Linux Desktop Hacks

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Chapter 5, KDE Desktop

#43 Lock Down KDE with Kiosk Mode

HACK

mime-type to open with the wrong program, he might be unable to reverse

his changes. Calls to the system administrator for help are a poor use of

everyone’s time. It would be better if the user had never been able to make

undesirable changes.

Perhaps you just want to set up a Linux desktop for your grandmother but

she keeps changing the layout of the application toolbars without meaning

to. The new look confuses her so much that she calls you all the time asking

for help, or worse, she gives up on Linux or computers. Wouldn’t it be great

if you could protect your grandmother from herself?

For computers in a public setting such as an Internet café or library, prob-

lems such as these turn into more than just timewasters; they can prevent

others from using the machine or cause distress for users. Have you heard

the common anecdote of the script kiddy who has changed the background

wallpaper on all the machines in a library to pornographic photos?

Enter the Kiosk

KDE has traditionally been one of the most configurable desktop environ-

ments available, but KDE 3.2.3 pushed the fold and added the Kiosk frame-

work, which allows for any or all of the configuration options to be marked

as unchangeable. With Kiosk you can create profiles that are attached to

users or groups of users. A profile can define any KDE setting, but usually

includes ...