Using GUI To Control Your Linux Experience
By Praval Singh
Expert Author
Article Date: 2008-10-01
GUI allows users to navigate and interact with their computer by using a mouse to "point," "click," and "drag" icons and other data around on the screen, instead of typing in commands.
We've been advocating the use of command line interface since day one of our Linux adventure. This was not meant to make it sound 'geeky'; nor does it make you stand out and sophisticated. The idea was clear - to make things more apt and generic. However, if you're still afraid of trying things out on a terminal and wish to have a ride with all-things-graphic, we've come up with a few measures which get things done via a GUI.
The other reason for you having the need to hit on a GUI tab rather than using your keyboard is perhaps you being lazy! I've seen a lot of Linux users being lazy and using the graphical version of several daily use system features/applications. Of course there is nothing wrong in this, until the user finds comfort.
Let's have some GUI tips which you can use on your Ubuntu Box. They will also run on other distros but the layout of the menu may be a bit different. - Configuring boot options: If you're annoyed with an array of boot menu choices and wish to keep it clean and simple, or you wish to alter the colors, timeout, etc. you may install Startup Manager. In order to install it, click on Applications >Add/Remove. Select "Show All available Applications" and confirm. Type "startup manager" in the search bar. Check the package with this name and apply changes. You're done! The application can now be found at System > Administration > StartUp-Manager.
- Better display on LCDs: It's pretty ubiquitous these days for you to have a LCD monitor/screen. The default installation is not the best for you in such a case. To have better fonts and visualization, got to System > Preferences > Appearance > Fonts tab. Select "Subpixel Smoothing". Voila! Notice the change.
- Automatically open the currently running applications at each boot of the system: If you have a set of applications to run with each boot of your system, you may set them to. Go to System > Preferences > Sessions > Options. Click on "Remember currently running applications".
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About the Author:
Praval Singh is a contributing writer for Brajeshwar.com.
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