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Unit 2: Red Hat Linux 9 Basics

GNOME provides a comprehensive developer platform that allows developers to create Notes
professional software that is easy to use and aesthetically pleasing. This document provides a
high-level overview of the GNOME platform along with links to detailed documentation on each
part of the platform.
2.5.1 The GNOME Configuration Tool

GConf is the system for storing and retrieving configuration settings in GNOME. GConf consists
of two parts: a client library for accessing settings, and a session daemon which is responsible for
the details of storing and retrieving those settings. Using a daemon allows GConf to use different
storage backends, validate input, and provide simultaneous access to different applications.
Settings stored in GConf are stored and retrieved using a unique key, or identifier string. Keys
use a simple hierarchical namespace to avoid collision among settings for applications and the
desktop. You can provide a schema file to detail your configuration keys. This allows GConf
to validate the type of the input, and to show localized documentation about the key. This
helps systems administrators, who can set multiple settings at once without having to navigate
preference dialogs.
GConf can look up settings from different settings at once, typically from different locations
on the file system. By having appropriate system sources configured, GConf enables systems
administrators to provide both default and mandatory settings for all users. Tools such as
GNOME’s Configuration Editor and Sabayon make it easy to deploy fully configured systems
using GConf.
The GConf client library provides notifications of changes to settings, making it easy to provide
instant-apply settings in your application, regardless if settings are changed from within your
application or using another tool. Setting the value of a key will notify all interested applications,
allowing desktop-wide and other cross-application settings to work instantly and effortlessly.
GConf makes it easy to lock down systems by setting particular keys read-only, preventing users
from changing their values. In addition, GNOME provides a number of high-level keys that can
be used to disable actions such as saving to disk and changing the panel layout. Tools such as
Pessulus make it easy for administrators to find and lock down important keys.
You should use GConf to store all user preferences in your application. Using GConf will make
it easy to provide instant-apply preferences, and it will make your settings accessible to systems
administrators and configuration and backup tools.

Figure 2.21: GConf Editor

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