Linux Desktop Hacks

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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 ...