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    [[Welcome_to_KDE_UserBase|Home]] >> [[An_introduction_to_KDE|Introduction]] >> [[Glossary]]
    <!--T:2-->
    This page sets out to provide a non-technical reference, together with links for further information or demonstration. See also [[Special:myLanguage/Jargon File|Jargon File]].


    ==A General Overview== <!--T:3-->


    This page sets out to provide a non-technical reference, together with links for further information or demonstration. It should be noted that not all of the KDE 4 developments are available in 4.0. Some maynot be ready for 4.1.
    <!--T:4-->
    [http://www.kde.org/announcements/4.0/desktop.php A KDE 4.0 Visual Guide:] and a [http://media.ereslibre.es/2008/06/kde41.ogg 4.1 screencast] gives an excellent overview of '''KDE Software Compilation 4''' in the early days.


    ==A General Overview==
    <!--T:5-->
    [http://www.kde.org/announcements/4.0/desktop.php A KDE 4.0 Visual Guide:] and a [http://media.ereslibre.es/2008/06/kde41.ogg 4.1 screencast] give an excellent overview of KDE 4.
    The following glossary is intended to help you find your way through the mists of new names and new concepts. In some cases you can find a link from a '''KDE 3''' component to its equivalent in the context of '''KDE SC 4''' software.


    The following glossary is intended to help you find your way through the mists of new names and new concepts.  In some cases you can find a link from a KDE 3 component to its equivalent in KDE 4.
    </translate><span id="Activities"></span><translate>


    ===Activities=== <!--T:6-->
    :'''Activities''' are sets of '''Plasma''' ''widgets'' that have their own wallpaper. A bit like [[#Virtual Desktops|Virtual Desktops]], but not quite.


    ;<span id="Activities">'''Activities'''</span>
    <!--T:7-->
    :Activities are sets of Plasma widgets that have their own wallpaper. A bit like virtualdesktops, but not quite.
    :For example you have a "work activity" with commit rss feeds, a note with your TODO, a ''Folder View'' with your work related files, and a subtle wallpaper.


    :For example you have a &quot;work activity&quot; with commit rss feeds, a note with your TODO, a folderview with your work related files, and a subtle wallpaper.   
    <!--T:8-->
    :Next to it, you have your "freetime activity", with previews of family photos and dogs, rss feeds from your favourite blogs, a Folder View showing your movie collection, a twitter applet and of course that Iron Maiden wallpaper you have been loving since the early 80s.   


    :Next to it, youhave your freetime activity, with previews of family photos and dogs, rss feeds from your favourite blogs, a folderview showing your movie collection, a twitter applet and of course that Iron Maiden wallpaper you have been loving since the early 80s.
    <!--T:9-->
    :At 1700 hours sharp you switch from the "work activity" to your "freetime activity".


    :At 1700 hours sharp you switch from the work activity to your freetime activity.
    <!--T:10-->
    ''More info'':
    :[[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/FAQ/4.3#How can I add/remove an activity?|Creating Activities]]


    :''More info'':
    </translate><span id="Akonadi"></span><translate>
    ::[[Plasma#How_can_I_add.2Fremove_an_activity.3F|Creating Activities]]


    ===Akonadi=== <!--T:11-->
    :The data storage access mechanism for all ''PIM'' (Personal Information Manager) data in ''KDE SC 4''.  One single storage and retrieval system allows efficiency and extensibility not possible under ''KDE 3'', where each PIM component had its own system. Note that use of '''Akonadi''' does not change data storage formats (''vcard'', ''iCalendar'', ''mbox'', ''maildir'' etc.) - it just provides a new way of accessing and updating the data.


    ;<span id="Akonadi">'''Akonadi'''</span>
    <!--T:12-->
    :The data storage backend for all PIM (Personal Information Manager) data in KDE 4. One  single storage and retrieval system allows efficiency and extensibiliy not possible under KDE3, where each PIM component had its own system.
    :The main reasons for design and development of '''Akonadi''' are of technical nature, e.g. having a unique way to access PIM-data (contacts, calendars, emails..) from different applications (e.g. '''kmail''', '''kword'''..), thus eliminating the need to write similar code here and there.


    :''More info'':
    <!--T:13-->
    ::[http://pim.kde.org/akonadi/ Akonadi - KDE PIM]
    :Another goal is to de-couple GUI applications like '''kmail''' from the direct access to external resources like mail-servers - which was a major reason for bug-reports/wishes with regard to performance/responsiveness in the past.
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akonadi Wikipedia - Akonadi]
    ::[http://techbase.kde.org/Projects/PIM/Akonadi Techbase - Akonadi]


    <!--T:14-->
    ''More info'':
    :[http://userbase.kde.org/Akonadi/ Akonadi for KDE's PIM]
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akonadi Wikipedia - Akonadi]
    :[http://techbase.kde.org/Projects/PIM/Akonadi Techbase - Akonadi]


    ;<span id="aRts">'''aRts'''</span>
    </translate><span id="aRts"></span><translate>
    :The sound framework in KDE 2 and 3.  Its single-tasking nature caused problems when two sources of sound were encountered.  In KDE 4 it is replaced by [[#Phonon|Phonon]]


    :''More info'':
    ===aRts=== <!--T:15-->
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARts Wikipedia - aRts]  
    :The sound framework in KDE 2 and 3.  Its single-tasking nature caused problems when two sources of sound were encountered.  In the ''Plasma workspace'' it is replaced by [[#Phonon|Phonon]]  
    ::[http://www.arts-project.org/gen/newsarchive/news_2000.html aRtsHome Page]


    <!--T:16-->
    ''More info'':
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARts Wikipedia - aRts]
    :[http://www.arts-project.org/gen/newsarchive/news_2000.html aRts Home Page]


    ;<span id="Containment">'''Containment'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Containment"></span><translate>
    :A Containment is a top level grouping of widgets. Each Containment manages the layout and configuration data of its set of widgets independently from other Containments.


    :The end result is that you can group widgets within a containment according to the significance to your working pattern, rather than by directory grouping.  
    ===Baloo=== <!--T:84-->
    :'''Baloo''' replaced [[Special:myLanguage/Glossary#Nepomuk|Nepomuk]] as a "sematic desktop" search framework. [[Special:myLanguage/Baloo|Baloo]] is a file indexing and search service that '''Dolphin''' uses to search for files. In a terminal type, <code>balooctl check</code> to find out whether an index was created already. <code>balooctl disable</code> and <code>balooctl status</code> are helpful instructions as well.


    <!--T:85-->
    ''More info'':
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baloo Baloo]


    ;<span id="D-Bus">'''D-Bus
    </translate><span id="Containment"></span><translate>
    :An inter-service messaging system.  Developed by RedHat, it was heavily influenced by KDE&#039;s DCOP, which it supercedes.


