mc/doc-gnome/C/gmc.sgml
dcm 26d6441348 fixed sgml errors
David Mason
1999-09-13 19:36:50 +00:00

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<!doctype book PUBLIC "-//Davenport//DTD DocBook V3.0//EN" [
]>
<book id="index">
<bookinfo>
<title>Gnome Midnight Commander Documentation</title>
<authorgroup>
<author>
<firstname>Dave</firstname>
<surname>Mason</surname>
<affiliation>
<address>
<email>dcm@redhat.com</email>
</address>
</affiliation>
</author>
</authorgroup>
<copyright>
<year>1998,1999</year>
<holder>Red Hat Software and David A. Wheeler</holder>
</copyright>
<legalnotice>
<para>This documentation is free software; you can redistribute
it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public
License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later
version.</para>
<para>This program is distributed in the hope that it will be
useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied
warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more
details.</para>
<para>You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public
License along with this program; if not, write to the Free
Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston,
MA 02111-1307 USA</para>
<para>For more details see the file COPYING that should have
been included in this distribution of the Gnome Midnight Commander.
</para>
</legalnotice>
</bookinfo>
<toc></toc>
<chapter>
<title>The GNOME File Manager</title>
<sect1>
<title>Introduction</title>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
</indexterm>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GMC
</primary><see>"Gnome File Manager"</see>
</indexterm>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNU Midnight Commander
</primary><see>"GNOME File Manager"</see>
</indexterm>
GNOME includes a file manager that allows you to manipulate the files on
your system in a comfortable, powerful, graphical environment. This File
Manager is known as GMC for GNU Midnight Commander. GMC is based on the
Midnight Commander file manager which can be run in a terminal.
</para>
<para>
Midnight Commander has long been known for its power and ease of use. GMC
has taken the power and ease of use from MC and added the GNOME graphical
frontend.
</para>
<para> As mentioned in the previous chapter, the GNOME File Manager provides
the desktop functionality for GNOME. The GNOME File Manager also provides a
place to manipulate files on your system by using the GNOME File Manager
window.
<figure>
<title>GNU Midnight Commander - The GNOME File Manager</title>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>GMC</screeninfo>
<Graphic Format="gif" Fileref="./figs/gmc1" srccredit="dcm">
</graphic>
</screenshot>
</figure>
</para>
<para>
There are two main windows within the GNOME File Manager. On the left is the
tree view, which represents all of the directories on your system by their
hierarchical position. On the right is the directory window, which will show
you the contents of the directory which you have selected in the tree view.
</para>
<para>
To select a directory in the tree view simply use a single mouse click. This
will change the main directory view, showing the files in the directory you
have chosen. If there is a plus sign to the left of a directory name in the
tree window, you may click on it to show subdirectories. At this point the
plus sign will have changed to a minus sign. If you click on the minus
sign, the subdirectory once again becomes hidden in the tree view and the
plus sign reappears.
</para>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Viewing Files
</secondary>
</indexterm>
The directry window has a few viewing options you may wish to
take advantage of: the icon view and three list views: brief,
detailed and custom.
</para>
<para>
The Icon view is the default view and will display large icons for each
file. The Brief view shows the files and directories in a list. The
Detailed view expands this list to include information about the files. The
Custom view is a list view that allows you to select the information you
want to view about files.
</para>
<para>
In the Brief, Detailed, and Custom views if you click on one of the
information titles on the top of the window it will sort the files according
to that information. For example, if you want to find the largest files in
the directory you can click on the Size title and the files will be sorted
by size from largest to smallest. One more click on the Size title will
change the sorting from smallest to largest.
</para>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="gmcnav" >
<title>Moving Around the GNOME File Manager</title>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Moving around
</secondary>
</indexterm>
Above the tree and main file windows in the GNOME File Manager there is a
Location text box.
</para>
<para>
Within this text box you can type the path location of the file which you
would like to view in the main window.
