Chapter 11. Customizing the Desktop Environment
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## Chapter 11. Customizing the Desktop Environment

The following customizations are available through desktop user-interface programs:

- “Changing the Desktop Background”

- “Setting Default Icon View Preferences”

- “Changing Window Color Schemes”

- “Customizing the Screen Saver”

- “Customizing Mouse Settings”

- “Customizing Keyboard Settings”

- “Customizing Window Settings”

- “Changing the Language and Keyboard Layout”

- “Controlling System Alerts”

- “Customizing Desktop Settings”

The following customizations require you to edit or create special files:

- “Disabling Icons on the Desktop”

- “Adding Directories to Your Search Path (Advanced)”

- “Running Applications When You Log In Using the .sgisession File ”

- “Modifying the Toolchests (Advanced)”

- “Using Your Own Customized Backgrounds (Advanced)”

- “Using Custom Icons on Your Desktop (Advanced)”

## Changing the Desktop Background

Each desk has its own background color. You can change any desktop background color or pattern using the Background Setting control panel. You can also create custom colors. For details, see:

- “Choosing a Solid Color for Your Desktop Background”

- “Choosing a Multicolored Pattern for Your Desktop Background”

### Choosing a Solid Color for Your Desktop Background

If you want your desktop background to be one solid color rather than a pattern of two colors, you can choose a color using the color palette in the desktop Background Setting control panel.

If you have not already opened the Background Setting control panel, open it by clicking the word Background now or by choosing Background from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To choose a solid color for your desktop background:

1. Click on the word Solid in the Patterns list.

2. Click on the small, colored square above the `Cancel` button.

   The Color Browser window appears on top of the main control panel window. You may want to move the Color Browser window aside so you can see both windows.

3. Click on one of the colors below the Options menu label, or create your own custom color. To do this:

   - Move your mouse cursor on top of the small circle in the colored hexagon.

   - Press down on the left mouse button, and move your mouse.

   - Release the mouse button when the circle is above a color you like.

     The color beneath the circle appears in the rectangle next to the Current Color label.

   - Move the slider bar next to Value back and forth to brighten or darken the color.

   Click the down arrow between the Current Color and Stored Color rectangles to store a color you like while you browse through other colors.

4. When you have found a color you like, click the OK button in the Color Browser window.

5. Click the Apply button in the main Background Setting control panel.

   Your background changes to the new color.

6. Click the Close button in the main Background Setting control panel window to close the panel.

   | Note: If the background on your screen flashes when you run Graphics Library applications, you may have hardware that supports only a single colormap. To prevent the screen from flashing, choose one of the colors below the Palette Colors label in the Color Browser window when choosing a background color.

### Choosing a Multicolored Pattern for Your Desktop Background

You can choose a multicolored pattern for your desktop background by using the Background Setting control panel. First choose the pattern you want, then choose the colors.

If you have not already opened the Background Setting control panel, open it by clicking the word Background now or by choosing Background from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To choose a pattern and colors for your desktop background:

1. Scroll through the list of patterns in the patterns list, then click on a pattern you want.

   The display to the right of the list of patterns switches to the new pattern, and a number of small colored squares appear below it. These squares represent the colors you can use in your pattern.

2. Click on one of the small squares.

   The Color Browser window appears on top of the main control panel window. You may want to move the Color Browser window aside so you can see both windows.

3. Click on one of the colors below the heading Palette Colors, or create your own color. To do this:

   - Move your mouse cursor on top of the small circle in the colored hexagon.

   - Press down on the left mouse button, and move your mouse.

     As you move your mouse around the hexagon, the color beneath the small circle appears in the rectangle next to the Current Color label. This rectangle acts as your color palette while you choose a new color.

   - Release the mouse button when the small circle is on top of a color you like.

   - Move the slider bar next to Value back and forth to brighten or darken the color.

4. Click the Apply button in the Color Browser window to see the new color mix with your pattern in the sample background square.

   If you do not like the color, you can continue to choose new colors and click Apply until you decide on a color you like. Click the down arrow between the Current Color and Stored Color rectangles to store a color you like while you browse through other colors.

5. Click on another small colored square in the main window and create the next color.

6. Click the Apply button in the Color Browser window to see the new color mix with the pattern and the first color you chose in the sample background square.

7. Continue to click on the small colored boxes and create new colors until you have created a color combination that you like.

8. Click the OK button in the Color Browser window.

   The window closes.

9. Click the Apply button in the main Background Setting control panel.

   Your desktop background changes to the new multicolored pattern.

10. Click the Close button in the main Background Setting control panel to close the panel.

You can also create colors by choosing Value and RGB or HSV and RGB from the Sliders menu. These menu options reveal sliders that allow you to change the colors by moving the sliders instead of moving the circle within the hexagon.

| Note: If the background on your screen flashes when you run Graphics Library applications, you may have hardware that supports only a single colormap. To prevent the screen from flashing, choose colors below the Palette Colors label in the Color Browser window when choosing background colors.

## Setting Default Icon View Preferences

By default, icons that appear in Icon Views are arranged alphabetically. Also, hidden files, shelf, thumbnail images, align to grid, open in place, content viewer, and search/file filters are turned off. Dynamic Help is turned on. To change any of these default settings, use the Default Layout for Icon Views panel.

If this panel is not open, open it now by choosing Desktop > Customize > Icon Views from the Toolchest. The settings you make with this panel become the new default—appearing in any new Icon Views opened. However, the settings labeled Global Settings (Dynamic Help, Pathfinder, and Open in Place) apply to any currently open Icon Views as well.

The Icon View preferences panel allows you to control the following features:

Shelf |  | Displays a new area of the Icon View window. The shelf is a place for you to put icons that you need to use frequently while working in a particular directory. For example, if the directory contains many files, you might want to place the files you use most frequently on the shelf. Or, if the directory contains many color Showcase slides, you might want to place the icon for a color printer onto the shelf. See “Using a Shelf for Convenient Icon Access” in Chapter 4 for instructions.
Content Viewer |  | Displays a new area of the Icon View window. When you select a file icon in the window, the Content Viewer displays a read-only version of a selected file. This allows you to quickly view file contents without opening the file.
Search/Filter Files |  | Displays a new set of controls in the Icon View window. Use it to search for certain file characteristics and to limit the number of icons you see in the Icon View window. For example, to display only files that begin with `d`, type `d`. To display only files that end in `.rgb`, type `*.rgb`.
Dynamic Help |  | Dynamic help is information that appears at the bottom of an Icon View window when you move your mouse cursor across items in the window.
Pathfinder |  | The region across the top of an Icon View, which displays the pathname of the current directory.
Open in Place |  | Causes any folder you open from an Icon View to appear within that Icon View, instead of being launched as another window.
Preserve Layout When Opening in Place |  | Preserve Layout causes folders opened “in place” to maintain the Icon View settings of the Icon View from which they are opened.
Sort by |  | Use this menu to choose the way icons are sorted, or arranged, in the window.
View as |  | Use this menu to choose the way icons are displayed in the window.
Truncated Names |  | Shortens the filename labels on icons. Useful for creating more room in the Icon View window. Does not alter the actual name of the file.
Thumbnail Images |  | When there are image icons in an Icon View window, this command displays mini-views of each image (instead of the generic icons).
Align to Grid |  | Causes icons to automatically align with an invisible grid when they appear or are placed somewhere—this helps them display in an orderly manner.
Hidden Files |  | Displays hidden files. Many IRIX configuration files are hidden by default. You do not see them in an Icon View window. These files are commonly called dot files because a “.” appears as the first character in the filename. Your `.login` and `.cshrc` files are examples of hidden files.
Default Icon Size Thumbwheel |  | Allows you adjust the size the icons that appear in Icon Views. To return icons to the factory default size, click the small square to the right of the thumbwheel.
| Note: If you want to change the default size of icons on the desktop background, use the Desktop Settings Panel. To open the panel from the Toolchest, choose Desktop > Customize > Desktop.
| Tip: The keyboard shortcut for temporarily applying the Open in Place behavior to a directory is to hold down the `Alt` key while double-clicking the directory (folder) icon.

