A Guide to Unix Using Linux, Fourth Edition 11-1
Chapter 11
The X Window System
At a Glance
Instructor’s Manual Table of Contents
• Overview
• Objectives
• Teaching Tips
• Quick Quizzes
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Lecture Notes
Overview
Chapter 11 offers an introduction to the X Window System. The chapter covers the
basics about the X Window system, including a description of its client/server model
and the Window Manager. Detailed information on how to use the GNOME and KDE
desktops is provided as well.
Chapter Objectives
• Describe the X Window System and its client/server model
• Understand the role of the Window Manager
• Understand desktops such as GNOME and KDE
• Start the X Window System
Teaching Tips
What is the X Window System?
1. Explain the role of the X Window System in UNIX/Linux systems. Introduce the
following terms: X11, XFree86, and (to) port.
Teaching
Tip
Fedora, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE, and Knoppix are Linux systems that
combine features of XFree86 and X11R7.
3. Use Figures 11-1 and 11-2 to explain that the two most popular desktops are GNOME
and KDE.
X Window Clients and Servers
1. Explain that you can use the X Window System to run programs stored on your local
2. Describe the role of the X server and X client in X Window.
3. Note that three X server approaches for Windows-based PCs are X-Win32, X-Win32
Flash, and Exceed.
Using Window Managers
2. Describe the role of the Window Manager. Note that the Window Manager is at the top
layer.
Using a Desktop
2. The following points about desktops should be mentioned:
a. A desktop works hand-in-hand with a Window Manager.
b. A desktop enables you to create and place icons in your screen’s workspace.
Using GNOME
1. Explain that GNOME stands for: GNU Network Object Model Environment. Briefly
describe the role of the GNU project.
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2. Emphasize that GNOME is a very popular and very user-friendly desktop.
3. Note that GNOME is compatible with X11 and a variety of Window Managers.
Using KDE
1. Explain that KDE is an alternative to GNOME and that it is more popular
internationally.
2. Stress that KDE offers a broader range of drag-and-drop capabilities, and can be
installed along with GNOME.
3. Note that KDE is compatible with X11 and a variety of Window Managers.
Starting the X Window System
1. Describe the syntax of the startx command.
2. Stress that startx is intended for a computer or login session that does not automatically
boot into X Window.
Configuring Linux to Automatically Start the X Window System
2. Show students how to edit /etc/inittab so that graphical access via X Window is enabled
by default (runlevel 5).
be able to log in as root to change the runlevel. Stress that if they want to change
Configuring the system requires superuser privileges. To do this, students must
Quick Quiz 1
1. ____________________ is a free version of X11 that was ported from non-PC-based
UNIX computers to run on PCs.
2. In X Window network terminology, the underlying desktop system from which you run
a program is called the ____________________.
3. The GNU ____________________ (GNOME), a product of the GNU Project, is a
desktop environment that is used along with a Window Manager.
4. If your system does not start the X Window System automatically, you can start it by
using the ____________________ command from the command line.
Interacting with the X Window System Using GNOME
1. Figure 11-4 shows the GNOME desktop with its major components labeled. Briefly
describe the role of each of these components.
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Interacting with Windows
1. Explain that GNOME windows have their own components, as shown in Figure 11-5.
Briefly describe how to interact with each of these components.
More About the Window Menu Button
1. The Window Menu button provides several useful capabilities that merit further
explanation. When you click the Window Menu button, you see the following options
(briefly describe each):
a. Minimize
b. Maximize/Unmaximize
c. On Top
Interacting with the Panel
1. Describe the role of the Panel in GNOME.
3. Note that the bottom Panel includes a button to hide all windows (left side) and access
to the four workspaces (right side).
4. Use a GNOME desktop to show your students the role of each of the following Panel
Using Nautilus
2. Briefly describe each of the tasks that can be performed using Nautilus.
Teaching
Nautilus is extensible through the Nautilus scripts. A collection of useful scripts
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Configuring the Desktop
1. Explain that you can easily customize many aspects of the X Window System.
Changing the Background
2. Briefly describe how to change the background in GNOME.
Changing the Screensaver
2. Briefly explain how to change the screensaver in Fedora and/or SUSE.
Configuring the Panel
1. Note that the GNOME panel can be configured in several ways:
a. You can add an icon or applet to the Panel.
Adding a Menu to the Panel
Adding a New Panel
Shutting Down from the GNOME Desktop
1. Stress that proper system shutdown is important to ensure that all files are closed and to
protect file system integrity.
