Introducing the Java Desktop System

The most powerful features of the Java Desktop System are the high degree of configurability and the multiple ways that you can perform tasks.

The Java Desktop System provides the following functionality that enables you to interact efficiently with your applications and documents.

• Panels

  Panels are areas in the Java Desktop System from which you can access all of your system applications and menus.

• Menus

  You can access all Java Desktop System functions through menus. You can use the Applications menu to access almost all of the standard desktop applications, commands, and configuration options. You can access the Applications menu from the Launch button and from the Menu Bar panel application. You can add the Launch button and the Menu Bar to your panels.

  The Menu Bar contains an Actions menu. The Actions menu contains commands that perform various functions, for example Find Files and Log Out.

• Windows

  You can display many windows at the same time. You can run different applications in each window. The window manager provides frames and buttons for windows. The window manager enables you to perform standard actions such as move, close, and resize windows.

• Workspaces

  You can subdivide the Java Desktop System into separate workspaces. A workspace is a discrete area in which you can work. You can specify the number of workspaces in the Java Desktop System. You can switch to a different workspace, but you can only display one workspace at a time.

• File Manager

  Nautilus is the name of the Java Desktop System file manager that 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 the file manager.

  The file manager also manages the desktop background.

• Desktop Background

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

• This Computer

  The This Computer location provides an access point to some of the key features of the Java Desktop System. You can access your applications and configuration tools from the This Computer location. You can also access programs that enable you to configure your system as a server, and to modify other system configuration details.

• Desktop Preferences

  The Java Desktop System contains dedicated preference tools. Each tool controls a particular part of the behavior of the Java Desktop System. To start a preference tool, click Launch, then choose Preferences. Choose the item that you want to configure from the submenus.

The components of the Java Desktop System are interoperable. Usually, you can perform the same action in several different ways. For example, you can start applications from panels, from menus, or from the desktop.

Your system administrator can make configuration changes to suit your needs, so that the Java Desktop System that you use might not be exactly the same as described in this chapter. Nevertheless, this chapter provides a useful quick guide to how to work with the Java Desktop System.