The Nautilus file manager provides a simple and integrated way to manage your files and applications. You can use the file manager to do the following:
The file manager lets you organize your files into folders. Folders can contain files and may also contain other folders. Using folders can help you find your files more easily.
Nautilus also manages the desktop. The desktop lies behind all other visible items on your screen. The desktop is an active component of the way you use your computer.
Every user has a Home Folder. The Home Folder contains all of the user's files. The desktop is another folder. The desktop contains special icons allowing easy access to the users Home Folder, Trash, and also removable media such as floppy disks, CDs and USB flashdrives.
Nautilus is always running while you are using GNOME. To open a new Nautilus window, double-click on an appropriate icon on the desktop such as Home or Computer, or choose an item from Places menu on the top panel.
In GNOME many things are files, such as word processor documents, spreadsheets, photos, movies, and music.