KDE SC 4
From Mandriva Community Wiki
KDE Software Compilation 4 is the latest major version of KDE's desktop environment and application suite, replacing KDE3. KDE SC 4 is the default KDE desktop since Mandriva 2009 and its development is one of the most active among all the other environments.
Contents |
Introduction
KDE SC 4 contains many important updates, including the port to Qt 4, which should increase performance by 20 to 30%[1] and the new desktop and user interface tool called Plasma, which contains support for widgets similar to SuperKaramba or Apple Dashboard. It contains a new multimedia API called Phonon, an integration of hardware called Solid and a new guide and set of graphical icons by default called Oxygen. Porting to Qt 4 also facilitates support for platforms not based on X11, such as Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.
 Mandriva 2010 Default Desktop |
 Mandriva 2010 kdm |
 Mandriva 2010 ksplash |
 Kwin effects |
 Kwin effects |
 Kwin effects |
 KDE plasmoïds |
 Nepomuk task manager application |
 Nepomuk document anotation |
 K3B media burning |
 Amarok to manage audio collections |
 Kmess instant messaging |
Getting KDE SC 4?
KDE 4.0
Mandriva 2008.1
The KDE version 4.0.3 is available in the contrib/release repository. . Simply install the task-kde4. An entry will be created in your login manager (like gdm or kdm), allowing you to launch KDE4 at the next startup. You can safely use KDE4 in parallel with KDE 3.5, GNOME, or Xfce, with the choice of the environment to start at the login screen.
KDE 4.1
Mandriva 2008.1
KDE4.1 is available in the contrib/backports repositories in the 2008.1 version. It can be installed with the package task-kde4 using 
drakrpm or typing the command (as root):
This version 4.1.0 is installed. An entry will be created in your login manager (like gdm or kdm), allowing you to launch KDE4 at the next startup. You can safely use KDE4 in parallel with KDE 3.5, GNOME, or Xfce, with the choice of the environment to start at the login screen.
Mandriva 2009.0
KDE 4.1.2 is the default KDE in Mandriva 2009 (but KDE3 is still available in the contrib repository).
KDE 4.2
Mandriva 2009.0
KDE 4.2 is available for Mandriva 2009. You can check this link. Warning : This version is not supported by Mandriva, it is therefore not responsible for any problems caused by this version.
Mandriva 2009.1
Mandriva 2009.1 will be provided with KDE 4.2.2.
Main components of KDE SC 4
In the heart of KDE SC 4: the "pillars"
- Plasma, which replaces both Kicker (the KDE scoreboard), KDesktop (the application that manages the screen) and SuperKaramba (an application to use the screen to display widgets to show the weather, the number of unread messages, contact list online, etc.). Plasma is made entirely on vectors, allowing scaling and rotation of any element of the component.
- Solid, a framework designed to manage devices. It will monitor the battery level, network status, Bluetooth devices ...
- Phonon, a multimedia framework designed to make multimedia applications platform independent. A music player / video can then make use of basic features of reading without taking into account the rendering engine used (QuickTime on Mac or GStreamer or Xine under Linux). Phonon will also be able to setup the sound for each application. Coupled with Solid, it may be informed of the connection of sound devices (such as USB headsets), and redirect some of its applications accordingly.
- Oxygen, is the name of the new graphical kit of KDE 4. It includes an icon theme, but also sound systems, a cursor theme and a theme for the outline and components of windows.
- Decibel,the new framework of management communications. Its aim is to integrate and centralize all communication protocols managed by KDE (MSN, AIM, Skype, IRC, Jabber ...).
Important components and new applications
- The Kickoff menu and classic K menu are available in KDE 4.0 and 4.1.
These menus are not the final menu of KDE 4. A new menu called Raptor will appear in a future version (probably KDE 4.2). A thumbnail is available here: http://www.nuno-icons.com/images/estilo/raptor/raptor.pdf
- The new version of KWin (window manager) allows new effects and transparency, which makes an impact on the windows, similar to some elements of Compiz-Fusion.
- Dolphin, the new file browser (in addition to Konqueror, which allows you to navigate in both local files and internet).
- Okular, document viewer, a synthesis of KPDF, and kdvi KGhostview.
- Sonnet, the spell checker for KDE 4.
- Kuiserver replaces Kjob. He proposes nothing less than to centralize in a single window (or icon in the systray) all treatments "long" in process, within the session. Ie: downloading files, printing documents, burning CDs, copying files ...
- Systemsetting, the new KDE Control Center, it replaces Kcontrol.
- DragonPlayer: a simple video player and lightweight
- Eventually, all KDE applications (Koffice, Amarok, Kopete, Kontact, ...) will be ported to KDE4, with new features, and full integration with this new version (using plasmoïds, Solid, ...) .