    :''More info'':
    ===Containment=== <!--T:17-->
    ::[http://tinyurl.com/2a9h8o FreeDesktop.org: What is D-Bus?]
    :A ''Containment'' is a top level grouping of widgets. Each Containment manages the layout and configuration data of its set of widgets independently from other Containments.
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-Bus Wikipedia: D-Bus]


    <!--T:18-->
    :The end result is that you can group widgets within a Containment according to the significance to your working pattern, rather than by directory grouping.   


    ;<span id="Decibel">'''Decibel'''</span>
    </translate><span id="D-Bus"></span><translate>
    :Using [[#D-Bus|D-Bus]], Decibel is the framework to manage all communication protocols including IM, email and VOIP through a unified system. Decibel is expected to be fully functional by KDE 4.2.


    :''More info'':
    ===D-Bus=== <!--T:19-->
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decibel_(KDE) Wikipedia - Decibel]
    :An inter-service messaging system. Developed by Red Hat<sup>®</sup>, it was heavily influenced by KDE3's ''DCOP'', which it supersedes.
    ::[http://techbase.kde.org/Development/Architecture/KDE4/Decibel Techbase - Decibel]
    ::[http://decibel.kde.org/ Decibel website]


    <!--T:20-->
    ''More info'':
    :[http://freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/dbus FreeDesktop.org: What is D-Bus?]
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-Bus Wikipedia: D-Bus]


    ;<span id="Dolphin">'''Dolphin'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Dolphin"></span><translate>
    :The default file manager in KDE4.  It has a side panel, but navigation is mainly by the &#039;breadcrumb&#039; trail above the main window.  Split windows are possible, and views can be applied to individual windows. Mounting and umounting USB devices can be done in the side-panel.


    :''More info'':
    ===Dolphin=== <!--T:21-->
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolphin_(software) Wikipedia- Dolphin_(software)]
    :The default file manager in KDE SC 4.  It has a side panel (''Places''), but navigation is mainly by the ''breadcrumb'' trail above the main window. Split windows are possible, and views can be applied to individual windows. Mounting and umounting USB devices can be done in the side-panel. Other directories can be added to the Places panel. A ''Tree view'' is also possible.
    ::[http://dot.kde.org/1172721427/ Road to KDE 4: Dolphin and Konqueror]
    ::[http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070405-afirst-look-at-dolphin-the-kde-4-file-manager.html Ars Technica: A First Look at Dolphin]
    ::[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4HS1v0a9Xs Youtube - KDE 4 rev 680445 - Dolphin]
    ::[http://introducingkde4.blogspot.com/2007/12/dolphin.html Introducing KDE 4 Blog - Dolphin]


    <!--T:22-->
    ''More info'':
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolphin_(software) Wikipedia - Dolphin (software)]
    :[http://dot.kde.org/2007/03/01/road-kde-4-dolphin-and-konqueror Road to KDE 4: Dolphin and Konqueror]
    :[http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070405-afirst-look-at-dolphin-the-kde-4-file-manager.html Ars Technica: A First Look at Dolphin]
    :[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4HS1v0a9Xs Youtube - KDE 4 rev 680445 - Dolphin]
    :[http://introducingkde4.blogspot.com/2007/12/dolphin.html Introducing KDE 4 Blog - Dolphin]
    :[[Tutorials/File_Management|The UserBase File Management Tutorial]]


    ;<span id="Extender">'''Extender'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Extender"></span><translate>
    :Extenders are a special kind of popup that can grow out of a Plasma panel for example. Extenders have detachable parts. Extenders are a new concept that will enter Plasma for KDE 4.2. The Kuiserver (the interface that collects all long running jobs and puts them into one window, also planned for that release) will make use of extenders so you can detach various jobs and monitor their progress separately.


    :''More info'':
    ===Extender=== <!--T:23-->
    ::[http://kde-look.org/content/show.php/KDE+Extender+Mockup?content=30012 Mockup Screenshots]
    :''Extenders'' are a special kind of popup that can grow out of a [[#Plasma|Plasma]] panel for example. Extenders have detachable parts. Extenders are a new concept that arrived in Plasma for KDE 4.2. Notifications already use this system. This enables, for example, a user to drag a notification of a download or file copy job, onto his or her desktop and keep track of it there. The same can be done for other kinds of notifications, too.
    ::[http://plasma.kde.org/cms/1069 The Elements of Plasma]


    <!--T:24-->
    ''More info'':
    :[http://kde-look.org/content/show.php/KDE+Extender+Mockup?content=30012 Mockup Screenshots]
    :[http://plasma.kde.org/cms/1069 The Elements of Plasma]


    ;<span id="Flake">'''Flake'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Flake"></span><translate>
    :Flake is a programming library to be used in KOffice2.  Functionally, it provides Shapes to display content and Tools to manipulate content. Shapes can be zoomed or rotated and can be grouped towork as a single Shape, around which text flow is possible.


    :''More info'':
    ===Flake=== <!--T:25-->
    ::[http://wiki.koffice.org/index.php?title=Flake KOffice Wiki - Flake]
    :''Flake'' is a programming library to be used in [[Special:myLanguage/KOffice|KOffice]] and [[Special:myLanguage/Calligra|Calligra]]. Functionally, it provides ''Shapes'' to display content and ''Tools'' to manipulate content. Shapes can be zoomed or rotated and can be grouped to work as a single Shape, around which text flow is possible.  


    <!--T:26-->
    ''More info'':
    :[http://community.kde.org/Calligra/Libs/Flake KDE Community Wiki - Flake]


    ;<span id="Home_Directory">'''Home_Directory'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Get Hot New Stuff"></span><translate>
    :That's the place in system, where all your files are kept. You can write your files outside of this folder, but all applications are configured to propose this folder as place to write your files to. And this is easier, when you are keeping your things here.


    :''More info'':
    ===Get Hot New Stuff=== <!--T:27-->
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_directory wikipedia]
    :''Get Hot New Stuff (GHNS)'' is an open standard that makes it easy for users to download and install various extensions for their applications. Our implementation of GHNS is used by Plasma (for example to get new desktop themes), and by many applications and widgets.


    <!--T:28-->
    ''More info'':
    :[http://ghns.freedesktop.org Home of GHNS]
    :[http://lwn.net/Articles/227855/ An article on GHNS in KDE SC 4]


    ;<span id="KControl">'''KControl'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Home Directory"></span><translate>
    :KDE Control Center, for setting global preferences in KDE3. Replaced by KDE4&#039;s [[#System Settings|System Settings]] interface.


    ===Home Directory=== <!--T:29-->
    :That's the place in your system where all your files are kept. You can write your files outside of this folder, but all applications are configured to propose this folder as place to write your files to. It is easier when you keep your things here.


    ;<span id="KDOM">'''KDOM'''</span>
    <!--T:30-->
    :A [[#KPart|KPart]] module making KHTML DOM (Document Object Model) rendering capabilities available to all applications. [[#KSVG|KSVG2]] is built on KDOM for KDE 4.
    ''More info'':
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_directory Wikipedia - Home directory]  


    </translate><span id="KControl"></span><translate>


    ;<span id="KHTML">'''KHTML'''</span>
    ===KControl=== <!--T:31-->
    :KHTML is the HTML rendering engine for the KDE desktop, as used by KDE&#039;s Konqueror Browser. It also provides a KPart that enables all KDE applications to display web content. KDE4 also sees the introduction of Qt WebKit for Plasma and other applications.
    :''KDE Control Center'', for setting global preferences in KDE 3. Replaced by the [[#System Settings|System Settings]] interface in KDE SC 4.


