Java Desktop System Release 3 User Guide

Chapter 7 Using Your Preference Tools

This chapter describes how to start and use the preference tools to customize the Java Desktop System.

Starting a Preference Tool

You can start the preference tools in the following ways:

Setting Assistive Technology Preferences

To access the Assistive Technology Support preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Assessibility ->Assistive Technology Support.

Use the Assistive Technology preference tool to enable assistive technologies in the Java Desktop System. You can also use the Assistive Technology preference tool to specify assistive technology applications to start automatically when you log in.

Table 7–1 lists the assistive technology preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–1 Assistive Technology Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

Enable assistive technologies

Select this option to enable assistive technologies in the Java Desktop System. 

Screenreader

Select this option to start the Screenreader application automatically when you log in.

Magnifier

Select this option to start the Magnifier application automatically when you log in.

On-screen keyboard

Select this option to start the On-screen keyboard application automatically when you log in.

Customizing the Desktop Background

To access the Desktop Background preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> Display -> Desktop Background.

You can customize the desktop background in the following ways:

You can also change the appearance of your desktop background from within the file manager.

Table 7–2 lists the background preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–2 Desktop Background Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

Desktop Wallpaper

Choose an image to display on the desktop background. 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.

Style

To specify how to display the image, select one of the following options from the Style drop-down list:

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

  • Fill Screen: Enlarges the image to cover the desktop background and maintains the relative dimensions of the image.

  • Scaled: Enlarges the image until the image meets the screen edges, and maintains the relative dimensions of the image.

  • Tiled: Enlarges the image until the image meets the screen edges, and maintains the relative dimensions of the image.

Add Wallpaper

Click on Add Wallpaper to display the Add Wallpapers dialog. Choose the wallpaper that you want to appear as the background, then click OK.

Remove

Choose the Desktop Wallpaper that you want to remove, then click Remove.

Desktop Colors

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.

Configuring a CD Database Server

To access the CD Database Server preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> CD Database Server.

The CD Database Server preference tool enables you to configure a CD database server that your system can query. A CD database server contains information about CDs, such as the name of the artist, the title, and the track list. When an application plays a CD, the application can query the CD database server about the CD, then display the information.

Table 7–3 describes the preferences in the CD Database Server preference tool.

Table 7–3 CD Database Server Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

Send no information

Select this option if you do not want to send any information to the CD database server. 

Send real information

Select this option to send your name and hostname information to the CD database server. 

Send other information

Select this option to send another name and hostname to the CD database server. Enter the name in the Name field. Enter the hostname in the Hostname field.

FreeDB round robin server

FreeDB is a CD database. The FreeDB round robin server is a load-sharing configuration of FreeDB servers. Select this option to access the FreeDB CD database from this server. 

Other FreeDB server

Select this option to access the FreeDB CD database from another server. Select the server that you require from the server table. 

Update Server List

Click on this button to update the list of available FreeDB servers in the server table. 

Other server

Select this option to use another CD database server. Enter the name of the server on which the database resides in the Hostname field. Enter the port number on which you can access the database in the Port field.

Configuring File Associations

To access the File Associations preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> File Associations.

Use the File Associations preference tool to configure the following:

File types

You can specify how files of various types are displayed and edited. For example, you can specify an icon to represent a particular type of file. For another example, you can specify that if a file is a plain text file, the file is launched in a text editor.

The file manager and other desktop applications check the contents of a file to determine the type of a file. If the first lines do not determine the type of the file, then the application checks the filename.

Services

A Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) is a string that identifies a particular location in a file system or on the Web. For example, the web address of a web page is a URI. A service is a protocol or task that a URI requests. For example, the http://www.gnome.org URI requests the http service.

You can associate an application with a service, so that the application performs the task required by the service. For example, you can associate your preferred web browser with the http service.

Table 7–4 describes the elements on the File Associations preference tool.

Table 7–4 Elements on File Associations Preference Tool

Element 

Description 

Table 

To view the contents of a category of file types, click on the right arrow next to the category name. The category expands, and displays a description of each file type, and the file extension that is associated with the file type.  

To select a file type that you want to work with, click on the file type. 

Add File Type

Click on this button to add a file type. For more information, see To Add a File Type.