## Changing Window Color Schemes

You can use the Color Scheme Browser to change the color scheme of windows on your screen. You can also edit the colors in a chosen scheme and save the changes.

For more information, see:

- “The Color Scheme Browser: An Overview”

- “Choosing a Color Scheme”

- “Editing a Color Scheme”

- “Deleting a Color Scheme”

- “About the Color Scheme Sample Images”

- “Using the Color Browser”

### The Color Scheme Browser: An Overview

Each item in a window has a color assigned to it. These items, when combined, create a scheme of colors that make the window easy to read, understand, and look at. The Color Scheme Browser contains a number of preset color schemes that you can apply. It also allows you to edit colors in a scheme and create your own combination of colors.

To open the Color Scheme Browser, click the words Color Scheme Browser now, or choose Color Schemes from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

### Choosing a Color Scheme

You can choose a different color scheme for windows on your screen by using the Color Scheme Browser. If you have not already opened the browser, open it by clicking the words Color Scheme Browser , or by choosing Color Schemes from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To choose a color scheme:

1. Browse through the schemes by clicking on different names in the color schemes list.

   The display to the right of the schemes list shows you a sample image of the chosen color scheme.

2. Click the Apply button when you find a scheme you like.

   A message appears telling you that the new scheme will not affect existing open applications. To use the new schemes, restart those applications.

3. Choose Exit from the Application menu to close the Color Scheme Browser window.

### Editing a Color Scheme

If you want to use a particular color scheme in the Color Scheme Browser, but do not like one of the colors in the scheme, you can use Edit Mode to change the color.

If you have not already opened the Color Scheme Browser, open it by clicking the words Color Scheme Browser, or by choosing Color Schemes from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To edit a color scheme:

1. Click on the name of the scheme you want to edit.

   The display to the right of the schemes list changes to show the sample scheme.

2. Choose Edit Mode from the Application menu.

   A thumbwheel and color palette appear at the bottom of the sample scheme.

3. Use Quick Help to familiarize yourself with the assignment of each color in the color scheme.

   - Choose Quick Help from the Help menu in the Color Scheme Browser window.

   - Move your mouse cursor over a colored square in the Color Palette. The assignment of that color appears next to the mouse cursor and in a status message at the bottom of the Color Scheme Browser window.

   - Move your mouse cursor on top of a section of the scheme display to get a description of that section.

   - Click the left mouse button to deactivate Quick Help.

4. Edit the color you want to change.

   - Click on the square of color in the Color Palette that you want to change.

     The Scheme Editor Color Browser appears.

   - Move your mouse cursor on top of the small circle in the colored hexagon in the Scheme Editor window.

   - Press down on the left mouse button, and move your mouse.

     As you move your mouse around the hexagon, the color beneath the small circle appears in the rectangle next to the Current Color label. This rectangle acts as your color palette while you choose a new color.

   - Release the mouse button when the small circle is on top of a color you like.

   - Move the slider bar next to Value back and forth to brighten or darken the color.

   The color in the sample scheme changes as you alter the color in the editor.

5. When you find a color you like, click the Ok button to close the Scheme Editor window.

6. Move the thumbwheel back and forth to darken or lighten all colors in the scheme.

7. Save the changes.

   - Click the Apply button in the main Color Scheme Browser window if you want to save the changes to the same scheme name.

     A message appears telling you that the new scheme was saved in your local scheme directory, and the scheme name changes to an italic font to show that the scheme was altered.

   - If you want to rename the scheme, choose Save As... from the Application menu instead of clicking the Apply button. Then create a name for the altered scheme. The new scheme appears in the schemes list.

   Changes affect your user account only and do not affect color schemes used by other users on your system.

8. Choose Exit from the Application menu to close the Color Scheme Browser window.

You can also change additional colors used in a particular scheme by choosing Additional Colors from the Sample Image menu. A sample display appears showing any additional colors and assignments for those colors.

### Deleting a Color Scheme

If you altered a color scheme and saved it to the current scheme name, the scheme name shows up in italic font to show that it was altered. You can delete the changes you made and return to the original scheme by using Remove Selected Scheme in the Color Scheme Browser.

If you have not already opened the Color Scheme Browser, open it by clicking the words Color Scheme Browser, or by choosing Color Schemes from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To delete a color scheme:

1. Select the scheme that contains the changes you want to delete.

2. Choose Remove Selected Scheme from the Applications menu.

   A notifier appears telling you that the local scheme (the scheme that contains the changes you made) will be removed from your system. Click the OK button to continue.

   The scheme reverts to the default colors for that scheme, and the scheme name appears in regular text.

3. Choose Exit from the Application menu to close the Color Scheme Browser window.

To delete all changed schemes at once and return all schemes to their default scheme, choose Remove Local Schemes from the Application menu.

### About the Color Scheme Sample Images

Every item in a window is assigned a color. The Color Scheme Browser contains several sample images that display a scheme's assigned colors for each of these items. These sample images include:

- Basic Colors displays a scheme's colors for the most frequently used items in a window, including buttons, scroll bars, and text input areas.

- Additional Colors displays a scheme's colors for any additional items in a window, including scrolled list items, accent colors, and errors.

- Window Manager Colors displays a scheme's colors for window borders.

- Graphics Colors displays fixed colors that applications assign to specific items when they want a color to have a consistent and recognizable meaning. These colors do not change color as schemes change. They merely darken or lighten in color, depending on the scheme.

- Active Guides Colors displays a scheme's link colors. Links appear in Active Guides—many of the system management programs you can launch from the System Manager are Active Guides.

### Using the Color Browser

Use the Color Browser when changing colors in the Background Setting or Color Scheme Browser control panels.

To select a color using the Color Browser:

1. Move your mouse cursor on top of the small circle in the colored hexagon.

2. Press down on the left mouse button, and move your mouse.

   As you move your mouse around the hexagon, the color beneath the small circle appears in the rectangle next to the Current Color label. This rectangle acts as your color palette while you choose a new color.

