Python Programming for Raspberry Pi, Sams Teach Yourself in 24 Hours

FIGURE 2.2 The LXTerminal command-line interface.

Did You Know: I Just Want My GUI

Because you can reach the command line via the LXTerminal program, you might want

to have your Raspberry Pi boot straight into the GUI. To set this up, follow these steps:

1. At the command prompt, type sudo raspi-config and press the Enter key.


2. In the text-based menu, press the down-arrow key until you reach the
   boot_behavior menu option and press the Enter key.


3. When you see a new window and the question Should we boot straight
   to the desktop? press Tab until you reach the option and then press
   Enter.


4. At the configuration menu, press Tab until you get to the option and then
   press the Enter key.


5. When a new window opens and asks Would you like to reboot now?,
   press Tab until you reach the option and press Enter. The Raspberry Pi
   reboots and takes you to the LXDE GUI. You are not required to provide a login
   name or password.
   If you change your mind and want to log in to the command line after the Pi boots
   again, you can run the LXTerminal program and type in sudo raspi-config to
   change your boot behavior configuration option.

The LXPanel

The bottom panel of the LXDE graphical interface, shown in Figure 2.3, includes several noteworthy
items. The bottom panel for the LXDE is called the LXPanel. Its behavior and the various icons on it
can be modified through a pop-up menu that you open by right-clicking anywhere on the panel.

FIGURE 2.3 The icons on the left side of the LXDE LXPanel.

The first icon all the way to the left on the LXPanel is the LXDE Programs Menu icon. The unusual
icon for this menu is a symbol for a fast flying bird. (The LXDE environment is quick and so
lightweight it can fly. Get it?)

When you click this LXDE Programs Menu icon, you get several menu categories and options (see
Table 2.2).