In Windows-based systems, you can start a program by beginning from the Start button and...

In Windows-based systems, you can start a program by beginning from the Start button and Programs or All Programs option, for example. In Linux, the X Window GNOME interface has a similar structure. For instance, you can click the Applications menu, point to a program category, and click a program to run it. In this project, you have an opportunity to start programs from the Applications menu.

To run an application in the GNOME desktop:

1. Notice the icons already on the GNOME desktop. What icon or icons do you see outside of the two Panels?

2. Double-click the Computer icon on the desktop. This starts the File Browser, which is a window that can be used to display drives, directories, and files (see Figure 2-32). In the display you will see icons for drives, including a CD drive or a removable USB drive plugged into the USB port, such as a flash drive. Close the Computer - File Browser window.

3. Click the Applications menu, point to Internet, and click Firefox to open the Firefox Internet browser (for this project it does not matter if you have an Internet connection). Close the Firefox window and click Quit.

4. Start two or three more applications from the Applications menu and then close each application. Record the names of the applications you have started.

5. Click the Places menu in the top Panel and click Home Folder to view the folders and files in your user account’s home folder in the File Browser window. Close the File Browser window.