3. Release the mouse button when the small circle is on top of a color you like.

4. Move the slider bar next to Value back and forth to brighten or darken the color.

5. Click the down arrow between the Current Color and Stored Color rectangles to store a color you like if you want to browse through other colors.

6. Click the Apply button if you want to see the current color applied to the sample image in the main control panel.

7. Click the OK button when you decide on a color.

   The Color Browser window closes.

If you are choosing a color for your screen background using the Color Browser in the Background Setting panel, and want a color that blends in well with your current window color scheme, try one of the Palette Colors at the top of the Color Browser. Click on a colored square to choose a color.

You can also create colors by choosing Value and RGB or HSV and RGB from the Sliders menu. These menu options reveal sliders that allow you to change the colors by moving the sliders instead of moving the circle within the hexagon.

## Customizing the Screen Saver

By default, your system has a screen saver mechanism that blacks out the monitor screen when your system is idle for 10 minutes. After another 20 minutes of idle time, the monitor shuts off to save power. In both cases, you can reactivate the screen by moving the mouse.

You can customize the screen saver by using the Screen Saver control panel. For details, see:

- “Choosing a New Screen Saver”

- “Locking Your Screen”

- “Changing the Screen Saver Activation Delay”

- “Adjusting the Power Save Feature”

- “Turning On the Screen Saver Without a Delay”

### Choosing a New Screen Saver

Choose a screen saver using the Screen Saver control panel. If you have not already opened the panel, open it by clicking the words Screen Saver now or by choosing Screen Saver from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To choose a screen saver:

1. If the text near the top of the window says, Screen Saver Off, click the box to the left of the text to turn on the screen saver.

   A checkmark appears in the box, and the text, Screen Saver On, appears.

2. Click on one of the screen saver choices.

3. Click Demo and keep your mouse still.

   The screen blacks out, and the screen saver you chose is activated.

4. Move your mouse to end the demo.

5. If you like this screen saver, click the Close button to close the screen saver window. Next time your screen blacks out, the screen saver you chose will display on your screen.

### Locking Your Screen

You can lock your screen by using the Screen Saver control panel. If you have not already opened the control panel, open it by clicking the words Screen Saver now or by choosing Screen Saver from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To lock your screen, click the box next to Lock Screen in the control panel. A checkmark appears. Next time your screen saver is activated, and you try to deactivate the screen saver by moving the mouse, a login screen appears. This login screen requires you to type in your password (if your account requires one) to return to your work.

This login window also allows you to return to the screen saver. Click the box to the left of the login name, and the screen saver is activated again. Instead of moving your mouse to deactivate the screen saver, you must click the left mouse button to return to the login screen.

If you do not want the login screen to come up when you deactivate the screen saver, click the box to the left of Lock Screen to remove the checkmark.

| Note: You cannot choose the Lock Screen mechanism when using a Graphics Library screensaver. When you choose a Graphics Library screensaver, a message appears in the control panel telling you that screen locking is unavailable for that screen saver.

### Changing the Screen Saver Activation Delay

By default, if your screen is idle for 10 minutes, it will black out. You can change the period of time you want the idle screen to stay visible before the screen saver is activated using the Screen Saver control panel.

If you have not already opened the control panel, open it by clicking the words Screen Saver now or by choosing Screen Saver from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To change the activation delay:

1. Slide the bar next to Delay (minutes) forward or backward to select the number of minutes you want.

2. Click the Close button to close the control panel.

### Adjusting the Power Save Feature

By default, the monitor shuts off when the system is idle for 30 minutes. The screen saver activates after 10 minutes of idle time. The power saver activates after 20 additional minutes of idle time. You can turn the power saver off, or you can adjust the amount of minutes it takes for the monitor to shut off.

To turn the power saver off, click the box next to Power Saver On. A checkmark appears in the box, and the power saver feature is turned off. To reactivate the power saver, click the box again. The checkmark disappears.

To adjust the amount of minutes it takes for the monitor to shut off, move the slider next to Power Saver On until you select the minutes you want. The slider allows you to choose anywhere from 1 to 90 minutes.

| Note: Some systems may not support this feature.

### Turning On the Screen Saver Without a Delay

You can switch the screen saver on without delay by selecting Start Screensaver from the Desktop toolchest. You may want to do this if you have the “lock screen” mechanism turned on and want to activate it immediately rather than wait for the 10 minute delay.

## Customizing Mouse Settings

You can customize the acceleration and button-click speed of your mouse. If you are left-handed, you can switch the button behavior of the mouse so you can use the mouse with your left hand. For details, see:

- “Adjusting the Mouse Cursor Acceleration”

- “Switching the Mouse for Left-Handed Use”

- “Adjusting the Mouse Click Speed”

Related Topic: “Customizing for Accessibility”

### Adjusting the Mouse Cursor Acceleration

Mouse cursor acceleration refers to how quickly the cursor moves on your screen when you move the mouse. By default, the mouse cursor acceleration is set to slow. You can increase the acceleration using the Mouse Settings control panel.

You can also change the threshold. The threshold is the amount of units your mouse needs to move before the pointer starts to move. If you set a high threshold, the pointer will move more quickly as you move the mouse. If you set a low threshold, the mouse will need to move further before the pointer will move.

If you have not already opened the Mouse Settings control panel, open it by clicking the word Mouse now, or by choosing Mouse from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To adjust the acceleration of the mouse cursor and to adjust the threshold:

1. Click on one of the diamond-shaped buttons under Mouse Acceleration.

   The buttons to the left slow down the acceleration; the buttons to the right speed up the acceleration.

   You can also adjust the acceleration by clicking the button below Finer Control and sliding the bar next to Acceleration back and forth.

2. To change the threshold level, click the button below Finer Control, and move the sliding bar next to Threshold back and forth.

3. Move the mouse around and watch the pointer move on your screen.

   Continue to click on diamonds or move the sliders until you have reached the desired acceleration and threshold levels.

4. Click the Close button to close the control panel.

### Switching the Mouse for Left-Handed Use

You can switch the button behavior of the mouse so you can use the mouse with your left hand by using the Mouse Settings control panel. If you have not already opened the panel, open it by clicking the word Mouse now, or by choosing Mouse from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To switch the button behavior of the mouse for left-handed use, click the diamond-shaped button next to the Left handed label.

The button behavior switches so that tasks normally performed with the left mouse button can now be performed with the right mouse button.

### Adjusting the Mouse Click Speed

By default, the mouse click speed is set to a midrange level. This means that you can double-click a mouse button at a reasonable speed, and the action will be performed. If you would like the mouse to respond to a slower or a faster click speed, you can adjust the speed using the Mouse Settings control panel.

If you have not already opened the panel, open it by clicking the word Mouse now, or by choosing Mouse from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To adjust the click speed of the mouse:

1. Click one of the diamond-shaped buttons below Click Speed in the lower half of the control panel.

   - Click the button below Slow to slow down the click speed.

   - Click the button below Fast to speed up the click speed.

   - Click the button between the slow and fast buttons if you want a midrange click-speed (this is the default).

