Operating System Tools

Notes

Introduction
If you are not much familiar with Linux, there is a need of practical guide that provides the
information regarding the installation and set-up of Linux, and also shows the process of using
Linux for specific functions, for example a Web server or a software development platform.
The version of Linux is improved by Red Hat. The Red Hat Linux 9 is released recently which
includes various new system components, including the XFree86 4.3.0, GCC 3.2.2 compiler,
Linux 2.4.20 kernel, and the glibc 2.3.2 system libraries. The X Window System is considered as
XFree86 version 4.3.0 with support for many more new as well as powerful graphics cards as
compared to the previous versions. The desktop experience of Linux is improved by Red Hat.
It provides many more graphical tools which are used to configure and manage the system.
For productivity applications, Red Hat includes the Mozilla Web browser, the OpenOffice.org
office suite, and Ximian Evolution personal information manager. Also, Red Hat has unified
the appearance and feel of GNOME as well as KDE desktops. Thus, irrespective of the selected
desktop, the user feels at home. Also, there are many improvements. Red Hat Linux now makes
use of the CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System) as the default printing system. It also includes
the Native POSIX Thread Library, which provides improvements in performance with Pentium
Pro processors or better.

2.1 Moving Around the Desktop

The Figure 2.1 shows a typical view of the graphical Linux desktop.
Figure 2.1: A Typical Linux Desktop

Source: http://linux.about.com/od/linux101/a/desktop01d.htm

There are three main components on the desktop:

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the Menu System

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the Panel

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the Desktop itself

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Unit 2: Red Hat Linux 9 Basics

2.1.1 The Menu System

Notes

We can accsess main menu by clicking on the Main Menu button situated at the extreme lower
left hand corner of the desktop. This may be presented by one of several icons depending on the
desktop environment used.
Generic GNOME Main Menu Button is shown below:
Figure 2.2: Generic GNOME Main Menu Button

Source: http://linux.about.com/od/linux101/a/desktop01d.htm

Red Hat Main Menu Button is shown in Figure 2.3.

Figure 2.3: Red Hat Main Menu Button

Source: http://linux.about.com/od/linux101/a/desktop01d.htm

This will bring up the Menu System as shown in the Figure 2.4.
Figure 2.4: The Menu System

Source: http://linux.about.com/od/linux101/a/desktop01d.htm

We can start various applications (installed on your Linux system) from the menu system. The
Menu System consists of a Main Menu panel and sub-menu panels. Every entry in the Menu

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Operating System Tools

Notes

System which has an arrow on its right signifies that it is an entry point to a sub-menu, and there
can be sub-menus within every sub-menu. In this manner, the Menu System applications can be
organised as well as categorised for easy reference and access.
To use the sub-menu associated with a menu entry, move the mouse and rest it on the menu entry
in question and a sub-menu panel will appear. Figure 2.5 shows the Main Menu and Sub-menu.
Figure 2.5: Main Menu and Sub-menu

Source: http://linux.about.com/od/linux101/a/desktop01d.htm

Clicking once on a menu entry will cause an application associated with it to be launched, i.e.
executed.

2.1.2 The Panel

The long bar across the bottom of the desktop screen is known as the Panel. The Panel consists of
the Main Menu icon, the application launcher icons, a notification area and applets.
Figure 2.6: The Panel

Source: http://linux.about.com/od/linux101/a/desktop01d.htm

There are several application launcher icons which are installed by default on the Panel. Clicking
on one of these will run an application. Generally accessed applications can be added to the Panel
and those that are less frequently used can be taken off.

Did u know? The notification area holds alert icons so that the user can be alerted to critical
messages.

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Unit 2: Red Hat Linux 9 Basics

The small applications that run on the Panel are called applets. These usually perform useful and
informative tasks like setting the sound level of the soundcard, monitoring whether the system
software needs an update, etc. The following applets run by default.
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Notes

The Workspace Switcher: We can consider the graphical desktop as a workspace

drawing an analogy with the working area on a real physical tabletop. Programs are run,
documents displayed and files opened on the workspace. To cut down on workspace
clutter and to allow the user to organise his workspace more efficiently, the graphical
desktop environment permits the usage of numerous workspaces. Every workspace can be
considered as a virtual desktop.
Figure 2.7: The Workspace Switcher

By default the user has four desktop workspace areas to work on. The workspace switcher
represents every workspace as a small square and shows the applications running in each
of them. To access a workspace click on the square with the mouse.

