Common Tasks: Difference between revisions

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==When common tasks feel strange== <!--T:1-->
==When common tasks feel strange== <!--T:1-->
If you are new to Plasma, it's likely that some common tasks may feel strange. Some things are completely new concepts, and other things are just done differently. There are screencasts of how to perform many plasma tasks at [[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/HowTo/Index |this How-To page]].
If you are new to the Plasma Workspace it's likely that many common tasks will feel strange. Some things are completely new concepts, and other things are just done differently. There are screencasts of how to perform many plasma tasks at [[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/HowTo/Index |this How-To page]].


==Installing additional software== <!--T:2-->
==How do I install additional KDE software?== <!--T:2-->


<!--T:3-->
<!--T:3-->
Installing software on your computer can be done with a variety of tools ranging from KDE's graphical Discover app store to command-line package management tools that come directly from your distribution. [[Special:myLanguage/Tutorials/Install_KDE_software|Install KDE software]] has more details.
Installing software on your computer, whether with KDE SC or GNOME, largely depends on your distribution's software management system. Please consult with your distribution for more information. [[Special:myLanguage/Tutorials/Install_KDE_software|Install KDE software]] has more details.


==Installing drivers for wifi/graphics/other hardware== <!--T:4-->
==How do I install drivers for wifi/video/other hardware?== <!--T:4-->


<!--T:5-->
<!--T:5-->
Installing hardware drivers for networking or video is a task that most distributions take care of. Different distributions use different tools for configuring hardware. Please consult with your distribution first for more information. A good way is by asking other users on [[Special:myLanguage/How_to_chat_with_other_KDE_users|chat channels]].
Installing hardware drivers for networking or video is a task that most distributions take care of. Different distributions use different tools for configuring hardware. Please consult with your distribution first for more information. A good way is by asking other users on [[Special:myLanguage/How_to_chat_with_other_KDE_users|chat channels]].


==File Management== <!--T:6-->
==File Management on Steroids== <!--T:6-->


<!--T:7-->
<!--T:7-->
'''[[Special:myLanguage/Dolphin|Dolphin]]''' is the default file manager in most distributions. Learn how to enable previews, give yourself quick access to the directories you use most, and choose how much detail to see about your files. All this and more can be found [[Special:myLanguage/Dolphin/File_Management|in this File Management tutorial]]
'''[[Special:myLanguage/Dolphin|Dolphin]]''' is your new file manager, but it looks and feels very different from older file managers. Learn how to enable previews, give yourself quick access to the directories you use most, and choose how much detail you see about your files. All this and more [[Special:myLanguage/Dolphin/File_Management|in this File Management tutorial]]


===Renaming Multiple Files=== <!--T:10-->
===Using a more traditional file manager=== <!--T:8-->


<!--T:11-->
<!--T:9-->
There are times when you need to rename a large number of files or folders at the same time. This is often referred to as "batch renaming," and can be accomplished a number of ways in KDE.
[[Special:myLanguage/Konqueror|Konqueror]] is primarily a web interface, but it can also function as a traditional file manager. If this is your preference, in  '''System Settings''', go to the <menuchoice>Advanced tab</menuchoice> and click on <menuchoice>File Associations</menuchoice>. In the list of ''Known Types'', go to the ''inode/directory'' type. In the <menuchoice>General</menuchoice> tab at the right side of the window, select
'''Konqueror''' in the ''Application Preference Order'' and click on the <menuchoice>Up</menuchoice> button until it is at the top. Click on <menuchoice>Apply</menuchoice> to save the changes.


==== With Dolphin ==== <!--T:12-->
==Using Removable Drives== <!--T:27-->


<!--T:13-->
===Mounting the drive=== <!--T:28-->
'''Dolphin''' has a ability to rename multiple files by numbering them, though the functionality is currently limited and only useful in certain situations. One useful application would be renaming a set of photos.  [[Special:myLanguage/Dolphin/Batch_Rename|Here's how it's done]]


==== With KRename ==== <!--T:14-->
<!--T:39-->
 
{{Note|1=What does "Mounting" the drive mean?  Think of it as opening it for reading.  Similarly, ''umount'' is like closing the book.}}
<!--T:15-->
'''[[Special:myLanguage/KRename|KRename]]''' has the ability to rename large numbers of files based on many different criteria, including search and replace, file properties, mp3 & ogg metadata, and many others.
 
<!--T:16-->
'''KRename''' can be found in the '''Kickoff''' menu in the ''Utilities'' section.  It may be called "Bulk Rename". If you don't see it there, it's likely not installed, and you'll need to [[Special:myLanguage/Tutorials/Install_KDE_software|install it]].
 
==Using Removable Drives== <!--T:27-->


<!--T:29-->
<!--T:29-->
Unlike some other operating systems you might be familiar with, Plasma as shipped by most distros doesn't automatically mount removable drives when they're plugged in. What does "Mounting" a drive mean? Think of it as opening a book for reading. Similarly, ''umounting'' is like closing the book.
Most distros don't, in their default settings, automatically mount removable drives.  There are two main ways of dealing with this.
 