   - Click the button below Finer Control to display a sliding bar. Adjust the speed by sliding the bar back and forth.

2. Test the click speed by double-clicking on the button labeled, Click Here!

   If you chose a fast click-speed, you will need to double-click the mouse button very quickly to test it. If you chose a slow click-speed, you should be able to double-click at a fairly slow rate.

3. Click the Close button to close the control panel.

Any application you start up after you make the change uses the new click speed. Restart other applications if you want them to use the new click speed, or log out, then log back in to use the new click speed on the desktop.

## Customizing Keyboard Settings

This section includes:

- “Customizing for Accessibility”

- “Adjusting Key-Repeat Speed and Delay ”

- “Turning On Key Click ”

Related Topic: “Changing the Language and Keyboard Layout”

### Customizing for Accessibility

Movement-impaired users can customize the keyboard to meet their needs and preferences by using the Accessibility Panel. Launch this panel from the Toolchest by choosing Desktop > Customize > Accessibility. Click the Accessibility Panel Help button for details.

| Note: If you cannot bring the Accessibility Panel up from Customize menu, you probably need to install it. Install the `accessx` product from the IRIX Applications CD.

### Turning On Key Click

Key click is a clicking sound you can choose to hear when you type on your keyboard. Your system ships with the key click turned off.

You can turn key click on or off using the Keyboard Settings control panel. If you have not already opened the panel, open it by clicking the word Keyboard now, or by choosing Keyboard from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To turn on the key click:

1. Click the button next to Key Click. A checkmark appears in the box.

   When you type on the keyboard, you will hear the key-click sound.

2. Click the Close button to close the control panel.

To turn key click off, click the box to the left of the Key Click label. The checkmark disappears.

You can also use the System and Desktop Sounds panel to turn key click on or off.

### Adjusting Key-Repeat Speed and Delay

The key-repeat speed is the rate at which a keyboard character is repeatedly printed to your screen when you hold down a key. Key repeat delay is the amount of time the system waits before beginning the repeat sequence.

You can adjust the key repeat speed and delay using the Keyboard Settings control panel. If you have not already opened the panel, open it by clicking the word Keyboard now, or by choosing Keyboard from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

| Note: Key repeat sequences are often used when you want to use the Backspace key to delete a series of characters, or when you want to add multiple spaces using the Space Bar. Changing the key repeat speed also affects these keys.

To adjust the key-repeat speed and delay:

1. Click one of the diamond-shaped buttons to adjust the key repeat speed and delay:

   - Click the button below Slow to slow down the repeat speed.

   - Click the button below Fast to increase the repeat speed.

   - Click the button between the slow and fast buttons if you want a midrange repeat-speed (this is the default).

   - Click the button below Finer Control to display two sliding bars. Adjust the repeat speed and delay by sliding the bars back and forth. Move the slider next to Repeat Delay to the left to lengthen the repeat delay. Move it to the right to shorten the repeat delay.

2. Test the speed and delay by clicking in the text input box next to Test and pressing down on a key on the keyboard.

3. Click the Close button to close the control panel.

## Customizing Window Settings

The Window Settings control panel lets you customize window attributes. For details, see:

- “Changing the Orientation of the Toolchests”

- “Changing the Window Focus Behavior”

- “Displaying the Windows Overview”

- “Changing the Appearance of a Moving Window”

- “Turning On Automatic Window Placement”

- “Saving Your Desktop Layout”

### Changing the Orientation of the Toolchests

The toolchests display vertically in the upper left corner of your screen. You can set them to display horizontally by using the Window Settings control panel.

If the Window Settings control panel is not already open on your screen, open it by clicking the word Windows now, or by choosing Windows from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To change the orientation of the toolchests:

1. Click the button next to Horizontal.

   A small marker appears on the button to let you know it is activated, and the toolchest changes orientation.

   A window appears, asking you if you want to restart the window manager.

2. Click OK or Cancel.

   - If you click OK, all the windows you currently have open will redraw, and the Windows Overview appears on your desktop. All the minimized windows for all desks appear in the Windows Overview.

   - If you click Cancel, the Windows Overview will not appear until you log out and log back in to your system.

3. Click the Close button to close the control panel.

Click the button next to Vertical to switch the toolchests back to their original position.

### Changing the Window Focus Behavior

By default, you need to move your mouse cursor into a window in order to type in it. This is called implicit focus or “point to type.” You can change the focus behavior to explicit focus or “click to type” using the Window Settings control panel.

If the Window Settings control panel is not already open on your screen, open it by clicking the word Windows now, or by choosing Windows from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To change the keyboard focus behavior:

1. Next to Keyboard Focus:

   - Click the button next to Point to type to select implicit focus.

   - Click the button next to Click to type to select explicit focus.

     Selecting Click to type means that you give a window focus by clicking on it. The window continues to have focus until you click on another window, regardless of the location of the cursor.

   A checkmark appears to let you know it is activated, and a window appears, telling you that the window manager will need to be restarted in order for the change to take affect.

2. Click OK or Cancel.

   - If you click OK, all the windows you currently have open will redraw, and the keyboard focus behavior changes.

3. Click the Close button to close the Window Settings panel.

### Displaying the Windows Overview

By default, all minimized windows appear individually on your desktop. If you have Windows Overview turned on, all minimized windows are grouped together and appear in a window on your desktop. You will also see a borderless, minimized window for every window open on your desk.

When you use multiple desks, the Windows Overview will appear on all desks. All minimized windows on all desks will appear in the Windows Overview. You will also see a borderless minimized window for every window open on every desk.

You can turn Windows Overview on or off using the Window Settings control panel. If the panel is not already open on your screen, open it by clicking the word Windows now, or by choosing Windows from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To turn on Windows Overview:

1. Click the button next to Display Windows Overview.

   A checkmark appears to let you know it is activated, and a window appears, telling you that the window manager will need to be restarted in order for the change to take affect.

2. Click OK or Cancel.

   - If you click OK, all the windows you currently have open will redraw, and the Windows Overview appears on your desktop. All the minimized windows for all desks appear in the Windows Overview.

   - If you click Cancel, the Windows Overview will not appear until you log out and log back in to your system.

3. Click the Close button to close the control panel.

To turn off Windows Overview, click the button next to Display Windows Overview in the Window Settings control panel.

### Changing the Appearance of a Moving Window

While you move a window, the window appears as a red outline. If you want, you can change the look of the moving window from a red outline to an opaque image of the window using the Window Settings control panel.

If the control panel is not already open on your screen, open it by clicking the word Windows now, or by choosing Windows from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To change the appearance of a moving window:

1. Click the button next to Opaque Window Move.

   A checkmark appears to let you know it is activated.

2. Click the Close button to close the control panel.

To turn off the opaque window setting, click the button next to Opaque Window Move. The checkmark disappears.

### Turning On Automatic Window Placement

By default, you can place windows anywhere on your screen when you open them. You can change this behavior so that windows are automatically placed in preset locations on your screen when you open them. Do this by using the Window Settings control panel.

If the control panel is not already open on your screen, open it by clicking the word Windows now, or by choosing Windows from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To turn on automatic window placement:

1. Click the button next to Auto Window Placement.

   A checkmark appears.

