Many icons you find in the user interface are initially not labeled in any way. This can be confusing, especially if the language is not yet set correctly. That’s why we want to explain in more detail what these icons refer to
The raspberry icon represents features that affect the entire Raspberry Pi OS. It is used, for example, to access the main menu, opening the help section, general settings and to review recommended software.
The folder icon stands for the default file manager PCManFM. You can use it to search your computer for files and folders. There is also an option to use another file manager program instead of the standard file Manager, such as Nautilus. For our purposes, however, the standard file manager is all we need.
This icon is especially important for you when you will be working on another course in the Abiola Academy, called ‘Linux Introduction’. This is the terminal app. It allows you to enter many commands with the keyboard without interacting with the graphical user interface and, for example, create folders without using the mouse, navigate through the file system or perform many administrative activities (such as creating new user accounts).
Here you can adjust the volume when listening to videos, music or podcasts. The icon is reminiscent of a large loudspeaker, which are actually no longer as common as they used to be. Nowadays, we tend to use much smaller devices for audio playback. Unfortunately, the Raspberry Pi does not have a built-in speaker. However,you do have the option of connecting a suitable speaker or headphones via the audio connector or a USB device. There is also one more option, if you look at the next icon.
This icon may not tell you anything at first. It represents a wireless connection called Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows other devices, such as speakers (which also use Bluetooth) to be paired and connected to your computer without the use of a cable connection.
This is the icon for a wireless Internet connection called Wi-Fi. Wi-fi can be provided by a networking device, such as a router. This means that you won’t need to connect a wired cable in order to access a network or the internet. However, the transmission speed is not as fast as with a wired connection.
If you do not have a Wi-Fi connection, you need to connect to the internet via a LAN cable (local area network). As already mentioned, wired connections are usually faster than a Wi-Fi connection. With the Raspberry Pi you can even get a connection of up to 1 gigabit per second. That’s 1,000,000,000 bits per second. Impressive, isn’t it?
The trash bin is also an important tool. It will allow you to recover documents in case you or one of your classmates accidentally deletes something on the Raspberry Pi SD card. As a rule, deleted files are not completely removed from the system right away but first get moved to the trash bin, which is located on your desktop or under the directory trash:///. By accessing the trash bin, you can restore previously deleted files to their path of origin.
With this icon you can access the internet browser that has been set up as the default browser. You can select any browser as your default browser – for example, Firefox or Chromium. A browser can be used to access the internet for research, for your school work or to visit the Abiola website. Are you already looking forward to trying out other programs? Then be sure to look at the course “Linux Programs”.
You may be thinking “Why is the current time recorded here?” And you’re right! This is actually not an icon as such, but simply a place where you can find out what time it is. If you click on it, a calendar will appear, showing you the current month and date.
Speaking of which, the time has come to move on to the next topic.