Add Service

Click on this button to add a service. For more information, see To Add a Service.

Edit

To edit a file type, a service, or a file type category, select the item that you want to edit, then click Edit.

Remove

To delete a file type or a service, select the item that you want to delete, then click Remove.

To Add a File Type

To add a file type, perform the following steps:

  1. Start the File Associations preference tool.

  2. Click on the Add File Type button.

  3. Enter the properties of the file type in the Add File Type dialog. The following table describes the dialog elements of the Add File Type dialog:

    Dialog Element 

    Description 

    No Icon

    Choose an icon to represent the file type. To choose an icon, click on the No Icon button. An icon selector dialog is displayed. Choose an icon from the dialog. Alternatively, to choose an icon from another directory, click Browse. When you choose an icon, click OK.

    Description

    Type a description of the file type. 

    MIME type

    Enter the MIME type for this type of file.  

    Category

    Enter the category to which you want the file type to belong in this preference tool. Click on the Choose to choose a category from the Choose a file category dialog.

    Filename extensions

    Enter the file extensions to associate with the file type. Enter a file extension in the field on the left side, then press Return. To delete a file extension, select the file extension in the field on the right side, then click on the Remove button.

    Viewer component

    Select the viewer component to use to display files of this type in the file manager. 

    Default action

    Select the default application to use to open files of this type. 

    Program to run

    Specify a program to associate with the file type. Enter the command to start the program in this field. Alternatively, to choose a command that you entered previously, click the down arrow button, then choose the command to run. 

    You can also use the Browse button to choose a command to run.

    Run in Terminal

    Select this option to run the program in a terminal window. Choose this option for a program that does not create a window in which to run. 

  4. Click OK.

To Add a Service

To add a service, perform the following steps:

  1. Start the File Associations preference tool.

  2. Click on the Add Service button.

  3. Enter the properties of the service in the Add Service dialog. The following table describes the dialog elements on the Add Service dialog:

    Dialog Element 

    Description 

    Description

    Type a description of the service. 

    Protocol

    Enter the protocol for the service. 

    Program to Run

    Information to be supplied in a future release. 

    Program

    Specify the program to associate with the service. Enter the command to start the program in this field. Alternatively, to choose a command that you entered previously, click the down arrow button, then choose the command to run. 

    You can also use the Browse button to choose a command to run.

    Run in Terminal

    Select this option to run the program in a terminal window. Choose this option for a program that does not create a window in which to run. 

  4. Click OK.

Setting Folder Preferences

You can customize your folders to suit your requirements and preferences. This section describes how to customize your folder preferences.

Setting Your Preferences

To access the Folders preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> Folders.

Alternatively, you can use the Folders Preferences dialog to set preferences for the file manager. To display the Folder Preferences dialog, choose Edit -> Preferences from any file browser window.

You can set preferences in the following categories:

To Set Views Preferences

You can specify a default view, and select sort options and display options. You can also specify default settings for icon views and list views. To specify your default view settings, choose Edit -> Preferences. Click on the Views tab to display the Views tabbed section.

Table 7–5 lists the views preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–5 Views Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

View new folders using

Select the default view for folders. When you open a folder, the folder is displayed in the view that you select. 

Arrange items

Select the characteristic by which you want to sort the items in folders that are displayed in this view. 

Sort folders before files

Select this option to list folders before files when you sort a folder. 

Show hidden and backup files

Select this option to display hidden files and backup files in the view pane. The first character in a hidden filename is a period (.). The last character in a backup filename is a tilde (~). 

You can hide files from the view pane by adding .hidden extension to the filename.

Default zoom level

Icon view and list view. Select the default zoom level for folders that are displayed in this view. The zoom level specifies the size of items in a view. 

Use compact layout

Select this option to arrange the items in icon view so that the items in the folder are closer to each other. 

Text beside icons

Select this option to place the icon captions for items beside the icon rather than under the icon. 

Show only folders

Select this option to display only folders in the Tree in the side pane.

To Set Behavior Preferences

To set your preferences for files and folders, choose Edit -> Preferences. Click on the Behavior tab to display the Behavior tabbed section.

Table 7–6 lists the preferences that you can modify for files and folders.

