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The desktop background constitutes the swirling graphics in the above figure. If you don't like the default desktop background you can change it to either a selection of pre-installed images, or to a digital picture or image of your choosing. To find out more about customizing the background refer to [[Configuring the RHEL 6 GNOME Desktop Background]].
The desktop also provides a location for folders and applications for which quick access is required. A link to the user’s home folder is added to the desktop by default, as are the Computer and Trash icons. The former provides access to storage devices and the network. The latter contains any files that have been placed in the trash can. For more details on these desktop features refer to [[Browsing Computerthe System, Files and Folders on the RHEL 6 Desktop]].
Clicking with the right mouse button on any area of the desktop background presents the following popup menu containing a number of useful options for changing or adding items to the RHEL GNOME desktop:
== The Desktop Panels ==
The bars across the top and bottom of the desktop are called panels. Both the content and position of these panels can be configured, a topic which is covered in detail in [[Configuring the RHEL 6 GNOME Desktop Panels]].
By default the top panel appears as follows:
As you perform administrative tasks on the system that require authentication using the root password, you will see a set of keys appear in the top panel. This indicates that elevated root (administrative) privileges have been assigned to the desktop session allowing sequential tasks to be performed without repeatedly entering the root password. To de-authorize these elevated privileges simply click on the icon.
The bottom desktop panel contains three items by default but may similarly be configured as described in [[Configuring the RHEL 6 GNOME Desktop Panels]]. By default the panel appears as follows:
