From 4aed2c8219774f5d797760606b8489a92ddc5163 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: toma
+There is a lot of information about KDE on the
+KDE web site. There are
+also useful sites for major applications like
+Konqueror,
+KOffice and
+KDevelop, or important
+KDE utilities like
+KDEPrint,
+which can be put to its full usage even outside KDE...
+
+KDE is translated into many languages. You can change the country and
+language with the Control Center in "Regional & Accessibility"
+->."Country/Region & Language".
+ For more information about KDE translations and translators, see http://i18n.kde.org.
+ Contributed by Andrea Rizzi
+You can minimize all your windows on the current desktop at once and
+thus reach the desktop itself by clicking on the desktop icon on the
+panel. If you do not currently have the icon there, you can add it by right clicking on the panel, and then selecting Add to Panel->Special Button->Desktop Access.
+
+If you temporarily need more screen real-estate, you can "fold
+in" the panel by clicking on one of the arrows at the ends of
+the panel. Alternatively, make it hide automatically by changing the
+settings in the Control Center (Desktop->Panels, Hiding tab).
+ For more information about Kicker, the KDE Panel, see the Kicker Handbook.
+
+The program Klipper, which is started by default and resides in the
+system tray at the right end of the panel, keeps a number of text
+selections around. These can be retrieved or even (in the case of
+URLs, for example) be executed. You can find more information about using Klipper in the Klipper Handbook
+The window list, which is accessible via an icon on the panel, provides a
+quick overview of all windows on all virtual desktops. Alternatively,
+press Alt+F5 to display the window list. The "Location" label in Konqueror is draggable. This means you can create shortcuts (e.g. on the desktop or the panel)
+by dragging it there with the mouse. You can also drop it on to Konsole or
+edit fields to get the URL typed in there (as you can with links or files
+displayed in Konqueror). For quick access to KDEPrint Manager type
+"print:/manager"... -- "Type where?",
+ you may ask. Type it...
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Contributed by Kurt Pfeifle
+ + + +
+Double-clicking on the titlebar of any window "shades" it, which means
+that only the titlebar stays visible. Double-clicking the titlebar a
+second time will make the window visible again.
+Of course, you can change this behavior within the Control Center.
+
For more information about ways to manipulate windows in KDE, take +a look at the KDE User Guide.
+ ++You can cycle through the windows on a virtual desktop by holding the +Alt key and pressing Tab or Shift+Tab.
For more information, see the KDE +User Guide.
+ ++You can assign keyboard shortcuts to your favorite applications in the +KDE menu editor (K-menu->Settings->Menu Editor). Select the application +(e.g. Konsole), then click on the image next to "Current shortcut +key:". Press the key combination you want (say, Ctrl+Alt+K). +
That is it: now you can fire up Konsoles with Ctrl+Alt+K.
+ ++You can configure the number of virtual desktops by adjusting the "Number +of desktops" slider in the Control Center (Desktop->Multiple Desktops). +
+ +For more information about using virtual desktops, look at the +KDE User Guide.
+ +The KDE project was founded in October 1996 and had its first release, +1.0, on July 12, 1998.
+You can support the KDE project with work (programming, designing, +documenting, proof-reading, translating, etc.) and financial or +hardware donations. Please contact kde-ev@kde.org +if you are interested in donating, or kde-quality@kde.org if you would +like to contribute in other ways.
+ +KDE provides some shortcuts to change the size of a window:
+To maximize a window... | click the maximize button... | +
---|---|
...full-screen, | ...with the left mouse button | +
...vertically only, | ...with the middle mouse button | +
...horizontally only, | ...with the right mouse button | +
You can stay up to date with new developments in KDE and releases +by regularly checking the web site http://www.kde.org.
+KDEPrinting (I)
+kprinter, KDE's new printing utility supports +different print subsystems. These subsystems differ very much +in their abilities.
+Among the supported systems are: +
KDEPrinting (II)
+ +Not all print subsystems provide equal abilities +for KDEPrint to build on.
+The KDEPrinting Team +recommends installing a CUPS-based +software as the underlying print subsystem.