Table 7–6 File and Folder Behavior Preferences

Option 

Description  

Single click to activate items

Select this option to perform the default action for an item when you click on the item. When this option is selected, and you point to an item, the title of the item is underlined. 

Double click to activate items

Select this option to perform the default action for an item when you double-click on the item. 

Run executable files when they are clicked

Select this option to run an executable file when you choose the executable file. An executable file is a text file that can execute, that is, a shell script. 

View executable files when they are clicked

Select this option to display the contents of an executable file when you choose the executable file. 

Ask each time

Select this option to display a dialog when you choose an executable file. The dialog asks whether you want to execute the file or display the file. 

Ask before emptying the Trash or deleting files

Select this option to display a confirmation message before Trash is emptied, or files are deleted.

Include a Delete command that bypasses Trash

Select this option to add a Delete menu item to the following menus:

  • The Edit menu.

  • The popup menu that is displayed when you right-click on a file, folder, or desktop background object.

When you select an item then choose the Delete menu item, the item is deleted from your file system immediately.

To Set Icon Captions Preferences

An icon caption displays the name of a file or folder in an icon view. The icon caption also includes three additional items of information on the file or folder. The additional information is displayed after the file name. Normally only one item of information is visible, but when you zoom in on an icon, more of the information is displayed. You can modify what additional information is displayed in icon captions.

To set your preferences for icon captions, choose Edit -> Preferences. Click on the Icon Caption tab to display the Icon Caption tabbed section.

Select the items of information that you want to display in the icon caption from the three drop-down lists. Select the first item from the first drop-down list, select the second item from the second drop-down list, and so on. The following table describes the items of information that you can select:

Information 

Description  

Size

Choose this option to display the size of the item. 

Type

Choose this option to display the description of the MIME type of the item from the File Types and Programs preference tool.

Date modified

Choose this option to display the last modification date of the item. 

Date accessed

Choose this option to display the date that the item was last accessed. 

Owner

Choose this option to display the owner of the item. 

Group

Choose this option to display the group to which the item belongs. 

Permissions

Choose this option to display the permissions of the item as three sets of three characters, for example -rwxrw-r--.

Octal permissions

Choose this option to display the permissions of the item in octal notation, for example 764.

MIME type

Choose this option to display the MIME type of the item. 

None

Choose this option to display no information for the item. 

To Set List Columns Preferences

You can specify what information is displayed in list view in file manager windows. You can specify which columns are displayed in list view, and the order in which the columns are displayed.

To set your preferences for list columns, choose Edit -> Preferences. Click on the List Columns tab to display the List Columns tabbed section.

To specify a column to display in list view, select the option that corresponds to the column, then click on the Show button. To remove a column from the list view, select the option that corresponds to the column, then click on the Hide button.

Use the Move Up and Move Down buttons to specify the position of columns in list view.

To use the default columns and column positions, click on the Use Default button.

The following table describes the columns that you can display:

Information 

Description  

Name

Select this option to display the name of the item. 

Size

Select this option to display the size of the item. 

Type

Select this option to display the description of the MIME type of the item from the File Types and Programs preference tool.

Date Modified

Select this option to display the last modification date of the item. 

Date Accessed

Select this option to display the date that the item was last accessed. 

Group

Select this option to display the group to which the item belongs. 

MIME type

Select this option to display the MIME type of the item. 

Octal Permissions

Select this option to display the permissions of the item in octal notation, for example 764.

Owner

Select this option to display the owner of the item. 

Permissions

Select this option to display the permissions of the item as three sets of three characters, for example -rwxrw-r--.

To Set Preview Preferences

The file manager include some file preview features. The preview features can affect the speed with which the file manager responds to your requests. You can modify the behavior of some of these features to improve the speed of the file manager. For each preview preference, you can select one of the options described in the following table:

Option 

Description  

Always

Performs the action for both local files, and files on other file systems. 

Local Files Only

Performs the action for local files only. 

Never

Never performs the action.  

To set your preview preferences, choose Edit -> Preferences. Click on the Preview tab dialog to display the Preview tabbed section.

Table 7–7 lists the preview preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–7 Preview Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description  

Show text in icons

Select an option to specify when to preview the content of text files in the icon that represents the file.  

