Linux+: Linux X Window 03 – Managing Folders and Files

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Jarret W. Buse

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Linux+: Linux X Window 03 – Managing Folders and Files

Every desktop environment has its own applications associated with that environment. The variation of programs is what makes each desktop environment so different to provide more variety so each user can find a desktop which is right for them. Each manager has its own abilities. Some file managers may even be expanded or added to for more capabilities. Some types may have certain abilities that you desire for you file manager while others do not.
The Linux certification exam covers two main types of desktops. GNOME and KDE. Each environment has its differences from the other.
GNOME used the GNU Midnight Commander as the file manager until it was replaced in GNOME 1.4. From GNOME 1.4 on, the default file manager is Nautilus which has been renamed to GNOME Files in version 3.6. A picture of GNOME Files can be seen in Figure 1.
NOTE: Gnome Files is sometimes referred to as Files.

Figure 3-1.jpg

FIGURE 1

GNOME Files cannot only be used to view local file systems, but also FTP sites, Windows SMB shares, file transfers over shell, HTTP and others. Similar to HTTP and FTP browsers, Files supports a “history” ability to check previously viewed items for all the file systems.
To install Nautilus, perform one of the following depending on your distro:

Ubuntu/Debian: apt-get install nautilus
Fedora/Redhat: yum install nautilus
openSUSE: zypper install nautilus
ArchLinux: pacman -S nautilus

As you can see in Figure 1, the left pane of Files is the list of places or shortcuts. The places can be edited by opening the file “~/.config/user-dirs.dirs”.
KDE used the KFM file manager which has since been replaced with Konqueror. Konqueror is shown in Figure 2 and appears similar to Files. Most file managers are based on a standard layout as should be apparent. Some file managers do allow for customization which can make their appearance quite different.

Figure 3-2.jpg

FIGURE 2

Konqueror can browse local file systems, HTTP, FTP, Windows SMB shares, archive files such as zip and ISO, and other browsing capabilities. Konqueror was made to a Universal Viewer and editor to even view PDF files, edit text files, edit spreadsheets and edit Word documents. The file manager also acts as an FTP and SVN client. The Konqueror file manager also works as a terminal shell. The Universal Viewer uses the following embedded components:
  • KView – image viewer
  • PNG
  • JPG
  • GIF
  • BMP
  • KWriter – text editing
  • Word Documents
  • Microsoft Word
  • OpenOffice
  • Calligra Suite
  • Spreadsheet
  • Presentation
  • Project planning
  • Data management
  • KDVI – DVI viewer
  • KGhostview – Postscript viewer
  • KOffice – document viewer
  • KParts – allows for add-ins from programs which use Kparts to add more functionality to Konqueror
Since Konqueror works as a web browser, add-ons allow for ad blocking, pop up blocking and the like.
For accessing the network protocols, such as HTTP, FTP, etc., Konqueror has complete network transparency. The transparency means that when accessing the network protocols, it will seem that you are still accessing local file systems. The only difference could be a time lag when connecting over a slow link or a busy server service.
If you are not running Konqueror, you can install it by using one of the following depending on your distro:

Ubuntu/Debian: apt-get install konqueror
Fedora/Redhat: yum install konqueror
openSUSE: zypper install konqueror
ArchLinux: pacman -S konqueror

With the Linux+ Certification, try these two file managers and play around. Copy, delete and rename files. Access local and remote systems. For example, look at your local hard disk and also look at FTP sites. Get a good feel for each file manager and test its capabilities. Open various file types: images, documents, etc. Make sure you are very familiar with the managers and can tell them apart. Be sure to not change any of the visual configurations too much so the defaults are still in place.

For those not looking into the Linux+ Certification, it may be best for some users to have a test system on which they can examine the various file managers. By testing the file managers, the user can determine which one is best for their use or preference. Depending on their previous experience, they may have a preference which will help with the learning curve of getting used to a new file manager.
 

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