</para>
<para>
<indexterm id="idx-a38">
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
FTP
</secondary>
</indexterm>
The GNOME File Manager is also equipped to view FTP sites. To
view an FTP site you will need to be connected to the Internet either
through a dial up account or a network. Type the FTP address in the Location
text box and the GNOME File Manager will attempt to connect to the site.
</para>
<para>
Make sure you type in FTP addresses in the following manner:
<programlisting>ftp://[site address]</programlisting>
</para>
<para>
Above the Location text box are navigation buttons you might wish to
use. The buttons with the arrow icons allow you to move within the
directories adjacent to the one you are in. The left button will take you to
the previous directory you were in, the middle button will take you up one
level in the directory hierarchy, and the right button will take you to the
next directory if you have just moved backwards.
</para>
<tip>
<title>TIP</title>
<para>
You can open a secondary window by using your middle mouse button on any
directory. Press the middle mouse button (or both left and right mouse
buttons if you have emulation) on a directory in the main window and a new
window will open showing the contents of the directory you clicked on.
</para>
</tip>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="gmcselect" >
<title>Selecting Files</title>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Selecting Files
</secondary>
</indexterm>
Selecting files is done with your mouse by clicking on the file or files in
the GNOME File Manager. The file that is selected will then highlight to
show you that it has been selected.
</para>
<para>
<indexterm id="idx-a40">
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Selecting multiple files
</secondary>
</indexterm>
There are a couple of ways to select more than one file. One way is to use
the "rubber band" select by clicking and dragging the mouse cursor around
several files. This action will produce a small dotted line, the "rubber
band", to show you the area in which files will be selected.
</para>
<figure>
<title>"Rubber Band Select"</title>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Rubber Band Select</screeninfo>
<Graphic format="gif" Fileref="./figs/rubberband" srccredit="dcm">
</graphic>
</screenshot>
</figure>
<para>
If you wish to be more selective about the files you are choosing, or the
files you need do not reside next to one another, you may use the
<keycap>CTRL</keycap> key to keep the files you have selected while you
are selecting more. This works by selecting a file, pressing and holding
the <keycap>CTRL</keycap> key and selecting another file. While the
<keycap>CTRL</keycap> key is pressed you will be able to add to the "list"
of files that are selected. Once you have selected multiple files by
either method you may copy or move the files.
</para>
<para>
You may also select all files in a directory by selecting the
<guimenuitem>Select All</guimenuitem> menu item from the
<guimenu>Edit</guimenu> menu.
</para>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
filtering
</secondary>
</indexterm>
You may also filter your selection by using the <guimenuitem>Select
Files</guimenuitem> menu item in the <guimenu>Edit</guimenu> menu. Using
<guimenuitem>Select Files</guimenuitem> will display a simple dialog which
will allow you to type in criteria for your selection. In this field, the
symbol <keycap>*</keycap> is interpreted as a wildcard, E.g., it matches any
string. For example, if you would like to select all files in the directory
that start with the letter <keycap>D</keycap>, you can type
<keycap>D*</keycap> (note that filenames in Unix are case-sensitive).
</para>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="gmccopy" >
<title>Copying and Moving Files</title>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Copying files
</secondary>
</indexterm>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Moving files
</secondary>
</indexterm>
The default action for dragging and dropping files between the GNOME File
Manager and the desktop is to move them. But you can also use drag and drop
to copy a file by pressing the <keycap>SHIFT</keycap> key while dragging the
file(s). You can also drag a file within the file manager to another
directory. Select the file in the main window and drag it to the desired
directory in the tree window. Note, however, that when dragging to the tree
window the default action is to copy the file. As you drag the file to the
tree window, you will see a plus sign appear to remind you that theh file
will be copied. You can also use drag and drop to copy directories the same
way as you did for files. Again note the plus sign signifying that the
directory will be copied, not moved.
</para>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Linking files
</secondary>
</indexterm>
You may also bring up a menu which lets you decide what action to perform
with a drag by using the middle mouse button to drag a file or pressing the
<keycap>ALT</keycap> key while dragging a file. Once you release the drag
you will get a pop-up menu which contains the options Copy, Move, Link, and
Cancel Drag.
