Desktop --> Basic Preferences
Desktop Background
The background image displayed on the desktop can be changed by running the Background application from the Main Menu (this is in the Preferences sub-menu).
Main Menu --> Preferences --> Background
To change the background image, click on the square marked "Select picture". An image selector dialog is displayed. Choose an image from the dialog. If you want to choose an image from another directory, click the Browse button. When you have chosen an image, click OK.
Click to view screen shot Fig. 2.1 Selecting a New Background Image
Desktop Themes
The desktop theme specifies the visual appearance of the panels, applets, and windows. The desktop theme may also specify the appearance of interface items in applications. For example, the theme affects the appearance of buttons, scrollbars, check boxes, and so on in the applications.
The theme used by the Desktop can be changed by running the Theme application from the Main Menu (this is in the Preferences sub-menu).
Main Menu --> Preferences --> Theme
An theme selector dialog is displayed. To change the theme, click on a new theme. The screenshot below shows a sample of some of the themes which may be available. Note that the actual themes available can vary from system to system.
Click to view screen shot Fig. 2.2 Selecting a New Theme
Default Fonts
The default fonts used to display applications and the desktop background can be changed by running the Fonts application from the Main Menu (this is in the Preferences sub-menu).
Main Menu --> Preferences --> Font
A selector dialog for the application, window title, dialog and terminal fonts are displayed. To change the font for each category of usage, click on the space listing the font.
Click to view screen shot Fig. 2.3 Selecting New Fonts
Menus and Toolbars
The Menus & Toolbars tool is used to customise the appearance of menus, menubars, and toolbars. Again this can be run from the Preferences sub-menu in the Main Menu.
Main Menu --> Preferences --> Menus & Toolbars
Experiment on each of the settings to get the ones preferred.
Click to view screen shot Fig 2.4 Customizing Menus and Toolbars
Exercises
Experiment with each of the following desktop preferences:
- background
- themes
- fonts
- menus and toolbars
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You are reading:
Tutorial 2. Using the Linux Desktop
1. Basic Desktop Customization
2. Running Applications
3. Setting the Date and Time
