<sect1 id="desktop">
<sect1info>

<authorgroup>
<author>
<firstname>Mike</firstname>
<surname>McBride</surname>
</author>
</authorgroup>

<date>24/11/2000</date>
<releaseinfo>1.00.00</releaseinfo>

<keywordset>
<keyword>KDE</keyword>
<keyword>KControl</keyword>
<keyword>desktop</keyword>
</keywordset>
</sect1info>

<title>General</title>

<para>This module is used to change some of the most commonly needed options for
the KDE desktop.</para>

<para>This module has two tabs, labeled: <link
linkend="desktop-desktop"><guilabel>Desktop</guilabel></link> and <link
linkend="appearance-desktop"><guilabel>Appearance</guilabel></link>.</para>

<sect2 id="desktop-desktop">
<title>Desktop Tab</title>

<para>The Desktop tab is divided into 3 sections: <link
linkend="desktop-icon"><guilabel>Desktop Icons/Menus</guilabel></link>, <link
linkend="desktop-mb"><guilabel>Mouse Buttons</guilabel></link>, and <link
linkend="desktop-path"><guilabel>Pathnames</guilabel></link>.</para>

<sect3 id="desktop-icon">
<title><guilabel>Desktop Icons and Menus</guilabel></title>

<para>The top section has three options:</para>

<variablelist>
<varlistentry>
<term><guilabel>Align Icons Vertically on Desktop</guilabel></term>
<listitem><para>If this option is enabled, KDE will place all of the icons in
columns along the left side of the screen whenever you select
"<guimenuitem>Arrange Icons</guimenuitem>" from the <guimenu>Desktop</guimenu>
Menu.  If this option is disabled, then KDE will place all icons in a row along
the top of the screen.</para></listitem> 
</varlistentry>

<varlistentry>
<term><guilabel>Show Hidden Files on Desktop</guilabel></term>
<listitem><para>If this option is enabled, then all hidden files will appear on
the desktop.  Generally this only clutters your desktop area, but if you are
often working with hidden files or directories, this can be useful.</para>
<warning><para>Be very careful when deleting or modifying hidden files.  Many of
these files are configuration files and are essential for the correct operation
of your computer.</para></warning></listitem>
</varlistentry>

<varlistentry>
<term><guilabel>Enable Desktop Menu</guilabel></term>
<listitem><para>This option determines whether there is a menu across the top of
the KDE Desktop.</para></listitem>
</varlistentry>
</variablelist>

</sect3>

<sect3 id="desktop-mb">
<title>Mouse buttons</title>

<para>The mouse button section allows you to determine what happens when you
click one of the three mouse buttons on the Desktop (where there is no
window).</para>

<note><para>Not all mice have three buttons.  Two button mice can usually
activate the "<mousebutton>Middle</mousebutton> button" by pressing both the
<mousebutton>Left</mousebutton> and <mousebutton>Right</mousebutton> mouse
buttons at the same time.</para></note>

<para>For each of the three mouse buttons, you can select:</para>

<variablelist>
<varlistentry>
<term>No Action</term>
<listitem><para>When you use this mouse button, nothing
happens.</para></listitem>
</varlistentry>

<varlistentry>
<term>Window list menu</term>
<listitem><para>This brings up a submenu with all the virtual desktops.  Under
each virtual desktop, you can select any window currently located on that
desktop.  Once selected, KDE will switch to that desktop, and place the focus on
that window.</para></listitem>
</varlistentry>

<varlistentry>
<term>Desktop Menu.</term>
<listitem><para>This brings up a submenu with commands specific to KDE. You can
create icons, edit bookmarks, cut and paste, get help, run commands, configure
KDE, arrange icons, lock the screen and log out of KDE.  The exact content of
the menu varies depending on the current status of KDE. </para></listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term>Application Menu</term>
<listitem><para>This brings up the <guimenu>Application</guimenu> Menus (also
know as the "<guimenu>K</guimenu> Menus"), so you can start a new
application.</para></listitem>
</varlistentry>
</variablelist>

</sect3>
<sect3 id="desktop-path">
<title>Pathnames</title>

<para>You can use this section to configure where Desktop files, Trash files,
and Autostart files are stored on your computer.  By changing the values in
these paths, you will automatically move the files from their previous to their
new location.  </para>

<warning><para>If you are reading this, you probably shouldn't be changing the
Pathnames.  You can render your system unusable if incorrect values are entered
here.</para></warning>

</sect3>
</sect2>

<sect2 id="appearance-desktop">
<title><guilabel>Appearance Tab</guilabel></title>

<para>The appearance tab has 6 options.</para>

<variablelist>
<varlistentry>
<term><guilabel>Font Size</guilabel></term>
<listitem><para>You can change the relative size of the text on the Desktop.
Choices are: Small, Medium and Large.</para></listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><guilabel>Standard Font</guilabel></term>
<listitem><para>This option can be used to change the typeface used on the
desktop.  Simply select your typeface from the dropdown box.</para></listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term><guilabel>Normal Text Color</guilabel></term>
<listitem><para>This option lets you select the color of normal (or
unhighlighted) text.</para></listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry><term><guilabel>Text Background Color</guilabel></term>
<listitem><para>This option lets you select the background color of normal text.
 If left unchecked, the text has a transparent background.</para></listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry>
<term>Underline File Names</term>
<listitem><para>Determines if file names are underlined on the
Desktop.</para></listitem>
</varlistentry>
</variablelist>

</sect2>

<sect2 id="desktop-author">
<title>Section Author</title>

<para>This section written by Mike McBride
<email>mpmcbride7@yahoo.com</email>. </para>

</sect2>
</sect1>
