About This Manual

The CDE Companion Guide is divided into two parts. Part 1 provides an introduction to the Common Desktop Environment (CDE) for those users who are not familiar with desktop interfaces. Part 2 provides information on migrating from DECwindows Motif to CDE.

Note

In this manual all references to DECwindows refer to the DECwindows Motif software.

Audience

This manual is divided into two parts and has distinct and separate audiences as follows:

• The user who is unfamiliar with desktop environments

• The user who wants to migrate from DECwindows Motif to the CDE environment

For the user who is new to desktop environments, this book provides quick start information on logging into the system, navigating in the new environment, and managing the desktop and applications. Also included in this manual is information on using Digital applications.

For the person migrating from DECwindows Motif to CDE, this book serves as an introduction to the new environment. It provides information on how to use CDE to complete tasks previously done by using DECwindows Motif.

Organization

This book is organized in two parts that consists of 10 chapters. Part 1 is a primer that introduces CDE to those users who are not familiar with a desktop environment. Part 2 provides information on migrating from DECwindows Motif to CDE.

Part l	Introduces the Common Desktop Environment (CDE) and provides information on getting started in this environment.
Chapter 1	Describes the main components of CDE and describes how to access the documentation set, online help, and reference pages.
Chapter 2	Provides information on navigating in the CDE desktop using the mouse and keyboard, and describes how to start and end a desktop session.
Chapter 3	Provides a tour of the Front Panel and explains how to access applications, use subpanels, and use workspaces.
Chapter 4	Describes how to use the desktop to manipulate files, access applications, and customize the environment.
Chapter 5	Provides an overview of the Digital UNIX desktop and system management utilities which have been integrated into CDE.
Part 2	Discusses migrating from the DECwindows Motif environment to CDE.
Chapter 6	Provides an overview of the common components and differences between DECwindows Motif and CDE.
Chapter 7	Describes differences between DECwindows Motif and CDE when starting and ending a session and accessing applications.
Chapter 8	Describes the CDE methods used to customize your desktop environment instead of using DECwindows Motif.
Chapter 9	Discusses internationalization migration issues in CDE for those who used these features in DECwindows Motif.
Chapter 10	Describes how to convert DECwindows mail folders and calendar databases to a format that is understood by the CDE mail and calendar applications.
Appendix A	Describes differences between MH/DXmail and the CDE mail application.

Related Documents

The printed version of the Digital UNIX documentation set is color coded to help specific audiences quickly find the books that meet their needs. (You can order the printed documentation from Digital.) This color coding is reinforced with the use of an icon on the spines of books. The following list describes this convention:

Audience	Icon	Color Code
General users	G	Blue
System and network administrators	S	Red
Programmers	P	Purple
Device driver writers	D	Orange
Reference page users	R	Green

Some books in the documentation set help meet the needs of several audiences. For example, the information in some system books is also used by programmers. Keep this in mind when searching for information on specific topics.

The Documentation Overview, Glossary, and Master Index provides information on all of the books in the Digital UNIX documentation set.

Reader's Comments

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  A Reader's Comment form is located on line in the following location:

  /usr/doc/readers_comment.txt
  

• Mail:

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  A Reader's Comment form is located in the back of each printed manual. The form is postage paid if you mail it in the United States.

Please include the following information along with your comments:

• The full title of the book and the order number. (The order number is printed on the title page of this book and on its back cover.)

• The section numbers and page numbers of the information on which you are commenting.

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• If known, the type of processor that is running the Digital UNIX software.

The Digital UNIX Publications group cannot respond to system problems or technical support inquiries. Please address technical questions to your local system vendor or to the appropriate Digital technical support office. Information provided with the software media explains how to send problem reports to Digital.

Conventions

The following conventions are used in this manual:

% $	A percent sign represents the C shell system prompt. A dollar sign represents the system prompt for the Bourne and Korn shells.
#	A number sign represents the superuser prompt.
% cat	Boldface type in interactive examples indicates typed user input.
file	Italic (slanted) type indicates variable values, placeholders, and function argument names.
[ | ] { | }	In syntax definitions, brackets indicate items that are optional and braces indicate items that are required. Vertical bars separating items inside brackets or braces indicate that you choose one item from among those listed.
cat(1)	A cross-reference to a reference page includes the appropriate section number in parentheses. For example, cat(1) indicates that you can find information on the cat command in Section 1 of the reference pages.
Ctrl/x	This symbol indicates that you hold down the first named key while pressing the key or mouse button that follows the slash. In examples, this key combination is enclosed in a box (for example, [Ctrl/C]).