Customizing the Desktop with rules

Specifying scope implicitly

You can specify the scope implicitly by choosing where you locate the rule:

all users on the system: use a system-wide module
some users: use a module specified for a particular UNIX group ID, or a custom user type
one user: use a user rule file in that user's home directory
the icons in one directory: use a local rule file in that directory
the icons on a desktop: use the desktop rule file for that desktop
dynamically: use dynamically loaded rules

The contents of user rule files, modules, user type rules, and the system rule file are only examined when the Desktop starts or after the Deskshell command reset.

Changing the behavior for all users

To provide custom rules for all users, you should use a module. You should not edit the system rule file.

See ``Using Desktop modules'' for more information.

Changing the behavior for different types of user

To provide rules for a particular type of user, create a user type.

See ``Defining Desktop user types'' for more information.

Changing the behavior for a single user

To provide rules which will apply to a specific user on the system, you should create a user rule file in that user's home directory. The name used for user rule files is, by default, named .xdtuserinfo.

User rule files allow you to give each user's desktops a different appearance and behavior. For example, for advanced users you can define short cuts for all their frequently-used operations, whereas for less experienced users you can provide a simpler system in which they are less likely to make mistakes.

If you have a large number of users of a particular type, you may like to consider creating a new user type.

Changing the behavior of a directory

To provide different behavior for files in one directory, you should include rules in a local rule file in that directory. The name of the local rule file is .xdtdir/ll_TT, where, by default, ll_TT is set to en_US.

With local rule files you can define special behavior for items within specific directories. For example, an archiving directory could be created which would compress any file dragged into its directory window.

Changing the behavior of a desktop

To define the appearance and behavior of desktops, you should provide rules in the desktop rule file. Generally, these rules specify which files and directories are on the desktop, and what their positions are. The desktop rule file has the same name as the desktop, with the extension .dt.

The contents of desktop rule files are only examined when the file is loaded; subsequent changes are ignored until the next time that desktop is opened. When a desktop is closed, the rule file is automatically updated to reflect any changes in icon positions.

Changing behavior dynamically

To change the behavior of the Desktop dynamically, you can load a rule using the dynamic_rule Deskshell command. Dynamic rules cannot be changed once loaded, but can be unloaded when no longer required.