Ubuntu For Free » KDE

IRC Client Quassel Quashes Questions On Communications

admin — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:34:34 +0000

This is my first post mentioning Quassel, but it will not be my last. I am going to skip the really significant features that Quassel brags about (with much reason), but point to this lovely screen shot. It demonstrates how Quassel shows a tiny preview of a link beneath your mouse cursor, keeping you from having to open your browser to view a site that you may not really desire to visit.

Success Upgrading to Kubuntu Intrepid Ibex

admin — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:07:53 +0000

I’ve resisted too long. Finally I was coerced into it. After having spent a lot of time on a different project, I’ve tried to spend a little more time in KDE 4, and then Konqueror stopped working. It would give me a fatal error every time i tried opening. I found someone else reporting the error and it had been suggested to go ahead and upgrade KDE. I checked for new packages in Hardy Heron, but none were available. The upgrade from the run prompt using

kdesudo “adept_manager –dist-upgrade”

After a successful install on the machine that has the most packages, I chose to repeat on the other machines. Yay, I’m able to use Konqueror again.

I’ve also been very happy with some of the other improvements. While I was disappointed to see that KDE3 is missing, KDE4 now supports saving sessions and locking the terminal. Both were my biggest complaints aside from crashes.

How To Add Programs To Your Startup In KDE

admin — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:22:19 +0000

I discovered the best way for me to mount my ssh shares via sshfs automatically when I log in. I add shares and folders from time to time, and I also wanted this technology to automatically be backed up for me, so I wanted the solution to lie inside my home folder. I did some research and learned that KDE has an Autostart folder. For KDE 3.x this is currently at ~/.kde/Autostart, and for KDE4 it is ~/.kde4 (which will eventually drop the 4). I’m already hosting my scripts in ~/bin, so I created a script in that folder to execute sshfs and create the mounts. I then created a link by right-dragging the icon in Konqueror from the ~/bin/ folder to ~/.kde/Autostart. This will work for any executable or script. Now my sshfs mounts automatically at login.

Problems with kdesu via SSH after Hardy Heron Upgrade

admin — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 02:48:47 +0000

I started encountering an error when using kdesu via SSH after Hardy Heron was installed. I’ve since upgraded to 8.04.1 as well and still am running into this bug.

X11 connection rejected because of wrong authentication. kate: cannot connect to X server localhost:10.0

I know I’m not the only Kubuntu user, and there is proof I am not the only user encountering this error. I’ve been getting around it by using gksu which has no problems with my authentication. I suppose I could just alias kdesu and kdesudo (i tried it with no luck too!) to gksu, but I’d like to see an update fix this in the upcoming months. The nice fade effect of gksu is a welcome change sometimes.

Updates for KDE4 Reveal Fewer Crashes and The Same Big Problems

admin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:53:11 +0000

There’s been many updates to KDE4, and while spending another day with KDE4 yesterday, I was relieved to find many of the segfaults and KDE crash errors had been resolved. I was disappointed to not be able to find any way of saving my session for KDE4, other than it saving my previous session. I use Manually saved sessions because of convenience and consistency on all my workstations and servers. I was also still unable to lock my workstation.

Kubuntu 8.04 Beta Hardy Heron Is Now Available

admin — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:35:47 +0000

It’s officially released, the Beta that is. Get your copy from : http://releases.ubuntu.com/releases/kubuntu/8.04

Changing AutoAction for Media Types in KDE

admin — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 04:09:13 +0000

I recently made the mistake of auto-selecting the wrong action when I inserted a new blank DVD while at the same time telling it to not prompt me again. It really caused havoc when creating multiple copies in k3b. Fortunately the IRC channel was very helpful and NickPresta answered my query. To change these kind of actions, you can launch kcontrol by using alt->f2, typing kcontrol, selecting peripherals and then the storage and media subcategory. Here, use the drop down to select the proper media type… notice the scroll list. Highlight the action you want to do automatically, and then click the toggle as AutoAction. It worked great for me.

Browsing SCP and SSH

admin — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 07:15:30 +0000

Now that I’ve gotten my SSH server installed and working properly, I’ve found a need for some tools to work with that secure shell. KDE again comes to my rescue, and allows me to browse my remote secure shell connection right from inside of Konqueror. This makes it a breeze to copy and paste documents and folders between remote systems on my network. For this to work, the KIOSlave handler for the “fish” protocol is called upon. You can browse these remote systems by using this format for the Location box:

fish://user@remotesystem

This really cuts down on the time of using the command line to work with large groups of files. You can also use the same format within Qt applications’ dialog boxes, making it easy to work with files directly from inside of applications.

A day without KDE4

admin — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:29:23 +0000

Having battled with using KDE4 after a easy install in Kubuntu Gutsy Gibbon, I’ve discovered some of the shortcomings of the new desktop environment. I switched back to a KDE 3.5 session today, and what a relief! I figure I’ll continue to switch back and forth about every other day. This will let me continue to use a fully functioning workstation and still allow me to experiment with KDE4.

I’ve heard of others using Xen and somehow being able to use both simultaneously. I haven’t tried it yet, and I’m interested in hearing others opinions of their experience.

KDE4 Install in Kubuntu Improves Performance

admin — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:53:43 +0000

I first installed KDE4 yesterday, and I’ve been impressed with it. Not in the ways I expected, but at the same time disappointed and frustrated in other ways I was not ready for. Ctrl-F12 fortunately doesnt require three keys on the left hand for a normal US keyboard, but instead does require both hands, almost universally. It’s interesting now, because I’m beginning to see a shift in the interfaces of operating systems. It is very apparent comparing KDE and Vista, and it’s amazing how the interfaces parallel the user base. I see this reflected in the new Ctrl-F12 desktop with the widgets, and I expect to find it as the foundation for future interfaces. I’ve seen other programs like Yahoo widgets try to do something like this, but it was more of an encumbrance with the operating system. This instead seems more naturally integrated, of course because it is part of the OS. It would still be nice to be able to use Ctrl-Alt-Del to see what I would previously expect for the “Desktop”. Another disappointment, is the missing alt+f1that I’m so used to. It makes me reluctant to use the new spectacular Kickoff menu. Also significantly lacking is the ability for me to lock my terminal. Having my personal laptop around in my office is usually ok for me, but I’d like to be able to lock it when I’m not at my desk.

My greatest pleasant surprise of installing KDE, was the improved performance. The core system seems extremely refined, fast, and immediately responsive.

Sometimes it’s so frustrating that I almost want to give up and logout and switch to the KDE 3.5 session, but instead I hop on IRC in Konversation and look for help in one of the channels. So far, it’s been an experience. Somewhat of a struggle, but I think I’ll keep trying.