OpenWindows User's Guide

Preface

This manual provides new and experienced users with the basic information needed to get started with the Solaris^TM user environment (using OpenWindows^TM and DeskSet^TM applications). The Solaris user environment is based on the OPEN LOOK® Graphical User Interface. Additional topics covered here include how to modify the OpenWindows Workspace, how to access AnswerBook^TM to view documents on-line, and troubleshooting.

Audience

This guide should help you become familiar with the basics of the OpenWindows environment and user interface concepts. The information in this guide should help you to perform basic OpenWindows tasks, such as:

Displaying and choosing from the Workspace menu
Moving an application icon
Opening and closing an application icon
Pinning and unpinning a pinnable window
Displaying and choosing from an application's File menu
Choosing exclusive or non-exclusive choice items on a properties window
Selecting items in a scrolling list
Using scrollbars
Selecting multiple objects

If you are not familiar with these operations, read Chapter 1, Introduction to the Solaris User Environment for information on how to use the mouse, icons, windows, and menus. The on-line tutorial Introducing Your Desktop also provides information about these OpenWindows elements.

Note that context-sensitive help is available for each application. Position the pointer over the item you want help with, and press the Help or F1 key, depending upon your keyboard. A pop-up window is displayed giving detailed information.

Note -

Solaris supports SPARC^TM and IA machines, whose keyboards differ. Consequently, some keyboard equivalents of commands found in OpenWindows menus differ, according to keyboard.

For most keyboard equivalents, Solaris^TM software supports a Meta key combination that can be used on both platforms. See Chapter 1, Introduction to the Solaris User Environment for a list of command functions and their various keyboard equivalents.

How this Guide is Organized

This guide is divided into several major components:

Introduction to OpenWindows, DeskSet, Workspace and on-line help concepts.
Descriptions of the DeskSet applications. Each tool in the DeskSet has a separate chapter with descriptions of the tool's windows, icon(s), controls, and special features, and step-by-step instructions for accomplishing various tasks. Each chapter concludes with a description of that tool's properties that allow you to customize special features to your own preference. The more experienced you become, the more likely it is that you will want to customize features.
Description of the Workspace properties and how to use them.
A Troubleshooting section on the Solaris environment--OpenWindows, DeskSet, and the WorkSpace Properties.
The AnswerBook appendix provides information on using AnswerBook.
The Glossary entries define concepts that you may need to know as you become familiar with the Solaris user environment.

Ordering Sun Documents

Fatbrain.com, an Internet professional bookstore, stocks select product documentation from Sun Microsystems, Inc.

For a list of documents and how to order them, visit the Sun Documentation Center on Fatbrain.com at http://www1.fatbrain.com/documentation/sun.

Accessing Sun Documentation Online

The docs.sun.com^SM Web site enables you to access Sun technical documentation online. You can browse the docs.sun.com archive or search for a specific book title or subject. The URL is http://docs.sun.com.

What Typographic Conventions Mean

The following table describes the typographic changes used in this book.

Table P-1 Typographic Conventions


Typeface or Symbol	Meaning	Example
`AaBbCc123`	The names of commands, files, and directories; on-screen computer output	Edit your `.login` file. Use `ls -a` to list all files. `machine_name% you have mail.`
`AaBbCc123`	What you type, contrasted with on-screen computer output	`machine_name%` `su` `Password:`
`AaBbCc123`	Command-line placeholder: replace with a real name or value	To delete a file, type `rm` `filename`.
AaBbCc123	Book titles, new words, or terms, or words to be emphasized.	Read Chapter 6 in User's Guide. These are called class options. You must be root to do this.

Shell Prompts in Command Examples

The following table shows the default system prompt and superuser prompt for the C shell, Bourne shell, and Korn shell.

Table P-2 Shell Prompts


Shell	Prompt
C shell prompt	`machine_name%`
C shell superuser prompt	`machine_name#`
Bourne shell and Korn shell prompt	`$`
Bourne shell and Korn shell superuser prompt	`#`

Other Books

For additional information, refer to the following Solaris books: