Chapter 1 Overview of the Java Desktop System

The Java Desktop System offers a complete desktop solution, including advanced productivity applications, and is largely based on open source software. The main features and components are outlined in the following sections:

• Features and Benefits

• Summary of Main Components

• Getting Started

• Finding More Information

Features and Benefits

The Java Desktop System offers the following features and benefits:

Feature	Benefit
Interoperability	Provides compatibility with common office products and formats.   Includes simple network mechanism for: Mounting networked Windows and UNIX® folders Exchanging files by means of drag and drop functionality Printing to shared printers in Windows, Linux, and UNIX environments
Calendar, Email, and Instant Messaging	Supports industry standards including: Directory services : LDAP Email : IMAP4 File sharing : SAMBA, NFS Printing : SAMBA Web services : WebDAV
Browser and Java Desktop Integration	Java offers an ideal execution environment for web services.
Office Productivity	Contains a comprehensive suite of feature-rich tools providing word-processing, spreadsheet, presentation, graphics, and database capabilities.

Summary of Main Components

The main components of the Java Desktop System are outlined in the following sections:

• GNOME 2.2 Desktop

• Ximian Evolution 1.4

• StarOffice 7

• Mozilla 1.4

• Java Technology

GNOME 2.2 Desktop

The GNOME Desktop enables you to interact efficiently with the applications and documents that you use every day.

The most important software components of the GNOME Desktop are as follows:

Desktop Functionality	Description
File Manager	Enables you to do the following:  Display your files and folders. Manage your files and folders. Run scripts. Customize your files and folders. Open special URL locations. Write data to a CD.
Panels	Contains application launchers, system menus, panel drawers, and applets.
Window Manager	Enables you to manage application windows and dialogs.
Applications	A broad range of full-featured applications that enable you to perform all your usual work activities.
Applets	Small applications for specific tasks.

GNOME Desktop Applications

The following table lists the GNOME Desktop applications that are supported by Sun Microsystems:

Category	Application	Description
Accessories	Archive Manager	Enables you to create, view, modify, or unpack an archive.
	Calculator	Simple mathematical and scientific calculator that includes arithmetic, trigonometric, and logarithmic functions.
	Character Map	Enables you to select characters from a character table, then combine the characters into a text string with standard characters.
	Dictionary	Enables you to look up an online dictionary for definitions and correct spellings of words.
	Text Editor	A simple text editor that enables you create and edit text files.
Graphics	Image Viewer	Enables you to view and save images using standard image file formats.
	PDF Document Viewer	Enables you to view files in Portable Document Format (PDF).
	PostScript Viewer	Enables you to view files in PostScript format.
Internet	Instant Messenger	A multiprotocol instant messaging client.
Multimedia	CD Player	Enables you to play audio compact discs on your computer.
	Java Media Player	Enables you to play multimedia files.
	Sound Recorder	Enables you to record and play waveform (.wav) sound files.
	Volume Control	Enables you to adjust the volume level on your system.
Programming	Bug Report Tool	Desktop bug reporting tool.
	User Interface Designer	User interface builder for GNOME.

GNOME Desktop Applets

The following table lists the GNOME Desktop applets that are supported by Sun Microsystems:

Category	Applet	Description
Accessories	Clock	Displays the time and the date.
	Dictionary Lookup	Enables you to look up an online dictionary for definitions and correct spelling of words.
	Now	A calendar server client.
	Sticky Notes	Enables you to create and view small notes on your desktop.
	Stock Ticker	Enables you to get continuously updated stock quotes.
Amusements	Fish	Displays an animated image and executes a user-specified command when you click on the image.
	Geyes	Displays a pair of eyes that follow the mouse pointer around the screen.
Internet	Inbox Monitor	Checks your mail server at regular intervals for new mail in your mailbox.
	Modem Lights	Indicates if your modem is working and tracks modem behavior and performance.
	Network Monitor	Monitors the activity of a network.
	Web Eyes	Enables you to access web search utilities and provides quick access to websites you previously accessed.
	Wireless Link Monitor	Monitors wireless links on your desktop.
Multimedia	CD Player	Enables you to play audio compact discs on your computer.
	Volume Control	Enables you to control the sound volume on your system.
Utility	Address Search	Searches for email addresses and phone numbers of people in your address book.
	Battery Charge Monitor	Displays the status of the power management subsystem on laptop systems.
	Character Palette	Provides a convenient way to access non-standard characters.
	Command Line	Provides a command line that you can use within any panel on the desktop.
	Disk Mounter	Mounts local disks and devices.
	Keyboard Accessibility Status	Shows the status of the keyboard accessibility features.
	Keyboard Layout Switcher	Enables you to assign different layouts to your keyboard.
	Notification Area	Displays icons from various applications to indicate activity in the application. For example, when you use the CD Player application to play a CD, a CD icon is displayed in the Notification Area applet.
	Pilot Applet	Enables you to configure Palm OS devices.
	Quick Lounge	Organizes your preferred applications on panels.
	System Monitor	A system load indicator capable of displaying graphs for CPU, RAM, swap space use, and network traffic.
	Window List	Enables you to manage the windows that are open on your Desktop.
	Window Menu	Displays a list of all visible windows open on your Desktop and allows you to select the one you want to activate.
	Workspace Switcher	Allows you to switch between workspaces.