2. Click the Close button to close the control panel.

Some applications may allow you to set preferences for window placement. These preferences will override the global settings. See your application documentation for information on setting window placement for that application.

### Saving Your Desktop Layout

The system keeps track of the windows that are open and their location on the screen. Every time you log in, the system checks the list of windows to determine which ones it should open automatically. It can do one of two things:

- Automatically open the windows that were on your screen when you logged out. This is the default behavior. See “Automatically Saving the Desktop Layout” for more details.

- Ignore the windows that were open when you logged out. Always open a particular set of windows that you have chosen. See “Automatically Opening a Specific Set of Windows” for instructions.

#### Automatically Saving the Desktop Layout

By default, the system opens the windows that were on your screen when you logged out. For example, suppose that you log out while your screen displays a clock, a calendar, and a nedit window in which you are editing a text file. When you log into the system again, the clock, calendar, and nedit windows automatically reappear.

If you change the setting and want to revert to the default behavior, use the Window Settings control panel.

1. If the control panel is not already open on your screen, open it by clicking the word Windows now, or by choosing Windows from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

2. Click the button next to the label Continuously.

3. Click the Close button to close the window.

   | Note: Some applications will not automatically open when you log in. See “Running Applications When You Log In Using the .sgisession File ” for information on how to run these applications.

#### Automatically Opening a Specific Set of Windows

By default, the system opens the windows that were on your screen when you logged out. You can change this behavior so the system opens a specific set of windows.

1. Create the screen layout that you want to see each time you log in (open windows and position them on the screen).

2. If the control panel is not already open on your screen, open it by clicking the word Windows now, or by choosing Desktop > Customize >Windows from the Toolchest.

3. Click Explicitly. It appears under the label Save Windows & Desks.

4. Click the Set Home Session button.

5. Click the Close button to close the window.

   | Note: If you create new desks, you must open the Window Settings control panel and click the Set Home Session button again. Otherwise, when you log out or restart the window manager, you will lose the new desks that you have created. Some applications will not automatically open when you log in. See “Running Applications When You Log In Using the .sgisession File ” for information on how to run these applications.

## Changing the Language and Keyboard Layout

U.S. English is the default language for the system. You can choose another language and a corresponding keyboard key layout, as well as a time zone, using the Language Controls panel.

If the Language Controls panel is not already open on your screen, open it from the Toolchest by choosing Desktop > Customize > Language.

Click the Country button to select the country in which you are working. The system then guesses which language, keyboard layout, and time zone are appropriate. However, you can change any of these choices by clicking the Language, Keyboard Layout, or Time Zone buttons.

Once you have made your choices, you can either apply them to entire system or to your own user account. To apply them to the entire system click the Set System button, to apply them only to your own account, click the Set Personal button.

Any internationalized application you start up after you make the change uses the new language and keyboard layout. Restart other applications if you want them to use the new language and keyboard layout, or log out, then log back in to use the new language and keyboard layout on the desktop.

## Controlling System Alerts

System alerts are messages that notify you when a system error has occurred. By default, system alert messages are accompanied by a “beep” sound.

If the System Alert Settings control panel is not open, start it by choosing Desktop > Customize > System Alerts from the Toolchest.

Use the Alert Settings control panel to do any of the following:

- To turn on all system alerts, click Enabled

- To turn off all system alerts, click Disabled

- To turn off all system alerts for this login session only, click Disabled for this session

- To turn off all system alert sounds, click to remove the checkmark in front of the label, Sound Effects

To turn specific system alerts on or off, click Disabled Alerts... button.

## Customizing Desktop Settings

The Desktop Settings panel lets you customize various desktop characteristics. To open the Desktop Settings panel from the Toolchest, choose Customize > Desktop.

For details, see:

- “Changing the Default Size of Icons on the Desktop”

- “Turning Icon Alignment On or Off”

- “Controlling System Sounds”

- “Changing Default Viewer and Editor Utilities”

- “Changing Default Permission Settings”

- “Viewing Image Icons as Thumbnail Images”

- “Turning Off the Launch Effect”

- “Making “Remove” Delete Instantly”

- “Turning File Overwrite Messages On and Off”

- “Displaying Application Errors”

- “Enabling or Disabling the Ability to Display Remote Applications ”custom.size

### Changing the Default Size of Icons on the Desktop

You can change the default size of icons on the desktop, using the Desktop Settings panel.

To change the default size of icons on the desktop:

1. Slide the wheel below Background Icon Size back and forth.

   - Place your cursor on top of the wheel.

   - Press down on the left mouse button and move the cursor to the left and right to move the wheel.

   The icon to the right of the wheel changes size.

2. When you are satisfied with the icon size, click the Close button to close the control panel.

The icons appear in the new size.

To return icons to the default size, click the small box on the right side of the wheel.

### Turning Icon Alignment On or Off

By default, icons on the background align with an invisible grid when moved—this helps them display in an orderly manner. This feature is called “Align to Grid.” If you want to turn this feature off, use the Desktop Settings panel.

If the control panel is not already open on your screen, open it by clicking the word Desktop now or by choosing Desktop from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To turn off align to grid, remove the check mark in the Align to Grid check box by clicking it.

### Controlling System Sounds

Your system ships with desktop sounds turned on by default. You hear sounds for different actions you perform, such as double-clicking an icon, or emptying the dumpster. You can turn these and other sounds on or off by using the System and Desktop Sounds panel.

| Note: You will not be able to control system sounds if someone has turned off the soundscheme daemon on your system. You can turn soundscheme back on by entering the following commands in a UNIX shell:

    % su
    # chkconfig -f soundscheme on

Confirm that soundscheme is on by entering `chkconfig` in the shell. The word on should appear next to soundscheme in the list that appears.

To open this panel from the Desktop Settings panel, click the Sounds... button. To open it from the Toolchest, choose Desktop > Customize > Sounds. Elements of the panel are explained below. Click the checkboxes on the System and Desktop Sounds panel to enable or disable sounds. If the sound is enabled, a checkmark appears in the box.

Master Volume Control:

Mute System |  | Turns all system sounds on or off.

Enable Selected Sounds:

Startup & Shutdown Tunes
| Turns on or off the music that occurs at system start up and shutdown.
Desktop Sounds
| Turns on or off the various sounds made by the desktop, such as the sounds that occur when dragging or removing a file.
System Alert Sounds
| Turns on or off all system alert sounds, such as sounds that occur when there is a system error. (To turn on or off specific system alerts, choose Desktop > Customize > System Alerts from the Toolchest.)
Keyboard Bell
| Turns on or off the keyboard error beep.
Key Click
| Turns on or off a special typing click sound.

Play Desktop Sounds Through:

Use the Play Desktop Sounds Through menu button to tell your system where to send the desktop sounds. By default, desktop sounds play through the system's built-in speaker, headphones, and primary line-out jacks (all at once). When you plug headphones into the headphone jack, the system automatically mutes the speakers.