    </translate><span id="KDOM"></span><translate>


    ;<span id="Kicker">'''Kicker'''</span>
    ===KDOM=== <!--T:32-->
    :In KDE 3, the relocatable bar, usually at the bottom of the screen (sometimes called the [[#Panel|Panel]]), on which application launchers, the pager, and buttons for running applications reside. See [[#Panel|Panel]]
    :A [[#KPart|''KPart'']] module making ''KHTML DOM (Document Object Model) '' rendering capabilities available to all applications. [[#KSVG|KSVG2]] is built on KDOM for KDE SC 4.


    </translate><span id="KHTML"></span><translate>


    ;<span id="Kickoff">'''Kickoff'''</span>
    ===KHTML=== <!--T:33-->
    :In KDE 4 (and some late versions of KDE 3), a launch menu in which apps are sorted by functional group.  &#039;Favorites&#039; replaces the &#039;Most used applications&#039; in Classic Menu, and applications can be added to it. Right-click also offers the possibility of adding applications to the desktop or panel. Rapid access to a less-used application can be by the search box. Other menus are being worked on, since KDE 4 can be used with more than one launcher, should that be required.  
    :''KHTML'' is the HTML rendering engine for the KDE Plasma desktop, as used by the '''Konqueror''' browser. It also provides a KPart that enables all KDE applications to display web content. A new introduction, ''Qt WebKit'' is also for Plasma and other application development.


    :''More info'':
    </translate><span id="Kicker"></span><translate>
    ::[http://home.kde.org/~binner/kickoff/sneak_preview.html Kickoff Sneak Preview]


    ===Kicker=== <!--T:34-->
    :In KDE 3, the relocatable bar, usually at the bottom of the screen (sometimes called the [[#Panel|''Panel'']]), on which application launchers, the [[#Pager|Pager]], and buttons for running applications reside.  See [[#Panel|Panel]]


    ;<span id="KJS">'''KJS'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Kickoff"></span><translate>
    :KDE&#039;s JavaScript engine.


    ===Kickoff=== <!--T:35-->
    :In KDE SC 4 (and some late versions of KDE 3), a launch menu in which apps are sorted by functional group.  "Favorites" replaces the "Most used applications" in ''Classic Menu'', and applications can be added to it.  Right-click also offers the possibility of adding applications to the desktop or panel.  Rapid access to a less-used application is made possible with the search box. Other menus are being worked on, since KDE SC 4 can be used with more than one launcher, should that be required.


    ;<span id="KInfoCenter">'''KInfoCenter'''</span>
    <!--T:36-->
    :Kinfocenter originated as part of [[#Kcontrol|Kcontrol]] standing alone from KDE 3.1. In KDE 4 it is replaced by modules configured in [[#System Settings|System Settings]], notably [[#Solid|Solid]]  
    ''More info'':
    :[http://home.kde.org/~binner/kickoff/sneak_preview.html Kickoff Sneak Preview]
    :[http://en.opensuse.org/Kickoff Design documentation]


    :More Info:
    </translate><span id="KJS"></span><translate>
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinfocenter Wikipedia - KInfoCenter]


    ===KJS=== <!--T:37-->
    :KDE platform's ''JavaScript'' engine.


    ;<span id="KIO">'''KIO'''</span>
    </translate><span id="KInfoCenter"></span><translate>
    :KDE Input/Output framework provides a single API for operating on files, whether local or on aremote server.  Additionally, KIO Slaves provide support for individual protocols.  Some particularly useful ones are http, ftp, sftp, smb, nfs, ssh (fish), man, tar and zip. 


    :''More info'':
    ===KInfoCenter=== <!--T:38-->
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KIO Wikipedia - KIO]  
    :'''Kinfocenter''' originated as part of [[#KControl|KControl]] standing alone from KDE 3.1. In KDE SC 4 up until 4.4 it is replaced by modules configured in [[#System Settings|System Settings]], notably [[#Solid|Solid]], and is being reintroduced as an application in KDE SC 4.5.
    ::[http://www.linux.com/feature/124686 Linux.com - Master the KIO slaves]  
    ::[http://osdir.com/Article2159.phtml Breaking the Network Barrier]


    <!--T:39-->
    ''More Info'':
    :[[Special:myLanguage/KInfoCenter|KInfoCenter]]
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinfocenter Wikipedia - KInfoCenter]


    ;<span id="Kiosk">'''Kiosk'''</span>
    </translate><span id="KIO"></span><translate>
    :Kiosk is a framework for restricting user capabilities on a KDE system, ideal for use in locked-down environments such as Internet cafés.  Currently available in KDE 3 only.


    ===KIO=== <!--T:40-->
    :''KDE Input/Output framework'' provides a single ''API'' for operating on files, whether local or on a remote server.  Additionally, ''KIO Slaves'' provide support for individual protocols.  Some particularly useful ones are ''http'', ''ftp'', ''sftp'', ''smb'', ''nfs'', ''ssh (fish)'', ''man'', ''tar'' and ''zip''. 


    ;<span id="KPart">'''KPart'''</span>
    <!--T:41-->
    :A KPart is an individual component of the KDE desktop environment and allows applications to share their services with other applications. KParts allow KMail and KOrganizer to integrate (as plugins) into the Kontact suite, or KHTML to display sites in Akregator.
    ''More info'':
    :[[Special:myLanguage/File transfers|A tutorial on file transfers]]
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KIO Wikipedia - KIO]
    :[http://www.linux.com/feature/124686 Linux.com - Master the KIO slaves]
    :[http://osdir.com/Article2159.phtml Breaking the Network Barrier]


    </translate><span id="Kiosk"></span><translate>


    ;<span id="Kross">'''Kross'''</span>
    ===Kiosk=== <!--T:42-->
    : Kross is a scripting framework, enabling KDE 4 support for multiple scripting languagesAplugin system allows for the support of further languages in the future.
    :[http://techbase.kde.org/KDE_System_Administration/Kiosk/Introduction Kiosk] is a framework for restricting user capabilities on a ''KDE platform'' system, ideal for use in locked-down environments such as Internet cafésIt is present in KDE 3 and KDE 4, but the administration tool, '''Kiosktool''' is KDE 3 only.  It can be used to configure KDE 4 apps, or '''kiosk''' configurations can be maintained by editing config files manually.


