Using Konqueror


In the previous chapter, Konqueror was introduced as a web browser. However, it's also the principle GUI-based method for handling files on your hard disk.

You can click the Web Browser button on the Panel and start Konqueror that way, but it's also possible to click the link on the K menu, which is located at the bottom of the K menu and is marked Home, as shown in Figure 12-3. This starts it in file-browsing mode, which is what you want in this case.

image from book
Figure 12-3. You can browse to your own personal file storage area by clicking the Home link on the K menu.

Tip 

There's also a shortcut to start Konqueror in file browsing mode on the shortcut bar, just to the left of the SUSE icon (the icon in question looks like a small house). You can add a shortcut to run Konqueror from the desktop by dragging this icon onto the desktop, and choosing Copy Here from the menu you are presented with when you release the mouse button.

Clicking Home on the K menu should open Konqueror and present a list of files in your /home directory (your private area on the disk). This directory actually contains more than it appears to, because, along with your personal data, all your program settings are stored in your /home folder. They're just hidden. (To view hidden files and folders in Konqueror, select View ® Show Hidden Files.)

Caution 

You should never delete your /home folder. Doing so will most likely destroy your personal SUSE Linux setup.

Konqueror is virtually identical to Windows Explorer/My Computer within Windows, at least in terms of functionality. You double-click folders to open them, and then click the Back button to return to where you were. When you right-click a file, you see a context menu with options for copying, pasting, renaming, and more, as shown in Figure 12-4. You can drag-and-drop files from one location to another. If you open another Konqueror window, you can drag-and-drop files between the two windows.

image from book
Figure 12-4. You can perform most file operations by right-clicking, as in Windows.

Note 

You might be used to dragging-and-dropping files onto program windows or taskbar buttons within Windows in order to cause the file to open. This works with only some programs within SUSE Linux. Generally, the best policy is to try it and see what happens. If the cursor turns into a 'No Entry' icon, then it's not allowed with that particular program.

SUSE Linux defaults to an icon view of files within Konqueror. This has various advantages. If you open a folder full of pictures, for example, it will automatically create thumbnail previews of each one, as shown in Figure 12-5. However, such large, chunky icons are not particularly useful when you're navigating a folder full of hundreds of files. Selecting View ® View Mode lets you choose from a variety of ways of presenting your files. The one most like the list setting in Windows, which presents all the details you need alongside small icons, is Detailed List View.

image from book
Figure 12-5. Konqueror will automatically provide thumbnail previews of your digital images.

You can also create bookmarks for various locations on your hard disk. This is more useful to advanced SUSE Linux users, but it's easy to do. Just select Bookmarks ® Add Bookmark.




Beginning SUSE Linux from Novice to Professional
Beginning SUSE Linux: From Novice to Professional
ISBN: 1590594584
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2005
Pages: 293
Authors: Keir Thomas

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