Show thumbnails

Select an option to specify when to show thumbnails of image files. The file manager stores the thumbnail files for each folder in a .thumbnails directory that is one level below the folder.

Only for files smaller than

Specify the maximum file size for files for which the file manager creates a thumbnail. 

Preview sound files

Select an option to specify when to preview sound files.  

Count number of items

Select an option to specify when to show the number of items in folders. If you have set your view to icon view, you might need to increase your default zoom level in the Views tabbed section to see the number of items in each folder.

Changing Backgrounds

The file manager includes backgrounds that you can use to change the look-and-feel of the following screen components:

To change the background of a screen component perform the following steps:

  1. Choose Edit -> Backgrounds and Emblems.

  2. To display a list of patterns that you can use on the background, click on the Patterns button in the Backgrounds and Emblems dialog. To display a list of the colors that you can use on the background, click on the Colors button.

  3. To change the background to a pattern, drag the pattern to the screen component. To change the background to a color, drag the color to the screen component.

  4. Click Close.

To reset the background of the view pane or side pane to the default background, right-click on the background of the pane, then choose Use Default Background.

When you change the background of the side pane or the view pane of a particular folder, the file manager remembers the background that you chose. The next time that you display the folder, the background that you selected is displayed. In other words, when you change the background of a folder, you customize the folder to display the background.

To Add a Pattern

To add a pattern to the patterns that you can use on your screen components, choose Edit -> Backgrounds and Emblems. Click on the Patterns button, then click on the Add a New Pattern button. A dialog is displayed. Use the dialog to find the new pattern. Click OK to add the new pattern to the Backgrounds and Emblems dialog.

To Add a Color

To add a color to the colors that you can use on your screen components, choose Edit -> Backgrounds and Emblems. Click on the Colors button, then click on the Add a New Color button. A color selector dialog is displayed. Use the color wheel or the sliders to choose the color. Click OK to add the new color to the Backgrounds and Emblems dialog.

Choosing Default Fonts

To access the Fonts preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> Display -> Fonts.

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

Table 7–8 lists the font preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–8 Font Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

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 background 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 Java Desktop System 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 to 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.

Configuring Your Proxy Connection

To access the Proxy Configuration preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> Proxy Configuration.

The Proxy Configuration preference tool enables you to configure how your system connects to the Internet. You can configure the Java Desktop System 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 7–9 lists the proxy configuration preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–9 Internet Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

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.  

Configuring Keyboard Accessibility Options

To access the Keyboard accessibility preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Accessibility -> Keyboard.

Use the Keyboard accessibility preference tool to set the keyboard accessibility preferences. The Keyboard accessibility preference tool is also known as AccessX.

You can customize the preferences for the keyboard accessibility in the following functional areas:

Basic Preferences

Table 7–10 lists the basic keyboard accessibility preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–10 Keyboard Accessibility Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

Enable keyboard accessibility features

Select this option to enable keyboard accessibility features. When you select this option, the other options in the preference tool become available. 

Disable if unused for

Select this option to deactivate keyboard accessibility preferences if the keyboard is not used for a specified period of time. Use the slider to specify the number of seconds of keyboard idle time required before the system disables the keyboard accessibility preferences. When the specified number of seconds elapses, the following keyboard accessibility preferences are disabled: 

  • Bounce keys

  • Mouse keys

  • Slow keys

  • Sticky keys

  • Toggle keys

Beep when features turned on or off from keyboard

Select this option for an audible indication when a feature such as sticky keys or slow keys is activated, or deactivated. 

Import Feature Settings

Click on this button to import an AccessX configuration file.

Enable Sticky Keys

Select this option to perform multiple simultaneous keypress operations by pressing the keys in sequence. Alternatively, to enable the sticky keys feature, press Shift five times.

You can set the following sticky keys preferences: 

  • Beep when modifier is pressed: Select this option for an audible indication when you press a modifier key.

  • Disable if two keys pressed together: Select this option to specify that when you press two keys simultaneously, you can no longer press keys in sequence to perform multiple simultaneous keypresses.

Repeat Keys

Select this option to enable the autorepeat settings for your keyboard. You can set the following autorepeat preferences: 

  • Delay: Use the slider or the spin box to specify the interval to wait after the first keypress before the automatic repeat of a pressed key.

