Chapter 11: The X Window System Guide To UNIX Using Linux Third Edition

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 2 Objectives •Describe the X Window system and its client/server model •Understand the role of the Window Manager •Start the X Window system •Interact with the X Window system and use its components

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 3 Objectives •Use Nautilus •Run an application •Configure a desktop •Shut down a system from the desktop

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 4 What is the X Window System? •GUI that runs on Linux and many UNIX operating systems •Programmers may develop applications that run on the X Window system and support GUI components, such as windows, dialog boxes, buttons, and pull- down menus

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 5 What is the X Window System? (continued) •Originally created at MIT •Created for different hardware, running different variations of UNIX/Linux •All look and feel the same to the user

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 6 What is the X Window System? (continued)

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 7 X Window Clients and Servers •You can use the X Window system to run: –Programs stored on your local computer –Applications over the network •X Window uses a client/server model in which a program can run on one computer but display its output on another

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 8 X Window Clients and Servers (continued) •The desktop system from which you run a program is called the X server •The system that hosts and executes the program is called the X client •This is the opposite of normal networking terminology

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 9 Using Window Managers •X Window System is layered and built from components •Top layer is the Window Manager •Window Manager –Controls how windows appear –Determines how users control windows

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 10 Using Window Managers (continued)

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 11 Using a Desktop •A desktop provides –A specific GUI appearance –Specific software applications –Other resources •Closely integrated with a Window Manager •Common UNIX/Linux desktops include –GNOME –KDE

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 12 Using GNOME •GNOME is –GNU Network Object Model Environment –A product of the GNU project •Most popular desktop –Very user-friendly –Many applications (file-access, office, general utilities)

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 13 Using KDE •Can be installed alongside GNOME •More popular internationally –Offers a broader range of drag-and-drop capabilities •Both KDE and GNOME are compatible with X11 and various Window Managers

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 14 Starting the X Window System •Can be started from the command line with the startx command •Linux can be configured to start X Window System automatically –Set the runlevel in the /etc/inittab file –For automatic startup, runlevel must be 5 –Requires superuser privileges

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 15 Starting the X Window System (continued) Establishing the default runlevel, or mode of operation

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 16 Starting the X Window System (continued)

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 17 Interacting with the X Window System

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 18 Interacting with Windows •Window components provide window functionality including: –Title bar –Window Menu button –Minimize Window button –Maximize/Unmaximize Window button –Close Window button –Status bar –View pane

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 19 Interacting with Windows (continued)

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 20 More About the Window Menu Button •The Window Menu button shown in previous figure provides options including: –Minimize –Maximize/unmaximize –Roll up/Unroll –Move –Resize –Close –Workspace options

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 21 Interacting with the Panel •Panel appears at bottom of GNOME desktop •Features Main Menu (hat), Pager, clock, applications

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 22 Using the GNOME Pager •Pager is an applet •Includes: –Workspace Shifter (virtual desktops) –Window List (running applications)

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 23 Using Nautilus •Nautilus is a file management tool: –View files and folders –Create folders –Delete and move files and folders –Copy and paste files and folders –Configure permissions –Open a file or start a program –Access the Internet –Manage bookmarks

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 24 Using Nautilus (continued)

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 25 Using Nautilus (continued)

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 26 Running an Application •GNOME has a Run Application feature on the Main Menu –Can run application or view possible applications •Sample applications include: –Add/Remove Applications –CD Writer –Dictionary –Mozilla Web browser

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 27 Running an Application (continued)

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 28 Configuring the Desktop •Can customize many aspects of the X Window System –Change background –Change screensaver –Configure Panel –Add a menu to the Panel –Add a new Panel

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 29 Configuring the Desktop (continued)

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 30 Shutting Down from the GNOME Desktop •Proper shutdown important –Ensure files are closed –Protect integrity of file system •Use GNOME Main Menu Log Out option

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 31 Chapter Summary •The X Window System is a graphical user interface (GUI) that runs many on UNIX and Linux systems •The top layer of the X Window System is the Windows Manager •Desktops are used with a Window Manager, providing specific appearance, applications, and resources

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 32 Chapter Summary (continued) •X Window System can start automatically or can be started from the command line •Interact with X Windows through desktop components •Interact with specific windows through window components •GNOME provides multiple virtual desktops called workspaces

Guide to UNIX Using Linux, Third Edition 33 Chapter Summary (continued) •The GNOME panel provides access to the Pager, Main Menu, applications •Nautilus is a GNOME file manager •Various applications can be run from the Main Menu in GNOME •GNOME Main Menu can be used to safely shut down the system