General KDE Software FAQs: Difference between revisions

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    This page with frequently asked questions (FAQ) has been gathered from questions in the #kde IRC channel. This list isn't comprehensive and may grow.


    ==What about KDE 3?== <!--T:2-->
    ==Helping the KDE Community== <!--T:18-->


    ===Is KDE 3 going to be abandoned?=== <!--T:3-->
    ===How can I help in development? Do I need to learn how to code?=== <!--T:19-->


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    No. There is no EOL (end of life) planned for KDE 3. It will continue to exist and be used as long as there are people using it. However, there is no guarantee of bug fixes and maintenance for KDE 3.5 other than that given by your vendor and possible support contracts.  Further development is not planned.
    There are many ways to help the KDE community, not only through programming. There are other areas of contribution that need talent of other kinds. All that's necessary is the desire to help and some commitment. Of course, if you want learn how to program in order contribute, we will be more than willing to get you started as well.


    ===Is it necessary to upgrade to KDE 4?=== <!--T:5-->
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    Some other ways to help include


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    KDE 3 will continue to exist and be used for a long time. But whether you will have to upgrade will mostly be dependent on your distribution's setup. In general terms, Enterprise distros (ultimate stability but not having the newer applications) use KDE 3.5.  Examples of such distros are CentOS, White Box or Scientific Linux. End-user distros are by now usually using 4.4 or even 4.5.
    * End-user support - if you are experienced, consider joining a mailing list or [http://forum.kde.org the Forum] to help support newer users.
     
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    * If you are able to help with translation as part of the official team, consult [https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/ this list] to find a contact point. If you would like to help with UserBase translation, use the sidebar link to get a translator account, then read [[Special:myLanguage/Tasks_and_Tools|the Tasks and Tools page]].


    ===Is there any help for me to get used to KDE 4?=== <!--T:7-->
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    * English documentation is also needed, and here on UserBase is a good place to start.


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    == Login questions == <!--T:26-->
    Yes, indeed.  UserBase can help a great deal.  Some pages to get you started are
    [[Special:myLanguage:/Finding_Your_Application|Finding your Application]] which deals with applications that have changed their name or location, and [[Special:myLanguage/Common_Tasks|Common Tasks]] which aims to get you productive quickly.


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    Don't forget that you can use the ''Search bar'' to find other pages related to any problem you meet, and clicking on the ''Category|Getting Started'' link at the bottom of this page will show you other helpful pages.
    Q: When I log in to KDE, some programs are/are not started and I want to change this. How can I do this?


    ===Will I be able to keep using KDE 3 or KDE 3 apps?=== <!--T:10-->
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    A: See [[Special:myLanguage/System_Settings/Startup_and_Shutdown#Autostart|Autostart]]


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    == Keyboard shortcuts == <!--T:46-->
    Yes, you will be able to continue using KDE 3 or KDE 3 apps as long as the necessary dependencies are installed. As the changeover to KDE 4 software progresses some of those dependencies will be missing.  However, at the same time, most applications are either getting new versions to run with the more up to date dependencies, or similar, new packages are being written.


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    How KDE 4 and KDE are set up depends on your distribution. Please consult with your distribution for more information. Some distributions allow both KDE3 and KDE 4 SC to be installed on the same system.  However, since the release of KDE 4.3 that is less frequently found.
    Q: When I take a break, I just want to hit the <keycap>Break</keycap> key and the desktop should be locked. How can I achieve this?


    ==General Troubleshooting techniques== <!--T:13-->
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    A: Open [[Special:myLanguage/System Settings|System Settings]].
    Select <menuchoice>Shortcuts and Gestures -> Custom Shortcuts -> Edit -> New -> Global Shortcut -> Command/URL -> Trigger</menuchoice>. Click on the '''Shortcut''', type the key you want to associate (<keycap>Break</keycap> in this example). Click on <menuchoice>Action</menuchoice>. As '''Command/URL''' enter {{Input|1= /usr/lib64/kde4/libexec/kscreenlocker_greet}} Then click on <menuchoice>Apply</menuchoice>.


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    == Other FAQ pages == <!--T:29-->
    There are a few basic steps that can help in troubleshooting problems with KDE software. You should try these steps before asking on #kde or the kde general mailing list, since you'll probably be told to try them anyway [[Image:Face-smile.png|11px]].


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    * Try creating a new user and running your KDE software with that user. If the problem doesn't occur with the new user, there's probably a problem with a file in your .kde directory. You should then try:
    [[Special:myLanguage/Workspace_Configuration/Desktop_Configuration|General configuration of your workspace]]
    **Rename the file causing the problem. To find an appropriate file, look in .kde/share/apps/<application-name> or in .kde/share/config/application-name.rc where application-name is the name of the application you are having problems with.
    **Log out, then log in afresh.  New default files will replace your renamed ones.
    * Clean out /tmp and /var/tmp. KDE stores some temporary files which can sometimes cause problems.  You will need to be root to do this. You might also like to try removing the following files. Make sure you exit KDE first though!  (The easiest safe way is to choose Failsafe at bootup.):
    ** ~/.DCOPserver-* (on KDE3 systems there are usually two of these; one is a symlink to the other)
    ** ~/.kde/socket-<hostname>
    ** ~/.kde/tmp-<hostname> which is normally a symlink to the next file:
    ** /tmp/tmp-kde-<USER>
    ** ~/.kde/socket-<hostname> which is also normally a symlink to:
    ** /tmp/ksocket-<USER>
    * If you're running an old release from KDE, try updating to the latest version - many bugs are fixed with each new version, so your problem might already be fixed.
    * Try searching the Bugzilla at http://bugs.kde.org . Many common problems have been reported and discussed there.
    * If your problem is more general than just one KDE application (e.g., "sound stops working when I start my KDE desktop"), try starting X with a different window manager. Even if you haven't installed another WM, 'twm' will be available, as it ships by default with X.
    ** If you start X with the 'startx' command, just put the appropriate command in the file .xinitrc in your home directory. (If it doesn't exist, create it)
    ** If you start your desktop from kdm, this will not work.


