openSUSE-Dokumentation Chapter 1. Getting Started with the GNOME Desktop / 1.4. Using the Main Menu
	1.3. Desktop Basics		1.5. Managing Folders and Files with Nautilus

Using the Main Menu

Click Computer on the far left of the bottom panel to open the main menu. Commonly used applications appear in the main menu, along with recently used applications. You can also click Documents to display your recent documents, or click Places to display your favorite places (such as your home directory or the Desktop). Click More Applications to access additional applications, listed in categories. Use the options on the right to access Help, install additional software, open the GNOME Control Center, lock your screen, log out of the desktop, or check the status of your hard drive and network connections.

Figure 1.5. Main Menu

The main menu contains several elements:

Search Bar

The search bar helps you find applications and files on your system. Enter your search terms in the Search field, then press Enter. The results are displayed in the Desktop Search dialog box.

You can use the results list to open a file, forward it via e-mail, or display it in the file manager. Simply right-click an item in the results list and select the option you want. The options available for an item depend on the type of file it is. Clicking a file in the list displays a preview of the file and information such as the title, path, and date the file was last modified or accessed.

Use the Search menu to limit your search to files in a specific location, such as your address book or Web pages, or to display only a specific type of file in your results list. The View menu lets you sort the items in your results list according to name, relevance, or the date the file was last modified.

For more information about using the GNOME desktop’s search function, see Chapter 4, Searching with Beagle.

Main Menu Tabs

You can determine which icons appear in the main menu by clicking the Applications, Documents, or Places tabs.

Favorite Applications

By default, Favorite Applications shows icons for several commonly used applications. Use this view to show the applications you use most often.

To add an item to your Favorite Applications:

Click Computer+More Applications.
Right-click the application you want to add.
Select Add to Favorites.
The selected application is added to your Favorite Applications.

To remove an item from your Favorite Applications:

Click Computer.
Make sure that your Favorite Applications appear in the main menu.
If Favorite Applications does not appear on the main menu, click Applications.
Right-click the item you want to remove.
Select Remove from Favorites.
The removed application no longer appears in your Favorite Applications view.

Recent Applications

Recent Applications shows the last two applications you have started. Use this view to quickly find applications you have used recently.

Recent Documents

Click the Documents tab to display the last several documents you have opened. Use this view to quickly locate the documents you worked on most recently. Click More Documents to open the File Browser.

Recent Places

Click the Places tab to display the last several places you have opened. Use this view to quickly locate the places you worked on most recently. Click More Places to open the File Browser.

System

System provides shortcuts to several system applications.

Table 1.3. System Shortcuts

Application	Description
Help	Opens the Help Center, which provides online documentation for your system.
Control Center	Allows you to customize and configure your system. For more information, see Chapter 2, Customizing Your Settings.
Install Software	Opens the Software Installer, which guides you through the process of installing new software.
Lock Screen	Locks your system so that nobody can access it while you are away. Enter your password to unlock the system.
Log Out	Opens the Log Out dialog, where you can log out or switch users.
Shutdown	Opens the Shutdown dialog, where you can shut down or restart your system, or suspend the computer.

Status

Status displays information about your hard drive and network connection, including the amount of available space on your hard disk and the type of network connection you are using.