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Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
KDE Desktop
Hacks #35–44
The desktop is central to a modern Linux desktop. Traditionally, Linux
relied heavily on the command line, and a strong knowledge of the vast
portfolio of Linux commands and how they could be strewn together was
essential for surviving the Linux way of life. In the last few years, this way of
life has changed substantially, and Linux users are becoming less and less
reliant on the command line. The command line is still there, but if you
want to control and administer your computer in an entirely graphical way
with your desktop, you can.
This chapter focuses on the KDE desktop environment. In it you’ll find
information on how to use the protocol handlers in Konqueror to access
remote filesystems, patch KDE with experimental code to improve its
appearance and functionality, use desktop enhancements from the
superkaramba project, and lock down KDE to provide a controlled environ-
ment for users.
One point to remember when using the desktop is that it typically provides
an interface to the command-line magic that underlies it. The benefit of this
is that many of the features and configurations you use in your desktop envi-
ronment are available in the command line. For example, “Script Hacks
with DCOP”
[Hack #39] shows you how to control your KDE environment
from the command line.
The hacks included in this chapter give you insight into the variety of ways ...