Title: Common Programs
Course: CIS 121: Linux/UNIX I: Fundamentals ~ For IGNITE Review > Section: Learning Modules

Desktop Environments

Linux and UNIX have multiple desktop environments - the program that gives your system the GUI (graphical user interface).

- KDE - The K Desktop Environment used by the Mandriva and SUSE distros
- GNOME - The GNU Network Object Model Environment used by the Fedora and Debian distros
- LXDE - The Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment used on older hardware
- Unity - From the same folks who released Ubuntu
- Xfce - Very configurable and used when being lightweight is important
- Custom - build your own

Launching Programs

There are usually multiple ways to launch programs, including:

- Desktop Menus - drop-down menus
- Desktop Icons - double-click on icons
- Panels - single click on icons
- Context Menus - drop-down menus when right-clicking on unused screen area
- Searching - search for programs
- Terminals - start GUI programs from command line.

File Manager

"File cabinet" look at the file system.  Mostly all are similar.

Nautilus is used in GNOME. Provides abilities such as:

- Locations - includes devices, computer (common folders) and network resources
- Home - your home directory
- Bookmarks - favorite places
- Document Properties - right-click a file to access its properties or select the file for file details

Cloud Computing

UNIX and Linux not only allow 'Cloud Computing', but also, most of the servers are UNIX or Linux machines. You can run Dropbox, Google Apps and web-based email servers.

Mobile Apps

Android is a Linux-based OS that is used in mobile devices.  Generally, it will run small programs compared to what a full Linux OS will do.