Ximian Evolution 1.4

Evolution is an advanced personal information management system that integrates with email and calendar servers. Evolution contains the following components:

Component	Description
Calendar	Enables you to schedule appointments.
Contacts	Enables you to create an address book of your contacts.
Email	Enables you to compose, send, receive, and manage email messages.
Summary	Provides an overview of your day. Summary displays an overview of your email messages, appointments, meetings, and tasks.
Tasks	Enables you to manage the work tasks that you perform.
Connectors	Enables you to connect to mail and calendar servers.

The features and benefits of Evolution include the following:

Feature	Benefit
Versatility	Evolution manages contact information, appointments and mail, and integrates this functionality in an integrated package. Evolution acts as the central point of control for all your communication needs.
Compatibility	Evolution supports global mail protocols, such as IMAP4, SMTP, POP3 and LDAP. Evolution also adheres to global standards and file formats, such as mbox, to facilitate smooth integration into existing environments.
Integration	Public interfaces to the core functionality of Evolution components ensure easy integration with other applications.
Scalability	Evolution can manage large amounts of mail and provides tools to organize, read, and search through mail in an efficient way.

StarOffice 7

StarOffice runs on multiple operating systems, including Linux, Solaris, and Windows. The StarOffice suite contains the following applications:

• Word Processing

• Spreadsheet

• Presentation

• Graphics

• Database Capabilities

The features and benefits of StarOffice include the following:

Feature	Benefit
Supports XML file formats	You can create, manage, and access complex documents and web pages.
Intuitive graphical user interface (GUI)	Familiar interface concepts require minimal retraining.
Built on open standards and OpenOffice.org open source code	You are not locked into proprietary formats.

Mozilla 1.4

Mozilla is a powerful, cross-platform browser that integrates a wide variety of features. Mozilla provides enterprise functionality in one powerful application suite and enables you to do the following:

• Surf the Internet

• Communicate with colleagues

• Participate in discussion groups

• Create dynamic web pages

The features and benefits of Mozilla include the following:

Feature	Benefit
Powerful browsing capabilities	Increases productivity thanks to streamlined and efficient browsing.
Sophisticated navigation and filtering	Saves time by managing and directing incoming mail messages to where you want them to go. Fast and efficient streamlined searches and more secured privacy.
Advanced JavaScript controls	Enables you to save and publish web documents created in Composer to a server of your choice in just a few clicks.
Tabbed browsing	You can view multiple websites on tabbed pages within a single browser window.

Java Technology

Java technology provides a multi-platform development environment and supports many platforms, from servers, to cell phones, to smart cards. Java technology unifies business infrastructure to create a seamless, secure, networked platform for users.

The features and benefits of Java include the following:

Feature	Benefit
Mobility and security	The Java platform provides the foundation for true mobility. Java technology makes the ideal development and deployment vehicle for mobile and wireless solutions.
Development environment	Java makes development simple and fast while reducing the number of time-consuming and costly bugs.
Web services	Java and XML languages are two of the most extensible and widely-accepted computing languages.
Platform compatibility	Java provides a secure, open, robust, viable, and flexible development platform that allows you to: Reduce costs Bring products to market faster Benefit from maximum flexibility Develop robust applications for consumer devices

Getting Started

This section describes the typical default configuration of the Java Desktop System.

Starting a Session for the First Time

You need to enter a username and password to access the Java Desktop System. When you start a session for the first time, you should see a startup screen, with a panel at the bottom of the screen and various icons, similar to the following:

Figure 1–1 A Sample Startup Screen

Default Java Desktop System Configuration

This section describes what you see when you start a session for the first time. Your system administrator might have set your default bottom edge panel according to your local requirements, so you might see a slightly different bottom edge panel.

The Java Desktop System startup screen consists of the following:

• This Computer

  Enables you to access media and configuration details about your system.

• Documents

  Enables direct access to files stored on your default directory.

• Network Places

  Provides access to networked computers from a single directory.

• Trash

  Provides a temporary holding area for files, folders or desktop objects that you can later retrieve or permanently delete.

• Learn About The Java™ Desktop System

  Launches a help browser from where you can access help about the Java Desktop System and the GNOME Desktop.

