File and Directory Management

The Silicon Graphics software environment, called the IRIX Interactive Desktop, makes it easy to manage your files on your system and network. Icon View windows let you quickly view and rearrange your files and directories. With a simple point and click, you can view graphic images, play movies, rename files, create new directory folders.

Note: The New to UNIX section of this System Tour is a good introduction to getting around the IRIX Interactive Desktop environment.

Viewing Directories

Directories are represented as folder icons

on your desktop. Your Home Directory folder icon appears by default on your desktop each time you login as yourself. When you double-click on the folder icon , you launch an Icon View of the directory.

Pathname Field

The pathname field shows the full pathname of the directory whose icon or contents are displayed in the window. You can type a new name in this field to display the contents of a different directory.

Path Bar

The path bar lets you move from one directory to another in the path without typing. Click the small button representing each directory in the pathname to move to another directory.

Drop Pocket

The drop pocket is a handy tool for quickly entering information into the pathname field. Instead of typing a long name for an icon, you can simply drop the icon into the pocket. The full icon name is automatically typed in the pathname field.

Image Preview

If an Icon View window contains image files, you can click

in the tool bar or choose as Thumbnail Images from the View menu. Each image file icon is replaced with a small snapshot of the image.

Content Preview

Many icon types may be previews using the Content Viewer. Click

in the tool bar or choose Show Content Viewer from the Options menu. Highlight the icon you wish to view. The Content Viewer panel will then display your file.
Media Preview is capable of displaying many types of files, including 3D models, images, web documents and movies.

Zoom Wheel

Each directory view window contains a Zoom Wheel that you can use to change the size of the icons in that window. Place the cursor over the thumbwheel; then press the left mouse button and drag the mouse up to make the icons smaller and down to make the icons larger.

Zoom Home

To return to the original icon size, click the Zoom Home box below the thumbwheel.

Recycle Button

The recycle button displays a listing of directories whose contents you have previously displayed in the window. Choose an item from the list to display that directory again.

Scroll Bars

You see areas of scroll bars along the left or right and top or bottom edge of the window. These indicate that the window is too small to display all of its contents. Use the scroll bars to view hidden portions of the window.

Creating Directories

Directories appear as folder icons on your desktop. New directories are automatically named empty.dir. If you create a second new directory, it will be named empty1.dir. Change the name to something more meaningful.

Finding Files

The Search tool can help you locate files and directories. From the Toolchest choose Find > Search for Files.

Renaming Files and Directories

When you select a file icon, the filename becomes editable. Edit the name, and press the Enter key.

You may also rename directories (provided you have the correct file permissions). Select the folder icon you want to rename, edit the name, and press the Enter key.

Removing Files and Directories

Drag the file or directory onto the dumpster icon. Click here to learn more about the dumpster.