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    [[Special:myLanguage/Desktop_Effects_Performance|Desktop Effects FAQs]]


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    If your problem is with sound in KDE software, you could try looking at [[Special:myLanguage/Sound_Problems|Sound Problems]]
    [[Special:myLanguage/KMail/FAQs_Hints_and_Tips|KMail FAQs, hints and tips]]


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    [[Special:myLanguage/Rekonq/FAQs|Rekonq FAQs]]


    ==Some Common Questions== <!--T:17-->
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    [[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/Krunner#Tips.2C_Tricks_and_FAQs|Plasma K~Runner FAQs, hints and tips]]


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    [[Special:myLanguage/KPilot#FAQs, Hints and Tips|KPilot FAQs, hints and tips]]


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    [[Special:myLanguage/KCalc#FAQs, Hints and Tips|KCalc FAQs, hints and tips]]


    ==Helping the KDE Community== <!--T:18-->
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    [[Special:myLanguage/Browser_Configuration|Configuration hints and tips for various browsers]]
     
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    [http://kmymoney2.sourceforge.net/index-gen.html KMyMoney FAQs]
     
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    [https://docs.kde.org/stable/en/kdeedu/kstars/faq.html KStars FAQs]


    ===How can I help in development? Do I need to learn how to code?=== <!--T:19-->
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    [http://www.digikam.org/?q=faq/digikam digiKam FAQs]


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    There are many ways to help the KDE community, not only through programming. There are other areas of contribution that need talent of other kinds. All that's necessary is the desire to help and some commitment. Of course, if you want learn how to program in order contribute, we will be more than willing to get you started as well.
    [[Special:myLanguage/Gwenview/Hidden_Configuration_Options|Hidden settings in Gwenview]]


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    Some other ways to help include
    [[Special:myLanguage/Color_Management|Colour Management FAQs]]


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    * End-user support - if you are experienced, consider joining a mailing list or [http://forum.kde.org the Forum] to help support newer users.
    [[Special:myLanguage/KolorManager|KolorManager configuration]]


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    * If you are able to help with translation as part of the official team, consult [https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/ this list] to find a contact point.  If you would like to help with UserBase translation, use the sidebar link to get a translator account, then read [[Tasks_and_Tools|the Tasks and Tools page]].
    [[Special:myLanguage/KDevelop4/FAQ|Hints and tips for using KDevelop4]]


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    * English documentation is also needed, and here on UserBase is a good place to start.
    [[Special:myLanguage/Umbrello/FAQ|Umbrello FAQs]]


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    Latest revision as of 15:57, 15 October 2014


    Helping the KDE Community

    How can I help in development? Do I need to learn how to code?

    There are many ways to help the KDE community, not only through programming. There are other areas of contribution that need talent of other kinds. All that's necessary is the desire to help and some commitment. Of course, if you want learn how to program in order contribute, we will be more than willing to get you started as well.

    Some other ways to help include

    • End-user support - if you are experienced, consider joining a mailing list or the Forum to help support newer users.
    • If you are able to help with translation as part of the official team, consult this list to find a contact point. If you would like to help with UserBase translation, use the sidebar link to get a translator account, then read the Tasks and Tools page.
    • English documentation is also needed, and here on UserBase is a good place to start.

    Login questions

    Q: When I log in to KDE, some programs are/are not started and I want to change this. How can I do this?

    A: See Autostart

    Keyboard shortcuts

    Q: When I take a break, I just want to hit the Break key and the desktop should be locked. How can I achieve this?

    A: Open System Settings.

    Select Shortcuts and Gestures -> Custom Shortcuts -> Edit -> New -> Global Shortcut -> Command/URL -> Trigger. Click on the Shortcut, type the key you want to associate (Break in this example). Click on Action. As Command/URL enter

    /usr/lib64/kde4/libexec/kscreenlocker_greet

    Then click on Apply.

    Other FAQ pages

    General configuration of your workspace

    Desktop Effects FAQs

    KMail FAQs, hints and tips

    Rekonq FAQs

    Plasma K~Runner FAQs, hints and tips

    KPilot FAQs, hints and tips

    KCalc FAQs, hints and tips

    Configuration hints and tips for various browsers

    KMyMoney FAQs

    KStars FAQs

    digiKam FAQs

    Hidden settings in Gwenview

    Colour Management FAQs

    KolorManager configuration

    Hints and tips for using KDevelop4

    Umbrello FAQs