+CUPS provides easy usage, powerful features, broad printer +support and a modern design (based on IPP, the "Internet +Printing Protocol"). Its usefulness is proven for home users +as well as for large networks. +
+Contributed by Kurt Pfeifle
+ ++KDE is based on a well-designed C++ foundation. C++ is a programming +language well suited to desktop development. The KDE object model +extends the power of C++ even further. See + http://developer.kde.org/ +for details.
+You can use Konqueror to browse through tar archives, +even compressed ones. You can extract files simply by dragging them +to another place, e.g. another Konqueror window or the desktop.
+ ++You can cycle through the virtual desktops by holding the Ctrl key and +pressing Tab or Shift+Tab.
+For more information about using virtual desktops, look at the +KDE User Guide.
+ +You can start kprinter as a standalone program +from any xterm, Konsole window or from the "Run Command" dialog (started +by pressing Alt+F2). Then select the file to print. You can print +as many items of different types as you want, all at once. +
+Contributed by Kurt Pfeifle
+ +You may at any time switch kprinter to another +print subsystem "on the fly" (and you do not need to be root to do it.) +
+Laptop users who frequently change to different environments may find +RLPR a useful complement to CUPS +(or any other print subsystem they use as their preferred one). +
+Contributed by Kurt Pfeifle
+ ++KDE's help system can display not only KDE's own HTML-based help, but +also info and man pages.
+For more ways of getting help, see the KDE User +Guide.
+ +Clicking with the right mouse button on panel icons or applets opens a +popup menu that allows you to move or remove the item, or add a new +one.
+For more information about customizing Kicker, the KDE Panel, see +the Kicker Handbook.
+ +If a toolbar is not large enough to display all buttons on it, you can +click on the small arrow at the far right end of the toolbar to see +the remaining buttons.
+ +
+Need comprehensive info about KDEPrinting?
Type help:/kdeprint/ into a Konqueror address field +and get the + KDEPrint Handbook +displayed.
This, plus more material (like a + FAQ, various + Tutorials, +a "TipsNTricks" section and the + kdeprint mailing list) + are available at +printing.kde.org... +
+You can run non-KDE applications without problems on a KDE +desktop. It is even possible to integrate them into the menu system. +The KDE program "KAppfinder" will look for known programs to integrate +them into the menu.
+ +You can quickly move the panel to another screen edge by "grabbing" it with +the left mouse button and moving it to where you want it.
+For more information about personalizing Kicker, the KDE Panel, +take a look at the Kicker Handbook.
+ ++If you need to kill some time, KDE comes with an extensive collection +of games.
You can quickly change the background image of the +desktop by dragging a graphics image from a Konqueror window to the +desktop background.
+ +You can change the background color of the desktop by dragging a color +from a color selector in any application to the desktop background. +
+ ++A fast way to get your favorite application onto your panel is to +right-click the panel (Panel Menu) and select Add to Panel->Application->whatever. +
+ ++You can add more applets to your panel by selecting Panel +Menu->Add->Applet from the K menu. +
+ ++You can add a little command line to your panel by selecting Panel +Menu->Add to Panel->Applet->Run Command from the K menu. +
+For information about other applets available for the KDE Panel, +take a look at the Kicker Handbook.
+ +Want to see the local time of your friends or +business partners around the world?
+Just press the middle mouse button on the panel clock.
+ +Your panel clock can be configured to display the time +in plain, digital, analog or fuzzy-style +mode.
+See the Kicker +Handbook for more information.
+ ++If you know its name, you can execute any program by pressing +Alt+F2 +and entering the program name in the command-line window provided.
+
+
+You can browse any URL by pressing +Alt+F2 and entering the URL in the +command-line window provided. +
If you are using Konqueror and want to type another location into +the location field below the toolbar to get there, you can clear the +whole field very quickly with the black button with a white cross +to the left of the "Location" label and start typing.
+You can also press Ctrl+L to clear the location field and place the +text cursor there.
+ ++You can access a man page by entering a +hash mark (#) and the name of the man page wherever you can enter +a URL, like in the location field of the web browser or the +Alt+F2 command-line.
+You can access an info page by entering a double hash mark (##) + and the +name of the info page wherever you can enter a URL, like in the URL +line of the web browser or the Alt+F2 command-line. +
++If you cannot access the titlebar, you can still move a window +on the screen by holding the Alt key, clicking anywhere into the window +and "dragging" it with the mouse.