There are two main ways of accessing a drive that was just plugged in:


<!--T:30-->
<!--T:30-->
* Using the '''Device Notifier''' - normally the Device Notifier will pop up a little window telling you that a new drive was connected. Click on the <menuchoice>Mount and Open</menuchoice> button that appears beside its name. This mounts the drive and opens '''Dolphin''' showing its contents.
* Using the '''Device Notifier''' - click on the device name and you will be shown relevant options, one of which will be <menuchoice>Open with File Manager</menuchoice>. This opens '''Dolphin''' with the contents of the device listed.
* Mounting in '''Dolphin''' - if you already have '''Dolphin''' open you will see the new device appear in the '''Places''' panel. Click on it and it will be mounted and show its contents.
* Mounting in '''Dolphin''' - if you already have '''Dolphin''' open you will see the new device appear in the '''Places''' panel. Click on that and you will see the contents of the device.
* If you prefer for drives to be automatically mounted, you can now do this by going to <menuchoice>System Settings ->  Hardware Section -> Removable Storage -> Device Auto-Mount</menuchoice> and check the checkboxes for <menuchoice>On login</menuchoice> and <menuchoice>On attach</menuchoice> for the list item named "All known devices".
* If you prefer the drive to be automatically mounted, you can now do this by going to <menuchoice>System Settings ->  Hardware Section -> Removable Devices</menuchoice> and check <menuchoice>Enable automatic mounting of removable storage media</menuchoice>.


<!--T:40-->
<!--T:40-->
{{Tip|1=Keeping the "Automatically mount removable media that have never been manually mounted before" option unchecked may be a more secure option than mounting all removable media}}
{{Tip|1=The first option "Only automatically mount removable media that has been manually mounted before" may be a more secure option than mounting all removable media}}


<!--T:41-->
<!--T:41-->
If you choose to automount, remember that you still need to umount drives before physically unplugging them.  This is the equivalent of "safely remove" in Windows or "Eject" in macOS. In '''Device Notifier''' and Dolphin's Places panel, you will see a button with the icon {{Icon|media-eject}}; click this to unmount the drive. Always wait a few seconds after doing this to make sure that any pending move or copy operations have completed! Once the device disappears from the Device Notifier or Dolphin, you can safely unplug it.
If you choose to automount, remember that you still need to umount it (close it) before removing it.  This is the equivalent of Windows software saying "safely remove". In '''Device Notifier''' you will see {{Icon|media-eject}}.  In Dolphin, a right-click will offer you the same icon with "Safely Remove" and the device's name.
 


<!--T:31-->
<!--T:31-->
{{Info|1=Audio disks can be played without mounting. Use your favorite disk-playing application}}
{{Info|1=Audio disks can be played without mounting. Use your favourite disk-playing application}}
 
===Umounting the drive=== <!--T:32-->
 
<!--T:33-->
Again, you have two main possibilities.
 
<!--T:34-->
* Use the device notifier.  Instead of the plug icon that you saw before, there will now be an up-arrow icon similar to that shown on VHS and DVD players.  That will "safely remove" the drive.  However, it will not eject it.  Always wait a few seconds after using this, as buffers are flushed and you want to be sure that it has finished writing.
* In '''Dolphin''', look for the name of the device in the '''Places''' panel.  Right-click on it and you will see the Eject icon.  Again, take care not to remove the drive too quickly.


===Opening an empty CD tray=== <!--T:35-->
===Opening an empty CD tray=== <!--T:35-->
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<!--T:36-->
<!--T:36-->
Usually you use a hardware button to do this, but if that is not possible you can create a link to a script to do it for you. You will find details of this on [[Talk:Dolphin/File_Management#How_do_I_eject_a_device_that_is_not_mounted.3F_494|this talk page]]
Usually you use a hardware button to do this, but if that is not possible you can create a link to a script to do it for you. You will find details of this on [[Talk:Dolphin/File_Management#How_do_I_eject_a_device_that_is_not_mounted.3F_494|this talk page]]
==Renaming Multiple Files== <!--T:10-->
<!--T:11-->
There are times when you need to rename a large number of files or folders at the same time. This is often referred to as "batch renaming," and can be accomplished a number of ways in KDE.
=== With Dolphin === <!--T:12-->
<!--T:13-->
'''Dolphin''' has a ability to rename multiple files by numbering them, though the functionality is currently limited and only useful in certain situations. One useful application would be renaming a set of photos.  [[Special:myLanguage/Dolphin/Batch_Rename|Here's how it's done]]
=== With KRename === <!--T:14-->
<!--T:15-->
'''[[Special:myLanguage/KRename|KRename]]''' has the ability to rename large numbers of files based on many different criteria, including search and replace, file properties, mp3 & ogg metadata, and many others.
<!--T:16-->
'''KRename''' can be found in the '''Kickoff''' menu in the ''Utilities'' section.  It may be called "Bulk Rename".


