Some basic instructions to manipulate the windowing system are given here. More details can be obtained by running the "Help" application on the Main Menu. After running the Help application choose:
Desktop --> Windows --> Manipulating Windows
Focus
In order for a window to receive input from the mouse and the keyboard it has to be the window "in focus". Only one window can have focus at a time. Windows that are not in focus have their titlebars greyed-out. To focus on a window place the mouse on the titlebar and click on it. (You can actually click anywhere within the window, but it is safer to click on the titlebar since there is no possibility of accidentally clicking on some item selection or functionality of the application running within the window.) If the window is not visible you can click on the taskbar on the Panel at the bottom of the Desktop to bring into focus the window you want.Maximize and Minimize
Maximizing a window means that the window is expanded to cover the whole desktop while minimizing it means that the window is taken off the desktop and it appears as an icon in the taskbar on the Panel.You can maximise a window which has focused from the Window Menu or by clicking on the maximise button on the titlebar. You can similarly minimise the window. If the window does not have focus bring it into focus first by clicking on the taskbar on the Panel.
Resize
You can resize a window, i.e. change its size, by placing the mouse at an edge of the window and then drag the window to the desired size.Move
To move a window to another place on the desktop, place the mouse on the titlebar and drag the window to the desired location.Roll Up and Unroll
To roll up a window allows you to "roll up" the window frame until what can be seen of the window is just the titlebar. You can perform this operation from the Window Menu. To restore the window back to its original shape, select the unroll option from the Window Menu.Close
You can close a window which has focused from the Window Menu or by clicking on the close window button on the titlebar. If the window does not have focus bring it into focus first by clicking on the taskbar on the Panel.Note: Closing the window will terminate your application.
Move to Workspaces
The Window Menu can be used to move the application currently opened to another workspace or to all the workspaces.Exercises
Open your home folder from the Main Menu. Perform the following operations on the opened window:- maximise it
- minimise it
- resize it
- roll it up
- unroll it
- move it to another position on the Desktop
- place it on workspace 3
- close the window
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Tutorial: Getting Started On Your Linux Desktop
Table of Content
1. Logging In
2. Starting the Graphical Desktop
3. Using the Mouse on the Desktop
4. Main Components of the Desktop
5. Using the Window Manager
6. The Titlebar
7. Manipulating the Window
8. Logout and Shutdown
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