    </translate><span id="KPart"></span><translate>


    ;<span id="KRunner">'''KRunner'''</span>
    ===KPart=== <!--T:43-->
    :the mini-command-line that is accessed from the KDE Classic menu, the keyboard shortcut Alt+F2, or a right-click on the desktop. In KDE4 a partial name will display all possible matches
    :A ''KPart'' is an individual component of the ''KDE Plasma desktop'' and allows applications to share their services with other applications. KParts allow '''KMail''' and '''KOrganizer''' to integrate (as plugins) into the '''Kontact''' suite, or [[#KHTML|KHTML]] to display sites in '''Akregator'''.


    :''More info'':
    </translate><span id="Kross"></span><translate>
    ::[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1-SFSmwTXw Youtube - KDE 4.1 KRunner]


    ===Kross=== <!--T:44-->
    : ''Kross'' is a scripting framework, enabling support for multiple scripting languages.  A plugin system allows for the support of further languages in the future.


    ;<span id="KSVG">'''KSVG'''</span>
    </translate><span id="KRunner"></span><translate>
    : KSVG enables support for scalable vector graphics in a khtml browser.  KSVG2 extends this for KDE 4.


    ===KRunner=== <!--T:45-->
    :The mini-command-line that is accessed from the Classic menu, the keyboard shortcut ''Alt+F2'', or a right-click on the desktop.  In '''KDE SC 4''' a partial name will display all possible matches


    ;<span id="KWin">'''KWin'''</span>
    <!--T:46-->
    :KWin is the window manager. This is where window decorations can be changed and themes applied. KDE4 extends KWin to provide support for 3D Compositing effects on the desktop.
    ''More info'':
    :[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1-SFSmwTXw Youtube - KDE SC 4.1 KRunner]


    :''More info'':
    </translate><span id="KSVG"></span><translate>
    ::[http://dot.kde.org/1180541665/ Road to KDE 4: KWin Composite]
    ::[http://francis.giannaros.org/blog/2007/12/03/kde4-desktop-effects-kwin-composite-video-tour/  KDE4 Desktop Effects Video Tour]
    ::[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrFz7IxXppU Youtube - KDE 4.0 KWin Composite Showcast]
    ::[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WBLlc6xCQ4 Youtube - KWin compositing config &amp; intro]


    ===KSVG=== <!--T:47-->
    : ''KSVG'' enables support for ''scalable vector graphics'' in a [[#KHTML|KHTML]] browser.  ''KSVG2'' extends this for KDE SC 4.


    ;<span id="Mini-CLI">'''Mini-CLI'''</span>
    </translate><span id="KWin"></span><translate>
    :See [[#KRunner|KRunner]]


    ===KWin=== <!--T:48-->
    :''KWin'' is the window manager.  This is where window decorations can be changed and themes applied. KDE SC 4 extends KWin to provide support for ''3D Compositing effects'' on the desktop.


    ;<span id="Nepomuk">'''Nepomuk'''</span>
    <!--T:49-->
    :&#039;Networked Environment for Personalized, Ontology-based Management of Unified Knowledge&#039;, Nepomuk aims to remove artificial barriers between information to allow dynamic classification, organisation and presentation of data to the user. Whether downloaded from the internet, received in an email or scribbled in a note, information is globally searchable and tagged with intelligent data. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantic_desktop The Semantic Desktop] for further discussion of this concept.  
    ''More info'':
    :[[Special:myLanguage/KWin|KWin]]
    :[http://dot.kde.org/1180541665/ Road to KDE 4: KWin Composite]
    :[http://francis.giannaros.org/blog/2007/12/03/kde4-desktop-effects-kwin-composite-video-tour/  KDE SC 4 Desktop Effects Video Tour]  
    :[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrFz7IxXppU Youtube - KDE SC 4.0 KWin Composite Showcast]
    :[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WBLlc6xCQ4 Youtube - KWin compositing config &amp; intro]


    :''More info'':
    </translate><span id="Mini-CLI"></span><translate>
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantic_desktop Wikipedia - Semantic Desktop]
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEPOMUK_(framework)  Wikipedia - NEPOMUK Framework]
    ::[http://nepomuk.semanticdesktop.org/xwiki/bin/view/Main1/ NEPOMUK website]
    ::[http://nepomuk.kde.org/discover/user NEPOMUK KDE]


    ===Mini-CLI=== <!--T:50-->
    :See [[#KRunner|KRunner]]


    ;<span id="Oxygen">'''Oxygen'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Nepomuk"></span><translate>
    :Oxygen is the default theme of KDE4. Designed to bring &#039;a breath of fresh air&#039; tothe desktop by removing the simplistic, cartoonish icons, and replacing them with a clean theme and photo-realistic icons.  Oxygen uses a desaturated palette to avoid the icons becoming a distraction and uses detailed scalable graphics (SVG).
     
    :''More info'':
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_Project Wikipedia - Oxygen Project]
    ::[http://www.oxygen-icons.org/?cat=3 Oxygen Icons]
     


    ;<span id="Pager">'''Pager'''</span>
    ===Nepomuk=== <!--T:51-->
    :A pager is a small program or panel applet which shows the position of windows on your desktop and usually if you have several [[#Virtual Desktops|Virtual Desktops]] gives an overview over all.
    :"Networked Environment for Personalized, Ontology-based Management of Unified Knowledge"''Nepomuk'' aims to remove artificial barriers between information to allow dynamic classification, organisation and presentation of data to the user.  Whether downloaded from the internet, received in an email or scribbled in a note, information is globally searchable and tagged with intelligent data.  See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantic_desktop ''The Semantic Desktop''] for further discussion of this concept.  


    <!--T:52-->
    ''More info'':
    :[[Special:MyLanguage/Nepomuk|Userbase Nepomuk page]]
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantic_desktop Wikipedia - Semantic Desktop]
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEPOMUK_(framework)  Wikipedia - NEPOMUK Framework]
    :[http://nepomuk.semanticdesktop.org/xwiki/bin/view/Main1/ NEPOMUK website]
    :[http://nepomuk.kde.org/discover/user NEPOMUK KDE]


    ;<span id="Panel">'''Panel'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Oxygen"></span><translate>
    :See [[#Kicker|Kicker]]. In KDE4 the name &#039;kicker&#039; is dropped, and the name &#039;panel&#039; is the norm.  &#039;Applets&#039; are replaced by [[#Widgets|Widgets]]


    ===Oxygen=== <!--T:53-->
    :''Oxygen'' is the default theme of KDE SC 4. Designed to bring "a breath of fresh air" to the desktop by removing the simplistic, cartoonish icons, and replacing them with a clean theme and photo-realistic icons.  Oxygen uses a desaturated palette to avoid the icons becoming a distraction and uses detailed scalable graphics (SVG).


    ;<span id="Phonon">'''Phonon'''</span>
    <!--T:54-->
    :A cross-platform multimedia API, interfacing with existing frameworks, such as gstreamer and xine engines. KDE 2 and 3 depended on aRts for sound.  Phonon replaces it.
    ''More info'':
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_Project Wikipedia - Oxygen Project]
    :[http://www.oxygen-icons.org/?cat=3 Oxygen Icons]


    :''More info'':
    </translate><span id="Pager"></span><translate>
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonon_(KDE) Wikipedia - Phonon (KDE)]
    ::[http://phonon.kde.org/cms/1030 Phonon website]


    ===Pager=== <!--T:55-->
    :A ''pager'' is a small program or panel applet which shows the position of windows on your desktop and usually, if you have several [[#Virtual Desktops|Virtual Desktops]], gives an overview over all.