Of course, you can change this behavior by using the Control Center.
+ +Want KDE's printing power in non-KDE apps?
+Then use 'kprinter' as "print command". +Works with Netscape, Mozilla, Galeon, gv, Acrobat Reader, + StarOffice, OpenOffice.org, any GNOME application and many more...
+See printing.kde.org +for more detailed hints... +
+Contributed by Kurt Pfeifle
+ ++You can resize a window on the screen by holding the Alt key, +right-clicking anywhere into the window and moving the mouse.
+ ++KDE's mail client (KMail) provides seamless PGP/GnuPG + integration +for encrypting and signing your email messages.
+See the KMail Handbook for +instructions on setting up encryption.
+ ++You can find KDE developers all over the world, e.g., in Germany, +Sweden, France, Canada, USA, Australia, Namibia, Argentina, and even in +Norway!
++To see where KDE developers can be found, take a look at worldwide.kde.org.
+ ++KDE's CD player, KsCD, accesses the Internet CD database freedb to provide you +with title/track information. +
+Full details of KsCD's functions are available in the KsCD Handbook.
+ ++Some people open many terminal windows just to enter one single +command.
++You can change the color of the window titlebars by clicking on the title bar of the +color example in the Appearance & Themes module within the Control Center. +
+This works for all of the other available colors too.
+ +KDE Command Line Printing (I)
+Want to print from command line, without missing KDE's printing power?
+Type 'kprinter'. Up pops the +KDEPrint dialog. Select printer, print options and +print files (note that you may select different +files of different types for one print job...).
+This works from Konsole, any x-Terminal, or "Run Command" +(called by pressing Alt+F2)
+ +KDE Command Line Printing (II)
++You may specify print files and/or name a printer from the command line: +
+kprinter -d infotec \ + /home/kurt/paragliding.jpg \ + ../kdeprint-handbook.pdf \ + /opt/kde3/flyer.ps ++ This prints 3 different files (from different folders) to printer "infotec". + +
Contributed by Kurt Pfeifle
+ ++The difference between window manager styles and old-fashioned themes is +that the former even reflect window titlebar color settings from the +Control Center and might implement different features.
+ ++The K in KDE does not stand for anything. It is the character that comes +before L in the Latin alphabet, which stands for Linux. It was chosen +because KDE runs on many types of UNIX (and perfectly well on FreeBSD). +
+ +If you want to know when the next release of KDE is planned, +look for the release schedule on http://developer.kde.org. If you only +find old release schedules, there will probably be some weeks/months of +intensive development left before the next release.
+Under the "B II" window decoration, the title bars +automatically move by themselves so they are always visible. You can +edit your title bar decoration by right clicking on your title bar and +selecting "Configure Window Behavior...".
+ +If you do not like the default completion mode (e.g. in Konqueror), you +can right-click on the edit-widget and choose a different mode, e.g. +automatic or manual completion. Manual completion works in a similar +way to +completion in a UNIX shell. Use Ctrl+E to invoke it. +
+ +If you want another panel, to make more space for your applets and +buttons, press right mouse button on the panel to invoke the panel menu +and select "Add to Panel->Panel->Panel".
+(You can then put anything on the fresh panel, adjust its size and +so on.)
+ +If you want to contribute your own "tip of the day", please send it to +kde-doc-english@kde.org, and we will be happy to + include +it in the next release.
+ ++If you drag a file from Konqueror or from the desktop to Konsole, you +will have the choice between pasting the URL or entering that folder.
++Choose the one you want, so you do not have to write the entire path +in the terminal window.
+Contributed by Gerard Delafond
+ ++You can hide mixer devices in KMix by clicking on "Hide" in the +context menu that appears when you click with the right mouse button +on one of the sliders. +
+Take a look at the KMix Handbook for more +KMix tips and tricks.
+Contributed by Stefan Schimanski
+ ++You can add your own "Web Shortcuts" to Konqueror by selecting +Settings->Configure Konqueror->Web Shortcuts. Click "New..." and +complete the fields. +
+For further instructions, and details about the advanced features +available with Web Shortcuts, see the Konqueror Handbook.
