GNOME 8 steps to improve the desktop: take a few bold steps today!
Getting the most out of your GNOME desktop means taking full advantage of all the features it has to offer, even when you’re not using them every day. That might sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! These eight steps will help you get more comfortable with your GNOME 8 desktop in no time!
What is GNOME?
The GNOME Project is an international effort to create an environment where computer users can work and play together. It is based on the idea that people want different things from their computers, and you should be able to customize your computer for what you want. For instance, do you really need a 10-button mouse? You don’t need one if all you use it for is Solitaire. The aim of GNOME is not only to provide quality free software but also 100% user choice through its constituent parts (based on GNOME’s philosophy).
What’s coming in GNOME 8?
Launching GNOME 8 is a chance for us to make big changes and see how it feels. In GNOME 8, the apps menu comes with dynamic activity section of installed applications that mirrors your launcher favorites list. Photos are also improved with more view options and faster uploading via Shotwell Photos, GNOME’s image organizer app. GTK+ 3 has reached stable quality so we can set 3 as default even though it will break some older apps. Due to this decision, both GTK+ 2 and 3 are available on our developer platform but default 3rd party applications will use GTK+3 by default. This means it’s time for designers to update their design templates and make them GTK3 compliant while they still have enough time left before the final release of GNOME 8.
Change the log-in screen
By now you may have seen that we have changed the design of our log-in screen. This may be uncomfortable for some people but after working on this for a while, it should be relatively intuitive and easy to use. You can find all sorts of helpful icons and functionality throughout the menus. Check out the search tool which lets you type in any keyword (e.g., my game) and find what you need faster than ever before! With GNOME 8 there are new power user features and simple ways to do things like customize your workspace or share files with your friends.
Update your theme
Start with GNOME Shell Tweak Tool. Once installed, it will add more themes and extensions. Head to the Top Bar tab, select your favorite color palette and adjust it to your liking.
The next step is window management with either dconf-editor or Gsettings. Adjust both min/max apps per row as well as click to maximize dimensions for window titles & borders.
Then go ahead and get rid of notification badges from individual notifications by heading into Preferences > Notifications > Untick ‘Show number’.
Configure keyboard shortcuts for one handed usage via Settings > Keyboard Shortcuts > Custom Shortcuts… in GNOME Tweak Tool.
Use search as a filter
We’re all eagerly waiting for GNOME 8 but while we wait, why not jump in and try out some of the cool new features that came with GNOME 3.6? In this post, I’m going to highlight my favorite 7 features of GNOME 3.6 that will help you be more productive, more efficient and just have more fun while on your computer!
1) New Calendar Controls – We have a calendar everywhere else in our lives so it should come as no surprise that there’s now one built into our desktop. Whether you want to use an online service like Google Calendar or Evolution or decide on something even better like Mozilla Sunbird (if only because it’s open source), then you can import and sync it seamlessly within the Calendar applet!
2) What’s Up with the Weather – There are many times when we need to know what the weather is going to be like before heading out. The What’s Up with the Weather widget lets us see what’s coming up before taking a trip somewhere—whether that means five minutes away or across the world!
3) Eye Candy – One of my favorite new improvements is how icons look when they don’t do anything. Gone are those days where everything looks flat and lifeless—now your desktop has some life breathed back into it thanks to animated wallpapers, effects when dragging windows around, animations when closing them, etc.
Take advantage of new features such as system settings’ search feature and autocomplete.
Chances are you have a lot of windows open on your computer. Have you ever wanted to find something in one of those windows and not been able to remember which one it was? GNOME has made it easier than ever before with its new system settings search feature, found under Search. Just type in what you’re looking for and it will show up as the first result. This makes navigating your way through various menus much faster.
Additionally, when typing in text boxes or prompts such as usernames or password prompts, GNOMEs autocomplete automatically fills in possible words and phrases, saving you time if you’ve already used them previously.
Take notes with Applications Notes
Applications Notes lets you manage your blog entries with ease. Find applications in 3 clicks, try out new ones and use our search bar to keep track of it all. Applications Notes has been made specifically for developers that want write engaging, insightful content without spending time on technology or details. Download and enjoy this handy app today. And here are six more steps to make your GNOME experience even better:
- Swap Caps Lock with Control-Alt-Delete
- Embrace Monospace Fonts
- Take Advantage of Window Transparency
- Get the Tooltip Treatment
- Turn Off Touchpad Gestures and Enhance Keyboard Shortcuts
- Pin Programs You Use Frequently to GNOME Shell
Share Files Between Machines Easily Using OwnCloud (Optional App)
OwnCloud is an open-source app that makes it easy to share files with other people. Once installed, you’ll be able to connect your own machine with as many other machines as you want and you can access them at any time by logging in. It even has its own sync feature so that your latest edits are automatically updated on all of your devices. This means that no matter what device you’re on, or where you are, you’ll always have access to everything stored on OwnCloud (and have the ability back up anything in one central location).