</para>
<!-- E makes this useless!!! That is broken!
<para>
Another way to copy or move files is to take advantage of the right mouse
click <guimenu>pop-up</guimenu> menu. Right mouse click on the file you
want to copy or move and select <guimenuitem>Move/rename</guimenuitem> or
<guimenuitem>Copy</guimenuitem> from the <guimenu>pop-up</guimenu> menu.
This will bring up a dialog in which to perform thes tasks. </para> -->
<para>
<figure>
<title>The Move Dialog</title>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Move Dialog</screeninfo>
<Graphic Format="gif" Fileref="./figs/gmc_move" srccredit="dcm">
</graphic>
</screenshot>
</figure>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Moving files
</secondary>
</indexterm>
To use the move dialog you simply type in the path where you wish to move
the file. If you want to rename the file you may type the new name of the
file in the path string. The Copy dialog looks and works exactly the same
way as the Move/rename dialog.
</para>
<para>
If the file you are moving is a symbolic link &mdash; that is, a virtual
link to where the file actually resides (called a shortcut in some other
operating systems) &mdash; you may select the <guilabel>Advanced
Options</guilabel> tab and select <guilabel>Preserve symlinks</guilabel>.
Selecting this will make sure the link is preserved despite the move.
</para>
<para>
It is recommended that you use this method of moving a symbolic link.
</para>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="gmcrename" >
<title>Renaming Files</title>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Renaming files
</secondary>
</indexterm>
Renaming files in the GNOME File Manager window or on the desktop
can be achieved in two ways.
</para>
<para>
One method of renaming a file is to right mouse click on the file and choose
the <guimenuitem>Properties</guimenuitem> menu item from the
<guimenu>pop-up</guimenu> menu. In the Filename text box you may type in
the new name as you wish it to appear.
</para>
<figure>
<title>File Properties</title>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>File Properties</screeninfo>
<Graphic format="gif" Fileref="./figs/fileprops" srccredit="dcm">
</graphic>
</screenshot>
</figure>
<para>
A shortcut method to rename a file is to slowly double click on the filename
in the icon view or on the desktop. Make sure the double-click is slow so
you do not launch the file but you simply highlight and then click again.
At this point the name of the file will enter into the editing mode, your
mouse cursor will change to an editing line, and you can type in the new
name. Once the name is as you would like it to be you may press the
<keycap>Enter</keycap> key to end the editing process.
</para>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="gmclaunch" >
<title>Launching Applications From the GNOME File Manager</title>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Launching applications from
</secondary>
</indexterm>
The GNOME File Manager allows you to launch applications from the main
window by simply double clicking your mouse on a file which has an
application associated with it. You can change the way file types are
handled by reading the Mime Capplet Chapter in the GNOME User's Guide.
</para>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Open with
</secondary>
</indexterm>
If the file does not have an associated application you can right mouse
click on the file and select <guimenuitem>Open with</guimenuitem> from the
<guimenuitem>pop-up</guimenuitem> menu. This will bring up a dialog that
allows you to define the application which will launch the file. For example,
if you want to edit a file named test.txt with
<application>Emacs</application> (a popular text editor), you can right mouse
click on test.txt and choose <guimenuitem>Open with</guimenuitem>. When you
get the Open with dialog box simply type in emacs in front of the test.txt
file name. When you press <guibutton>OK</guibutton>
<application>Emacs</application> will open the file.
</para>
<figure>
<title>The Open With Dialog</title>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Open With Dialog</screeninfo>
<graphic Format="gif" Fileref="./figs/open_with" srccredit="dcm">
</graphic>
</screenshot>
</figure>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="gmcfileprops"
<title>File Properties and Actions</title>
<para>
<indexterm id="idx-a48">
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
File properties
</secondary>
</indexterm>
For any file in the main file display you may right mouse click on
it and choose a variety of properties and actions for it from the
<guimenu>pop-up</guimenu> menu:
</para>
<ITEMIZEDLIST mark="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Open</guimenuitem> - This will open the file with the default
application associated with it. You may read more about editing these
associations in Mime Capplet Chapter in the GNOME User's Guide..
