Free images tag: Menus

Bring back the Desktop Icons to Show in Gnome (Ubuntu)

As Gnome and Ubuntu evolve, some settings change and features users have come to rely on may no longer work as expected. A recent upgrade to Ubuntu left many users scratching their heads when Gnome Classic's desktop icons disappeared without warning. Fortunately, there's a simple fix for this issue.

In earlier versions of Gnome, users had desktop icons enabled by default, but this functionality was removed in more recent updates. Now, if you’ve upgraded to the latest version of Ubuntu and noticed that your beloved desktop icons are gone, don’t worry — you’re not alone. This article walks you through the steps to restore desktop icons in Gnome using a handy extension.

Why Did Desktop Icons Disappear?

Gnome, which has been the default desktop environment for Ubuntu, is constantly evolving to provide a more streamlined and modern experience. As part of this, desktop icons were removed from the core functionality to adhere to Gnome's philosophy of minimalism and a clutter-free workspace. However, many users still prefer the traditional desktop layout with icons, and Gnome has extensions that allow you to restore this feature.

Restoring Desktop Icons in Gnome

To bring back the desktop icons, you’ll need to use an extension called Desktop Icons NG (DING). Here’s how you can easily get it up and running.

Steps to Enable Desktop Icons:

1. Visit the Gnome Extensions Website:
   Head over to the Gnome Extensions site to find the Desktop Icons NG (DING) extension.
2. Install the Gnome Shell Integration Browser Extension:
   If it’s your first time using Gnome extensions, you may be prompted to install the Gnome Shell Integration browser extension. This plugin allows you to interact with Gnome's extensions from within your web browser.
3. Toggle the Desktop Icons NG (DING) Extension On:
   Once on the extension page, you’ll see a toggle switch in the top-right corner. Simply click this to turn the extension from 'off' to 'on'. Doing so will install and activate the desktop icons feature.
4. Log Out and Log Back In:
   To apply the changes, log out of your current session and log back in. Upon returning, you should see your desktop icons restored on the Gnome Classic desktop.

Additional Features of Desktop Icons NG (DING)

Desktop Icons NG doesn’t just restore the basic desktop icon functionality; it also offers additional features to enhance your desktop experience. Some of these include:

• Drag-and-Drop Support: You can easily drag files, folders, and applications to your desktop for quick access.
• Context Menus: Right-clicking on an icon brings up a context menu where you can rename, delete, or move the item.
• Customizable Layouts: You can adjust the spacing and size of your desktop icons according to your preferences.
• Trash and Mounted Devices: The extension supports showing mounted drives and a trash bin on the desktop, much like traditional desktop environments.

Why Use Gnome Extensions?

Gnome’s extensions ecosystem allows users to customize their desktop environment to better suit their workflow. Whether it's enabling desktop icons, adding system monitors, or tweaking visual settings, Gnome extensions are an essential tool for anyone who wants to fine-tune their Ubuntu experience.

The Desktop Icons NG (DING) extension is a prime example of how extensions can bring back features that some users may miss from previous Gnome versions, all while staying compatible with Gnome's overall design philosophy.

Final Thoughts

If you miss seeing desktop icons on your Gnome Classic desktop after upgrading to a newer version of Ubuntu, the solution is just a few clicks away. The Desktop Icons NG (DING) extension provides an easy fix that can be quickly enabled through the Gnome Extensions website. With this extension, you’ll be able to enjoy a more traditional desktop experience while still benefiting from all the improvements and innovations Gnome brings.

Let us know in the comments if this solution worked for you, or if you’ve found other ways to bring desktop icons back to your Ubuntu setup!

Running a WordPress site can be rewarding. But getting to grips with the basics can be challenging. The difference between categories and tags is one example.

Should the post have a tag and a category, or which is best, a tag or a category?

What if I have the same tags as categories to ensure that at least one is correct?

Do I even need a category if the post has a tag?

Who sees these categories and tags on WordPress anyway?

Categories Vs Tags

It's Categories Vs Tags. Here is an example of how you can use categories and tags in WordPress effectively and boost your Search Engine Optimisation, not to mention an easier-to-navigate menu system. You have a menu, right?

Say we are discussing widgets.

Categories

There are three main types of widgets: the Red widget, the Blue widget, and the Green widget.

These are your categories.

The main chunks are your categories.

You can have more than 3 categories, but don't add optional extras as categories. If a new black, limited edition widget becomes available, add that to your categories.

Each post can have only one Category.

A widget is either Red, Blue, or Green; it can't be more than one color.

Tags

These would be your tags if each widget can be half-full, half-empty, full-fat, and sugar-free options.

You can assign more than one tag to a post. A half-full, sugar-free, full-fat widget is an option. It can have many tags.

Tags are like the options for a product; each post can have many tags but only one Category.

Another Example

If the colors in categories were confusing, try considering dresses. You may own a clothes shop specializing in dresses and want to blog about them. You could set up your WordPress tags and categories like this..

Categories

You sell 4 types of dress: evening wear, Summer wear, Winter wear, and dresses for Children.

These would be your four categories. It makes it easy for visitors to narrow down what they seek.

Tags

Tags would be colors and sizes of dresses available. Also, you can add further detailed tags about the neckline, fastenings, and the length available.

Each type of dress can come in many different colors and sizes with various fastenings and necklines. These would work well for tags as each dress in one Category can have many tags.

Menu Items

Remember the menu I mentioned earlier?

The categories make perfect menu items.

The categories across the top of the page, part of your main menu, make it easy for visitors to narrow down what they want. They know if it is for a child or evening wear (Category), maybe not what color or any detail, but the tags will help.

One Category, but many tags.

Don't duplicate tags into categories or categories into tags.

Happy Blogging!