    ;<span id="Plasma">'''Plasma'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Panel"></span><translate>
    :In KDE 4 Plasma replaces KDesktop, kicker and the superkaramba widget engine.  The applets are called Plasmoids, and range from informational widgets to mini-apps such as a calculator or dictionary.


    :''More info'':
    ===Panel=== <!--T:56-->
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(KDE) Wikipedia - Plasma (KDE)]
    :See [[#Kicker|Kicker]]. In '''KDE SC 4''' the name "kicker" is dropped, and the name "panel" is the norm"Applets"; are largely replaced by [[#Widget|Widgets]]
    ::[http://plasma.kde.org/cms/1107 Plasma website]
    ::[[Plasma|Plasma FAQ]]
    ::[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5RpH9HOXJA&amp;feature=related Youtube - Plasma Applets Galore (Part 1)]
    ::[http://liquidat.wordpress.com/ Liquidat&#039;s Blog]


    <!--T:87-->
    ''More info'':
    :[[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/Panels|Panels]]


    ;<span id="Qt">'''Qt'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Phonon"></span><translate>
    :(Pronounced &#039;cute&#039;) A framework/toolkit for writing cross-platform applications. It is used by many cross-platform applications such as Opera browser, GoogleEarth and Skype. Qt is developed by Trolltech, who are now part of the Nokia.  Qt forms the underlying library KDE is built on.


    :''More info'':
    ===Phonon=== <!--T:57-->
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qt_(toolkit) The Qt Toolkit]
    :A cross-platform multimedia API, interfacing with existing frameworks, such as ''gstreamer'' and ''xine engines''. KDE 2 and 3 depended on ''aRts'' for sound. ''Phonon'' replaces it.  
    ::[http://trolltech.com/products/qt/learnmore/demo Qt Demo Videos]


    <!--T:58-->
    ''More info'':
    :[[Special:myLanguage/Phonon|Phonon]]
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonon_(KDE) Wikipedia - Phonon (KDE)]
    :[http://phonon.kde.org/ Phonon website]


    ;<span id="Raptor">''' Raptor'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Plasma"></span><translate>
    :Raptor is the third application menu available for KDE4 and uses a style similar to music hardware interfaces. Raptor is not finished yet.  Other menus are also in preparation


    :''More info'':
    ===Plasma=== <!--T:59-->
    ::[http://raptor-menu.org/ Raptor home page]
    :In KDE SC 4 the Plasma Desktop replaces ''KDesktop'', '''kicker''' and the ''superkaramba'' widget engine.  The applets are called '''Plasmoids''', and range from informational widgets to mini-apps such as a calculator or dictionary. Widgets from other sources, such as ''SuperKaramba widgets'' or ''Google Gadgets'' are also supported.
    ::[http://www.raiden.net/?cat=2&amp;aid=411 Raptor review]


    <!--T:60-->
    ''More info'':
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(KDE) Wikipedia - Plasma (KDE)]
    :[http://plasma.kde.org/cms/1107 Plasma website]
    :[[Special:myLanguage/Plasma|The Plasma main page]]
    :[[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/FAQ/Index|The Plasma FAQ's]]
    :[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5RpH9HOXJA&amp;feature=related  Youtube - Plasma Applets Galore (Part 1)]
    :[http://liquidat.wordpress.com/ Liquidat&#039;s Blog]


    ;<span id="Solid">'''Solid'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Qt"></span><translate>
    :Solid provides a single API for hardware management.  Hardware is grouped into &#039;domains&#039;.  The initial domains relate to HAL, NetworkManager and the Bluetooth stack.Since the backends for Solid are pluggable, Solid helps application developers write less code, and have it platform independent.


    :More Info:
    ===Qt=== <!--T:61-->
    ::[http://solid.kde.org/cms/1058 Discover Solid]
    :(Pronounced "cute") A framework/toolkit for writing cross-platform applications. It is used by many cross-platform applications such as '''Opera''' browser, '''GoogleEarth''' and '''Skype'''. ''Qt'' is developed by Trolltech, who are now part of the Nokia company. Qt forms the underlying library KDE software is built on.
    ::[http://dot.kde.org/1177385913/ Solid Brings Hardware Configuration and Control to KDE]


    <!--T:62-->
    ''More info'':
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qt_(toolkit) The Qt Toolkit]
    :[http://trolltech.com/products/qt/learnmore/demo Qt Demo Videos]


    ;<span id="Sonnet">'''Sonnet'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Solid"></span><translate>
    :Sonnet is a multilingual spell-checker planned for KDE 4.  One of its strengths is the ability to recognise the language in use and call up the appropriate dictionary.


    :''More info'':
    ===Solid=== <!--T:63-->
    ::[http://www.linux.com/articles/59963 KDE 4&#039;s Sonnet will turbocharge language processing]
    :''Solid'' provides a single API for hardware management. Hardware is grouped into "domains". The initial domains relate to ''HAL'', ''NetworkManager'' and the ''Bluetooth'' stack. Since the backends for Solid are pluggable, Solid helps application developers write less code, and have it platform independent.  
    ::[http://liquidat.wordpress.com/2007/01/09/kde-4-sonnet/ Liquidat&#039;s blog, January 2007]


    <!--T:64-->
    ''More info'':
    :[http://solid.kde.org/cms/1058 Discover Solid]
    :[http://dot.kde.org/1177385913/ Solid Brings Hardware Configuration and Control to the KDE platform]


    ;<span id="Soprano">'''Soprano'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Soprano"></span><translate>
    :Soprano is a sub-project of [[#Nepomuk]], providing a repository for gathered information such as tags, ratings, etc..  This makes the information available to [[#Strigi]]


    :''More info'':
    ===Soprano=== <!--T:65-->
    ::[http://tinyurl.com/334u7r More about Nepomuk-KDE: Soprano and KDE integration]
    :''Soprano'' is a sub-project of [[#Nepomuk|Nepomuk]], providing a repository for gathered information such as tags, ratings, etc.. This makes the information available to [[#Strigi|Strigi]]  


    <!--T:85-->
    ''More info'':
    :[http://liquidat.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/more-about-nepomuk-kde-soprano-and-kde-integration/ More about Nepomuk-KDE: Soprano and KDE platform integration]


    ;<span id="Strigi">'''Strigi'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Strigi"></span><translate>
    :A deep-indexed search daemon, Strigi aims to be fast and light-weight.  It also uses SHA-1 hash which will help in the identification of duplicate files.