==Configuration Help== <!--T:17-->
==Configuration Help== <!--T:17-->


===Plasma=== <!--T:18-->
===Workspace=== <!--T:18-->


<!--T:19-->
<!--T:19-->
* [[Special:myLanguage/Workspace_Configuration/Desktop_Configuration|Tweak your Desktop]]
* [[Special:myLanguage/Workspace_Configuration/Desktop_Configuration|Tweak your Desktop]]
====Full KDE on Small Screens (e.g. Netbooks)==== <!--T:20-->
<!--T:21-->
*  [[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/Netbooks|The Plasma Netbook Interface]] is customised to make the most of the available space and automatically configures window management to give full room to applications.
* [[Special:myLanguage/KWin#Using_with_small_screens_(eg_Netbooks)|KWin's page]] has hints for slimming down window decorations, making fonts smaller, and disabling tooltips in KMail.


===Internet=== <!--T:22-->
===Internet=== <!--T:22-->
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<!--T:38-->
<!--T:38-->
* Occasionally, when something is not working well, you may be told that you need to set up an Environment Variable.  [[Special:myLanguage/Session_Environment_Variables|Here's how to do it]]
* Occasionally, when something is not working well, you may be told that you need to set up an Environmental Variable.  [[Special:myLanguage/Session_Environment_Variables|Here's how to do it]]


<!--T:26-->
<!--T:26-->

Revision as of 11:21, 14 July 2023

When common tasks feel strange

If you are new to the Plasma Workspace it's likely that many common tasks will feel strange. Some things are completely new concepts, and other things are just done differently. There are screencasts of how to perform many plasma tasks at this How-To page.

How do I install additional KDE software?

Installing software on your computer, whether with KDE SC or GNOME, largely depends on your distribution's software management system. Please consult with your distribution for more information. Install KDE software has more details.

How do I install drivers for wifi/video/other hardware?

Installing hardware drivers for networking or video is a task that most distributions take care of. Different distributions use different tools for configuring hardware. Please consult with your distribution first for more information. A good way is by asking other users on chat channels.

File Management on Steroids

Dolphin is your new file manager, but it looks and feels very different from older file managers. Learn how to enable previews, give yourself quick access to the directories you use most, and choose how much detail you see about your files. All this and more in this File Management tutorial

Using a more traditional file manager

Konqueror is primarily a web interface, but it can also function as a traditional file manager. If this is your preference, in System Settings, go to the Advanced tab and click on File Associations. In the list of Known Types, go to the inode/directory type. In the General tab at the right side of the window, select Konqueror in the Application Preference Order and click on the Up button until it is at the top. Click on Apply to save the changes.

Using Removable Drives

Mounting the drive

Note

What does "Mounting" the drive mean? Think of it as opening it for reading. Similarly, umount is like closing the book.


Most distros don't, in their default settings, automatically mount removable drives. There are two main ways of dealing with this.

  • Using the Device Notifier - click on the device name and you will be shown relevant options, one of which will be Open with File Manager. This opens Dolphin with the contents of the device listed.
  • Mounting in Dolphin - if you already have Dolphin open you will see the new device appear in the Places panel. Click on that and you will see the contents of the device.
  • If you prefer the drive to be automatically mounted, you can now do this by going to System Settings -> Hardware Section -> Removable Devices and check Enable automatic mounting of removable storage media.

Tip

The first option "Only automatically mount removable media that has been manually mounted before" may be a more secure option than mounting all removable media


If you choose to automount, remember that you still need to umount it (close it) before removing it. This is the equivalent of Windows software saying "safely remove". In Device Notifier you will see . In Dolphin, a right-click will offer you the same icon with "Safely Remove" and the device's name.


Information

Audio disks can be played without mounting. Use your favourite disk-playing application


Umounting the drive

Again, you have two main possibilities.

  • Use the device notifier. Instead of the plug icon that you saw before, there will now be an up-arrow icon similar to that shown on VHS and DVD players. That will "safely remove" the drive. However, it will not eject it. Always wait a few seconds after using this, as buffers are flushed and you want to be sure that it has finished writing.
  • In Dolphin, look for the name of the device in the Places panel. Right-click on it and you will see the Eject icon. Again, take care not to remove the drive too quickly.

Opening an empty CD tray

Usually you use a hardware button to do this, but if that is not possible you can create a link to a script to do it for you. You will find details of this on this talk page

Renaming Multiple Files

There are times when you need to rename a large number of files or folders at the same time. This is often referred to as "batch renaming," and can be accomplished a number of ways in KDE.

With Dolphin

Dolphin has a ability to rename multiple files by numbering them, though the functionality is currently limited and only useful in certain situations. One useful application would be renaming a set of photos. Here's how it's done

With KRename

KRename has the ability to rename large numbers of files based on many different criteria, including search and replace, file properties, mp3 & ogg metadata, and many others.

KRename can be found in the Kickoff menu in the Utilities section. It may be called "Bulk Rename".

Configuration Help

Workspace

Full KDE on Small Screens (e.g. Netbooks)

  • The Plasma Netbook Interface is customised to make the most of the available space and automatically configures window management to give full room to applications.
  • KWin's page has hints for slimming down window decorations, making fonts smaller, and disabling tooltips in KMail.

Internet

Session

  • Occasionally, when something is not working well, you may be told that you need to set up an Environmental Variable. Here's how to do it