Some systems provide additional output ports on the back of the system. You can use the Play Desktop Sounds Through menu button to direct the desktop sounds to play through the default ports or through one of these alternate ports. This can be useful if you want to record to a digital tape deck through your system's digital output ports, but you want desktop sounds to play through the analog output so that they do not interfere with the recording.

This menu button only affects desktop sounds. It does not, for example, determine the output of your built-in CD player.

| Note: Desktop sounds turn off immediately for some applications. For other applications, you must log out and log back in before the sound turns off.

| Note: Control the volume of all system sounds by moving the Audio panel volume sliders. To open the Audio panel from the Toolchest, choose Desktop > Control Audio. Also, some systems have volume control buttons on the front of the workstation.

### Changing Default Viewer and Editor Utilities

Your system ships with default viewers and editor utilities set. You can change these default utilities by using the Default Viewer and Editor Utilities control panel.

To open this panel from the Desktop Settings panel click the Utilities... button. To open it from the Toolchest, choose Desktop > Customize > Utilities.

To change a default viewer or editor utility:

1. Move the cursor on top of the button next to the utility you want to change and press the left mouse button.

   A menu appears.

2. Move your cursor on top of the choice you want, then release the mouse button.

   If you want to use a text editor that is not listed in the Text Editor menu, choose Other... Then type in the name of the editor you want to use.

3. Click the Close button to close the panel.

### Changing Default Permission Settings

Whenever you create a new file default permissions are placed on the file. These default permissions allow you, the owner, to read, write and execute the file. They also allow the group and others to read and execute, but not to make changes to the file.

To open this window from the Deskop Settings panel, click the Permissions... button.

These settings affect only files and directories that you create using the desktop tools. They do not affect files and directories that you create in a shell window.

To change the default file permission settings:

1. Click the Permissions button.

   The Default File Permissions form appears.

2. Click the buttons below Read, Write, and Exec to set the default permissions for each user.

   A button is activated when a checkmark appears on the button.

3. Click OK to set the permissions. Click Cancel if you do not want to change the permissions.

4. Click the Close button to close the Desktop Settings panel.

For more information on permissions, see “Understanding and Changing Permissions” in Chapter 9.

### Viewing Image Icons as Thumbnail Images

If you have image file icons out on the desktop, you can view the icons as small thumbnails of the images by using the Desktop Settings panel.

If the control panel is not already open on your screen, open it by clicking the word Desktop now or by choosing Desktop from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To preview image file icons on the desktop:

1. Click the button next to Show Icons as Thumbnail Images.

   A checkmark appears in the box and the icons on the desktop redraw and thumbnails of the images appear.

2. Click the Close button to close the panel.

### Turning Off the Launch Effect

When you start up an application, you see a visual effect that lets you know that the application is starting up. The effect stops when the application opens. The launch effect is turned on by default. You can turn it off using the Desktop Settings panel.

If the control panel is not already open on your screen, open it by clicking the word Desktop now or by choosing Desktop from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To turn off the launch effect:

1. Click the button next to Show Launch Effect.

   The checkmark disappears.

2. Click the Close button to close the panel.

Now when you start up an application, you will not see the launch effect. To turn the launch effect back on, click the button next to Show Launch Effect. A checkmark appears.

### Making “Remove” Delete Instantly

By default, when you choose Remove from the Selected menu, the files are moved into the dumpster. These files are stored in the dumpster until you decide to delete them permanently from your system by emptying the dumpster.

If you want files to be removed from your system immediately rather than moving them into the dumpster, you can disable the dumpster. When you disable the dumpster, it becomes an ordinary directory called `dumpster`. Now when you choose Remove from the Selected menu to remove selected files, these files are deleted from your system immediately.

Use the Desktop Settings panel to disable the dumpster. If the control panel is not already open on your screen, open it by clicking the word Desktop now or by choosing Desktop from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To make “Remove” delete instantly:

1. Click the checkbox next to Make `Remove' Delete Instantly.

   A checkmark appears in the box.

2. Click the Close button to close the panel.

### Turning File Overwrite Messages On and Off

By default, when you attempt to overwrite a file, a notifier pops up and asks you if you really want to overwrite the file. If you do not want this notifier to come up, you can turn it off by using the Desktop Settings panel.

If the control panel is not already open on your screen, open it by clicking the word Desktop now or by choosing Desktop from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To turn off the overwrite file notifier:

1. Click the button next to Warn on File Overwrite.

   The checkmark disappears.

2. Click the Close button to close the control panel.

To turn on the overwrite file notifier, click the button next to Warn on File Overwrite. The checkmark reappears.

### Displaying Application Errors

You can use the Desktop Settings anel to turn on a status window that displays application errors. If the control panel is not already open on your screen, open it by clicking the word Desktop now or by choosing Desktop from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To turn on the status window:

1. Click the button next to Display Application Errors.

   A checkmark appears.

2. Click the Close button to close the control panel.

Next time an error is generated by an application, the status window appears on your screen, and the error message appears in the window.

To turn off the status window, click the button next to Display Application Errors. You must log out, then log back in, to disable the status window.

### Enabling or Disabling the Ability to Display Remote Applications

You can use the Desktop Settings panel to enable or disable the ability to run applications on remote systems by displaying them on your screen.

If the control panel is not already open on your screen, open it by clicking the word Desktop now or by choosing Desktop from the Customize menu in the Desktop toolchest.

To enable or disable remote display:

1. Click the toggle button next to Enable Remote Display to turn remote display on or off.

   A checkmark indicates Enable Remote Display is turned on.

2. Click the Close button to close the control panel.

There are a few different ways to control the remote display. For complete details, see “About the Remote Display Feature” in Chapter 13.

## Disabling Icons on the Desktop

By default, certain icons appear on your desktop. If you prefer not to have icons appear on your desktop, you can disable this function by creating a file called `nodesktop` in your `.desktop_<`hostname`>` directory.

To do this

1. Open an Icon View window of your home directory by choosing Home Directory from the Desktop toolchest.

2. Double-click the `.desktop_<`hostname`>` directory to open it.

   The `.desktop_<`hostname`>` directory is a “hidden” file. If it is not visible in your home directory, choose Hidden Files from the View menu in the Icon View.

3. Create an empty file using your text editor, name it `nodesktop`, and place it in the `.desktop_<`hostname`>` directory.

4. Log out, then log back in.

   Icons no longer appear on your desktop.

If you want the standard icons to return to the desktop, delete the `nodesktop` file. Log out, then log back in. Icons appear on your desktop.

## Adding Directories to Your Search Path (Advanced)

When you use File QuickFind to search for an icon, or you search for or start applications from a shell window, the software searches through a series of directories to find the file or application. The series of directories it searches is called your path. If you add useful directories to your path, such as various directories that contain applications, you can use File QuickFind to bring up other files or applications in addition to those located in your home directory..cshrc

You can add directories to your path by editing the `.cshrc` file.

1. Open your home directory by choosing Home Directory from the Desktop toolchest.

2. Select Hidden files from the View menu.

   A list of all the hidden files appears in the Icon View.