    :''More info'':
    ===Strigi=== <!--T:67-->
    ::[http://strigi.sourceforge.net/ Strigi - the fastest and smallest desktop searching program]
    :A deep-indexed search daemon, ''Strigi'' aims to be fast and light-weight. It also uses ''SHA-1 hash'' which will help in the identification of duplicate files.  
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strigi Wikipedia - Strigi]


    <!--T:68-->
    ''More info'':
    :[http://strigi.sourceforge.net/ Strigi - the fastest and smallest desktop searching program]
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strigi Wikipedia - Strigi]


    ;<span id="System Settings">'''System Settings'''</span>
    </translate><span id="System Settings"></span><translate>
    :KDE 4&#039;s replacement for [[#KControl|KControl]] (Control Center) providing modular control over the KDE system.


    :''More info'':
    ===System Settings=== <!--T:69-->
    ::[http://www.lazytechguy.com/2008/01/kde4-system-settings.html KDE4 System Settings illustrated]
    :KDE SC 4 replacement for [[#KControl|KControl]] (Control Center) providing modular control over the KDE platform.  


    <!--T:70-->
    ''More info'':
    :[[Special:myLanguage/System Settings|System Settings]]
    :[http://www.lazytechguy.com/2008/01/kde4-system-settings.html KDE SC 4 System Settings illustrated]


    ;<span id="Threadweaver">'''Threadweaver'''</span>
    </translate><span id="Threadweaver"></span><translate>
    :This thread programming library spreads work among multiple-core processors where available, prioritising them before queueing them for execution. ThreadWeaver provides a high-level job interface for multithreaded programming.


    :''More info'':
    ===Threadweaver=== <!--T:71-->
    ::[http://tinyurl.com/5edc2k Why Multithreading? (Technical article)]
    :This thread programming library spreads work among multiple-core processors where available, prioritising them before queueing them for execution. ''ThreadWeaver'' provides a high-level job interface for multithreaded programming.  




    ;<span id="Virtual Desktops">'''Virtual Desktops'''</span>
    <!--T:86-->
    :A popular concept of Unix based window managers is the one of virtual desktops. This means you have not only one screen where you can place your windows on but several. When you switch to a different desktop (usually with a pager) you will only see the windows which you started on your newdesktop or moved to it. A window can also be made &quot;sticky&quot; which means it appears on all virtual desktops.
    ''More info'':
    :[http://www.englishbreakfastnetwork.org/apidocs/apidox-kde-4.0/kdelibs-apidocs/threadweaver/html/Why.html Why Multithreading? (Technical article)]


    </translate><span id="Virtual Desktops"></span><translate>


    ;<span id="WebKit">'''WebKit'''</span>
    ===Virtual Desktops=== <!--T:73-->
    :HTML rendering engine, originating from a fork of [[#KHTML|KHTML]]. Adopted by Apple and developed for Safari. Webkit brings the whole functionality back to KDE 4, where it is available through Qt.  
    :A popular concept of Unix based window managers is the one of ''virtual desktops''. This means you have not only one screen where you can place your windows on but several. When you switch to a different desktop (usually with a pager) you will only see the windows which you started on your new desktop or moved to it. A window can also be made "sticky" which means it appears on all virtual desktops.


    :''More info'':
    </translate><span id="WebKit"></span><translate>
    ::[http://webkit.org/ The Webkit home page]
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webkit Wikipedia - Webkit]


    ===WebKit=== <!--T:74-->
    :HTML ''rendering engine'', originating from a fork of [[#KHTML|KHTML]]. Adopted by Apple and developed for Safari. ''Webkit'' brings the whole functionality back to KDE SC 4, where it is available through Qt.


    ;<span id="Widget">'''Widget'''</span>
    <!--T:75-->
    :Collins English Dictionary: &quot;Any small mechanism or device the name of which is unknown or temporarily forgotten.&quot;%%%In KDE terms, a widget is a single component on the canvas. Other common names that are analogous are &quot;applet&quot; or &quot;gadget&quot;. Superkaramba Themes, Apple&#039;s Dashboard, Google Gadgets, Yahoo Widgets, Vista Sidebar Widgets, Opera Widgets are all examples of other widget systems (some of which are supported by Plasma as well).
    ''More info'':
    :[http://webkit.org/ The Webkit home page]
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webkit Wikipedia - Webkit]


    </translate><span id="Widget"></span><translate>


    ;<span id="X-Server">'''X-Server'''</span>
    ===Widget=== <!--T:76-->
    :The X-Server represents a basic layer upon which the various GUIs like KDE are built. It manages the basic mouse and keyboard input (from the local host as well as from remote hosts) and provides elementary graphic routines to draw rectangles and other primitives.
    :Collins English Dictionary: "Any small mechanism or device the name of which is unknown or temporarily forgotten." In KDE software terms, a '''widget''' is a single component on the canvas. Other common names that are analogous are "applet" or "gadget". Superkaramba Themes, Apple's Dashboard, Google Gadgets, Yahoo Widgets, Vista Sidebar Widgets, Opera Widgets are all examples of other widget systems (some of which are supported by Plasma as well).


    </translate><span id="X-Server"></span><translate>


    ;<span id="XMLGUI">'''XMLGUI'''</span>
    ===X-Server=== <!--T:77-->
    :A programmers&#039; framework for designing the user interface. It is extensively used by ''KParts''
    :The ''X-Server'' represents a basic layer upon which the various GUIs like the KDE Plasma desktop are built. It manages the basic mouse and keyboard input (from the local host as well as from remote hosts) and provides elementary graphic routines to draw rectangles and other primitives.


    :''More info'':
    </translate><span id="XMLGUI"></span><translate>
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XMLGUI Wikipedia - XMLGUI]
    ::[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qt_Style_Sheets Wikipedia - Qt Style Sheets]


    ===XMLGUI=== <!--T:78-->
    :A programmers' framework for designing the user interface.  It is extensively used by ''KParts''


    ;<span id="ZUI">'''ZUI'''</span>
    <!--T:79-->
    :The Zooming User Interface. &quot;By zooming out, users can get an overview of all the object groupings that they have made. These groupings may reflect the projects they are working on, be ways to keep different sets of files organized, etc. By hovering or clicking on one of these groups when zoomed out, users can either get a preview/snapshot of what is in the grouping, or zoom in on that grouping so that it is displayed full size on the physical screen.&quot; aseigo.  
    ''More info'':
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XMLGUI Wikipedia - XMLGUI]
    :[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qt_Style_Sheets Wikipedia - Qt Style Sheets]


    :''More info'':
    </translate><span id="ZUI"></span><translate>
    ::[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhODrJkoidA Youtube ZUI demo]


    ===ZUI=== <!--T:80-->
    :The "Zooming User Interface".  "By zooming out, users can get an overview of all the object groupings that they have made. These groupings may reflect the projects they are working on, be ways to keep different sets of files organized, etc. By hovering or clicking on one of these groups when zoomed out, users can either get a preview/snapshot of what is in the grouping, or zoom in on that grouping so that it is displayed full size on the physical screen." ''aseigo''.


