typing break occurs.

Break interval lasts

Use the spin box to specify the length of your typing breaks.

Allow postponing of breaks

Select this option if you want to be able to postpone typing breaks.

9.6. Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts

A keyboard shortcut is a key or combination of keys that provides an alternative to standard ways of performing an action.

Use the Keyboard Shortcuts preference tool to display the default keyboard shortcuts. You can customize the default keyboard shortcuts to your requirements.

Table 9.5 lists the keyboard shortcut settings that you can customize.

Table 9.5. Default Settings for Keyboard Shortcuts

Option

Function

Text editing shortcuts

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 lists actions and the shortcut keys that are associated with each action.

To change the shortcut keys for an action, click on the action to select the action, then click on the shortcut for the action. Press the keys that you want to associate with the action.

To disable the shortcut keys for an action, click on the action to select the action, then click on the shortcut for the action. Press Back Space.

9.7. Customizing Menus and Toolbars in Applications

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

Table 9.6 lists the menu and toolbar settings that you can customize for GNOME-compliant applications.

Table 9.6. Settings for Customizing Applications

Option

Function

Show icons in menus

Select this option to display an icon beside each item in a menu. Some menu items do not have an icon.

Detachable toolbars

Select this option if you want to move toolbars from application windows to any location on the screen. 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.

Toolbar button labels

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

  • Text Below Icons: Select this option to display toolbars with text as well as an icon on each button.

  • Text Beside Icons: 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.

  • Text Only: Select this option to display toolbars with text only on each button.

9.8. 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

9.8.1. 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.

Table 9.7 lists the mouse button settings that you can configure.

Table 9.7. 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 mouse button and the right mouse button are swapped.

Delay

Use the slider to specify the amount of time that can pass between clicks when you double-click. 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.

9.8.2. Pointer Settings

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

Table 9.8 lists the mouse pointer settings that you can configure:

Table 9.8. 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 and release Ctrl. This feature can assist you to locate the mouse pointer.

9.8.3. Motion Settings

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

Table 9.9 lists the mouse motion settings that you can configure:

Table 9.9. 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.

9.9. Configuring Network Proxy Settings

The Network Proxy preference tool enables you to configure how your system connects to networks. You can configure the desktop environment to connect to a proxy server, and specify the details of the proxy server. A proxy server is a server that intercepts requests to another server, and fulfills the request itself, if it can. You can enter the Domain Name Service (DNS) name or the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the proxy server. A DNS name is a unique alphabetic identifier for a computer on a network. An IP address is a unique numeric identifier for a computer on a network.

Table 9.10 lists the network proxy settings that you can configure.

Table 9.10. Network Proxy Settings

Option

Function

Direct internet connection

Select this option if you want to connect directly to the Internet, without a proxy server.

Manual proxy configuration

Select this option if you want to connect to the Internet through a proxy server, and you want to configure the proxy server manually.

HTTP proxy

Enter the DNS name, or the IP address of the proxy server to use when you request a HTTP service. Enter the port number of the HTTP service on the proxy server in the Port spin box.

Secure HTTP proxy

Enter the DNS name, or the IP address of the proxy server to use when you request a Secure HTTP service. Enter the port number of the Secure HTTP service on the proxy server in the Port spin box.

FTP proxy

Enter the DNS name, or the IP address of the proxy server to use when you request a FTP service. Enter the port number of the FTP service on the proxy server in the Port spin box.

Socks host

Enter the DNS name, or the IP address of the Socks host to use. Enter the port number for the Socks protocol on the proxy server in the Port spin box.

Automatic proxy configuration

Select this option if you want to connect to the Internet through a proxy server, and you want to configure the proxy server automatically.

Autoconfiguration URL

Enter the URL that contains the information required to configure the proxy server automatically.

9.10. Setting Screensaver Preferences

A screensaver is an application that you can use to replace the image on your screen when the screen is not in use. You can use screensavers in the following ways:

  • Activate after a specified period of idle time.

  • Activate when you lock your screen.

  • Manage power used by your monitor when your system is idle.

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

  • Display Modes

  • Advanced

9.10.1. Display Modes Settings

Use the Display Modes tabbed section to set display mode preferences.

Table 9.11 lists the display mode settings that you can configure.

Table 9.11. Settings for Screensaver Display Mode

Setting

Function

Mode

Use the drop-down list to specify the behavior of the screensaver application. Select from the following options:

  • Disable Screen Saver: Select this option if you do not want to use the screensaver application.

  • Blank Screen Only: Select this option if you want your screen to become blank when your screen locks.

  • Only One Screen Saver: Select this option if you want to display a single screensaver display from the display list when your screen locks.

  • Random Screen Saver: Select this option if you want to display a random selection of screensaver displays from the screensaver display list when your screen locks.

