Browser Mode

The following section describes how to browse your system using the Nautilus file manager when configured in browser mode. In browser mode, opening a folder updates the current file manager to show the contents of the new folder.

Per un confronto tra la modalità di esplorazione e quella spaziale, consultare la sezione chiamata “Presentazione del file manager”.

The File Browser Window

You can access the file browser in the following ways:

  • Choose Applications->System Tools->File Browser.

  • While in spatial mode you may open a folder in browser mode by right clicking on that folder and selecting Browse Folder. A new file browser window will then open and display the contents of the selected folder in the view pane.

  • If nautilus is set to always open browser windows, double clicking any folder will open a browser window, see la sezione chiamata “Behavior Preferences”.

Figura 6.5. Contents of a Folder in a File Browser Window

 A folder in a file browser window.
[Nota]

In some distributions of the GNOME Desktop, the Home toolbar button might have another designation, for example, Documents.

The File Browser Window Components

Tabella 6.2, “File Browser Window Components” describes the components of a file browser window.

Tabella 6.2. File Browser Window Components

Componente

Descrizione

Barra dei menù

Contiene i menù usate per compiere azioni nel file manager.

È anche possibile inoltre aprire un menù a comparsa dalla finestra del file manager. Per aprire questo menù a compara, fare clic col tasto destro in una finestra del file manager. Gli elementi il questo menù dipendono dalla posizione in cui si fa clic. Ad esempio, quando si fa clic col tasto destro su un file o una cartella, è possibile scegliere tra delle voci relative al file o alla cartella; quando invece si fa clic col tasto destro sullo sfondo del riquadro di visualizzazione, è possibile scegliere tra le voci relative alla visualizzazione degli oggetti in tale riquadro.

Barra degli strumenti

Contains buttons that you use to perform tasks in the file manager.

  • Back Returns to the previously visited location. The adjacent drop down list also contains a list of the most recently visited locations to allow you to return to them faster.

  • Forward Performs the opposite function to the Back toolbar item. If you have previously navigated back in time then this button returns you to the present.

  • Up Moves up one level to the parent of the current folder.

  • Reload Refreshes the contents of the current folder.

  • Home Opens your Home Folder.

  • Computer Opens your Computer folder.

  • Search Opens the search bar.

Location bar

The location bar is a very powerful tool for navigating your computer. It can appear in three different ways depending on your selection. For more on using the location bar see la sezione chiamata “Using the Location Bar”. In all three configurations the location bar always contains the following items.

  • Zoom buttons: Enable you to change the size of items in the view pane.

  • View as drop-down list: Enables you to choose how to show items in your view pane.

Side pane

Performs the following functions:

  • Shows information about the current file or folder.

  • Enables you to navigate through your files.

To display the side pane, choose View->Side Pane. The side pane contains a drop-down list that enables you to choose what to show in the side pane. You can choose from the following options:

  • Places

    Displays places of particular interest.

  • Information

    Displays the icon and information about the current folder. Buttons may appear in the side pane, these buttons enable you to perform actions on the current folder, other than the default action.

  • Tree

    Displays a hierarchical representation of your file system. You can use the Tree to navigate through your files.

  • History

    Contains a history list of files, folders, FTP sites, and URIs that you have recently visited.

  • Notes

    Enables you to add notes to your files and folders.

  • Emblems

    Contains emblems that you can add to a file or folder.

To close the side pane, click on the X button at the top right of the side pane.

Riquadro di visualizzazione

Mostra il contenuto di uno dei seguenti:

  • Cartelle

  • Siti FTP

  • Condivisioni Windows

  • Server WebDAV

  • Posizioni che corrispondono a URI speciali

Barra di stato

Mostra informazioni sullo stato.

Showing and Hiding File Browser Window Components

To show or hide any of the components of the file browser described in Tabella 6.2, “File Browser Window Components” select any of the following items from the menu:

  • To hide the side pane, choose View->Side Pane. To display the side pane again, choose View->Side Pane again. Alternatively you may press F9 to toggle the visibility of the side pane.

  • To hide the toolbar, choose View->Main Toolbar. To display the toolbar again, choose View->Main Toolbar again.

  • To hide the location bar, choose View->Location Bar. To display the location bar again, choose View->Location Bar again.

  • To hide the statusbar, choose View->Statusbar. To display the statusbar again, choose View->Statusbar again.

Using the Location Bar

Depending on your selection, the location bar can show either a location field, a button bar, or a search field. Each is useful in different situations and as you become experienced working with the Nautilus file manager you will become proficient at switching between them.