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Open With</guimenuitem> - You may open a file with any
application using this menu item. You may read more about this in <xref
linkend="gmclaunch">.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>View</guimenuitem> - This will view the file with a basic
text viewer.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Edit</guimenuitem> - This will launch an editor to edit the
file. The editor launched is determined by the application associated with
that file type. You may read more about editing this association in Mime
Capplet Chapter in the GNOME User's Guide..
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Copy</guimenuitem> - This will copy the file to the
clipboard so that it can be pasted elsewhere.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Delete</guimenuitem> - This will delete the file.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Move</guimenuitem> - This will bring up the
<guilabel>Move</guilabel> dialog, which will allow you to move the
file. You can read more about this dialog and moving files in <xref
linkend="gmccopy">.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Symlink</guimenuitem> - Symlink allows you to create a
symbolic link to the file you have selected i another directory. When you
select Symlink you will see a dialog which allows you to type in the
directory and filename that you wish to be the symbolic link to the
file. This link will be a "shortcut" to the selected file.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Properties</guimenuitem> - The Properties menu item will
launch the Properties dialog. The Properties dialog allows you to edit and
view the properties for the selected file.
</para>
<para>
The Properties dialog consists of three tabs, Statistics, Options,
and Permissions.
</para>
<figure>
<title>File Properties</title>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>File Properties</screeninfo>
<Graphic format="gif" Fileref="./figs/fileprops" srccredit="dcm">
</graphic>
</screenshot>
</figure>
<ITEMIZEDLIST mark="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>Statistics</guilabel> - This tab will show you the file
information including the name, type, size, and history. You may change
the name of the file in the <guilabel>File Name</guilabel> text box.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>Options</guilabel> - This tab will allow you to change the
action options for the file. You can define how to open, view, and edit
the file. If you need to open it in a terminal window you may select
the <guilabel>Needs terminal to run</guilabel> checkbox.
</para>
<note>
<title>NOTE</title>
<para>
If you bring up the Properties dialog from an icon on the desktop you
will be able to change the icon for that file in the
<guilabel>Options</guilabel> tab.
</para>
</note>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>Permissions</guilabel> - This tab allows you to change the
permissions and ownership of a file if you have access to do so. You
may select Read, Write, and Exec permissions for the User, Group, and
Others. You may also set the UID, GID and Sticky as well as define who
owns the file.
</para>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="gmcprefs">
<title>Changing Your Preferences in The File Manager</title>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Preferences
</secondary>
</indexterm>
There are many settings you can configure for the GNOME File Manager.
</para>
<para>
These settings may be accessed from the <guilabel>GMC
Preferences</guilabel> dialog. You may launch this dialog by selecting the
<guimenuitem>Preferences</guimenuitem> menu item from the
<guimenu>Edit</guimenu> menu.
</para>
<para>
The <guilabel>GMC Preferences</guilabel> dialog is divided into Five major
sections: <guilabel>File Display</guilabel>,
<guilabel>Confirmation</guilabel>, <guilabel>VFS</guilabel>,
<guilabel>Caching</guilabel>, <guilabel>Desktop</guilabel>, and
<guilabel>Custom View</guilabel>.
</para>
<sect2 id="gmcprefs-file">
<title>File Display</title>
<figure>
<title>File Display Preferences</title>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>File Display Preferences</screeninfo>
<graphic Format="gif" Fileref="./figs/gmcprops1" srccredit="dcm">
</graphic>
</screenshot>
</figure>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Display
</secondary>
</indexterm>
The <guilabel>File Display</guilabel> tab allows you to change the way
files are displayed in GMC.