  • Speed: Use the slider or the spin box to specify the number of characters per second to enter.

Type to test settings

The test area is an interactive interface so you can see how the keyboard settings affect the display as you type. Type text in the test area to test the effect of your settings. 

For more information on configuring basic keyboard accessibility preferences, see the Java Desktop System Release 3 Accessibility Guide.

Filter Preferences

Table 7–11 lists the filter preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–11 Filter Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

Enable keyboard accessibility features

Select this option to enable keyboard accessibility features. When you select this option, the other options in the preference tool become available. 

Enable Slow Keys

Select this option to control the period of time that you must press-and-hold a key before acceptance. Alternatively, to enable the slow keys feature, press-and-hold Shift for eight seconds.

You can set the following slow keys preferences:  

  • Only accept keys held for: Use the slider or the spin box to specify the period of time that you must press-and-hold a key before acceptance.

  • Beep when key is: Select the appropriate option or options for an audible indication when a key is pressed, accepted, or rejected.

Enable Bounce Keys

Select this option to accept a key input and to control the key repeat characteristics of the keyboard. You can set the following bounce keys preferences:  

  • Ignore duplicate keypresses within: Use the slider or the spin box to specify the interval to wait after the first keypress before the automatic repeat of a pressed key.

  • Beep if key is rejected: Select this option for an audible indication of key rejection.

Enable Toggle Keys

Select this option for an audible indication of a toggle keypress. You hear one beep when a toggle key is turned on. You hear two beeps when a toggle key is turned off. 

Type to test settings

The test area is an interactive interface so you can see how the keyboard settings affect the display as you type. Type text in the test area to test the effect of your settings. 

For more information on configuring filter accessibility preferences, see the Java Desktop System Release 3 Accessibility Guide.

Mouse Preferences

Table 7–12 lists the mouse preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–12 Mouse Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

Enable keyboard accessibility features

Select this option to enable keyboard accessibility features. When you select this option, the other options in the preference tool become available. 

Enable Mouse Keys

Select this option to make the numeric keypad emulate mouse actions. You can set the following mouse key preferences:  

  • Maximum pointer speed: Use the slider or the spin box to specify the maximum speed that the pointer moves across the screen.

  • Time to accelerate to maximum speed: Use the slider or the spin box to specify the duration of the acceleration time of the pointer.

  • Delay between keypress and pointer movement: Use the slider or the spin box to specify the period of time that must pass after a keypress before the pointer moves.

Mouse Preferences

Click on this button to open the Mouse preference tool.

For more information on configuring the mouse accessibility preferences, see the Java Desktop System Release 3 Accessibility Guide.

Configuring Keyboard Behavior Preferences

To access the Keyboard preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> Keyboard -> Behavior.

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

You can set the preferences for the Keyboard Behavior preference tool in the following functional areas:

Keyboard Preferences

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

Table 7–13 lists the keyboard preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–13 Keyboard Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

Key presses repeat 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.  

Cursor 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. 

Type to test settings

The test area is an interactive interface so you can see how the keyboard settings affect the display as you type. Type text in the test area to test the effect of your settings. 

Typing Break Preferences

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

Table 7–14 lists the typing break preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–14 Typing Break Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

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. 

Keyboard Layout

Use the Layouts tabbed section to set your keyboard layout. Select your keyboard model from the drop-down list. Use the navigational buttons to add or remove a selected layout from the list of available layouts.

You can choose different layouts to suit different locales.

To start the Keyboard accessibility preference tool, that is, AccessX, click on the Accessibility button.

Keyboard Layout Options

Use the Layout Options tabbed section to set your keyboard layout options. Select an option from the list of available layout options and click Add to select an option. Use Remove to remove a selected option.

To start the Keyboard accessibility preference tool, that is, AccessX, click on the Accessibility button.

Customizing Menus and Toolbars in Applications

To access the Menus & Toolbars preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> Display -> Menus & Toolbars.

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

Table 7–15 lists the menu and toolbar preferences that you can modify for GNOME-compliant applications.

Table 7–15 Menu and Toolbar Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

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.