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The Taskbar: This applet is situated next to the workspace switcher and displays the titles
of all the running applications in a virtual desktop (a workspace).

2.1.3 The Desktop Space

The Desktop space refers to the remaining screen. It consists of icons which are graphical
representations of short-cuts to application launchers, file folders, files and peripheral devices
like floppy disks, CD-ROM drives and printers. Double-clicking on an icon representing an
application will launch or execute the application. Generally used applications and/or files/
folders are usually located on the desktop space.
Figure 2.8: The Desktop Space

Source: http://linux.about.com/od/linux101/a/desktop01d.htm

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Operating System Tools

Notes

Task Make distinction between workshop switcher and taskbar.

Self Assessment
Fill in the blanks:
1.

Each entry in the Menu System which has an arrow on its right means that it is an entry
point to a ......................................

2.

The long bar across the bottom of the desktop screen is called the ......................................

2.2 Using Applications

The Desktop provides a useful metaphor for a modern office work environment. Thus, find on
the Desktop that the applications that we want to run can easily be started or launched and the
required information and data can easily be located.
Applications that we can run from the Desktop are to be found either from the Main Menu (and
sub-menus therein), or as icons on the Panel and the Desktop itself. To run an application from
the Main Menu, open up the menu (or sub-menu) and click on the application listed in the menu
bar.
To run an application from the Panel, click once on the icon representing the application.
To run an application from the Desktop itself, double-click on the icon representing the
application.
At times, it is more handy to have the application as an icon on the Panel or Desktop where we
can launch it more simply by just clicking on it, rather than in the Main Menu, particularly if it
is hidden deep inside several sub-menus. To attain this, open the Main Menu and choose the
application item listed in it by clicking with the rightmouse button. Click on the selection Add
this launcher to panel and a copy of the application icon will be located on the Panel.
To make a copy of this on the Desktop, we can drag the icon from the Panel over to the Desktop.
To delete an application icon from the Panel right-click on it and choose the Remove from
Panel option.
To delete an application icon from the Desktop, right-click on it and choose the Move to Trash
option.

2.2.1 Run Small Applications on the Panel

The Panel houses many useful utilities called applets. Applets are small applications that run on
the Panel.
By default, the taskbar and the workspace switcher applets are placed and run on the Panel.
Other useful applets that may be placed on the Panel include: Clock, sticky notes, and volume
control.

Placing an Applet on the Panel

For placing an applet on the Panel, we move the mouse over to an empty space on the Panel and
right-click it. Choose the item Add to Panel and from the sub-menus choose the applet to place
on the Panel.

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Unit 2: Red Hat Linux 9 Basics

Notes
Example: For example, to place the sticky notes applet, select:
Add to Panel Accessories Sticky Notes
To avoid accidental removal of an applet, we can lock it on the Panel by right-clicking on its icon
and choosing Lock.

Removing an Applet from the Panel

In order to remove an applet, right-click on the applet icon and choose Remove from Panel.
If the applet is locked, you will have to unlock it first by right-clicking on the icon and selecting
Unlock.

Configuring the Panel

In order to change the properties of the Panel, right-click on the Panel and choose Properties.
From the general properties menu, we can change the orientation, size and (un)hide the Panel.
From the background properties menu, we can change the colour of the Panel in addition to its
visual appearance.

2.2.2 Using Launchers to Run Applications

Using Launchers provide a quick way to the user to access specific resources on the system.
Example: If a user needs to access a specific file in one of the folders often, he can create a
launcher to run an application to open the file and this launcher can be placed it on the Desktop.
In this way the resource (the file) can be accessed very quickly by just double-clicking on it.
To create a launcher on the Desktop, right-click on an empty area on the Desktop and select the
item Create Launcher. Enter the Name and the Command to run and if you want you can select
an icon for it by clicking on the icon button.
Figure 2.9: Creating a Launcher

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