Linux Dummies 9th

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Part I: Getting Your Feet Wet
✓ Shut Down: This applet provides a quick and easy location for you to
terminate your desktop session. There are several options including
restarting the computer, logging out the user and returning to the login
screen, and powering down the system.
✓ NetworkManager: If you have a wired or wireless network card in your
workstation, Ubuntu, Fedora, and gOS all start the NetworkManager
applet by default. The NetworkManager provides easy access for you to
configure your wireless card settings and control the network connection.
It also indicates network traffic for wired connections and signal
strength for wireless connections.
✓ User Switcher: If you’ve created more than one user account (root
doesn’t count here), click your name in the upper panel; a list of the
other users on the system appears. You can use this applet to switch
temporarily over to another user account. If you haven’t created other
accounts, then clicking your name just shows your name.
✓ Date and Time: Here you can see the day and time, depending on how
this applet is configured.
✓ Master Volume Control: Click this to open the master volume control.
The bottom panel
Now for the bottom panel. From left to right, you find the following items on
this panel:
✓ Hide/Restore Desktop Applications: This button lets you minimize all
running programs immediately and then reopen them again with just
one click.
✓ Taskbar: In this large space, you find entries for each program running
on your desktop. You can change a program’s status by using the boxes
as indicated:
• If a program is minimized, you can open its window by clicking its
panel task box.
• If a program is maximized but buried under another program, click
its task box on the panel to bring it to the front.
• If a program is maximized and on top, you can minimize it by clicking
its panel task box.
✓ Workspace Switcher: Allows you to work in four different desktop environments
during a single login session. Each desktop environment has
the same menus, panels, and background, but you can run different programs
in each of the environments. It’s an easy way to remain organized
while you’re working in multiple programs. Try it. It’s like having four
monitors in one!
✓ Trash Can: A shortcut to your desktop’s Trash Can.