Jargon File

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    The Jargon File

    Term Explanation read more
    distro, distribution A collection of software making up a compete operating system with desktop and applications. In car terms, this would be everything except the engine Some Linux distros
    live CD/DVD A complete distribution on a CD/DVD. Allows you to try out a distro without installing. Can be run on Windows without installing anything at all on your hard drive. Safe but slow. Some Live CD's
    repo, repository Collection of additional software, that can be downloaded and installed on your machine. See your distributions webpage for more info
    terminal the Linux command line . If you are told to enter text, this is where you enter it. Konsole
    Package manager Application to browse repos, add, or remove software. Distros often have their own package managers. This is the preferred way to install, or remove software safely. Software installed this way will automatically be kept up to date with the latest safety upgrades and bug fixes. Some Package Managers
    root The administrator of your machine. Even if you administer your own machine, it is still preferable to only log in as root when you absolutely must. Usually, if you want to do something that needs you to be root, a popup will simply ask for root's password, so you won't need to switch user.
    console the Linux command line Konsole
    shell the Linux command line Konsole
    su Shell command to switch user to root. Used, when you need special rights to do something. You will be promptet for the root password before su takes effect. NB: remember to type exit when you are done. This gets you back to your regular user.
    sudo Like su, but it only grants root priviledges for one command, so the command you want to run should immediately follow sudo. You will still be prompted for the root password.
    path
    bug anything that may be wrong with an application or the underlying framework. Reporting bugs
    bko Short name for the KDE bug reporting site bugs.kde.org
    user A user account. Most Linux system are set up with at least one ordinary user (you) and an administrator, root.
    session When you log in to your system, an application or some server you start a session, which lasts until you log out of it again.
    logon The act of starting a new session on a system. This usually requires a username and a password. Several users might be logged on to a system simultaneously, although only one would be active at a time.
    logout The act of ending a session on a system. The system will then wait for another logon rather that just shutting down.
    desktop
    activity
    pager
    task manager
    systray
    thumbnail
    window
    tab
    window decoration
    theme
    panel
    widget
    kio slave
    kpart
    bookmark
    virtual terminal
    virtual console
    xko where x is some letter. Abbreviation for some KDE web site. Examples: fko = forums.kde.org, bko = bugs.kde.ord and so on.
    Konvi short for Konversation, the IRC client Konversation
    Nepomuk Nepomuk
    Akonadi Akonadi
    Strigi Strigi
    KDE The community of contributors and users of KDE technologies What is KDE
    KDE SC The periodic releases of the KDE frameworks and core utilities — the Software Collection
    KDE Software Besides the KDE SC a number of other software projects are developed under the KDE umbrella and actively supported by the community
    Plasma The KDE workspace and supporting technology. Plasma workspaces comes in several varieties, Plasma Desktop, Plasma Netbook and Plasma Active
    Plasma Desktop The KDE workspace variety designed for traditional computers, ie. systems with traditional input devices such as keyboard and mouse and with large displays
    Plasma Netbook The KDE workspace variety designed for devices with small screens such as notebooks
    Plasma Active The KDE workspace variety designed for smartphones and similar compact devices
    Planet Short for the planet.kde.org. The Planet aggregates blogs about all things KDE planet.kde.org
    Dot Short for dot.kde.org. The Dot is the official news site for KDE dot.kde.org
    KPart
    Get Hot New Stuff Technology that allows applications to offer users the option to easily download and install plugins, artwork, scripts or similar additions using a unified interface Get Hot New Stuff