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270.

More information on all of these applications can be found in \chaplink{ch:default-applications}.

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\marginnote{Learn more about the \application{Ubuntu Software Center} in \chaplink{ch:software-management}.} At the very bottom of the \menu{Applications} menu is the \application{Ubuntu Software Center}. This application gives you access to a library of software that you can download. When you open the \application{Ubuntu Software Center}, the main screen is similar to your \menu{Applications} menu, for easy searching. If you know the name of the program you're looking for, just type the name into the \textfield{search box} in the top right. The \application{Ubuntu Software Center} keeps track of applications that are installed on your computer. If you're simply curious as to what is available, you can explore the software available using the categories listed on the left side of the window.

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\marginnote[-2\baselineskip]{Most of the applications in the \menu{System \then Administration} menu will prompt you to enter your user password when you launch them. Some applications will require you to click a button to unlock it. Press this button, and enter your password. After entering your password you gain increased privileges. This is a security feature to make sure that only authorized people are allowed to change system settings. To learn more about security in Ubuntu, see \chaplink{ch:advanced-topics}.} The \menu{Administration} sub-menu contains applications you can use to monitor computer performance, change disk partitions, activate third-party drivers, manage all installed printers, and manage how your computer receives updates from Ubuntu. This sub-menu also has the \application{Synaptic Package Manager} for locating and downloading software packages. This is a more technical alternative to \application{Ubuntu Software Center} and should be used by power users.

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\marginnote{You should open the example content to see how different types of files are displayed in Ubuntu.} You will also see a link named Examples. Double-click on that link to open a folder containing example documents, spreadsheets, and multimedia files. You will not be able to edit them. If you want to edit them move them to you home folder.

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Just as Windows has \application{Windows Explorer} and Mac \acronym{OS X} has \application{Finder} to browse files and folders, Ubuntu uses the \application{Nautilus} file browser by default. We will now look at the features offered in \application{Nautilus}.

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\marginnote{Note that you can easily view hidden files by clicking \menu{View \then Show Hidden Files}, or alternatively by pressing \keystroke{Ctrl+H}. Hiding files with a dot (.) is \textbf{not} a security measure\dash instead it provides a way of keeping your folders organized and tidy.} To create a new folder from within \application{Nautilus} click \menu{File \then Create Folder}, then name the folder that appears by replacing the default ``untitled folder'' with your desired label (\eg, ``Personal Finances''). You can also create a new folder by pressing \keystroke{Ctrl+Shift+N}, or by right-clicking in the file browser window and selecting \button{Create Folder} from the popup menu (this action will also work on the desktop). If you wish to hide certain folders or files, place a dot (.) in front of the name (\eg, ``.Personal Finances''). In some cases it is impossible to hide files and folders without prefixing them with a dot. In Nautilus these folders can be hidden by creating a .hidden file. Open the file and type in the name of the file(s) or folder(s) you wish to hide. Make sure that each file or folder is on a separate line. When you open Nautilus the folder will no longer be visible.

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To move a file or folder, select the item you want to move then click \menu{Edit \then Cut}. Navigate to your desired location, then click \menu{Edit \then Paste}. \marginnote[-2\baselineskip]{In the Nautilus \button{Edit} menu, you will also find the \button{Copy To} and \button{Move To} buttons. These can be used to copy or move items to common locations, and can be useful if you are using \textbf{panes} (see below). Note that it is unnecessary to use \button{Paste} when using these options.} As with the copy command above, you can also perform this action using the right-click menu, and it will work for multiple files or folders at once. An alternative way to move a file or folder is to click on the item, and then drag it to the new location.

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An alternative way of hiding the panel is to do so manually. Clicking on \button{Show hide buttons} will add a button to each side of the panel that can be used to hide it from view. By default these buttons will display directional arrows; however, you can select the \button{Arrows on hide buttons} option to remove the arrows and just have plain buttons. Clicking one of these \emph{hide buttons} on the panel will slide it across the screen and out of view, leaving just the opposite hide button in sight which you can click to bring it back. \marginnote{By default, Ubuntu requires that you maintain at least one panel on the desktop. If you prefer a Microsoft Windows feel, a panel at the bottom of the desktop can be set to start applications as well as select between open windows. Alternatively, if you prefer a Mac \acronym{OS X} look you can keep a panel at the top and add an applications dock such as \application{Docky}, \application{Avant Window Navigator} (\acronym{AWN}), or \application{Cairo-Dock}. These are all available in the \application{Ubuntu Software Center}, which is discussed further in \chaplink{ch:software-management}.} The \button{Background} tab in the \window{Panel Properties} window allows you to change the appearance of the panel. By default, this is set to \button{None (use system theme)}, meaning that your desktop theme will dictate the appearance of the panel (we will look at how to change your desktop theme below). If you prefer, you can choose your own panel color by selecting the \button{Solid color} button, then opening the color select window. You can also set the panel transparency using the slider. Alternatively, you can click the \button{Background image} button if you have an image or pattern stored on your computer that you would like to use as your panel background. Use the file selector to locate the background image in your computer, then click \button{Open} to apply the change.

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You can change the background, fonts, and window theme to further modify the look and feel of your desktop. To begin, open the \application{Appearance Preferences} by navigating to \menu{System\then Preferences\then Appearance} in the top panel.

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The \window{Appearance Preferences} window will initially display the \button{Theme} tab when it opens. Here you can select a theme that will control the appearance of your windows, buttons, scroll bars, panels, icons, and other parts of the desktop. The ``Ambiance'' theme is used by default, but there are seven other themes you can choose from. Just click once on the theme you want to try. The theme will change immediately.