• Bottom edge panel

  The following appear in your bottom edge panel by default:

  • Main Menu Launch Icon : Contains all applications and configuration tools for the Java Desktop System.

  • Clock Applet : Displays the time and date in a panel.

  • Window List : Displays a button for each window that is open. You can click on a window list button to minimize and restore windows.

  • Network Monitor : Displays the status of a network device.

  • Workspace Switcher : Displays a visual representation of your workspaces. You can use Workspace Switcher to switch between workspaces.

• File Manager

  The File Manager provides an integrated access point to your files and applications. You can display the contents of your files within a File Manager window, or open the files in the appropriate application from File Manager. You can use the file manager to manage your files and folders.

• Desktop

  The desktop lies behind all of the other components on the GNOME Desktop. The desktop is an active component of the user interface. You can place objects on the desktop to quickly access your files and directories, or to start applications that you use often. You can also right-click on the desktop to open a menu.

Tips for Working with Panels

Panels are areas from which you can access all of your applications and menus. You can perform the following actions with panels:

• Create top edge panels

• Delete panels

• Hide panels

• Add objects to panels

• Manipulate panel objects

To Create a Top Edge Panel

Right-click on a vacant space on any panel, then choose New Panel.

To Delete Panels

To delete a panel, right-click on the panel then choose Delete This Panel.

To Add Hide Buttons to Panels

Right-click on a vacant space on the panel, then choose Properties to display the Panel Properties dialog. Click on Show hide buttons.

To Add Objects to Panels

You can add any of the following objects to all types of panels:

• Applets

  To add an applet to a panel, right-click on a vacant space on the panel, then choose Add to Panel. Choose the applet that you require from one of the following submenus:

  • Accessories

  • Actions

  • Amusements

  • Internet

  • Multimedia

  • Utility

• Launchers

  To add a new launcher to a panel, right-click on a vacant space on the panel, then choose Add to Panel -> Launcher.

• Main Menu

  You can add the Main Menu Launch icon to your panel. The Main Menu contains all applications and configuration tools. To add the Main Menu to a panel, right-click on a vacant space on the panel, then choose Add to Panel -> Main Menu.

• Menu Bar

  You can add an Applications and Actions menu to your panels to provide quick access to a standard set of application launchers and common actions. To add the Menu Bar to a panel, right-click on a vacant space on the panel, then choose Add to Panel -> Menu Bar.

• Drawers

  To add a drawer to a panel, right-click on a vacant space on the panel, then choose Add to Panel -> Drawer.

  To open a drawer, click on the drawer. To close a drawer, click on the drawer again.

To Manipulate Panel Objects

You can manipulate panel objects in the following ways:

• Move objects within a panel, or to another panel.

  Use the mouse button to drag the panel object to a new location on the panel, or to another panel.

• Copy menu items to a panel.

  Drag the item from the menu to the panel. Alternatively, if the menu item is a launcher, right-click on the menu item, then choose Add this launcher to panel.

Tips for Working with Menus

You can access most Desktop applications and system functions through menus. The panel at the bottom of your screen contains the Main Menu.

To open the Main Menu, click on the Launch icon on the panel at the bottom of your screen. The Main Menu contains the following items:

• Email and Calendar

• StarOffice 7

• Web Browser

• Applications menu

• Extras menu

• Run Application

• Open Recent menu

• Find Files

• Preferences menu

• Help

• Lock Screen

• Log Out

Windows

You can display many windows at the same time on your desktop. Each window frame contains active control elements that you can use to work with the window.

To Manipulate Windows

You use the frame of an application window or dialog window to perform various actions with the window. Most of the control elements are located on the top edge of the window frame.

Workspaces

Workspaces are displayed in the Workspace Switcher applet on your bottom edge panel.

To Switch Between Workspaces

In Workspace Switcher, click on the thumbnail image of the workspace where you want to work.

To Add Workspaces

To add an additional workspace, right-click on theWorkspace Switcher applet, then choose Preferences. Use the Number of workspaces spin box to specify the number of workspaces that you require.

File Manager

To open a File Manager window, double-click on the Documents desktop object.

To Open a File Using the File Manager

Double-click on the file icon in the File Manager window.

To Move Files Between Folders

You can drag files between folders in two or more File Manager windows.

To Print a File

To print a file, open the file with the appropriate application and choose Print from the File menu.

Tips for Desktop and Desktop Objects

You can use the desktop to perform the following actions:

• Start your applications, and open your files and folders.

  You can add desktop objects for convenient access to the files, folders, and applications that you use frequently.

• Open the Desktop menu.

  Right-click on the desktop to open the Desktop menu. You can use the Desktop menu to perform actions on the desktop.

To Open Desktop Objects

To open an object from the desktop, double-click on the object. You can set your preferences in the file manager so that you click once on an object to execute the default action.

