KDE 4.10 tips?

[Myrmidon83]

Hell o all.

Just last night decided to install KDE, had been running MATE and Cinnamon before but I was impressed with KDE's integration of different things, most notably, googlemail calendar, email and contacts!

As I am new to KDE, does anyone have any useful tips to share? I have all my effects set up as I had them in compiz and my easystroke gestures for expo and scale, or show grid and present windows as KDE calls them. Changed a few applications due to the ridiculous number of options for each and disabled many menu bars. But overall I really like it, my laptop seems to run a bit cooler and the use of effects and windows being open doesn't seem to tax my cpu as much so I'm quite impressed so far.

So, any tips for a newbie to KDE that would help with anything?

[LindseyD.]

I'm still on KDE4.8.5 but I can make a couple of suggestions.

I use KDE because it's so much more configurable than Gnome, and always has been. I don't just mean changing the wallpaper. So don't assume what you get is not changeable. For instance, if you always want an application to open at a certain size & a certain position on a certain desktop, just set it up the way you want, go to Configure Window Behaviour (the menu you get when you right-click on the icon in the top left corner of an application) and then Window Rules. Press the Detect Window Properties button and save it.

Way back when I tried Gnome, you had to go through some convoluted steps to enter characters with diacritics. KDE lets you use Compose. If you want to know more, ask.

KDE has some wonderful utilites that, for reasons I don't understand, don't come installed by default. The one that comes to mind is kgamma, which lets you adjust your screen colours. Once you install it, it shows up as a component in the System Settings application. There's a couple more like that but, sorry, I can't recall which right now. Maybe someone else here can.

It's been so long since I used Gnome, I have no idea to what extent they caught up to KDE in terms of configurability. For instance, when I tried it, you couldn't even edit the menu!

All in all, I'd say assume that whatever you want to do is possible, and if you can't find out how by googling, ask

[homerscousin]

my laptop seems to run a bit cooler and the use of effects and windows being open doesn't seem to tax my cpu as much so I'm quite impressed so far.

I hope a lot of people complaining of hot running laptops read this and give KDE a shot.

[Myrmidon83]

my laptop seems to run a bit cooler and the use of effects and windows being open doesn't seem to tax my cpu as much so I'm quite impressed so far.

I hope a lot of people complaining of hot running laptops read this and give KDE a shot.

After some time now, I can definitely say it's running a few degrees cooler at all times.

[dequire]

Another invaluable tool for debian-based KDE systems (I use Kubuntu) is the package kde-config-grub2: http://packages.ubuntu.com/precise/kde-config-grub2. Installs into the System Settings and lets you use a well-designed GUI to manage all things related to your GRUB bootloader, including the removal of no longer needed kernels. I, for example, only save the last three working kernels, so that I can revert to an older entry should any problem arise. Another example of an app that should be included by default IMHO.

PS - Welcome to KDE!

[Myrmidon83]

Another invaluable tool for debian-based KDE systems (I use Kubuntu) is the package kde-config-grub2: http://packages.ubuntu.com/precise/kde-config-grub2. Installs into the System Settings and lets you use a well-designed GUI to manage all things related to your GRUB bootloader, including the removal of no longer needed kernels. I, for example, only save the last three working kernels, so that I can revert to an older entry should any problem arise. Another example of an app that should be included by default IMHO.

Now that is useful to know, cheers!

PS - Welcome to KDE!

Thank you sir, I'm enjoying it very much.

[High Value Warrior]

Yes indeed a fine utility !!
Thanks for this.

[anandrkris]

I am running the latest KDE Plasma Desktop 4.10.3 and it is fantastic with mind-blowing configuration and eye-candy desktop effects. Though I will admit that it has a steep learning curve ( Probably because I was new to Linux as well) - it took me a while to understand desktop containment concepts - workspaces, activities and even to figured that the widgets could be added to a panel as well as desktop took sometime.
Some links on KDE Plasma -
http://chakra-linux.org/wiki/index.php? ... rientation
http://chakra-project.org/wiki/index.ph ... top_Basics
http://chakra.sourceforge.net/wiki/inde ... p_Features
KDE 4.0 Visual Guide
KDE Sutra by Muktware
Also, it isn't slow or hogs resources as people think it to be. Check http://www.muktware.com/5358/kde-miscon ... nd-bloated
Hope this helps. But the best way to learn is to experiment stuff and hanging out in forums.

[High Value Warrior]

This is not really a KDE tip, but I found it GREATLY enhanced my kde experience.
Upgrade to kernel 3.9.4
Much snappier performance

http://linuxg.net/how-to-install-kernel ... -15-14-13/

[Myrmidon83]

I've thought of updating the kernel but I haven't yet. Any particular benefits other than 3.6's hybrid sleep, finally?

Did you update on Mint 13?

[High Value Warrior]

I didn't check the readme on the kernel, newer is better always imho when it comes to stable kernel.
Upgraded on Mint 14.

Remember that you will have to reinstall virtualbox and your display driver after you upgrade.