2. Briefly describe how to shut down from Fedora and/or SUSE.
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Quick Quiz 2
1. A(n) ____________________ is a small application written specifically to be placed on
the Panel.
2. The ____________________ in Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux appears, by
default, at the top of the desktop; another one is at the bottom.
3. GNOME offers a powerful file management tool called ____________________ that
enables you to manage files and folders.
4. The ____________________ is the desktop area behind all windows and icons.
Interacting with the X Window System Using KDE
1. Figure 11-9 illustrates the KDE desktop on Knoppix Linux. Briefly describe some of
the components shown in the figure.
Interacting with Konqueror
1. Figure 11-10 shows an example Konqueror window with the components labeled.
Briefly describe how to interact with each of these components.
2. Explain that the Konqueror I/O (KIO) plugins add new functionality to the native
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Interacting with Kicker
1. Explain that Kicker is similar to the Panel in GNOME and the Taskbar in Microsoft
Windows.
Teaching
a single Plasma interface; providing a framework to make widgets easier to
write; making the unified components more consistent both visually and in terms
Kicker and Panel are sometimes used interchangeably in KDE, but in this chapter
3. Note that Kicker can be customized in several ways. For example, it can be relocated,
you can add or remove applets to it, you can add panels to it, etc.
Configuring the KDE Desktop
1. Note that as is true in X Window with GNOME, you can customize the KDE desktop in
X Window.
Changing the Background in KDE
1. Use Figure 11-12 to show how to change the background in KDE.
Configuring the Screensaver
1. Briefly describe how you can use the Configure – Kdesktop utility to choose a
2. Note that you should use the Screen Saver option to set up your screensaver
preferences.
Configuring Additional Desktops
1. Explain that KDE is set up to enable four desktops by default, but this number can be
2. Show how to use the Configure – Kdesktop utility to change the number of desktops in
KDE.
Shutting Down from the KDE Desktop
2. Show how to shut down from the KDE desktop.
OpenOffice.org and Open Source Software
1. Explain that OpenOffice.org is an open source suite of office productivity software.
Note that it is included in many UNIX/Linux distributions, and is also available for
Windows and Mac OS systems.
2. Briefly describe the role of the following program elements of this suite: Writer, Calc,
Impress, Draw, Math, and Base.
Quick Quiz 3
1. In KDE, there is a(n) ____________________ that provides similar functions to the
Panel in GNOME.
2. Much of the work in KDE is accomplished through ____________________, which
provides similar functions for KDE as Nautilus does for GNOME.
3. OpenOffice.org is ____________________ source software, which means it’s free to
the user, and any user can join the project to work on new features.
4. OpenOffice.org’s ____________________ is a tool for creating and maintaining
databases so that you can generate tables, indexes, and queries and reports, and perform
other functions typically available in robust database software.
Class Discussion Topics
1. Which desktop do your students prefer: GNOME or KDE. Why?
2. Which Window Manager do your students prefer: Why?
Additional Projects
1. Ask your students to search online for answers to the following questions: Which
Window Manager is used by default in GNOME? Which Window Manager is used by
default in KDE.
2. There are other open source office productivity suites for UNIX/Linux systems besides
Additional Resources
1. The GNU Operating System:
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Key Terms
➢ applet — Usually a program or small software application that is represented by an
be started by clicking or double-clicking the symbol.
➢ KDE — A popular desktop environment for X Window that must be used with a
Window Manager.
➢ Kicker — A bar appearing on the KDE desktop that contains icons, applets, menus,
and other elements that can be used to start programs or display windows in KDE. Also
menus or applications. Also see Kicker.
➢ port — The process of adapting software so that it can be moved from one type of
computer or operating system to another.
➢ runlevel — The level of function at which a UNIX/Linux system is running. On Linux
systems, runlevels go from 0 to 6. Also called a system state or mode.
➢ X client — In X Window network terminology, the system that hosts and executes a
program.
➢ X server — In X Window network terminology, the desktop system from which the
user runs a program.
➢ X Window System — A GUI that runs on Linux and many UNIX operating systems.
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Technical Notes for Hands-On Projects
Hands-On Project 11-1 requires a computer with the X Window system installed. Hands-On
Projects 2 through 14 all require that students have the GNOME desktop installed and started.
Hands-On Projects 15 through 18 require the KDE desktop to be installed; students can use the
Knoppix CD that comes with the book to complete the projects.