Common Ubuntu Keyboard Shortcuts

I've finally started on my Network Technology course, where I will be doing and MCSE, CCNA, and possibly prepping for a Linux+, all in the next eight months. Stay tuned for some more interesting tidbits on the blog as I have time.

On another note, I am aware of some OS keystroke shortcuts, but had the urge to use more. Why don't I know the one for Show Desktop, for instance (it's Ctrl-Alt-D). You can also map keyboard shortcuts, which is really handy if you want to use something like the Windows key.

• Win+E - Shows all workspaces in a nifty way and lets you switch between workspaces easily.
  
• Alt+Ctrl+Left/Right Arrow – Move to Workspace on Left/Right
  
• Alt+Ctrl+Shift+Left/Right Arrow – Move current window to another workspace
  
• Alt + Shift+ Up Arrow – This initiates a cool looking window switcher interface with which you can switch between windows using Arrow keys while holding Alt + Shift
  
• Alt+F9/F10 – Minimize/ Maximize current window
  
• Alt+F5 – UnMaximizes Current Window
  
• Alt+F7 – This shortcut activates the move window option that lets you move current window using arrow keys. You can even move window to other workspace, try moving it to extreme right.
  
• Alt+F8 – Resize current window with arrow keys
  
• Ctrl + Alt + D – Show Desktop/ Restore open windows if show desktop used earlier
  
• Alt+Shift+Tab – Switch Windows in Reverse Direction as done using Alt+Tab
  
• Shift+Ctrl+N – Create New Folder, Very useful shortcut
  
• Alt + Enter – Show properties of a selected file/folder without requiring to right click on it and select Properties.
  
• Ctrl + 1/2 – Change folder view to icon/list.
  
• Ctrl + W – close current Nautilus Window
  
• Ctrl + Shift + W – close all open Nautilus Windows
  
• Ctrl+T – Open a new tab in Nautilus
  
• Alt + Up/Down Arrow – Move to Parent Folder/ Selected folder
  
• Alt + Left/Right Arrow – Move Back/forward in Nautilus
  
• Alt + Home – Move directly to your Home Folder
  
• F9 – Toggle display of Nautilus Sidepane
  
• Ctrl + H – Toggle Display of hidden files and folders
  
• Ctrl + Alt + L - Quick shortcut to Lock Screen if you need to be away from your desktop for few moments and don’t want others to see your desktop.
  
• Alt + F1 – Open Applications Menu
  
• Alt + F2 – Open the Run Application dialog Box
  
• Win + Mousewheel – Zoom in / Zoom out Desktop. This one’s pretty useful if you are having a wireless keyboard/mouse.
  

(shamelessly stolen from TechnoTraits... if you found these of use, be a sport and visit them!)

Share Mouse and Keyboard with Software

Synergy lets you easily share a single mouse and keyboard between multiple computers with different operating systems, each with its own display, without special hardware. It's intended for users with multiple computers on their desk since each system uses its own monitor(s).

I'm currently using a KVM switch (and one monitor), but it's nice to know there is a multi-monitor open software solution out there!

Getting International and Accented Characters in Kubuntu/Linux

I've been practicing my French again. One of my local friends grew up in Québec virtually all his life, and one of my local friends is studying French in Québec for a year. When I chat to them, I like to type the French words as they're meant to be written, which includes the accents.

Anyway, I had fun finding where to switch my keyboard so I could use the layout. In Windows, you do it by switching to an American English International Keyboard layout (Control Panel -> Regional and Language Settings, I believe... not in Control Panel -> Keyboard like you'd expect).

I found where to change it. There are lots of options. In addition to the language settings, there are variants in the language settings (dvorak, international...)

In Kubuntu with KDE, I found it in:

System Settings -> Regional & Accessibility -> Keyboard Layout

For reference:

Ubuntu U.S. International Characters Chart

I'm a Canadian with a normal American keyboard (Microsoft RT2300). I've added several keyboard layouts in the list as I want to mess around to see which one I'm the most comfortable with. I seem to be using U.S. English layout with the variant "international".

You can set up other options by using the tabs in the top (Switching Options Tab with "Show indicator for single layout" checked gives you the list in your taskbar so you can easily switch back and forth between keyboard layouts.

The only difference I notice from Windows is the cedilla. The comma key does NOT give the cedilla. You have to use the RIGHT ALT key, and then type comma. This gives you "ç"