Translations by Carlos Gong

Right click on a search result to open a <gui>preview</gui>. The preview shows a short description of the app, a screenshot, its <gui>Software Center</gui> rating, and what version is available.

Click <gui>Filter results</gui> if you'd like to only see results for a certain type of application. You can also click <guiseq><gui>Sources</gui><gui>Local Apps</gui></guiseq> to only view installed apps or <guiseq><gui>Sources</gui><gui>Software Center</gui></guiseq> to only show apps available for install.

For installed apps, you can see when the app was installed and either launch the app or uninstall it. Certain essential apps cannot be uninstalled from the preview.

For apps that haven't been installed, you can install them right from the preview.

The <em>Dash</em> is designed to make it easier to find, open, and use apps, files, music, and more. For example, if you type the word "document" into the <em>Search Bar</em>, the Dash will show you applications that help you write and edit documents. It will also show you relevant folders and documents that you have been working on recently.

Finally, apps can use a <em>progress bar</em> to let you know how long a process is taking without you needing to keep the app window in view.

Once the app has finished starting, a small <em>white triangle</em> will show to the left of the Launcher square. Two triangles means that you have two windows of the same app open. If you have three or more windows of the same app open, three triangles will show.

When you start an app, the Launcher icon pulses to let you know that Ubuntu is starting your app. This is useful because while some apps start immediately, others may take a minute to load.

Find apps, files, music, and more with the Dash

The triangles show you your currently running apps.

Apps can also show a <em>number</em> on their Launcher icon. Messaging apps use the number to tell you how many unread messages you have. <gui>Software Updater</gui> uses it to tell you how many updates are available.

If an app wants your attention to notify you of something (like a finished download), the Launcher icon will wiggle and glow and the white triangle will become <em>blue</em>. Click the Launcher icon to dismiss the notification.

Apps that aren't currently running have translucent Launcher icon squares. When an app is running, the Launcher icon square is full of color.

The applications lens is the first lens after the Dash home in the <gui>lens bar</gui>. The applications lens gives you access to your apps or apps available for install.

The first thing you'll see when opening the Dash is the Dash Home. Without typing or clicking anything, the Dash Home will show you apps and files you've used recently.

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Open <gui>Universal Access</gui> and select the <gui>Seeing</gui> tab.

Switch <gui>High Contrast</gui> to <gui>ON</gui>.

Switch <gui>Large Text</gui> to <gui>ON</gui>.

<link xref="a11y#vision">Seeing</link>, <link xref="a11y#sound">hearing</link>, <link xref="a11y#mobility">mobility</link>, <link xref="a11y-braille">braille</link>…

The Unity desktop includes assistive technologies to support users with various impairments and special needs, and to interact with common assistive devices. Many accessibility features can be accessed from the <gui>Universal Access</gui> section of <gui>System Settings</gui>.

The GNOME desktop includes assistive technologies to support users with various impairments and special needs, and to interact with common assistive devices. Many accessibility features can be accessed from the accessibility menu in the top bar.

You can change how long you must hold down the left mouse button before it is registered as a right click. On the <gui>Pointing and Clicking</gui> tab, change the <gui>Acceptance delay</gui> under <gui>Simulated Secondary Click</gui>.

To right-click with simulated secondary click, hold down the left mouse button where you would normally right-click, then release. The pointer fills with blue as you hold down the left mouse button. Once it is entirely blue, release the mouse button to right-click.

Some special pointers, such as the resize pointers, do not change colors. You can still use simulated secondary click as normal, even if you don't get visual feedback from the pointer.

If you use <link xref="mouse-mousekeys">Mouse Keys</link>, this also allows you to right-click by holding down the <key>5</key> key on your keypad.

In the <gui>Activities</gui> overview, you are always able to long-press to right-click, even with this feature disabled. Long-press works slightly differently in the overview: You do not have to release the button to right-click.

Quickly turn slow keys on and off

Under <gui>Enable by Keyboard</gui>, select <gui>Turn on accessibility features from the keyboard</gui> to turn slow keys on and off from the keyboard. When this option is selected, you can press and hold <key>Shift</key> for eight seconds to enable or disable slow keys.

Quickly turn sticky keys on and off

Under <gui>Enable by Keyboard</gui>, select <gui>Turn on accessibility features from the keyboard</gui> to turn sticky keys on and off from the keyboard. When this option is selected, you can press <key>Shift</key> five times in a row to enable or disable sticky keys.

If you press two keys at once, you can have sticky keys turn itself off temporarily to let you enter a keyboard shortcut in the normal way.

This can also be useful if you're in an environment where you need your computer to be silent, such as in a library (see <link xref="sound-alert"/> to learn how to mute the alert sound).

Switch <gui>Visual Alerts</gui> on. Select whether you want the entire screen or just your current window title to flash.

A few tips on using the Ubuntu Desktop Guide.

This guide gives you a tour of Ubuntu desktop features, answers your computer-related questions, and provides tips on using your computer effectively.

The guide is divided into small, task-oriented topics - not chapters. This means that you don't need to skim through an entire manual to find answers to your questions.

Related items are linked together. "See Also" links at the bottom of some pages direct you to related topics.

The text input box at the top of this guide acts as a <em>search bar</em>, and relevant results will appear beneath it as soon as you start typing. Left-click on any result to open its page.

The guide is constantly being improved. Although we attempt to provide you with a comprehensive collection of helpful information, we know we won't answer all of your questions here. We will keep adding more information to make things more helpful, though.

Thank you for taking the time to read the <em>Ubuntu Desktop Guide</em>.

-- The Ubuntu Documentation team

Greg Beam

<link xref="accounts-add">Add accounts, </link> <link xref="accounts-remove">Remove accounts, </link> <link xref="accounts-disable-service">Disable services</link>

Online accounts

You can enter your login details for online services, such as Google and Facebook, into the <app>Online Accounts</app> application. This will let you access your calendar, mail, chat accounts, and similar applications without having to enter your account details again.

Connect to online accounts

Add an account

Adding an account will help link your online accounts with your Ubuntu desktop. Thus, your email, chat, and other related applications will be set up for you.