Chapter 2. GNOME Desktop Overview

Copyright and Legal Notice

2.3. Windows

2.3.b. Manipulating Windows

You can change the size and position of windows on the screen. This allows you to see more than one application and do different tasks at the same time. For example, you might want to read text on a web page and write with a word processor; or simple change to another application to do a different task or see the progress.

You can minimize a window if you are not currently interested in seeing it. This hides it from view. You can maximise a window to fill the whole screen so you can give it your full attention.

Most of these actions are carried out by using the mouse on different parts of the the window's frame (see the section called Mouse Actions for a recap of using the mouse). The top edge of the window frame, called the titlebar because it also displays the title of the window, contains several buttons that change the way the window is displayed. Figure 2.1, Titlebar for a Typical Application Window shows the titlebar for a typical application window.

Figure 2.1. Titlebar for a Typical Application Window

All actions can also be carried out from the Window Menu. To open this, click on the Window Menu Button at the left-hand edge of the titlebar. Common actions can also be carried out with keyboard shortcuts: see the section called Window Shortcut Keys for a simple list of these. The following lists the actions you can carry out on a window, with the mouse or the keyboard:

Move the window

Drag the titlebar to move the window. You can click on any part of the titlebar except the buttons at either end to begin the drag action. The window will move on the screen as you drag the mouse. On less powerful computers, the movement of the window may be represented by moving an outline of its frame.

You can also choose Move from the Window Menu, or press Alt+F7, and then either move the mouse or press the keyboard arrow keys to move the window.

You can also press-and-hold Alt and drag any part of the window.

As you move the window, some parts of the screen will give slight resistance to movement. This is to help you align windows more easily to the edges of the desktop, the panels, and the edges of other windows.

You can also press-and-hold Shift while you move the window to cause it to only move between the corners of the desktop and other windows.

	Tip:
	If the Num Lock key is off, you can use the arrows on the numeric keypad, as well as the 7, 9, 1, and 3 keys to move diagonally.

Resize the window

Drag one of the borders to expand or contract the window on that side. Drag a corner to change two sides at once. The resize pointer appears when your mouse is in the correct position to begin the drag action.

You can also choose Resize from the Window Menu, or press Alt+F8. The resize pointer appears. Move the mouse in the direction of the edge you want to resize, or press one of the keyboard arrows keys. The pointer changes to indicate the chosen edge. Now you can use the mouse or the arrow keys to move this edge of the window. Click the mouse or press Return to accept the change. Press Escape to cancel the resize action and return the window to its original size and shape.

Minimize the window

Click on the Minimize button in the titlebar, the leftmost of the group of three on the right. This removes the window from view. The window can be restored to its previous position and size on the screen from the window list on the bottom edge panel or the window selector in the top panel.

You can also choose Minimize from the Window Menu, or press Alt+F9.

	Tip:
	A minimized window is shown in the window list and the window selector with [ ] around its title.

Maximize the window

Click on the Maximize button in the titlebar, the middle of the group of three on the right. This expands the window so it fills the screen (the panels remain visible).

You can also choose Maximize from the Window Menu, or press Alt+F10, or double-click any part of the titlebar except the buttons at either end.

	Tip:
	If you prefer, you can assign the double-click action to roll up the window: see the section called Windows Preferences.

Unmaximize the window

When a window is maximized, click again on the Maximize button to restore it to its previous position and size on the screen.

You can also choose Unmaximize from the Window Menu, press Alt+F5, or double-click any part of the titlebar except the buttons at either end.

Close the window

Click the Close button, the rightmost of the group of three on the right. This could close the application too. The application will ask you to confirm closing a window that contains unsaved work. (Next: Giving Focus to a Window)

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GNOME Desktop Overview
Table of Contents

2.1 Introduction

2.2. The Desktop

2.3 Windows
     2.3.a. Types of Windows
     2.3.b. Manipulating Windows (You are here)
     2.3.c. Giving Focus to a Window

2.4. Workspaces
     2.4.a. Switching Between Workspaces
     2.4.b. Adding Workspaces

2.5. Applications
     2.5.a. Common Features
     2.5.b. Working With Files
     2.5.c. Choosing a File to Open
     2.5.d. Saving a File

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