1. Discovering the K Desktop Environment

This chapter introduces the K Desktop Environment (KDE). It discusses where to find your usual folders, and how to customize your Desktop. It also talks about how to search for files and introduces the concept of KDE sessions. The range of features KDE offers as well as its degree of personalization is huge and you are encouraged to refer to its integrated help to learn more about this great desktop environment.

1.1. The Desktop

Figure 1.1. The KDE Desktop

The KDE Desktop

KDE is very much like any modern desktop. In the above figure you see the desktop itself with some icons on it, while the panel sits at the bottom. This figure also introduces something new if you come from the Windows® world: virtual desktops (see Section 1.3, “Virtual Desktops”).

[Note] Note

Virtual desktops are not an exclusive KDE concept. Other GNU/Linux desktop environments and window managers also make use of them.

The icons on the desktop represent files, directories, applications, devices, web pages, etc. Almost “everything” can be placed on it. Clicking on each icon opens its associated application.

Here are some of your desktop's default icons, along with a brief explanation for each of them.

 Home. Gives access to all your personal files. Under UNIX®-like operating systems (Mandriva Linux is one of these), every user has a personal directory usually named /home/login_name.

 Trash. Gives access to all deleted files (the equivalent of Windows®' Recycle Bin). Files can also be deleted without being thrown into the trash can (“direct” file deletion) so some deleted files might not be accessible through the trash can.

 System and devices Icons. Gives you access to your home folder, system settings, networked places, storage media and the trash can. The Devices icon gives you access to all the storage media present in the system, fixed and removable: hard disk partitions, CD/DVD drive, floppy disk drive, ZIP/JAZ drives, USB keys, and others. Double clicking on a device icon opens the corresponding medium.

1.2. The Panel

Figure 1.2. The KDE Panel

The KDE Panel

The panel is the bar which sits at the bottom of your desktop[1] and contains the following main components:

 The Main Menu. Allows you to access the software installed on your system. It is the equivalent of Windows®' Start Menu. Programs are arranged into convenient categories, so you can quickly and easily find the applications you want to run.

 Show Desktop. Use this to minimize all currently opened windows. Pressing it again will restore the windows to the state they were previously in. Handy when you your desktop is full of opened windows and you want to access, for example, a folder on your desktop.

 Desktop Preview & Switching Applet. Displays icons of applications currently opened in the virtual desktops, and makes switching between virtual desktops as easy as one, two, three. See Section 1.3, “Virtual Desktops” for more information.

1.3. Virtual Desktops

Think of virtual desktops as having several screens available but with only one monitor. Right click on the desktop switching applet and select Configure Desktops to add or remove virtual desktops and change desktop names for more meaningful ones such as Work, Play or Internet.

The Desktop Preview & Switching Applet, makes it easier to quickly spot your applications and distinguish between them. To switch between virtual desktops just click on the desktop number in the desktop switching applet et voilà !

You can also move application windows from one desktop to another. To do so, simply click an application's icon in a virtual desktop, then drag-and-drop it to the desktop you want. Rolling your mouse over a virtual desktop enables you to preview its content.

When you log in into KDE the last virtual desktop you were in when you closed your last session is re-opened.



[1] By default the panel is at the bottom, but it may be placed on any border of the desktop.