</para>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>Show backup files</guilabel> - This will show any backup
file that might be on your system.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Hidden Files
</secondary>
</indexterm>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Show hidden files
</secondary>
</indexterm>
<guilabel>Show hidden files</guilabel> - This will show all "dot
files" or files that begin with a dot. These files typically include
configuration files and directories.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>Mix files and directories</guilabel> - This option will
display files and directories in the order you sort them instead of
always having directories shown above files.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>Use shell patterns instead of regular
expressions</guilabel> - This option is for advanced users only. If
you are unfamiliar with Regular Expressions you should not use this
option. If you are familiar with how to create regular expressions
you may select this option to use them in your sorts and filters.
</para>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="gmcprefs-confirm">
<title>Confirmation</title>
<figure>
<title>Confirmation Preferences</title>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Confirmation Preferences</screeninfo>
<graphic Format="gif" Fileref="./figs/gmcprops2" srccredit="dcm">
</graphic>
</screenshot>
</figure>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Confirmations
</secondary>
</indexterm>
This tab allows you to change which functions ask for your confirmation
before continuing.
</para>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>Confirm when deleting file</guilabel> - This will bring up
a confirmation screen before deleting a file.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>Confirm when overwriting files</guilabel> - This will bring
up a confirmation screen before overwriting a file.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>Confirm when executing files</guilabel> - This will bring
up a confirmation screen before executing a file.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>Show progress while operations are being
performed</guilabel> - This will bring up a progress bar while
certain operations are being performed such as copying, moving,
deleting, etc.
</para>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="gmcprefs-VFS"
<title>VFS</title>
<figure>
<title>VFS Preferences</title>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>VFS Preferences</screeninfo>
<graphic Format="gif" Fileref="./figs/gmcprops3" srccredit="dcm">
</graphic>
</screenshot>
</figure>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
VFS
</secondary>
</indexterm>
<indexterm>
<primary>
Virtual File System
</primary><see>"GNOME File Manager - VFS"</see>
</indexterm>
This tab allows you to configure the options for your Virtual File
System.
</para>
<para>
The Virtual File System allows you to manipulate files that are not
located on your local file system. There are different version of the
VFS including ftpfs and tarfs. The ftpfs allows you to work on FTP
sites while the tarfs gives you access inside .tar files.
</para>
<note>
<title>NOTE</title>
<para>
The .tar file is the standard UNIX archive format
</para>
</note>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>VFS Timeout</guilabel> - This will determine how long
you will be connected to any VFS without activity. The timeout is
measured in seconds.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>Anonymous FTP password</guilabel> - This allows you to set
a password for logging into anonymous FTP sites. Usually you will
want to make this your email address.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>Always use FTP proxy</guilabel> - If you need to use a
proxy to connect to FTP sites you will want to enable this.
</para>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="gmcprefs-cache">
<title>Caching</title>
<figure>
<title>Caching Preferences</title>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Caching Preferences</screeninfo>
<graphic Format="gif" Fileref="./figs/gmcprops4" srccredit="dcm">
</graphic>
</screenshot>
</figure>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
This tab allows you to configure items that will enhance the speed of
GMC by using caching.
</para>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>Fast directory reload</guilabel> - This option will store
directory information in cache so that it can load faster.
</para>
<important>
<title>IMPORTANT</title>
<para>
If you enable the <guilabel>Fast directory reload</guilabel> you may
experience problems with not seeing new files that have been added
to directories.
</para>
</important>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>Compute totals before copying files</guilabel> - This will
make GMC determine the number of files you are copying before it
performs the task so that it can give you information about the
process as it's happening.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>FTP directory cache timeout</guilabel> - This option will
keep recently visited FTP site information in cache for the amount of
time you specify. The time is measured in seconds.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guilabel>Allow customization of icons in icon view</guilabel> - This
will allow you to change the icons in the icon view by right mouse
clicking on them and selecting the
<guimenuitem>Properties</guimenuitem> menu item. You can always
change the icons of items that are on your desktop but you can only
change the icons in the icon view with this option turned on.
</para>
<important>
<title>IMPORTANT</title>
<para>
Turning on the <guilabel>Allow customization of icons in icon
view</guilabel> function may result in a slower system.