3. Open the `.cshrc` file.

   The `.cshrc` file is in your home directory. You can bring up the `.cshrc` file by using File QuickFind .

4. Locate the line that begins with the text below, or create it if the line does not exist.

   `set path = ($path```

5. After `$path`, type the names of the directories that you want to add. Be sure to leave a blank space between directory names and end the list of directory names with a closing parenthesis.

   For example, the whole line might look like this:

       set path = ($path /usr/local/bin /usr/people/joe)

6. Save the file and exit the text editor.

7. To make the system recognize the new path setting, do one of the following:

   - Place the cursor in the shell window; then type:

         source .cshrc

   - Log out and log back in again.

## Running Applications When You Log In Using the .sgisession File

You can use the Window Settings control panel to save your desktop layout and have certain applications open automatically when you log in (see “Saving Your Desktop Layout”). Some third-party applications, however, may not be recognized by these settings. If you want these applications to start up automatically when you log in, you can create a file in your home directory called `.sgisession`.

To create a `.sgisession` file:

1. Open a shell by choosing Open Unix Shell from the Desktop toolchest.

2. Create the `.sgisession` file.

   - Place the cursor in the shell window.

   - Type `cd` to move to your home directory. This is where system startup files such as .sgisession are stored.

   - Run a text editor and create the `.sgisession` file. For example, type:

         nedit .sgisession

3. Type startup information for applications you want to start up when you log in. For example, if you want to start up an application called `fun`, and the application is stored in the `/usr/sbin` directory, create a line in the file like this:

       /usr/sbin/fun

   If you want to add another application, create a new line, and add the startup information for that application.

4. Save and close the file.

Next time you log out and log back in, the system will read your `.sgisession` file and will start up the applications you specified.

## Modifying the Toolchests (Advanced)

A file called `system.chestrc` exists in your `/usr/lib/X11` directory. This file determines the system-wide settings for the toolchests. You can add toolchests and toolchest menu items to your account by creating a file called `.auxchestrc` in your home directory. This file adds the items you specify to all the items already specified in the `system.chestrc` file.

If you want to customize the toolchests more extensively by adding, deleting, and renaming items, copy the `system.chestrc` file into your home directory and rename it `.chestrc`. Then edit this file. The `.chestrc` file replaces the function of the `system.chestrc` file for your user account only.

| Note: The `system.chestrc` file allows dynamic menu items in the toolchests. These items appear and disappear depending on which desktop item is selected. When you create a `.chestrc` file, these dynamic abilities become disabled.

### Understanding the system.chestrc File

The `system.chestrc` file contains all the toolchest headings and toolchest menu items that appear on your desktop.

Open the `system.chestrc` file in your `/usr/lib/X11` directory. At the top of the file, you see some lines similar to these:

    Menu ToolChest
    {
    "Desktop"  f.menu Desktop
    no-label   f.separator
    "Selected" f.menu Selected
    no-label   f.separator
    "Find"     f.menu Find
    no-label   f.separator
    “System”   f.menu System
    no-label   f.separator
    “Help”    f.menu Help
    }

This defines the toolchests. The left side lists the names of the toolchests. Notice that the names are enclosed in quotes. The right side describes what happens when you choose a particular item. For example, when you choose the Desktop toolchest, you post the Desktop toolchest menu.

Every other line in this section reads:

    no-label   f.separator

This draws the line that separates one toolchest from another.

Below the definition of the toolchest menu headings, you find sections that describe the contents of each toolchest. Find the section of the file that looks similar to this:

    Menu Internet
    {
        “Open Web Browser”  f.checkexec.sh.le “/usr/sbin/launchWebJumper”
        “Browse OutBox Page”        f.checkexec.sh.le “/usr/lib/desktop/openhomepg”
         no-label           f.separator
        “Icon View of a Web Site”   f.checkexec.sh.le “/usr/sbin/fm -p http://”
        “Icon View of an FTP Site” f.checkexec.sh.le “/usr/sbin/fm -p ftp://”
         no-label           f.separator
        “Create a WebJumper”        f.checkexec.sh.le “/usr/sbin/webjumper”
    }

This section of the file creates the Internet menu of your Toolchest. The left side lists the names that appear in the Internet menu. Again, the names are enclosed in quotes and a separator line divides the menu into several groups. The right side describes what happens when you choose a particular item. For example, when you choose Create a WebJumper, you start the program `webjumper`, which opens the WebJumper window.

### Adding Toolchests and Toolchest Menu Items Using the .auxchestrc File

To add toolchests and toolchest menu items, create a file named `.auxchestrc` and place it in your home directory. Enter items in the format used in the `system.chestrc` file located in your `/usr/lib/X11` directory. See “Understanding the system.chestrc File” for information about the `system.chestrc` file.

To add toolchests and toolchest menu items by creating a `.auxchestrc` file:

1. Open a shell window by choosing Open Unix Shell from the Desktop toolchest.

2. Create the `.auxchestrc` file.

   - Place the cursor in the shell window.

   - Type `cd` and hit `Enter` to move to your home directory.

   - Start the text editor and create the file. For example, type:

         nedit .auxchestrc

3. Enter text specifying the toolchest you want to add.

   For example, if you wanted to add a new toolchest called `Applications`, you would enter the following:

       Menu ToolChest
       {
       no-label         f.separator
       "Applications"  f.menu Applications
       }

4. Enter text specifying the menu items you want to add to that toolchest.

   For example, if you wanted to add jot to the Applications toolchest menu, you would type the following:

       Menu Applications
       {
       "jot"     f.checkexec "/usr/sbin/jot"
       }

5. Save and close the `.auxchestrc` file.

6. Log out, then log back in.

   The new toolchest named `Applications` appears with the toolchests, and the menu item jot appears in the Applications toolchest menu.

### Adding, Deleting, and Renaming Toolchests and Toolchest Menu Items Using the .chestrc File

If you want to add only toolchests or menu items to the toolchests, see “Adding Toolchests and Toolchest Menu Items Using the .auxchestrc File ”. If you want to customize the toolchests more extensively by adding, deleting, and renaming items, create a `.chestrc` file:

1. Open a shell window by choosing Open Unix Shell from the Desktop toolchest.

2. Create a file called `.chestrc` in your home directory by copying the file `system.chestrc` from your `/usr/lib/X11` directory and renaming it. To do this:

   - Place the cursor in the shell window.

   - Type `cd` and hit `Enter` to move to your home directory.

   - Type:

     `cp /usr/lib/X11/system.chestrc .chestrc`

     then press `Enter`.

   It is very important that you begin by copying and renaming this file, because

   - The`system.chestrc` file determines the system-wide setting for the Toolchest window. If you change this file in the `/usr/lib/X11` directory, your changes affect everyone who has a login account on the workstation.

   - If you have a `.chestrc` file in your home directory, the system reads this file instead of `system.chestrc`. It is best to add to or delete from a copy of the original so you do not leave out any essential information.

     | Note: The `system.chestrc` file allows dynamic menu items in the toolchests. These items appear and disappear depending on which desktop item is selected. When you create a `.chestrc` file, these dynamic abilities become disabled.

