Question: There is not an `Edit | Preferences` option. How do I get the files to display in a list view with details, and not as icons?

Answer: 
To change the default for **all folders** \*, Open the file manager and when the window is active move the mouse pointer to the top left of the top panel and you will see:

![Nautilus toolbar options](https://i.stack.imgur.com/R7ZaP.png) 

Select `Edit -> Preferences -> Views (tab) -> View new folders using` then select your preferred view type (in your case it would be 'List').

To change the default view for **just that folder**, select `View -> List` from the menu, or use the keyboard shortcut `Ctrl` + `2` 

\*Note that in the first step the default preferences will not be used for any folders you have manually changed view type on in the past. To reset this, see [this question](https://askubuntu.com/q/164551/12864) then apply the new default preference.
In 12.04 and 12.10 (under the default Unity desktop environment), **hold down the** `Alt` **key for just a second**, and you'll see the options for Edit->Preferences and the rest (top left of the screen). 

Maximization will also let you see the pull-down menus, but isn't necessary. The handy shortcut to maximize your application or window is `Ctrl`+`Super`+`Up` ("Up" is the "Up Arrow" key). The same combo but with the down arrow reverses the maximization effect. 

In Unity, hold down the Super or Windows key to see shortcuts. 

**It's generally easiest**, though, to use `Ctrl`+`2` to see a list view, and `Ctrl`+`1` to go back to icons.