</para>
</important>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="gmcprefs-desk">
<title>Desktop</title>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Desktop
</secondary>
</indexterm>
As you learned before, the GNOME desktop is controlled by the GNOME File
Manager. The Desktop Dialog allows you to change the settings of the
desktop.
</para>
<figure>
<title>The Desktop Dialog</title>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>The Desktop Dialog</screeninfo>
<Graphic Format="gif" Fileref="./figs/gmcprops5" srccredit="dcm">
</graphic>
</screenshot>
</figure>
<para>
<guilabel>Icon placement</guilabel> - This small window allows you to
determine where your desktop icons will be placed by default. To change
the location of the icons simply click your mouse button in the window
near the edge you would like the icons to appear. The small sample icons
will move with your mouse clicks to show you where the default placement
will be.
</para>
<para>
<guilabel>Use shaped icons</guilabel> - This option is turned on by
default. If for some reason you have and older display, a strange X server
setup, or any other graphic display problem, you may select this to make
the desktop icons non-transparent.
</para>
<para>
<guilabel>Use shaped text</guilabel> - This option is turned on by
default. Like the shaped icons above you may choose to have
non-transparent text labels with your icons.
</para>
<para>
<guilabel>Auto icon placement</guilabel> - This will automatically arrange
icons on your desktop for you. If you would rather place the icons
manually you should turn this off.
</para>
<para>
<guilabel>Snap icons to grid</guilabel> - This will keep all of your icons
in line when you move them to keep a clean desktop. It creates a grid that
the icons will automatically move to when you release it after dragging.
</para>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="gmcprefs-custom">
<title>Custom View</title>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
Custom View
</secondary>
</indexterm>
The Custom View dialog allows you to set the way you would like the Custom
View to look in the GNOME File Manager.
</para>
<figure>
<title>The Custom View Dialog</title>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>The Custom View Dialog</screeninfo>
<Graphic Format="gif" Fileref="./figs/custom-view" srccredit="dcm">
</graphic>
</screenshot>
</figure>
<para>
There are two main columns in the <guilabel>Custom View</guilabel>, the
<guilabel>Possible Columns</guilabel> and the <guilabel>Displayed
Columns</guilabel>.
</para>
<para>
The <guilabel>Possible Columns</guilabel> list includes all of the
information types that can be displayed. If you would like to include one,
you may press the <guibutton>Add</guibutton> button and it will be added to
the <guilabel>Displayed Columns</guilabel> list.
</para>
<para>
The <guilabel>Displayed Columns</guilabel> list shows you the current
information types that will be included in your Custom View. If you wish to
remove any you may press the <guibutton>Remove</guibutton> button.
</para>
<para>
If you would like to re-arrange the items in the <guilabel>Displayed
Columns</guilabel> list you may drag them to the desired location with your
mouse.
</para>
</sect2>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="gmcmenus" >
<title>Menu Guide to the GNOME File Manager</title>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME File Manager
</primary>
<secondary>
menus
</secondary>
</indexterm>
In this section each menu item in the GNOME File Manager will be described.
</para>
<tip>
<title>Tip</title>
<para>
All menus in the GNOME File Manager are enabled with the tear-away
feature. If you would like any menu to "float" on the desktop in its own
window simply select the perforation line at the top of the menu.
</para>
</tip>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenu>File</guimenu> - The File Menu contains items associated with
files and higher level activity.
