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Chapter 6. Nautilus File Manager
Copyright and Legal Notice

1.1. Introduction

1.1.a. File Manager Functionality

The Nautilus file manager provides a simple and integrated way to manage your files and applications. You can use the file manager to do the following:

  • Create folders and documents

  • Display your files and folders

  • Search and manage your files

  • Run scripts and launch applications

  • Customize the appearance of files and folders

  • Open special locations on your computer

  • Write data to a CD or DVD

  • Install and remove fonts

The file manager lets you organize your files into folders. Folders can contain files and may also contain other folders. Using folders can help you find your files more easily.

Nautilus also manages the desktop. The desktop lies behind all other visible items on your screen. The desktop is an active component of the way you use your computer.

Every user has a Home Folder. The Home Folder contains all of the user's files. The desktop is another folder. The desktop contains special icons allowing easy access to the users Home Folder, Trash, and also removable media such as floppy disks, CDs and USB flashdrives.

Nautilus is always running while you are using GNOME. To open a new Nautilus window, double-click on an appropriate icon on the desktop such as Home or Computer, or choose an item from Places menu on the top panel.

In GNOME many things are files, such as word processor documents, spreadsheets, photos, movies, and music. (Next: File Manager Presentation)

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Chapter 6. Nautilus File Manager
Table of Contents

6.1. Introduction
       6.1.a. File Manager Functionality
       6.1.b. File Manager Presentation

6.2. Spatial Mode
       6.2.a. Spatial Windows
       6.2.b. Spatial Window Components
       6.2.c. Displaying Your Home Folder in a Spatial Window
       6.2.d. Displaying a Parent Folder
       6.2.e. Closing Folders
       6.2.f. Displaying a Folder in a Browser Window
       6.2.g. Opening a Location

6.3. Browser Mode
       6.3.a. The File Browser Window
       6.3.b. Showing and Hiding File Browser Window Components
       6.3.c. Using the Location Bar
       6.3.d. Displaying Your Home Folder
       6.3.e. Displaying a Folder
       6.3.f. Displaying a Parent Folder
       6.3.g. Using the Tree From the Side Pane
       6.3.h. Using Your Navigation History

6.4. Opening Files
       6.4.a. Executing the Default Action
       6.4.b. Executing Non-Default Actions
       6.4.c. Adding Actions
       6.4.d. Modifying Actions

6.5. Searching For Files
       6.5.a. Saving Searches

6.6. Managing Your Files and Folders
       6.6.a. Using Views to Display Your Files and Folders
       6.6.b. Selecting Files and Folders
       6.6.c. Drag-and-Drop in the File Manager
       6.6.d. Moving a File or Folder
       6.6.e. Copying a File or Folder
       6.6.f. Duplicating a File or Folder
       6.6.g. Creating a Folder
       6.6.h. Templates and Documents
       6.6.i. Renaming a File or Folder
       6.6.j. Moving a File or Folder to Trash
       6.6.k. Deleting a File or Folder
       6.6.l. Creating a Symbolic Link to a File or Folder
       6.6.m. Viewing the Properties of a File or Folder
       6.6.n. Changing Permissions
       6.6.o. Adding Notes to Files and Folders
       6.6.p. Using Bookmarks For Your Favorite Locations
       6.6.q. Using Trash
       6.6.r. Hidden Files

6.7. Item Properties

6.8. Modifying the Appearance of Files and Folders
       6.8.a. Icons and Emblems
       6.8.b. Changing the Icon for a File or Folder
       6.8.c. Adding an Emblem to a File or Folder
       6.8.d. Creating a New Emblem
       6.8.e. Changing Backgrounds

6.9. Using Removable Media
       6.9.a. To Mount Media
       6.9.b. To Display Media Contents
       6.9.c. To Display Media Properties
       6.9.d. To Format a Floppy Disk
       6.9.e. To Eject Media

6.10. Writing CDs or DVDs
       6.10.a. Creating Data Discs
       6.10.b. Copying CDs or DVDs
       6.10.c. Creating a Disc from an Image File

6.11. Navigating Remote Servers
       6.11.a. To Access a remote server
       6.11.b. To Access Network Places
       6.11.c. Accessing Special URI Locations

6.12. Nautilus Preferences
       6.12.a. Views Preferences
       6.12.b. Behavior Preferences
       6.12.c. Display Preferences
       6.12.d. List Columns Preferences
       6.12.e. Preview Preferences

6.13. Extending Nautilus
       6.13.a. Nautilus Scripts
       6.13.b.Nautilus Extensions

>> back to GNOME User Guide

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