    <!--T:81-->
    ''More info'':
    :[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhODrJkoidA Youtube ZUI demo]</translate>


    {{Prev|Special:myLanguage/An_introduction_to_KDE|An Introduction to KDE}}


    {|style="text-align:right"
    <translate><!--T:83-->
    |'''Back to [[An_introduction_to_KDE|the Introduction page''']]
    [[Category:Getting Started]]
    |}
    [[Category:System]]
    </translate>

    Revision as of 06:23, 27 November 2017

    This page sets out to provide a non-technical reference, together with links for further information or demonstration. See also Jargon File.

    A General Overview

    A KDE 4.0 Visual Guide: and a 4.1 screencast gives an excellent overview of KDE Software Compilation 4 in the early days.

    The following glossary is intended to help you find your way through the mists of new names and new concepts. In some cases you can find a link from a KDE 3 component to its equivalent in the context of KDE SC 4 software.

    Activities

    Activities are sets of Plasma widgets that have their own wallpaper. A bit like Virtual Desktops, but not quite.
    For example you have a "work activity" with commit rss feeds, a note with your TODO, a Folder View with your work related files, and a subtle wallpaper.
    Next to it, you have your "freetime activity", with previews of family photos and dogs, rss feeds from your favourite blogs, a Folder View showing your movie collection, a twitter applet and of course that Iron Maiden wallpaper you have been loving since the early 80s.
    At 1700 hours sharp you switch from the "work activity" to your "freetime activity".

    More info:

    Creating Activities

    Akonadi

    The data storage access mechanism for all PIM (Personal Information Manager) data in KDE SC 4. One single storage and retrieval system allows efficiency and extensibility not possible under KDE 3, where each PIM component had its own system. Note that use of Akonadi does not change data storage formats (vcard, iCalendar, mbox, maildir etc.) - it just provides a new way of accessing and updating the data.
    The main reasons for design and development of Akonadi are of technical nature, e.g. having a unique way to access PIM-data (contacts, calendars, emails..) from different applications (e.g. kmail, kword..), thus eliminating the need to write similar code here and there.
    Another goal is to de-couple GUI applications like kmail from the direct access to external resources like mail-servers - which was a major reason for bug-reports/wishes with regard to performance/responsiveness in the past.

    More info:

    Akonadi for KDE's PIM
    Wikipedia - Akonadi
    Techbase - Akonadi

    aRts

    The sound framework in KDE 2 and 3. Its single-tasking nature caused problems when two sources of sound were encountered. In the Plasma workspace it is replaced by Phonon

    More info:

    Wikipedia - aRts
    aRts Home Page

    Baloo

    Baloo replaced Nepomuk as a "sematic desktop" search framework. Baloo is a file indexing and search service that Dolphin uses to search for files. In a terminal type, balooctl check to find out whether an index was created already. balooctl disable and balooctl status are helpful instructions as well.

    More info:

    Baloo

    Containment

    A Containment is a top level grouping of widgets. Each Containment manages the layout and configuration data of its set of widgets independently from other Containments.
    The end result is that you can group widgets within a Containment according to the significance to your working pattern, rather than by directory grouping.

    D-Bus

    An inter-service messaging system. Developed by Red Hat®, it was heavily influenced by KDE3's DCOP, which it supersedes.

    More info:

    FreeDesktop.org: What is D-Bus?
    Wikipedia: D-Bus

    Dolphin

    The default file manager in KDE SC 4. It has a side panel (Places), but navigation is mainly by the breadcrumb trail above the main window. Split windows are possible, and views can be applied to individual windows. Mounting and umounting USB devices can be done in the side-panel. Other directories can be added to the Places panel. A Tree view is also possible.

    More info:

    Wikipedia - Dolphin (software)
    Road to KDE 4: Dolphin and Konqueror
    Ars Technica: A First Look at Dolphin
    Youtube - KDE 4 rev 680445 - Dolphin
    Introducing KDE 4 Blog - Dolphin
    The UserBase File Management Tutorial

    Extender

    Extenders are a special kind of popup that can grow out of a Plasma panel for example. Extenders have detachable parts. Extenders are a new concept that arrived in Plasma for KDE 4.2. Notifications already use this system. This enables, for example, a user to drag a notification of a download or file copy job, onto his or her desktop and keep track of it there. The same can be done for other kinds of notifications, too.

    More info:

    Mockup Screenshots
    The Elements of Plasma

    Flake

    Flake is a programming library to be used in KOffice and Calligra. Functionally, it provides Shapes to display content and Tools to manipulate content. Shapes can be zoomed or rotated and can be grouped to work as a single Shape, around which text flow is possible.

    More info:

    KDE Community Wiki - Flake

    Get Hot New Stuff

    Get Hot New Stuff (GHNS) is an open standard that makes it easy for users to download and install various extensions for their applications. Our implementation of GHNS is used by Plasma (for example to get new desktop themes), and by many applications and widgets.

    More info:

    Home of GHNS
    An article on GHNS in KDE SC 4

    Home Directory

    That's the place in your system where all your files are kept. You can write your files outside of this folder, but all applications are configured to propose this folder as place to write your files to. It is easier when you keep your things here.

    More info:

    Wikipedia - Home directory

    KControl

    KDE Control Center, for setting global preferences in KDE 3. Replaced by the System Settings interface in KDE SC 4.

    KDOM

    A KPart module making KHTML DOM (Document Object Model) rendering capabilities available to all applications. KSVG2 is built on KDOM for KDE SC 4.

    KHTML

    KHTML is the HTML rendering engine for the KDE Plasma desktop, as used by the Konqueror browser. It also provides a KPart that enables all KDE applications to display web content. A new introduction, Qt WebKit is also for Plasma and other application development.

    Kicker

    In KDE 3, the relocatable bar, usually at the bottom of the screen (sometimes called the Panel), on which application launchers, the Pager, and buttons for running applications reside. See Panel

    Kickoff

    In KDE SC 4 (and some late versions of KDE 3), a launch menu in which apps are sorted by functional group. "Favorites" replaces the "Most used applications" in Classic Menu, and applications can be added to it. Right-click also offers the possibility of adding applications to the desktop or panel. Rapid access to a less-used application is made possible with the search box. Other menus are being worked on, since KDE SC 4 can be used with more than one launcher, should that be required.

    More info:

    Kickoff Sneak Preview
    Design documentation

    KJS

    KDE platform's JavaScript engine.

    KInfoCenter

    Kinfocenter originated as part of KControl standing alone from KDE 3.1. In KDE SC 4 up until 4.4 it is replaced by modules configured in System Settings, notably Solid, and is being reintroduced as an application in KDE SC 4.5.

    More Info:

    KInfoCenter
    Wikipedia - KInfoCenter

    KIO

    KDE Input/Output framework provides a single API for operating on files, whether local or on a remote server. Additionally, KIO Slaves provide support for individual protocols. Some particularly useful ones are http, ftp, sftp, smb, nfs, ssh (fish), man, tar and zip.

