Background Preferences

Preferences -> Display -> Background

CD Database

Preferences -> Advanced -> CD Database Server

CD Device Options

Preferences -> Advanced -> CD Device Options

File Associations

Preferences -> Advanced -> File Associations

Folder Options

Preferences -> Folders

Font

Preferences -> Display -> Font

Internet

Preferences -> Internet

Java

Preferences -> Java

Keyboard Accessibility

Preferences -> Keyboard -> Accessibility

Keyboard Behavior

Preferences -> Keyboard -> Behavior

Keyboard Layout

Preferences -> Keyboard -> Layout

Menus and Toolbars

Preferences -> Display -> Menus & Toolbars

Mouse

Preferences -> Mouse

Multimedia Keys

Preferences -> Keyboard -> Multimedia Keys

Panel Preferences

Preferences -> Advanced -> Panel

Password

Preferences -> Password

PDA Devices

Preferences -> PDA Devices

Preferred Applications

Preferences -> Advanced -> Preferred Applications

Printers

Preferences -> Printers

Remote Desktop Preferences

Preferences -> Remote Desktop

Screen Resolution Preferences

Preferences -> Display -> Screen Resolution

Screensaver Preferences

Preferences -> Display -> Screensaver

Sessions

Preferences -> Advanced -> Sessions

Shortcuts

Preferences -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts

Sound Preferences

Preferences -> Sound

System

Preferences -> System

Theme

Preferences -> Display -> Theme

Windows

Preferences -> Display -> Window Behavior

Select picture

Choose an image to display on the desktop. 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.

Picture Options

To specify how to display the image, select one of the following options: 

• Wallpaper: Repeats the image to cover the desktop.

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

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

• Stretched: Enlarges the image to cover the desktop, and does not maintain the relative dimensions of the image.

• No Picture: Displays no image.

Background Style

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.

Send no info

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

Send real info

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

Send other info

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. 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.

Mount CD when inserted

Select this option to mount the file system of a CD. 

Start auto-run program on newly mounted CD

Select this option to automatically start the auto-run program on a newly-mounted data CD. 

Open the file manager for newly mounted CD

Select this option to open the file manager for a newly-mounted data CD. 

Run command when CD is inserted

Select this option to run a command when you insert a CD. Enter the command to run when you insert the CD in the Command 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 command when blank CD is inserted

Select this option to run a command when you insert a blank CD. Enter the command to run when you insert the blank CD in the Command field.

Run command when DVD (video) is inserted

Select this option to run a command when you insert a DVD. Enter the command to run when you insert the DVD in the Command field.

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.

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 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 GNOME Desktop 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 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.

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.  

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. 

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. 

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.

Keyboard repeats 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.  

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. 

Off

Select this option to disable the keyboard bell. 

Beep

Select this option to enable the keyboard bell. 

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.

Toolbars can be detached and moved around

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. 

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. 

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.  

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.  

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 to 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. 

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 GNOME Desktop, as follows: 

• To create a new session, click on the Add button. The Add a new session dialog is displayed. Use this 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.

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 GNOME 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 GNOME 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 GNOME 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. Application 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.

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 Priority 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.

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.

Allow other users to view your desktop

Select this option to enable remote users to view your session. All keyboard, pointer, and clipboard events from the remote user are ignored. 

Allow other users to control your desktop

Select this option to enable other to access and control your session from a remote location. 

Users can view your desktop at this web address: web address

Click on the web address link to send your system web address by email to a remote user. 

When a user tries to view or control your desktop

Select the following security considerations when a user tries to view or control your session:

• Ask you for confirmation: Select this option if you want remote users to ask you for confirmation when they want to share your session. This option enables you to be aware of other users who connect to your session. You can also decide what time is suitable for the remote user to connect to your session.

• Ensure the user is using encryption: Select this option if you require that all clients who connect to your session use encryption. This option is provided so that you may make the policy decision on whether unencrypted connections are allowed.

• Require the user to enter this password: Select this option to authenticate the remote user if authentication is used. This option provides an extra level of security.

Password

Enter the password that the client who attempts to view or control your session must enter. 

Enable sound server startup

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

Sounds for events

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

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 File to play 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.

You can only associate sound files in .wav format with events.

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.