I can never decide which I prefer, a desktop gui or simply a shell.  To complicate matters, I can never decide which shell I like from the many that are available or which desktop I like from all of the various flavors (lightweight to bloated).

So, I had been using gnome lately and one thing I hate about the default mode of file management, is that every time you click on a new folder, it opens up in a new window.  By the time you have clicked and opened up about 10 different folders, now your desktop is a mess with a bunch of open folders.

Well, this tip will help you get the single-window mode most people prefer (I am most people...lol).

Click on anything in gnome to open up the file manager.  The click on Edit > Preferences.  Click on the Behaviour tab. Simply tick the Always open in browser windows.  Close the file manager.  Open it back up.  Click on any other folder and now it opens in the same window.