    More info:

    A tutorial on file transfers
    Wikipedia - KIO
    Linux.com - Master the KIO slaves
    Breaking the Network Barrier

    Kiosk

    Kiosk is a framework for restricting user capabilities on a KDE platform system, ideal for use in locked-down environments such as Internet cafés. It is present in KDE 3 and KDE 4, but the administration tool, Kiosktool is KDE 3 only. It can be used to configure KDE 4 apps, or kiosk configurations can be maintained by editing config files manually.

    KPart

    A KPart is an individual component of the KDE Plasma desktop and allows applications to share their services with other applications. KParts allow KMail and KOrganizer to integrate (as plugins) into the Kontact suite, or KHTML to display sites in Akregator.

    Kross

    Kross is a scripting framework, enabling support for multiple scripting languages. A plugin system allows for the support of further languages in the future.

    KRunner

    The mini-command-line that is accessed from the Classic menu, the keyboard shortcut Alt+F2, or a right-click on the desktop. In KDE SC 4 a partial name will display all possible matches

    More info:

    Youtube - KDE SC 4.1 KRunner

    KSVG

    KSVG enables support for scalable vector graphics in a KHTML browser. KSVG2 extends this for KDE SC 4.

    KWin

    KWin is the window manager. This is where window decorations can be changed and themes applied. KDE SC 4 extends KWin to provide support for 3D Compositing effects on the desktop.

    More info:

    KWin
    Road to KDE 4: KWin Composite
    KDE SC 4 Desktop Effects Video Tour
    Youtube - KDE SC 4.0 KWin Composite Showcast
    Youtube - KWin compositing config & intro

    Mini-CLI

    See KRunner

    Nepomuk

    "Networked Environment for Personalized, Ontology-based Management of Unified Knowledge", Nepomuk aims to remove artificial barriers between information to allow dynamic classification, organisation and presentation of data to the user. Whether downloaded from the internet, received in an email or scribbled in a note, information is globally searchable and tagged with intelligent data. See The Semantic Desktop for further discussion of this concept.

    More info:

    Userbase Nepomuk page
    Wikipedia - Semantic Desktop
    Wikipedia - NEPOMUK Framework
    NEPOMUK website
    NEPOMUK KDE

    Oxygen

    Oxygen is the default theme of KDE SC 4. Designed to bring "a breath of fresh air" to the desktop by removing the simplistic, cartoonish icons, and replacing them with a clean theme and photo-realistic icons. Oxygen uses a desaturated palette to avoid the icons becoming a distraction and uses detailed scalable graphics (SVG).

    More info:

    Wikipedia - Oxygen Project
    Oxygen Icons

    Pager

    A pager is a small program or panel applet which shows the position of windows on your desktop and usually, if you have several Virtual Desktops, gives an overview over all.

    Panel

    See Kicker. In KDE SC 4 the name "kicker" is dropped, and the name "panel" is the norm. "Applets"; are largely replaced by Widgets

    More info:

    Panels

    Phonon

    A cross-platform multimedia API, interfacing with existing frameworks, such as gstreamer and xine engines. KDE 2 and 3 depended on aRts for sound. Phonon replaces it.

    More info:

    Phonon
    Wikipedia - Phonon (KDE)
    Phonon website

    Plasma

    In KDE SC 4 the Plasma Desktop replaces KDesktop, kicker and the superkaramba widget engine. The applets are called Plasmoids, and range from informational widgets to mini-apps such as a calculator or dictionary. Widgets from other sources, such as SuperKaramba widgets or Google Gadgets are also supported.

    More info:

    Wikipedia - Plasma (KDE)
    Plasma website
    The Plasma main page
    The Plasma FAQ's
    Youtube - Plasma Applets Galore (Part 1)
    Liquidat's Blog

    Qt

    (Pronounced "cute") A framework/toolkit for writing cross-platform applications. It is used by many cross-platform applications such as Opera browser, GoogleEarth and Skype. Qt is developed by Trolltech, who are now part of the Nokia company. Qt forms the underlying library KDE software is built on.

    More info:

    The Qt Toolkit
    Qt Demo Videos

    Solid

    Solid provides a single API for hardware management. Hardware is grouped into "domains". The initial domains relate to HAL, NetworkManager and the Bluetooth stack. Since the backends for Solid are pluggable, Solid helps application developers write less code, and have it platform independent.

    More info:

    Discover Solid
    Solid Brings Hardware Configuration and Control to the KDE platform

    Soprano

    Soprano is a sub-project of Nepomuk, providing a repository for gathered information such as tags, ratings, etc.. This makes the information available to Strigi

    More info:

    More about Nepomuk-KDE: Soprano and KDE platform integration

    Strigi

    A deep-indexed search daemon, Strigi aims to be fast and light-weight. It also uses SHA-1 hash which will help in the identification of duplicate files.

    More info:

    Strigi - the fastest and smallest desktop searching program
    Wikipedia - Strigi

    System Settings

    KDE SC 4 replacement for KControl (Control Center) providing modular control over the KDE platform.

    More info:

    System Settings
    KDE SC 4 System Settings illustrated

    Threadweaver

    This thread programming library spreads work among multiple-core processors where available, prioritising them before queueing them for execution. ThreadWeaver provides a high-level job interface for multithreaded programming.


    More info:

    Why Multithreading? (Technical article)

    Virtual Desktops

    A popular concept of Unix based window managers is the one of virtual desktops. This means you have not only one screen where you can place your windows on but several. When you switch to a different desktop (usually with a pager) you will only see the windows which you started on your new desktop or moved to it. A window can also be made "sticky" which means it appears on all virtual desktops.

    WebKit

    HTML rendering engine, originating from a fork of KHTML. Adopted by Apple and developed for Safari. Webkit brings the whole functionality back to KDE SC 4, where it is available through Qt.

    More info:

    The Webkit home page
    Wikipedia - Webkit

    Widget

    Collins English Dictionary: "Any small mechanism or device the name of which is unknown or temporarily forgotten." In KDE software terms, a widget is a single component on the canvas. Other common names that are analogous are "applet" or "gadget". Superkaramba Themes, Apple's Dashboard, Google Gadgets, Yahoo Widgets, Vista Sidebar Widgets, Opera Widgets are all examples of other widget systems (some of which are supported by Plasma as well).

    X-Server

    The X-Server represents a basic layer upon which the various GUIs like the KDE Plasma desktop are built. It manages the basic mouse and keyboard input (from the local host as well as from remote hosts) and provides elementary graphic routines to draw rectangles and other primitives.

    XMLGUI

    A programmers' framework for designing the user interface. It is extensively used by KParts

    More info:

    Wikipedia - XMLGUI
    Wikipedia - Qt Style Sheets

    ZUI

    The "Zooming User Interface". "By zooming out, users can get an overview of all the object groupings that they have made. These groupings may reflect the projects they are working on, be ways to keep different sets of files organized, etc. By hovering or clicking on one of these groups when zoomed out, users can either get a preview/snapshot of what is in the grouping, or zoom in on that grouping so that it is displayed full size on the physical screen." aseigo.

    More info:

    Youtube ZUI demo