+Contributed by Michael Lachmann and Thomas Diehl
+ ++Each UNIX user has a so-called Home folder in which his or her +files as well as user-dependent configuration files are saved. If you +work in a Konsole window, you can easily change to your home folder +by entering the cd command without any parameters. +
+Contributed by Carsten Niehaus
+ +
+You might wonder why there are very few (if any) files whose
+names end in .exe
or .bat
on UNIX
+systems. This is because filenames on UNIX do not need an
+extension. Executable files in KDE are represented by the gear icon
+in Konqueror. In the Konsole window, they are often colored red
+(depending on your settings).
+
Contributed by Carsten Niehaus
+ ++If you want to make your desktop look more interesting, you can find +tons of themes, widget styles window decorations and more at kde-look.org. +
+Contributed by Carsten Niehaus
+ ++Did you know that you can use the middle mouse button to paste +text? Try selecting some text with the left mouse button and click +elsewhere with the middle mouse button. The selected text will be +pasted at the click position. This even works between different programs. +
+Contributed by Carsten Niehaus
+ ++Want to print by using "DragNDrop"? +
++Drag a file and drop it on the "Files" tab of an opened +kprinter dialog.
+Then continue as you would normally: select a printer, job options, etc. +and click the "Print" button. +
+Contributed by Kurt Pfeifle
+ ++If you need to calculate a distance on the screen, the program +kruler can be of great help.
++Furthermore, if you need to look closely at the ruler to count single +pixels, kmag may be very useful. (It is not part of the KDE base +installation but needs to be installed separately. It might already be +available on your distribution.) kmag works +just like xmag, with the difference that it magnifies on the fly. +
+Contributed by Jesper Pedersen
+Sound in KDE is coordinated by the artsd sound server. You can +configure the sound server from the Control Center by selecting +Sound & Multimedia->Sound Server. +
+Contributed by Jeff Tranter
+You can associate sounds, pop up windows, and more with KDE events. This can be configured +from the Control Center by selecting Sound & Multimedia->System Notifications. +
+Contributed by Jeff Tranter
+Most non-KDE sound applications that do not know about the sound server can be +run using the artsdsp command. When the application is run, accesses to +the audio device will be redirected to the artsd sound server. +
+ +
+The command format is:
+artsdsp application arguments ...
+
Contributed by Jeff Tranter
+By holding down the Shift button while moving a container (button +or applet) on the Panel, the container can then be used to push forward +other containers. +
+ ++KDE's 'kioslaves' do not just work in Konqueror: you can use network +URLs in any KDE application. For example, you can enter a URL like +ftp://www.server.com/myfile in the Kate Open dialog, and Kate will +open the file and save changes back to the FTP server when you click +on 'Save.' +
+ ++You can use Konqueror to access your files on any server that you have +ssh access to. Just enter fish://username@hostname in +Konqueror's location bar. +
++In fact, all KDE applications support fish:// URLs - try entering one +in the Open dialog of Kate, for instance +
+ ++KMail, the KDE email client, has built-in support for several popular +spam filtering apps. To set up automatic spam filtering in KMail, +configure your favorite spam filter as you like it, then go to +Tools->Anti-spam wizard in KMail. +
++For more information, look at the KMail Handbook +Anti-Spam Wizard chapter. +
+ ++You can make a window go below other windows by middle-clicking on its titlebar. +
+ ++KDE applications offer short "What's This?" help texts for many +features. Just click on the question mark on the window titlebar, and +then click on the item you need help on. (In some themes, the button +is a lowercase "i" instead of a question mark). +
+ ++KDE supports several different window focus modes: take a look in the +Control Center, under Desktop->Window Behavior. For example, if you +use the mouse a lot, you might prefer the "Focus follows mouse" setting. +
+ ++Konqueror can continuously scroll webpages up or down: just press +Shift+Up Arrow or Shift+Down Arrow. Press the key combination again to +increase the speed, or any other key to stop the scrolling. +
+ +You can use Konqueror's help:/ kioslave to have quick and easy +access to an application's handbook by typing help:/, directly +followed by the application name, in the Location bar. So, for example +to view the handbook for kwrite simply type help:/kwrite.