</para>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Create New Window</guimenuitem> - This will open a new File
Manager Window.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>New | Terminal</guimenuitem> - This launches a new GNOME
Terminal window that will automatically navigate to the directory
displayed in the main window view.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>New | Directory</guimenuitem> - This creates a new
directory in the directory displayed in the main window view.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>New | [application]</guimenuitem> - Some applications may
put items for you in the <guimenu>New</guimenu> menu. For example, the
Gnumeric spreadsheet will put a <guimenuitem>New Gnumeric
Spreadsheet</guimenuitem> menu item in the <guimenu>New</guimenu> menu
so you can a new spreadsheet in the directory displayed in the main
window view.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Open</guimenuitem> - This will open the file you have
selected with your mouse cursor.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Copy</guimenuitem> - This will launch the Copy dialog to
enable you to copy the selected file to a destination you choose.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Delete</guimenuitem> - This will delete the file you have
selected.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Move</guimenuitem> - This will launch the Move/rename
dialog to enable you to rename the selected file or move it to a
destination you choose.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Show directory sizes</guimenuitem> - This option will
determine the size of your directories and display it in the Detail or
Custom views. Depending on the size of your directories, this could
take a while to display and may tax your system when viewing large
directories.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Close this Window</guimenuitem> - This will close the GNOME
File Manager window you are currently running.
</para>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenu>Edit</guimenu> - The Edit menu contains items that are associated
with editing and selecting files.
</para>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Select All</guimenuitem> - This will select all of the
files in the main window.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Select Files</guimenuitem> - This will launch a simple
dialog box which will allow you to specify a selection pattern. For
Example, if you wish to select all files beginning with the letter D you
can simply type D* and press OK.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Invert Selection</guimenuitem> - This will invert the
current selection. For example, if you have 7 files selected in a
directory with 10 files, selecting Invert Selection will select the
three remaining files and unselect the 7 files that were previously
selected.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Search</guimenuitem> - This toggles on the "completion"
search for the File Manager. Once it is turned on the status bar at the
bottom of the window displays the word "Search:" and allows you to start
typing. If you are searching for a file named "GNU" in the directory
displayed in the main window view typing "G" will move the selection to
the first file or directory beginning with "G". Typing "GN" move the
selection to the first file beginning with "GN", and so on. You may also
toggle this feature on by pressing
<keycombo><keycap>CTRL</keycap><keycap>S</keycap></keycombo>.To end the
search you may select the file or directory or simply navigate away from
the file with the arrow keys or your mouse.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Rescan Directory</guimenuitem> - This will rescan the
current directory in case the files in the directory have changed.
</para>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenu>Settings</guimenu> - This contains the Preferences menu item.
</para>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Preferences</guimenuitem> - This will launch the
Preferences dialog so that you can customize the GNOME File Manager.
</para>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenu>Layout</guimenu> - This menu contains items that are associated
with the layout in GNOME File Manager.
</para>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Sort By</guimenuitem> - This will launch a dialog box
which will allow you to select how you wish the files to be sorted in
the current directory. You may sort by one of the following:
</para>
<ITEMIZEDLIST mark="none">
<listitem>
<para>Name</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>File Type</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>Size</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>Time Last Accessed</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>Time Last Modified</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>Time Last Changed</para>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Filter View</guimenuitem> - This will bring up a simple
dialog which allows you to view only files with names matching a
pattern. For example, if you wish to view only files in the directory
that start with the letter D you can type D* into the dialog and press
OK. If you wish to see all files again you will need to launch the
Filter View dialog again and clear the dialog or type in a *.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Icon View</guimenuitem> - Selecting this will display the
files in the main window as large icons.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Partial View</guimenuitem> - Selecting this will display
the files in the main window as a list with only file names.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Full View</guimenuitem> - Selecting this will display the
files in the main window as a list with all file information.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Custom View</guimenuitem> - The <guimenuitem>Custom
View</guimenuitem> menu item switches the main window to the Custom
View which is a list view displaying the information about your files
that you specify. To customize the Custom view you will need to use
the <guilabel>Custom View Editor</guilabel> in the
<guilabel>Preferences</guilabel> dialog. You may read more about the
<guilabel>Preferences</guilabel> dialog in <xref linkend="gmcprefs">.
</para>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenu>Commands</guimenu> - The Command menu contains items that are
commands to run on files in the GNOME File Manager.
