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GConf resembles the Windows Registry (and the graphical gconf-editor resembles Regedit) both by looks as well as the principle of operation. It is designed to go beyond Windows 3.1 type of preferences storage, with lots of .ini files in /HOME/.name directories.

GConf is to skip the Regedit stage, but to let the preferences to as many programs as possible be stored in one place, without copying the originals faults (damage to the Windows Registry grossly disables the system completely, the registry has many undocumented features and lacks the support to managing preferences over the network).

Meet gconftool-2

gconftool-2 is a command-line editor of the GConf database, which enables the user to quickly add, remove or change the settings of a given application. Creating aliases for commands using it, or create desktop or menu activators enabling the particular features to be changed on/off quickly, can be considered its big advantage.

The template to gconftool-2 usage looks as follows :

gconftool-2 --set /path/to/the/settings --type “value”

/path/to/the/settings and its type (integer, boolean, string) can be easily established using the graphical gconf-editor (or browsed out/googled out on the Internet). For example, wishing to change the setting concerning the locking of the screen when the screen saver is activated, one can use the graphical tool, browse the settings tree to locate “apps” and “gnome-screensaver” branch, and change the “lock_enabled” value appropriately.

Achieving the same in console using gconftool-2 takes less time :

gconftool-2 --set /apps/gnome-screensaver/lock_enabled --type bool 1"

Knowing the location of the settings we want to change, gconftool-2 will be a winner on performance. Especially when used with activators or aliases as mentioned above.

GConf tweaks!

Here is how you let the upper edge of the window be moved higher than the upper edge of the screen (useful in netbooks, which have screens that do not always accommodate all windows comfortably):

gconftool-2 --set /apps/compiz/plugins/move/allscreens/options/constrain_y --type bool 0

Changing the default volume (e.g. the Ubuntu default is 6) :

gconftool-2 --set --type int /apps/gnome_settings_daemon/volume_step 2

Opening the target directory with Nautilus after unpacking the archive with File-roller :

gconftool-2 --type boolean --set /apps/file-roller/dialogs/extract/view_destination_folder true

Showing the mounted volumes as icons on the desktop :

gconftool-2 --type boolean --set /apps/nautilus/desktop/volumes_visible true

Enabling the check for full distribution update:

gconftool-2 --type boolean --set /apps/update-manager/check_dist_upgrades true

Detachable toolbars in GTK+ applications :

gconftool-2 --type boolean --set /desktop/gnome/interface/toolbar_detachable true

Making the DVD be played with GXINE or VLC by default (instead of the Ubuntu default Totem player):

gconftool-2 --type string --set /desktop/gnome/volume_manager/autoplay_dvd_command "gxine dvd:/%m"

gconftool-2 --type string --set /desktop/gnome/volume_manager/autoplay_dvd_command "vlc %m"

Changing the location of Amazon Cover Retrieval from the USA to UK :

gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/muine/amazon_locale uk

Changing the typeface and size of the desktop font :

gconftool-2 --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/desktop_font --type string "Sans 8"

gconftool-2 –set /desktop/gnome/interface/document_font_name –type string “Sans 8″

gconftool-2 –set /desktop/gnome/interface/font_name –type string “Sans 8″

gconftool-2 –set /apps/metacity/general/titlebar_font –type string “Sans Bold 8″

gconftool-2 –set /desktop/gnome/interface/monospace_font_name –type string “Monospace 8″

Showing the GNOME settings information:

gconftool-2 -R /desktop/gnome

Any other ideas to tweak your desktop?

Turning off the desktop icons :

gconftool-2 --set --type boolean /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_desktop false

This article has originally been posted on authors’ blog
Translated-by : el_es