3. Edit the `.chestrc` file by running the text editor. For example, type:

       nedit .chestrc

   Since this file is a copy of the `system.chestrc` file, see “Understanding the system.chestrc File” for information on how to interpret the file. You can add, delete, and rename items.

4. When you are finished, save and close the file.

5. Log out, then log back in.

   The toolchests appear the way you specified in the `.chestrc` file.

If you want to revert to the default Toolchest window, remove the `.chestrc` file from your home directory or name it something other than `.chestrc`.

## Using Your Own Customized Backgrounds (Advanced)

If you have a custom background that you want to display using `bgpaste`, you can display it if you turn off icons on the background and the desktop background tool. See the `bgpaste``(1)` man page for details.

To display a custom background using `bgpaste`:

1. Open an Icon View of your home directory by double-clicking the folder icon on your desktop, or by choosing Home Directory from the Desktop toolchest.

2. Choose Hidden Files from the View menu to see the dot files (files that have filenames that begin with “`.`”) in your home directory.

3. Open the directory named `.desktop-<`hostname`>` and create a file called `nodesktop` in that directory. This will turn off icons on the background.

4. Place the following line in your `.Xdefaults` or `.Xresources` file in your home directory:

       4Dwm*SG_useBackgrounds: False

5. Log out then log back in.

When you log back in, the desktop backgrounds and icons on the background are turned off, and you can generate your own background using `bgpaste`.

To turn the desktop backgrounds back on, remove the line `4Dwm*SG_useBackgrounds: False` from your `.Xdefaults` or `.Xresources` file. To turn icons on the background back on, delete the `nodesktop` file. Log out, then log back in.

## Turning Off the Desktop User Environment

You can turn off the desktop user environment for every account on the system by logging in as root, and typing:

    /etc/chkconfig desktop off

in a shell window. When you log out and log back in, your toolchest will not contain any items specific to the desktop user environment. Also, session management, desks, and icons on the background will be turned off.

To turn the user environment back on, log in as root and type:

    /etc/chkconfig desktop on

in a shell window. Log out, then log back in. The user environment turns back on.

## Using Custom Icons on Your Desktop (Advanced)

You can edit the file `/usr/lib/filetype/Makefile.personal` for the following purposes:

- To replace the icon for a particular program with your own design, or to create unique icons for one of your own programs and for any data files the program creates.

  | Note: In order to use custom icons, you need to have first created the icon, which you can do with the IconSmith program. For help and advice on icon image design, please consult the IRIX Interactive Desktop Integration Guide and the IRIX Interactive User Interface Guidelines, which are online books you can access with InfoSearch , if you have these books installed. IconSmith may be installed from the “desktop_tools” product on your IRIX Applications CD. Icon image files must end in `.fti`.

- To add menu items to the right-mouse-button menu (or Toolchest Selected menu) for a specific type of icon.

  | Note: In order to do this, you need to know how to program your icons to behave the way you wish them to behave. For help with programming new menu commands or new mouse-click responses for your icon, please refer to the IRIX Interactive Desktop Integration Guide, the IRIX Interactive User Interface Guidelines, and the `fftr``(1)` man page, all of which you can access with InfoSearch .

New icons will appear only in the desktop environment that appears when someone logs into your login account.

This file is not designed for Silicon Graphics partners or professional application developers. Their filetypes should instead be installed alongside the system filetypes in `/usr/lib/filetype/install`. For full instructions, developers should refer to the online book IRIX Interactive Desktop Integration Guide, which can be accessed with InfoSearch .

### Editing the Makefile.personal

1. Create the special directory for your personal icons. It must be created in the following way:

       % mkdir ~/.desktop-<hostname>/filetype/

   where <hostname> is the name of your workstation.

2. In a shell, go to the system filetypes directory:

       % cd /usr/lib/filetype

3. Copy `Makefile.personal` to your new icons directory, and rename it `Makefile` without the `.persona`l suffix:

       % cp ./Makefile.personal ~/.desktop-<hostname>/filetype/Makefile

4. Copy the example .ftr file to your personal filetype directory. The command shown will copy the file as `mine.ftr`, but you can rename this file as you wish, as long as it ends with the `.ftr` suffix:

       % cp ./sampleFtrs/sample.ftr ~/.desktop-<hostname>/filetype/mine.ftr

5. Go to the new directory and add write permission on the `mine.ftr` file.

       % cd ~/.desktop-<hostname>/filetype/
       % chmod u+w mine.ftr

6. Use your favorite editor (for example, nedit ) to define one or more new filetypes in the file whose name ends with the `.ftr` suffix.

   See the `mine.ftr` file's comments for instructions on editing it to replace an icon image or to add menu commands to the right-mouse-button menu of an icon.

7. (This step is for icon editing only.) Create a directory for your icon images, then go to that directory:

   - `% mkdir ~/.desktop-<`hostname`>/filetype/iconlib/`

   - Copy your custom icon images to the directory you created for them.

8. This step compiles your filetypes and icon pictures into an icon database file called `desktop.otr`. It differs from the system `/usr/lib/filetype/desktop.otr` file in that your personal `desktop.otr` contains only your personal icon definitions, whereas the system `desktop.otr` contains icon definitions for the entire system and is applied to all login accounts.

   Make sure you are in the filetype directory, then enter the `make` command:

       % cd ~/.desktop-<hostname>/filetype
       % make

9. Important. Fix any errors that are reported during the “make” process. Common errors include:

   - Omitting a semicolon at the end of a MATCH rule

   - Using “=” instead of “==” in a tag MATCH rule

   - A missing ICON rule or icon picture file

   - Typos in the included icon picture's path

   This step is particularly important when you are adding custom icons. If you copy a filetype from under the `/usr/lib/filetype` directory and redefine the icon image behaviors, then the IRIX Interactive Desktop will use your version instead of the default system version, so use caution when you copy a filetype. For example, you can override the system definition for `TYPE WebJumpsite` with your own icon picture and behaviors, but if there are any mistakes in your personal version of this filetype, then all your Webjumper icons will be affected and may appear as generic text files.

   If such a problem occurs, you can immediately restore the default icons by moving aside your `.ftr` file that contains the overridden filetype:

       % mv mine.ftr mine.ftr.skip

   Then rebuild your personal icons database:

       % make clobber; make

   | Tip: To avoid problems, it can be safer to derive a new type from a system type by copying the filetype and then changing the type name. For example, if you want some special behavior for your Webjumpers, you can copy and paste the WebJumpsite filetype from the `/usr/lib/filetype/system/webjumper.ftr` file, change the type name to `MyWebJumpsite`, then add your custom behaviors.

10. In the interest of performance, the IRIX Interactive Desktop does not re-type files if their type has been determined once before and saved in the TypeCache. To make the Desktop re-type all files and pick up your newly defined filetypes, you need to remove the TypeCache:

        % cd ~/.desktop-<hostname>
        % rm -r TypeCache

11. Log out and log back in.

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Chapter 10. Accessing Other Systems and Resources on Your Network |  | Chapter 12. Using System Utilities