Tweak the KDE Desktop

Tweak the KDE Desktop

Get up to speed with configuring KDE, the default desktop environment for the Kubuntu variant of Ubuntu.

While GNOME, the heart of Ubuntu, seems to be adopting an extremist policy of "simplify simplify simplify" that goes so far as to result in the father of Linux strongly criticizing it (see http://mail.gnome.org/archives/usability/2005-December/msg00021.html), KDE, the heart of Kubuntu, has sought to simplify without reducing features. Instead of simply hiding configuration options in the Windows Registry-like GConf or requiring that users know arcane key commands that serve to bring up important capabilities, both of which GNOME practices, KDE preserves the customizability and power that has garnered it fans all over the world, while streamlining options and increasing ease of use.

A prime example of this can be seen in KDE's evolution from the Control Center to System Settings. The Control Center allowed users to customize KDE in virtually infinite ways, but its layout was cluttered and confusing, as shown in Figure.

The old-fashioned KDE Control Center was pretty cluttered

The KDE developers responded to the criticisms they received and are transitioning to System Settings, which is found in Kubuntu (if, for some reason, it wasn't installed on your system, run the command sudo apt-get install kde-systemsettings to install it). As you can see in Figure, the layout is cleaner, easier to read, and more inviting. To start System Settings, click the K button and choose System Settings.

The new and improved KDE System Settings

The infinite customizability is still present, but it's now more approachable for both experts and newbies. Instead of removing features or squirreling them away in byzantine ways, the KDE developers adopted an evolutionary path that improves usability without sacrificing power.

Right after I install Kubuntu, there are a few important changes I make using System Settings that I feel improve my use of KDE. Think of these as suggestions that you can try, but you really should explore the world of System Settings yourself to truly make your copy of Kubuntu your own.

Personal

Click on the Panel button, and then on the Menus tab of Panels. Under QuickStart Menu Items, I like the fact that "Show the applications most frequently used" is selected, but in some cases, I've found that the number is set to 0. Change that to 5, and the five programs most frequently used in a session will show up at the top of the K menu, as you can see in Figure.

Show the five most used applications on the K menu

While also in Panel, select the Taskbar button. One of the so-called "innovations" that Windows XP introduced was taskbar grouping: if you have several windows from the same app open, they are grouped together as one button on the taskbar. To see the individual windows, select that taskbar button, holding down the mouse button, and a menu opens showing the various windows, which you can then pick from. Personally, I hate this feature. I want to see all open windows on a particular desktop, so I always change "Group similar tasks" from When Taskbar Full to Never. In addition, when I'm using multiple desktops, I don't want to see all the windows from all those desktops on the taskbar, which to me defeats the whole purpose of multiple desktops in the first place, so I uncheck "Show windows from all desktops" and "Sort windows by desktop." See Figure for the changes I make.

Turn off taskbar grouping

Back in System Settings, move on to Sound & MultimediaFigure.

Turn off annoying system sounds

Still, I like the sound KDE makes when it's first loading and when it's shutting down, so I always go ahead and click in the Sound column (the fifth column) next to "KDE is exiting" and "KDE is starting up," so I can hear those tiny melodies.

Hardware

In an effort to be more "web-like," the default behavior in KDE to open files and folders is a single click. While I love this behavior in Firefox, I don't like it so much in my file manager. To turn it off, select the Mouse button in the Hardware section and then, on the General tab, choose "Double-click to open files and folders."

System Administration

This one will help solve an annoyance that otherwise might cause U.S. users to smack their heads on their keyboards in frustration. In System Administration, choose "Regional and Accessibility," then "Country/Region and Language," and finally the "Other" tab. Change "Paper format" from A4 (which works great in Europe) to US Letter, the standard paper size in America. Now printing works again! And while you're there, change "Measure system" from Metric to Imperial, which is again what the U.S. uses. Of course, if your country's standards are different, here is where you change them.

When it comes to configuring KDE, I've just scratched the surface, but I hope this is enough to get you started. My advice is to click on every single item in System Settings and investigate what you find there. After you finish that, head over to http://www.kde-look.org, where you can download new wallpaper, themes, icons, styles, skins, screensavers, and splash screens to change how your copy of KDE appears. But KDE-Look.org isn't just about eye candy. You can also find service menus, software, improvements, and tips for changing how your KDE acts and behaves. It's a friendly, helpful community, and I know you'll find something fun and useful there. Linux is all about choice, and nowhere is that more obvious than when it comes to KDE and Kubuntu!

Scott Granneman