</para>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Find File</guimenuitem> - Find File brings up a dialog
which allows you to search for particular files on your system.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Edit mime types</guimenuitem> - This option will launch
the GNOME Control Center Capplet that allows you to edit Mime Types for
GNOME. Mime types determine, among other things, what application will
handle particular file types. You can read more about mime types in
Mime Capplet Chapter in the GNOME User's Guide.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Run Command</guimenuitem> - This menu item allows you to
run a command from GMC.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Run Command in panel</guimenuitem> - This menu item lets
you run preloaded commands or commands you specify within the directory
that you are currently in. Such commands might be to find SUID or SGID
programs, etc.
</para>
</listitem>
<!-- <listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Active VFS list</guimenuitem> - The Virtual File
System allows you to manipulate files that are not located on
your local file system.
</para>
<para> There are different version of the VFS including ftpfs
and tarfs. The ftpfs allows you to work on FTP sites while
the tarfs gives you access inside .tar files. These can both
be very useful in your work environment and the Active VFS
list allows you to see which VFS's are currently open. When
you select the <guimenuitem>Active VFS</guimenuitem> menu
item you get a list of the current VFSs you have opened.
</para>
<para> There is also an option to change to a different VFS by
pressing the <guibutton>Change To</guibutton> button.
</para>
</listitem> -->
<listitem>
<para>
<guimenuitem>Exit</guimenuitem> - This will allow you to exit the GNOME
File Manager.
</para>
<important>
<title>IMPORTANT</title>
<para>
This will exit all GNOME File Manager processes which include the
GNOME Desktop. If you exit you will lose all functionality on your
desktop. This action is not recommended. If you wish to close the
current window, use the <guimenuitem>File/Close</guimenuitem> button.
</para>
</important>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="dragtour">
<title>A Drag and Drop Tour of GNOME</title>
<para>
<indexterm>
<primary>
GNOME
</primary>
<secondary>
Drag and Drop
</secondary>
</indexterm>
There are many tips and tricks to the Desktop in GNOME. The Drag and Drop
functionality extends to many areas of GNOME making it easy to interconnect
GNOME in many interesting ways. Below is a series of tips and tricks to
using GNOME Drag and Drop. This is a good tour of GNOME and will show you
how to utilize GNOME to its fullest extent.
</para>
<ITEMIZEDLIST MARK="bullet">
<listitem>
<para>
Drag a Color onto the Panel - Whenever you have a color selector displayed
you may drag a color from the selected color bar to the Panel and it will
change the Panel to that color.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
Drag a Pixmap to the Background Selector - If you would like to change the
background to an image, you can drag that image from your GNOME File
Manager to the Monitor Image in the Background Capplet of the Control
Center and it will change to that image.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
Drag to an Application - Many GNOME compliant applications will accept
drag and drop. If you would like to open a file in Gnumeric, a GNOME
compliant spreadsheet application, you may simply drag the file from the
GNOME File Manager onto Gnumeric and it will open the file. The same is
true for applications built using Motif. You may drag a saved URL onto
Netscape 4x and it will open the URL. This can be very useful if you are
working within the GNOME File Manager and wish to quickly open a file.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
Adding an Application Launcher to the Panel - If you would like to add an
application launcher to the Panel you may drag and drop any executable
file from the GNOME File Manager, or the Desktop, onto the Panel. This
will display the Create Launcher applet dialog box which will allow you to
select a name and an icon for that launcher.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
Dragging Files - There are many ways to use drag and drop to help you
manage your system. You can open two GNOME File Manager windows selecting
two different directories then drag files between the two windows to copy,
move, or link files. You can drag files from the File Manager to the
desktop to make it more accessible. Use the middle mouse button or the
right and left mouse buttons together and Drag a directory folder to the
desktop. Choose the link option from the pop-up menu to make a link to the
desktop. This will give you a quick way to launch the File Manager to that
directory.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
Dragging Directories - You can drag a directory out of the GNOME File
Manger and place it on the Panel. This will create a new menu which allows
you easy access to the files in that directory.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
You may drag any sub menu from the Main Menu to the panel and a new menu
launcher is added to the panel. This allows easier access to that sub-set
of menus.
</para>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</sect1>
</chapter>
</book>