GNOME 2.0 Desktop for the Solaris Operating Environment User Guide

Windows in the Desktop Environment

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

Types of Windows

The desktop environment features the following types of window:

Application windows

When you run an application, a frame usually borders the window. The top edge of the application window contains a titlebar. The titlebar contains buttons that you can use to work with the window. The buttons in an application window frame enable you to perform actions such as open the Window Menu, or close the window. The Window Menu provides commands that you can perform on the window.
Dialog windows

Dialog windows are associated with interactive processes. A dialog window consists of the window frame, and a single interactive pane that provides information and controls for the user. This manual refers to the interactive part of a dialog window as a dialog. The frame of a dialog window contains buttons that enable you to open the Window Menu, or to close the dialog 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. Figure 2–3 shows the top edge of a frame for a typical application window.

Figure 2–3 Top Edge of Frame for a Typical Application Window

Top edge of application window frame. Callouts: Window Menu button, Titlebar, Minimize, Maximize, Close Window buttons.

The active control elements of the window frame are as follows:

Control Element	Description
Window Menu button	Click on the Window Menu button to open the Window Menu.
Titlebar	You can use the titlebar to move and shade the window.
Minimize button	Click on the Minimize button to minimize the window.
Maximize button	You can use the Maximize button to maximize and restore the window. To maximize a window click on the Maximize button. To restore the window click on the Maximize button again.
Close Window button	Click on the Close Window button to close the window.
Border	Right-click on the border to open the Window Menu.

To change the size of windows grab the border of the window, but not the titlebar. Drag the border until the window is the size that you require.

To Give Focus to a Window

A window that has focus can receive input from the mouse and the keyboard. Only one window can have focus at a time. The window that has focus has a different appearance than other windows.

You can use the following elements to give focus to a window:

Element	Action
Mouse	Click on the window, if the window is visible.
Shortcut keys	Use shortcut keys to switch between the windows that are open. To give focus to a window, release the keys. The default shortcut keys to switch between windows are Alt + Tab.
`Window List`	Click on the button that represents the window in `Window List`.
`Workspace Switcher`	Click on the window that you want to give focus to in the `Workspace Switcher` display.