  • Location field

    By pressing Ctrl-L or Leading Slash (/) or choosing Go->Location the Location : field will appear and allow you to type the location you wish to browse to manually. To make the location field disappear hit the Esc key. The location field is particularly useful for jumping to a known folder very quickly.

    Figura 6.6. The location bar.

    The location bar.
  • Button bar

    By default the button bar is shown. Each button represents a folder, by clicking on them you can change your location. You can also drag buttons, for example to another location, in order to copy a folder. The button bar is excellent for jumping quickly between frequently accessed folders.

    Figura 6.7. The button bar.

    The button bar.
  • Search bar

    By pressing Ctrl-F or selecting the Search toolbar button the search bar appears. For more information on searching see la sezione chiamata “Searching For Files”. The search bar is excellent for locating files of folders when you are not sure of their exact location.

    Figura 6.8. The button bar.

    The search bar.

If you prefer the location field over the button bar you can choose for this to be shown by default. See la sezione chiamata “Behavior Preferences” for instructions on how to do this.

Displaying Your Home Folder

To quickly display your Home Folder, perform one of the following actions from a file browser window:

  • Choose Go->Home.

  • Click on the Home toolbar button.

  • Click on the Home button in the Places side pane.

The file browser window displays the contents of your Home Folder.

Displaying a Folder

The contents of a folder can be displayed in either list or icon view by selecting the appropriate item in the location bar View as menu. For more information on the list and icon view see la sezione chiamata “Uso delle viste per mostrare i propri file e cartelle”

  • Double-click on the folder in the view pane.

  • Use the Tree in the side pane. For more information, see la sezione chiamata “Using the Tree From the Side Pane”.

  • Click on the Location buttons in the location bar.

  • Press Ctrl-L to show the text Location field, type the path of the folder that you want to display, then press Return. The Location field includes an autocomplete feature. As you type a path, the file manager reads your file system. When you type enough characters to uniquely identify a directory, the file manager completes the name of the directory in the Location field.

  • Use the Back toolbar button and the Forward toolbar button to browse through your navigation history.

To change to the folder that is one level above the current folder, choose Go->Up. Alternatively, click on the Up toolbar button.

Visualizzazione di una cartella genitore

The parent folder of the current folder which you are browsing is the one which exists, in a hierarchical representation, one level above the current. To display the contents of parent folder, perform one of the following steps:

  • Press the Up button on the toolbar.

  • Choose Go->Open Parent from the menubar.

  • Press the Backspace key.

Using the Tree From the Side Pane

The Tree view is one of the most useful features of the side pane. It displays a hierarchical representation of your file system and provides a convenient way to browse and to navigate your file system. To display the Tree in the side pane, choose Tree from the drop-down list at the top of the side pane.

In the Treeview, open folders are represented as downwards facing arrows.

Tabella 6.3, “Tree Tasks” describes tasks you can perform with the Tree, and how to do so.

Tabella 6.3. Tree Tasks

Operazione

Azione

Open the Tree.

Choose Tree from the drop-down list at the top of the side pane.

Close the Tree.

Choose another item from the drop-down list at the top of the side pane.

Expand a folder in the Tree.

Click on the arrow next to the folder in the Tree.

Collapse a folder in the Tree.

Click on the arrow next to the folder in the Tree.

Display the contents of a folder in the view pane.

Select the folder in the Tree.

Open a file.

Select the file in the Tree.

You can set your preferences so that the Tree does not display files. For more information, see la sezione chiamata “Preferenze delle viste”.

Using Your Navigation History

The file browser window maintains a history list of files, folders, FTP sites, and URI locations you have recently visited. You can use the history list to navigate to quickly return to these places. Your history list contains the last ten items that you viewed.

To clear your history list choose Go->Clear History.

Navigating Your History List Using the Go Menu

To display a list of previously-viewed items, choose the Go menu. Your history list is displayed in the lower part of the Go menu. To open an item in your history list, simply click on the item.

Navigating Your History List Using the Toolbar

To use the toolbar to navigate your history list, perform one of the following actions:

  • To open the folder or URI in your history list, click on the Back toolbar button.

  • To open the folder or URI in your history list, click on the Forward toolbar button.

  • To display a list of previously-viewed items, click on the down arrow to the right of the Back toolbar button. To open an item from this list, click on the item.

  • To display a list of items that you viewed after you viewed the current item, click on the down arrow to the right of the Forward toolbar button. To open an item from this list, click on the item.

Navigating Your History List Using History in the Side Pane

To display the History list in the side pane, choose History from the drop-down list at the top of the side pane. The History list in the side pane displays a list of your previously-viewed items.

To display an item from your history list in the view pane, double-click on the item in the History list.