Tutorials
For the nostalgic who chose Konqueror
You can use Konqueror as file manager by default instead of Dolphin. To do this: In System Settings (the icon with a screwdriver and a wrench on the cross), open the Advanced tab and click on File Associations. In the list, click on inode and then click directory. On the right side of the window under the General; click on Konqueror then on the Up button until Konqueror is the first in the list. Click Apply to save changes.
If an error involving the "cervisia" appears every time I start Konqueror, or when using arrows to change the file, one solution is to change the order of Services, in the incorporation tab (second Configuration tab of inode ,directory) by moving Cervisia to second place, for example.
How to enable the search bar in Konqueror
Most of you will remember having a search bar in Konqeuror in KDE 3 times. It is still available in KDE 4, but unfortunately many distributions, including Mandriva, don't ship it as default. It is possible, however, to get it by simply installing the package konq-plugins with Mandriva's software manager.
The scoreboard
Access settings
- Right click on the desktop, then Unlock widgets
- At the right end of the scoreboard is an icon in form of cashew nuts, it lights up when the mouse passes over
- A left click on this button shows the following:
Position and size of the scoreboard
- The arrows on the right will adjust the maximum and minimum sizes of the scoreboard. The left arrow indicates the starting position.
- The icon 'Display side' can make you choose what to want to have on the scoreboard by click / drag
- The icon 'height' determines the height of the dashboard by clicking / dragging. The result is visible in the release of the click.
- The icon 'more settings' is more trivial.
Contents of scoreboard
- Icon 'Add widget' has a clear role, but there is a trick. After choosing the widget to add, you can add it to the desktop by click / drag. But it may also simply select it and click 'Add widget'. In this case it is added to the scoreboard.
- The position of icons on the scoreboard can be changed. When the adjustment bar is displayed, simply move the mouse over the icon to move as it turns mainly yellow, click is superimposed on the icon. It can then be moved by click / drag.
- To delete an icon, use the right click
Do not forget to lock the Plasma widgets when the settings are completed.
The Work spaces
Everyone knows the "old" concept of virtual desktops. Plasma now we have this new thing called "work area". It allows for different sets of Plasma widgets / wallpaper / information to multiple "offices". Any real connection to the traditional virtual desktops, it looks at first.
You see the Plasma logo in the upper left corner of the screen (cashew nuts). Then click on Shrink, now the office has decreased. Click it again and then click Add workspace. Now there's a new office blank next to the former. This can be repeated multiple times. Click again on the cashew nuts from any desktop and select'Enlarge. This takes you into the office selected. Move in these spaces can be done with keyboard keyboard ((| Ctrl + Shift + P)) or ((keypad | Ctrl + Shift + N)). Please note that these shortcuts can not be changed.
Then, each workspace can be configured by right-clicking on it and then Desktop setting .... To delete, right click on it and then Delete desktop.
What is the advantage?
Each work area has its own configuration. You can choose a wallpaper and icons are different for each. This is new compared to traditional offices.
Example of two work spaces on the same system:
We see here an example of an area of work. A view of the traditional office's file, an image of family selected randomly, the widget Twitter, phases of the moon...
Here is an example of professional work space, there are two views on the proposals, the first on a remote folder, the other on a folder of current project. When work is completed, the uploading can be done very easily with a simple click / drag. There is also a calculator and a post-it.
Adding icons on the workspace or scoreboard
Adding icons is very simple since Dolphin, Konqueror or the menu.
- From the classic menu: Navigate the menu until the desired application and then click / drag the workspace
- From the menu Kickoff: Navigate the menu until the desired application and then either click / drag the workspace, or right click and choose to place the icon to the workspace or table captain.
- From Dolphin or Konqueror: Navigate to the desired file and click / drag the workspace or dashboard. If the file is an image, you will be offered to create an icon or a photo. If you choose the latter, a plasmoïde is created and configuration options are offered, including the realization of a slideshow.
When you finished configuring, remember to lock your widgets.
Adding his office or any other directory on the workspace
Proceed in the same manner as to create an icon, except that if the item is a folder, you will be offered either to create an icon is a traditional plasmoïde "View Folder" which will display the folder contents. Usual actions on files and folders (copy, paste, delete, rename, ....) are possible in the plasmoïde "View File".
In the particular case where the folder is ((menu|/home/foo/Desktop)), we're back on the traditional office space.
It is also possible to create a "Folder View" widget of a remote shared folder via ftp, SMB or SSH.
The manipulations above to add an icon on the workspace, apply to add to a "View File" widget, typically an office.
The "Folder View" widget offers the option to filter displayed files or folders. To do this click on the icon 'Configure widget' (the key to dial).
In the filter field, you can write:
- * For a full display
- One or more letters or other symbols to limit the display to folders / files whose names begin with these symbols.
- The name of folders / files to display, separated by a space, if necessary with the * wildcard
Links
Internal
- Category:KDE: All the articles concerning KDE.
- Plasma
- Dolphin
External
- KDE 4 Desktop Presentation
- Applications presentation
- New educational applications and games
- The latest innovations in the 4.2 version
