Linux basics: The GNOME desktop

By Jack Wallen March 4, 2009, 1:15 AM PST

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Default GNOME Desktop

This is what will greet you upon logging in to GNOME. As you can see, this contains all of the features you have come to know and love about the desktop. You will also notice there are two panels instead of only one. This might remind you of the OS X panel layout.

The GNOME Panel

This is where much of the action occurs. Here you will find launchers, menus, the notification area (system tray), and many other features. You can configure this panel by right clicking anywhere that does not contain an element.n

Note: Click any of the images to enlarge the view.

Main Menu

The GNOME main menu has the same action as the Start Menu from the Windows Panel. This menu entry gives you access to launch all of the user-applications installed on your machine.

Places Menu

This menu gives you access to removable media, networked media, and bookmarks set in the Nautilus file manager.

The Winlist

This portion of the lower Panel contains any minimized windows. To maximize the window, simply click on the minimized icon for the application.

Mouse Menu

By clicking the right mouse button, this menu will appear that allows you to create various items as well as change the desktop background.

Nautlius

This is Nautilus. Nautilus is the official file manager for the GNOME desktop. Nautilus offers the same features as does Windows Explorer and even a few extra features such as a simple wizard that will help you connect to remote locations.

Control Center

This is the GNOME control center. Here you can control all aspects of your machine.

System Control Center

If you click on the System group you will be able to configure more advanced system settings that are not just GNOME specific. Many of these features will require the root user password. If you use Ubuntu, you will need to make use of sudo.

By Jack Wallen

Jack Wallen is an award-winning writer for TechRepublic, The New Stack, and Linux New Media. He's covered a variety of topics for over twenty years and is an avid promoter of open source. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website jackwallen.

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