4.2. Using Themes to Customize the Desktop
This section describes how to use themes to customize the appearance
of the desktop.
4.2.1. Introduction to Themes
You can use themes to modify and control the appearance of the desktop
in a consistent manner. A theme is a group of coordinated settings that specifies
how a desktop component or a group of desktop components appears. When you
apply a theme, the system modifies many desktop components simultaneously
to achieve the desired effect. For example, if you apply a theme that increases
the font size across the desktop, the theme also modifies the size of panels
and icons on the desktop for optimum compatibility with the font size.
The following types of themes affect different parts of the desktop:
- Desktop themes
Desktop themes determine
the visual appearance of all windows, applications, dialogs, panels, and applets.
Desktop themes also determine the visual appearance of the GNOME-compliant
interface items that appear on windows, panels, and applets, such as menus,
icons, and buttons. Some of the desktop themes that are available in the desktop
are designed for special accessibility needs.
- Window frame themes
Window frame
themes determine the appearance of the frames around windows only.
4.2.2. To Choose a Desktop Theme
To open the Theme preference tool and view
the desktop themes that are available, choose Applications->Desktop Preferences->Theme. The Theme Preferences
dialog is displayed. Click on the Widget Theme tab to
display the desktop themes that are available. To choose a new theme for the
desktop, click on a theme in the Widget Theme list box.
The system automatically applies the theme to the desktop.
There are several desktop themes available that suit different accessibility
needs. These themes are described in the following table:
Table 4.2. Desktop Themes Designed for Accessibility Requirements
Theme Name | Description |
|---|
HighContrast
| Provides dark text on a light background using high
contrast colors. |
HighContrastInverse
| Provides
light text on a dark background using high contrast colors. |
LowContrast
| Uses low contrast colors for
the background and foreground text. |
LargePrint
| Increases the font size to 18pt.
The background and foreground colors are the same as those specified by the Default desktop theme. |
HighContrastLargePrint
| Provides dark text on a light background using high
contrast colors and increases the font size to 18pt. |
HighContrastLargePrintInverse
| Provides light text on a dark background using high
contrast colors and increases the font size to 18pt. |
LowContrastLargePrint
| Uses
low contrast colors for the background and foreground text and increases the
font size to 18pt. |
4.2.3. To Choose a Window Frame Theme
To open the Theme preference tool and view
the window frame themes that are available, choose Applications->Desktop Preferences->Theme. The Theme Preferences
dialog is displayed. Click on the Window Frames tab to
display the window frame themes that are available. The Atlanta theme is an accessible theme.
4.2.4. To Create Your Own Themes
For information about how to create your own desktop themes and window
frame themes, see the GNOME 2.0 Desktop System Administration Guide.
