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---+ Linux Workshop: KDE 4 and Programming Tips

February 25, 2009

---++ KDE 4

---+++ Terminology

   * *Linux distribution* - a suite of packaged together software that is designed to run on a Linux [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kernel_(computing)][kernel]]
   * *X window system* (aka _X_ or _X11_) - the software system that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) in Linux systems (but can also run on Mac and Windows)
   * *Desktop environment* - software system that provides window management (maximizing/minimizing, resizing, closing, etc), icons, menus, and mouse interaction;  in Linux, these run on top of the X window system

---+++ Ubuntu and Kubuntu

[[http://www.ubuntu.com][Ubuntu]] is one such Linux distribution that has become popular in the past few years.  It's based on another Linux distribution called [[http://www.debian.org/][Debian]].  It differs from Debian in that it has a predictable release schedule (once every 6 months).  There are many variants or flavors of Ubuntu that install slightly different sets of software applications.  Some of the variants include: Kubuntu, Edubuntu, and Xubuntu.

In our department, we mostly use [[http://www.kubuntu.org][Kubuntu]].  The main difference between Kubuntu and Ubuntu is that it uses KDE as its default desktop environment instead of [[http://www.gnome.org][GNOME]].  Of the computers running Kubuntu in our department, all but a few are running KDE version 3.

---+++ KDE 3 vs. KDE 4

KDE 4 was released in January 2008.  Beginning with the April 2008 release (codenamed Hardy Heron), Kubuntu started including KDE version 4 as an optional alternative to KDE 3.  With the October 2008 release, however, KDE 4 is now the default desktop environment.  KDE 4 has many differences from version 3.  For starters, KDE 4 is cross-platform.  So you could run it on your Windows machine if you really wanted to.

---++++ Desktop

The KDE 4 Desktop looks something like *[[%ATTACHURL%/kde4-desktop.png][this]]*.  The main difference you'll notice is that icons aren't directly on your desktop anymore.  Instead, they're inside of a _widget_.  This particular widget is called _Folder View_.  KDE 4 comes with lots of different widgets that you can put on your desktop, including sticky notes, dictionary word of the day, picture frame, comic strips, and more.  [[%ATTACHURL%/kde4-widgets.png][Here's a screenshot]] with some extra widgets.

---++++ Application launcher

---++++ KRunner

Topic attachments
I	Attachment	Action	Size	Date	Who
png	kde4-desktop.png	manage	1848.0 K	24 Feb 2009 - 14:19	JeremyStephens
png	kde4-launcher-applications.png	manage	240.1 K	24 Feb 2009 - 15:34	JeremyStephens
png	kde4-launcher-favorites.png	manage	235.7 K	24 Feb 2009 - 15:34	JeremyStephens
png	kde4-widgets.png	manage	1541.1 K	24 Feb 2009 - 15:21	JeremyStephens

Topic revision: r2 - 24 Feb 2009, JeremyStephens

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