To Add Objects to the Desktop

The fastest way to add objects to your desktop is to drag an object from a file manager window to the desktop.

Customizing Your Settings

To access tools to customize your settings, choose Main Menu -> Preferences.

You can use these preference tools to configure almost every feature of your Java Desktop System.

To Change Your Fonts

To change your fonts, choose Main Menu -> Preferences -> Display -> Font. Use the Font dialog to change to the style and size of the fonts that you require.

To Change Your Theme

To change your theme, choose Main Menu -> Preferences -> Display -> Theme. Use the Theme dialog to change from the default theme to a theme of your choice.

To Change Your Screensaver Properties

To change your screensaver properties choose Main Menu -> Preferences -> Display -> Screensaver. Use the Screensaver dialog to change from the default screensaver to a screensaver of your choice.

To Customize Your Desktop Background

To customize your desktop background, choose Main Menu -> Preferences -> Display -> Background. Use the Background dialog to change your desktop background.

To Change Your Login Password

To change your login password, choose Main Menu -> Preferences -> Password. Use the Password dialog to change your old password to a new password.

To Configure Your Internet Settings

To change your Internet settings, choose Main Menu -> Preferences -> Internet . Use the Internet dialog to change your proxy configuration.

To Change How Files are Managed

To change how to manage your files, choose Main Menu -> Preferences -> Folders. Use the Folder Options dialog to modify your preferences for files and folders.

To Take a Screenshot

To take a screenshot of the entire screen, first add a screenshot applet to your panel. Right-click on a vacant space on the panel, then choose Add to Panel -> Actions -> Screenshot.

To take a screenshot of the entire screen, click on the Screenshot icon on the panel. To save the screenshot, choose a save option from the Save Screenshot dialog, then click on Save.

To Start Evolution

To start Evolution, choose Main Menu -> Email and Calendar.

You can also access Evolution from Main Menu -> Applications -> Internet -> Email and Calendar.

When you start Evolution for the first time, the Evolution Setup Assistant is displayed. The Evolution Setup Assistant guides you through the initial configuration process for Evolution. In the initial configuration process, you do the following:

• Enter identity information.

• Create an email account, that is, configure how to receive email, configure how to send email, and provide a name for the account.

• Select your time zone.

• Import data from other applications.

You can access Help for Evolution from within the Evolution application.

To Start StarOffice

To start StarOffice, choose Main Menu -> StarOffice 7.

You can also access StarOffice from Main Menu -> Applications -> Office.

StarOffice contains sample documents and templates to help you create documents. To access these templates, choose File -> New -> Templates and Documents.

Choose File -> AutoPilot to create user-defined templates, for example, for faxes, presentations or web pages that you can use as a basis for further documents.

You can access Help for StarOffice from within each of the following StarOffice applications:

Category	Application	Description
Office	StarOffice 7 Presentation	Enables you to create presentations.
	StarOffice 7 Spreadsheet	Enables you to create spreadsheets.
	StarOffice 7 Text Document	Enables you to create text documents.

To Open a StarOffice File

To open a file previously created by StarOffice, choose Main Menu -> StarOffice 7. From the Templates and Documents — My Documents dialog, highlight the folder where the file is located. For example, if your file is located in My Documents folder, click on the My Documents icon and a list of your Folders and Files is displayed in the Title pane. Locate the file that you want and double-click on the file.

To Start Mozilla

To start Mozilla, choose Main Menu -> Web Browser.

You can also access Mozilla from Main Menu -> Applications -> Internet -> Web Browser.

You can access Help for Mozilla from within the Mozilla application.

Finding More Information

The following table contains information about where to find more information about the Java Desktop System:

Component	To find more information
Java Desktop System	You can find out more about specific Java Desktop System topics in the Help browser. To start the Help browser, choose Main Menu-> Help. PDF and HTML versions of the documentation for the Java Desktop System is available from the following locations: Java Desktop System Documentation CD http://docs.sun.com
GNOME Desktop	You can find out more about specific GNOME Desktop topics in the Help browser. To start the Help browser, choose Main Menu-> Help. PDF and HTML versions of the documentation for the GNOME Desktop is available from the following locations: Java Desktop System Documentation CD http://docs.sun.com
Applets	To find out more about a specific applet, right-click on the applet, then choose Help.
Applications	To find out more about a specific application, start the application, then choose Help -> Contents. Alternatively, start the application then press F1.
Evolution	PDF and HTML versions of the documentation for the Evolution is available from the following locations: Java Desktop System Documentation CD http://docs.sun.com
StarOffice	Documentation for StarOffice is available from the following locations: Java Desktop System Documentation CD http://docs.sun.com
Mozilla	Documentation for Mozilla is available from: http://www.mozilla.org
Java	Documentation for Java is available from: http://docs.sun.com