Setting Mouse Preferences

To access the Mouse preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> Mouse.

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 Preferences

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 7–16 lists the mouse button preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–16 Mouse Button Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

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. 

Timeout

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.  

Pointer Preferences

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

Table 7–17 lists the mouse pointer preferences that you can modify:

Table 7–17 Mouse Pointer Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

Small

Select this option to display a small mouse pointer. 

Medium

Select this option to display a medium mouse pointer. 

Large

Select this option to display a large mouse pointer. 

Highlight the pointer when you press Ctrl

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.

Motion Preferences

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

Table 7–18 lists the mouse motion preferences that you can modify:

Table 7–18 Mouse Motion Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

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. 

Customizing Your Panels

To access the Panel preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> Panel.

The Panel preference tool enables you to configure the behavior of panels. Any changes that you make with the Panel preference tool affect all of your panels.

Table 7–19 lists the panel preferences that you can modify:

Table 7–19 Panel Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

Close drawer when launcher is clicked

Select this option if you want a drawer on a panel to close when you choose a launcher in the drawer. 

Drawer and panel animation

Select this option if you want your panels and drawers to show and to hide in an animated style. 

Animation speed

Select the speed of the panel animation from the drop-down list. 

Choosing Your Preferred Applications

To access the Preferred Applications preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> Preferred Applications.

Use the Preferred Applications preference tool to specify the applications that you want the Java Desktop System to use when the preferred application starts. For example, you can specify Xterm as your preferred terminal application. When you click Launch, then choose Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal, Xterm starts.

You can customize the preferences for the Preferred Applications preference tool in the following functional areas.

Web Browser Preferences

Use the Web Browser tabbed section to configure your preferred web browser. The preferred web browser opens when you click on a URL. For example, the preferred web browser opens when you select a URL in an application, or when you select a URL launcher on the desktop background.

Table 7–20 lists the preferred web browser preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–20 Preferred Web Browser Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

Select a Web Browser

Select this option if you want to use a standard web browser. Use the drop-down combination box to select your preferred web browser. 

Custom Web Browser

Select this option if you want to use a custom web browser.  

Command

Enter the command to execute to start the custom web browser. To enable the browser to display a URL that you click on, include “%s” after the command.

Start in Terminal

Select this option to run the command in a terminal window. Select this option for a browser that does not create a window in which to run. 

Email Client Preferences

Use the Mail Reader tabbed section to configure your preferred email client.

Table 7–21 lists the preferred email client preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–21 Preferred Email Client Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

Select a Mail Reader

Select this option if you want to use a standard email client. Use the drop-down combination box to select your preferred email client. 

Custom Mail Reader

Select this option if you want to use a custom email client.  

Command

Enter the command to execute to start the custom email client. 

Start in Terminal

Select this option to run the command in a terminal window. Select this option for an email client that does not create a window in which to run. 

Text Editor Preferences

Use the Text Editor tabbed section to configure your preferred text editor.

Table 7–22 lists the preferred text editor preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–22 Preferred Text Editor Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

Select an Editor

Select this option if you want to use a standard text editor. Use the drop-down combination box to specify your preferred text editor. 

Custom Editor

Select this option if you want to use a custom text editor. A Custom Editor Properties dialog is displayed.

  • Name: Type the name of the custom text editor.

  • Command: Enter the command to start the custom text editor.

  • This application can open multiple files: Select this option if the default text editor can open multiple files.

  • This application needs to be run in a shell: Select this option to run the command in a terminal window. Select this option for an editor that does not create a window in which to run.

After you specify a custom text editor, you can click on the Properties button to display the Custom Editor Properties dialog. You can use the dialog to modify the properties of the custom text editor.

Use this editor to open text files in the file manager

Select this option if you want the file manager to start the custom text editor to display text files. 

Terminal Preferences

Use the Terminal tabbed section to configure your preferred terminal.

Table 7–23 lists the preferred terminal preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–23 Preferred Terminal Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

Select a Terminal

Select this option if you want to use a standard terminal. Use the drop-down combination box to specify your preferred terminal. 

Custom Terminal

Select this option if you want to use a custom terminal. 

Command

Enter the command to execute to start the custom terminal. 

Exec Flag

Enter the exec option to use with the command.

