Chapter 6. Nautilus File Manager

Copyright and Legal Notice

1.1. Introduction

1.1.b. File Manager Presentation

Nautilus provides two modes in which you can interact with your filesystem: spatial and browser mode. You may decide which method your prefer and set Nautilus to always use this by selecting (or deselecting) Always open in browser windows in the Behavior tab of the Nautilus Preferences dialog.

Spatial mode is the default in GNOME, but your distributor, vendor, or system administrator may have configured Nautilus to use browser mode by default.

The following explains the difference between the two modes:

Browser mode: browse your files and folders

The file manager window represents a browser, which can display any location. Opening a folder updates the current file manager window to show the contents of the new folder.

As well as the folder contents, the browser window displays a toolbar with common actions and locations, a location bar that shows the current location in the hierarchy of folders, and a sidebar that can hold different kinds of information.

In Browser Mode, you typically have fewer file manager windows open at a time. For more information on using browser mode see the section called Browser Mode.

Figure 6.1. Nautilus in browser mode.

Spatial mode: navigate your files and folders as objects

The file manager window represents a particular folder. Opening a folder opens the new window for that folder. Each time you open a particular folder, you will find its window displayed in the same place on the screen and the same size as the last time you viewed it (this is the reason for the name 'spatial mode').

Using spatial mode may lead to more open file manager windows on the screen. On the other hand, some users find that representing files and folders as though they were real physical objects with particular locations makes it easier to work with them. For more information on using spatial mode see the section called Spatial Mode

Figure 6.2. Three Folders Opened in Spatial Mode.

	Note:
	Notice how, when in spatial mode, Nautilus indicates an open folder with a different icon.

(Next: Spatial Mode)

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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 (you are here)

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

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