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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 (KMenu)

The KMenu has also undergone some changes.  When you click on the KDE icon on the left side of your taskbar, you now will see something like this:

%ATTACHURL%/kde4-launcher-favorites.png

Initially you'll see a list of favorite applications.  If you want to see the menu of applications, you can click on the _Applications_ tab:

%ATTACHURL%/kde4-launcher-applications.png

You can favorite an application by right clicking on its icon and clicking on the _Add to Favorites_ option.

---++++ KRunner

KDE 4's version of krunner is now somewhat like Quicksilver on a Mac:

%ATTACHURL%/kde4-krunner.png

You can access krunner by pressing Alt+F2.

Topic attachments
I	Attachment	Action	Size	Date	Who
png	kde4-desktop.png	manage	1848.0 K	24 Feb 2009 - 14:19	JeremyStephens
png	kde4-krunner.png	manage	158.6 K	25 Feb 2009 - 10:16	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
pdf	kde4-programming.pdf	manage	2054.7 K	25 Feb 2009 - 13:09	JeremyStephens
png	kde4-widgets.png	manage	1541.1 K	24 Feb 2009 - 15:21	JeremyStephens

Topic revision: r5 - 25 Feb 2009, JeremyStephens

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