Setting Screen Resolution Preferences

To access the Screen Resolution preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> Display -> Screen Resolution.

Use the Screen Resolution preference tool to specify the resolution settings for your screen. Table 7–24 lists the screen resolution preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–24 Screen Resolution Preferences

Dialog Element 

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. 

Setting Screensaver Preferences

To access the Screensaver preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> Display -> Screensaver.

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:

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

Display Modes Preferences

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

Table 7–25 lists the display mode preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–25 Screensaver Display Mode Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

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.  

Advanced Preferences

Use the Advanced tabbed section to set advanced screensaver preferences.

Table 7–26 lists the advanced screensaver preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–26 Advanced Screensaver Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

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 Diagnostics

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 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. 

Configuring Sessions

To access the Sessions preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> Sessions.

The Sessions preference tool enables you to manage your sessions. You can set session preferences, and specify which applications to start when you start a session. You can configure sessions to save the state of applications in the Java Desktop System, and to restore the state when you start another session. You can also use this preference tool to manage multiple Java Desktop System sessions.

You can customize the settings for sessions and startup applications in the following functional areas:

Setting Session Preferences

Use the Session Options tabbed section to manage multiple sessions, and to set preferences for the current session.

Table 7–27 lists the session options that you can modify.

Table 7–27 Session Options

Dialog Element 

Description 

Show splash screen on login

Select this option to display a splash screen when you start a session.  

Prompt on logout

Select this option to display a confirmation dialog when you end a session.  

Automatically save changes to session

Select this option if you want the session manager to save the current state of your session. The session manager saves the session-managed applications that are open, and the settings associated with the session-managed applications. The next time that you start a session, the applications start automatically, with the saved settings. 

If you do not select this option, when you end you session the Logout Confirmation dialog displays a Save current setup option.

Sessions

Use this area of the dialog to manage multiple sessions in the Java Desktop System, as follows: 

  • To create a new session, click on the Add button. Use the Add a new session dialog to specify a name for your session.

  • To change the name of a session, select the session in the Choose Current Session table. Click on the Edit button. The Edit session name dialog is displayed. Type a new name for your session.

  • To delete a session, select the session in the Choose Current Session table. Click on the Delete button.

Setting Session Properties

Use the Current Session tabbed section to specify startup order values, and to choose restart styles for the session-managed applications in your current session.

Table 7–28 lists the session properties that you can configure.

Table 7–28 Session Properties

Dialog Element 

Description 

Order

The Order property specifies the order in which the session manager starts session-managed startup applications. The session manager starts applications with lower order values first. The default value is 50.

To specify the startup order of an application, select the application in the table. Use the Order spin box to specify the startup order value.

Style

The Style property determines the restart style of an application. To select a restart style for an application, select the application in the table, then choose one of the following styles:

  • Normal

    Starts automatically when you start a Java Desktop System session. Use the kill command to terminate applications with this restart style during a session.

  • Restart

    Restarts automatically whenever you close or terminate the application. Choose this style for an application if the application must run continuously during your session. To terminate an application with this restart style, select the application in the table, then click on the Remove button.

  • Trash

    Does not start when you start a Java Desktop System session.

  • Settings

    Starts automatically when you start a session. Applications with this style usually have a low startup order, and store your configuration settings for the Java Desktop System and session-managed applications.

Remove

Click on the Remove button to delete the selected application from the list. The application is removed from the session manager, and closed. Applications that you delete are not started the next time that you start a session.

Apply

Click on the Apply button to apply changes to the startup order and the restart style.

Configuring Startup Applications

Use the Startup Programs tabbed section of the Sessions preference tool to specify non-session-managed startup applications. Startup applications are applications that start automatically when you start a session. You specify the commands that run the non-session-managed applications in the Startup Programs tabbed section. The commands execute automatically when you log in.

You can also start session-managed applications automatically. For more information, see Setting Session Preferences.

Table 7–29 lists the startup applications preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–29 Startup Programs Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

Additional startup programs

Use this table to manage non-session-managed startup applications as follows: 

  • To add a startup application, click on the Add button. The Add Startup Program dialog is displayed. Enter the command to start the application in the Startup Command field.