Display list

Select the screensaver display that you require from the list.

Blank After

Specify how long to wait after the last use of the mouse or keyboard, to activate the screensaver.

Cycle After

Specify how long to show a particular screensaver display before the next display.

Lock Screen After

Select this option if you want the screen to lock after the screensaver is activated. Use the spin box to specify the delay between the activation of the screensaver and when the screen locks.

Preview

Click on this button to preview the screensaver display that is selected in the screensaver display list. To stop the preview, press any key or click a mouse button.

Settings

Click on this button to display the options for the screensaver display that is selected in the screensaver display list.

9.10.2. Advanced Settings

Use the Advanced tabbed section to set advanced screensaver preferences.

Table 9.12 lists the advanced screensaver settings that you can configure.

Table 9.12. Advanced Screensaver Settings

Setting

Function

Grab Desktop Images

Some screensavers can take a screenshot of your screen, then manipulate the screenshot to create your screensaver display. Select this option to enable screensavers to take a screenshot of your screen.

Grab Video Frames

Some screensavers can capture a frame of video, then manipulate the captured image to create your screensaver display. If your system has a video capture card, select this option to enable screensavers to capture a frame of video.

Choose Random Image

Select this option to enable screensavers to use images from a directory that you select. Type the path for the directory in the field. Alternatively, click Browse to display a dialog from which you can select a directory.

Verbose Dialognostics

Select this option if you want to display screensaver diagnostic information.

Display Subprocess Errors

Select this option if you want to display errors related to screensaver subprocesses on screen.

Display Splash Screen at Startup

Select this option to if you want Xscreensaver to display a splash dialog when Xscreensaver starts.

Power Management Enabled

Select this option to enable power management of your monitor. Power management can reduce energy consumption by your monitor when you are not using the monitor.

Standby After

Specify how long to wait to put the monitor in standby mode. When the monitor is in standby mode, the screen is black.

Suspend After

Specify how long to wait to put the monitor in power-saving mode.

Off After

Specify how long to wait to switch off monitor.

Install Colormap

Select this option to install a private colormap when the screensaver is active. Use of a private colormap might improve the quality of the color in particular screensaver displays.

Fade to Black When Blanking

Select this option if you want your display to fade to black when the screensaver activates.

Fade from Black When Unblanking

Select this option if you want your display to fade from black to the screen contents when the screensaver stops.

Fade Duration

Specify how long to take to fade to black when the screensaver activates.

9.11. Setting Screen Resolution Preferences

Use the Screen Resolution preference tool to specify the resolution settings for your screen. Table 9.13 lists the screen resolution settings that you can configure.

Table 9.13. Settings for Screen Resolution

Setting

Description

Resolution

Select the resolution to use for the screen from the drop-down list.

Refresh rate

Select the screen refresh rate to use for the screen from the drop-down list.

Make default for this computer only

Select this option to make the screen resolution settings the default settings for the system that you are logged in to only.

9.12. Setting Sound Preferences

The Sound preference tool enables you to control when the GNOME sound server 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

  • System Bell

9.12.1. General Settings

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

Table 9.14 lists the general sound settings that you can configure.

Table 9.14. Settings for Sound

Option

Function

Enable sound server startup

Select this option to start the GNOME sound server when you start a GNOME session. When the sound server is active, the desktop environment can play sounds.

Sounds for events

Select this option to play sounds when particular events occur in your desktop environment. You can select this option only if the Enable sound server startup option is selected.

9.12.2. Sound Event Settings

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

Note

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

Table 9.15 lists the sound events settings that you can configure.

Table 9.15. 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

To associate a sound with an event, select the event in the Sounds table. Enter the name of the sound file that you want to associate 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.

Note

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

9.12.3. System Bell Settings

Use the System Bell tabbed section to set your preferences for the system bell.

Some applications play a bell sound to indicate a keyboard input error. Use the options in the System Bell tabbed section to configure the bell sound. Table 9.16 lists the system bell settings that you can configure.

Table 9.16. Settings for System Bell

Option

Function

Sound an audible bell

Select this option to enable the system bell.

Visual feedback

Select this option to enable visual feedback to indicate input errors.

Flash window titlebar

Select this option if you want window titlebars to flash to indicate an input error.

Flash entire screen

Select this option if you want the entire screen to flash to indicate an input error.

9.13. Customizing Themes in the Desktop Environment

A theme is a group of coordinated settings that specifies the visual appearance of a part of the desktop environment. You can choose themes to change the appearance of the desktop environment. Use the Theme preference tool to select a theme for your desktop environment. You can choose from a list of available themes. The list of available themes includes several themes for users with accessibility requirements.

