OS/2 to Linux Client Transition

32 OS/2 to Linux Client Transition

Resulting desktop

Figure 2-3 shows the desktop that we created after performing the actions in the

previous sections. As discussed in Chapter 7, “Linux client installation” on

page 145, we can create this desktop during the installation process. This

enables more efficient deployment and administration by the desktop system

administrator.

Figure 2-3 Customized desktop

2.2.2 Configuring the KDE desktop environment using the GUI

This section explains how to configure the KDE desktop environment from the

GUI using the KDE Control Center.

Note: Using chmod on the desktop directory structure does not affect the kicker

bar.

Chapter 2. Platform considerations 33

All configuration for the KDE desktop environment is performed using the KDE

Control Center. You invoke this program by using the kicker bar:

“Red Hat Menu” > Select Control Center

Figure 2-4 shows the Control Center with the Appearance & Themes and

Desktop options expanded.

Figure 2-4 KDE Control Center

Appearances and Themes

The menu on the left allows the user to configure all options that pertain to the

appearance and themes used within KDE. To configure the various options, use

the mouse pointer to select the item to personalize on the left side. For example,

if the Screen Saver icon on the left is selected, the user sees the window shown

in Figure 2-5.

Note: When you make changes to the desktop using the GUI, changes are

saved in files in the /home/<user>/.kde/share/config directory. The files that

contain these changes are kdeglobals, kdesktoprc, and kickerrc as discussed

earlier. These files only contain the personalization made for the current

logged on user.

34 OS/2 to Linux Client Transition

Figure 2-5 Screen Saver configuration

After you personalize the screen saver and its options, click Apply and exit the

Control Center.

The following options are configurable within the Appearance & Themes option:

򐂰 Background

򐂰 Colors

򐂰 Fonts

򐂰 Icons

򐂰 Launch feedback

򐂰 Panels (some kicker bar options)

򐂰 Screen Saver

򐂰 Style

򐂰 Theme manager

򐂰 Window decorations

After you make a change to the user’s screen saver, the

/.kde/share/config/kdesktoprc file is created in the user’s KDE directory.

Tip: Viewing the personal files that are created in the.kde/share/config

directory is a good way to learn how to configure the main KDE configuration

files using file manipulation.

Chapter 2. Platform considerations 35

The contents of the file are:

[ScreenSaver]

Saver=xmatrix.desktop

[Version]

KDEVersionMajor=3

KDEVersionMinor=1

KDEVersionRelease=3

As mentioned earlier, this file is a subset of the main kdesktoprc. It contains only

configuration information that was changed by the user.

Desktop

The menu on the left also allows the user to configure all options that pertain to

the Desktop used within KDE. To configure the various options, again use the

mouse pointer to select the item to personalize. For example, select the Multiple

Desktops icon on the left. Then you see the window shown in Figure 2-6.

Figure 2-6 Desktops configuration

After you personalize the virtual desktops, you click the Apply button and exit the

Control Center.