    If you specify more than one startup application, use the Order spin box to specify the startup order of the each application. The startup order is the order in which you want the startup applications to start.

  • To edit a startup application, select the startup application, then click on the Edit button. The Edit Startup Program dialog is displayed. Use the dialog to modify the command and the startup order for the startup application.

  • To delete a startup application, select the startup application, then click on the Delete button.

Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts

To access the Shortcuts preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> 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 Shortcuts preference tool to display the default keyboard shortcuts. You can customize the default keyboard shortcuts to your requirements. In addition, you can also set shortcut key preferences for multimedia functions.

You can also create hot keys on Solaris systems. Hot keys are keyboard shortcuts that start applications.

Table 7–30 lists the keyboard shortcut settings that you can customize on Linux.

Table 7–30 Keyboard Shortcuts Preferences on Linux

Dialog Element 

Description 

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.

Table 7–31 lists the keyboard shortcut settings that you can customize on Solaris.

Table 7–31 Keyboard Shortcuts Preferences on Solaris

Dialog Element 

Description 

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.

Custom Shortcuts

To add a hot key, perform the following steps: 

  1. Click New. A Custom Binding dialog is displayed. Enter the command to associate with the hot key in the New Command field. Alternatively, to browse for the command, click on the Browse button. When you have selected the command, click OK. The command is added to the Custom Shortcuts section of the Desktop shortcuts table.

  2. Click in the Shortcut column of the command in the Custom bindings section of the Desktop shortcuts table. Press the key or key combination that you want to associate with the command.

To edit a hot key, select the hot key in the Custom Shortcuts section of the Desktop shortcuts table, then click Edit. Edit the command in the Custom Binding dialog.

To remove a hot key, select the hot key in the Custom Shortcuts section of the Desktop shortcuts table, then click Delete.

Use the Multimedia Keys preference tool to assign shortcut keys to an action.

Table 7–32 lists the shortcut key preferences that you can set for multimedia functions.

Table 7–32 Multimedia Keys Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

Multimedia keys table 

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

Use PCM volume instead of Master volume

Select this option if you want to use Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) volume instead of Master volume. 

Setting Sound Preferences

To access the Sound preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> Sound.

The Sound preference tool enables you to control when the Java Desktop System 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 Preferences

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

Table 7–33 lists the general sound preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–33 General Sound Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

Enable sound server startup

Select this option to start the sound server when you start a session. When the sound server is active, the Java Desktop System can play sounds. 

Sounds for events

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

Sound Event Preferences

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 7–34 lists the sound events preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–34 Sound Event Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

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 Sound File 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.


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 preferences in the System Bell tabbed section to configure the bell sound. Table 7–35 lists the system bell preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–35 System Bell Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

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.  

Customizing Themes

To access the Theme preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> Display -> Theme.

A theme is a group of coordinated settings that specifies the visual appearance of a part of the Java Desktop System. You can choose themes to change the appearance of the Java Desktop System. Use the Theme preference tool to select a theme. 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 Java Desktop System, as follows:

Controls

The controls setting for a theme determines the visual appearance of windows, panels, and panel applications. The controls setting also determines the visual appearance of the GNOME-compliant interface items that appear on windows, panels, and panel applications, 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.

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. Start the Theme preference tool.

  2. Select a theme in the list of themes.

  3. Click on the Theme 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.

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

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. Start the Theme preference tool.

  2. Click on the Install Theme button.

  3. Enter the location of the theme archive file in the drop-down combination box of the Install a Theme dialog. 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.

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. Start the Theme preference tool.

  2. Click on the Theme Details button.

  3. Click on a tab in the Theme Details dialog 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 Theme button.

  5. Enter the location of the option archive file in the drop-down combination box of the Install a Theme dialog. 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.

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. Start the Theme preference tool.

  2. Click on the Theme Details button.

  3. Click on a tab in the Theme Details dialog 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.

Customizing Windows

To access the Window Behavior preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences -> Desktop Preferences -> Display ->Window Behavior.

Use the Window Behavior preference tool to customize window behavior for the Java Desktop System.

Table 7–36 lists the windows preferences that you can modify.

Table 7–36 Windows Preferences

Dialog Element 

Description 

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.