+ +Thanks to the KSVG +project, KDE now has full support for the Scalable Vector Graphics +(SVG) image filetypes. You can view these images in Konqueror and even +set an SVG image as a background for your desktop.
+ +There is also a great bunch of SVG wallpapers for your desktop background available at kde-look.org.
+ +Konqueror's Web Shortcuts feature lets you submit a query directly +to a search engine without having to visit the website +first. For example, entering gg:konqueror in Location bar and +pressing Enter will search Google for items relating to Konqueror.
+ +To see what further Web Shortcuts are available, and to make your +own, from Konqueror just select Settings->Configure Konqueror... which +will open the Settings dialog box, and then just click on the Web +Shortcuts icon.
+ +KDE is always looking to improve its accessibility, and with the +launch of KTTS (KDE Text-to-Speech) you now have the power to convert +strings of text into audible speech.
+ +KTTS is constantly improving, and currently provides support to +speak all or any portion of plain text files (as viewed in Kate), HTML +pages in Konqueror, text in the KDE clipboard, as well as speech of +KDE notifications (KNotify).
+ +To start the KTTS system, you can either select KTTS in the KDE +menu, or hit Alt+F2 to run a command and then type kttsmgr. For +more information on KTTS, check the KTTSD Handbook.
+ + +Though KDE is a very stable desktop environment, programs may +occasionally freeze or crash, particularly if you are running the +development version of a program, or a program made by a +third-party. In this case, you can forcibly kill the program if need +be.
+ +Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Esc will bring up the skull-and-crossbones +cursor, and once you click on a window with it the program will be +automatically killed. Note, however, that this is an untidy way of +shutting down the program which may result in data being lost, and +some partner processes may still remain running. This should only be +used as a last resort.
+ +KMail is KDE's email client, but did you know that you can +integrate it -- along with other programs -- to bring them all under +one roof? Kontact was made to be a Personal Information Management +suite, and it integrates all components under it seamlessly.
+ +Other possible programs to integrate with Kontact include +KAddressBook (for handling Contacts), KNotes (for keeping notes), +KNode (to keep up-to-date with the latest news), and KOrganizer (for a +comprehensive calender).
+ +You can use the mouse wheel to quickly perform a number of tasks; +here are a few you might not have known of: + +
By pressing F4 in Konqueror you can open a terminal at your current +location.
+ +Although KDE will automatically restore your KDE programs that were +left open after you logged out, you can specifically tell KDE to start +particular applications on start up; see the FAQ entry for more information.
+ +You can integrate Kontact, KDE's Personal Information Management +suit, with Kopete, KDE's Instant Messenger client, so that you can +view contacts' online status, as well as respond to them easily from +KMail itself. For a step-by-step guide, check the KDE User Guide.
+ +By entering kmail --composer in Konsole you can +have KMail only open up the composer window, so that you do not have to +open the entire email client when you only want to send an email to +someone.
+ +While remembering passwords may be tedious, and writing them down +on paper or in a text file may be insecure and untidy, KWallet is an +application that can save and manage all of your passwords in strongly +encrypted files, and permit access to them with the use of one master +password.
+ +KWallet can be accessed from kcontrol, KDE's Control Center; from +there, simply go to Security & Privacy->KDE Wallet. For more +information on KWallet and on how to use it, check the handbook.
+ + +By pressing the Middle Mouse-Button on the desktop you can get a +brief list of all the windows on each desktop. From here you can also + unclutter or cascade the windows.
+ +Different virtual desktops can be customized individually, to a +certain extent. For example, you can specify a particular background +for a given desktop: Take a look in KDE's Control Center, under +Appearance & Themes->Background, or right-click on the desktop and +select Configure Desktop.
+ +While tabbed browsing in Konqueror is very useful, you can take +this one step further if you choose to have a split view in order to +view two locations at the same time. To access this feature, in +Konqueror select Window->Split View, with either Top-Bottom or +Left/Right, depending upon your choice.
+ +This setting will also only apply to a particular tab, rather than +all tabs you have, so you can choose to have the split view for only +some of the tabs where you might think it is useful.
+ ++You can let KDE turn the NumLock ON or OFF at startup. +
++Open the Control Center, select Peripherals->Keyboard and make your + choice. +
++