A theme contains settings that affect different parts of the GNOME desktop, as follows:

Controls

The controls setting for a theme determines the visual appearance of windows, panels, and applets. The controls setting also determines the visual appearance of the GNOME-compliant interface items that appear on windows, panels, and applets, such as menus, icons, and buttons. Some of the controls setting options that are available are designed for special accessibility needs. You can choose an option for the controls setting from the Controls tabbed section in the Theme preference tool.

Window frame

The window frame setting for a theme determines the appearance of the frames around windows only. You can choose an option for the window frame setting from the Window Border tabbed section in the Theme preference tool.

Icon

The icon setting for a theme determines the appearance of the icons on panels and the desktop background. You can choose an option for the icon setting from the Icons tabbed section in the Theme preference tool.

9.13.1. To Create a Custom Theme

The themes that are listed in the Theme preferences tool are different combinations of controls options, window frame options, and icon options. You can create a custom theme that uses different combinations of controls options, window frame options, and icon options.

To create a custom theme, perform the following steps:

  1. To open the Theme preference tool, choose Applications->Desktop Preferences->Theme.

  2. Select a theme in the list of themes.

  3. Click on the Details button. A Theme Details dialog is displayed.

  4. Select the controls option that you want to use in the custom theme from the list in the Controls tabbed section. The list of available controls options includes several options for users with accessibility requirements.

  5. Click on the Window Border tab to display the Window Border tabbed section. Select the window frame option that you want to use in the custom theme from the list of available options. The list of available window frame options includes several options for users with accessibility requirements.

  6. Click on the Icons tab to display the Icons tabbed section. Select the icons option that you want to use in the custom theme from the list of available options. The list of available icons options includes several options for users with accessibility requirements.

  7. Click Close to close the Theme Details dialog.

  8. On the Theme preferences tool, click on the Save theme button. A Save theme to disk dialog is displayed.

  9. Type a name and a short description for the custom theme in the dialog, then click Save. The custom theme now appears in your list of available themes.

9.13.2. To Install a New Theme

You can add a theme to the list of available themes. The new theme must be an archive file that is tarred and zipped. That is, the new theme must be a .tar.gz file.

To install a new theme, perform the following steps:

  1. To open the Theme preference tool, choose Applications->Desktop Preferences->Theme.

  2. Click on the Install theme button. An Install New Theme dialog is displayed.

  3. Enter the location of the theme archive file in the drop-down combination box. Alternatively, to browse for the file, click on the Browse button. When you have selected the file, click OK.

  4. Click on the Install button to install the new theme.

9.13.3. To Install a New Theme Option

You can install new controls options, window frame options, or icons options. You can find many controls options on the Internet.

To install a new controls option, window frame option, or icons option, perform the following steps:

  1. To open the Theme preference tool, choose Applications->Desktop Preferences->Theme.

  2. Click on the Details button. An Theme Details dialog is displayed.

  3. Click on the tab for the type of theme that you want to install. For example, to install an icons option, click on the Icons tab.

  4. Click on the Install new theme button. An Install New Theme dialog is displayed.

  5. Enter the location of the option archive file in the drop-down combination box. Alternatively, to browse for the file, click on the Browse button. When you have selected the file, click OK.

  6. Click on the Install button to install the new option.

9.13.4. To Delete a Theme Option

You can delete controls options, window frame options, or icons options.

To delete a controls option, window frame option, or icons option, perform the following steps:

  1. To open the Theme preference tool, choose Applications->Desktop Preferences->Theme.

  2. Click on the Details button. A Theme Details dialog is displayed.

  3. Click on the tab for the type of option that you want to delete.

  4. Click on the Go to theme folder button. A file manager window opens on the default option folder.

  5. Use the file manager window to delete the option.

9.13.5. Previewing Themes

You can use the file manager to preview themes. To preview themes, perform the following steps:

  1. Open a file manager window.

  2. Enter the URI themes:/// in the location bar. The themes are displayed as icons in the view pane.

  3. Double-click on a theme to display a preview of the theme.

9.14. Customizing Windows

Use the Windows preference tool to customize window behavior for your desktop environment.

Table 9.17 lists the window behavior settings that you can customize.

Table 9.17. Settings for Window Behavior

Option

Function

Select windows when the mouse moves over them

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 selected windows after an interval

Select this option to raise windows a short time after the window receives focus.

Interval before raising

Specify the interval to wait before raising a window that has received focus.

Double-click titlebar to perform this action

Select the behavior that you want to occur when you double-click on a window titlebar. Select one of the following options:

  • Roll up: Shades the window.

  • Maximize: Maximizes the window.

To move a window, press-and-hold this key then grab the window

Select the key to press-and-hold when you drag a window to move the window.
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