Using the KDE Desktop

KDE is not the default SCO OpenServer Release 6.0.0 desktop environment, however, it is very easy to switch to using KDE. See ``Running a different desktop environment'' for details.

This topic provides a quick introduction to getting started with KDE. The KDE documentation is integrated into the desktop environment and only available by running KHelpCenter. See ``Using KHelpCenter'' for more information on accessing KDE documentation.

The KDE interface

The default KDE environment provides the following tools:

• the panel at the bottom of the screen is used to start applications and switch between KDE desktops. The panel contains the K menu, a large ``K'' icon.

• the taskbar, included in the panel, is used to manage running applications. You can also use the taskbar to switch between applications.

• the desktop is where you can place files, folders, and application icons. KDE allows you to run multiple desktops, each of which has its own window. Click on the numbered buttons in the panel to switch between KDE desktops.

Getting started with KDE

Some of the common tasks and activities that you'll likely perform while using KDE are summarized in this section.

• To start an application, click on the K menu (the large ``K'' icon in the panel) and select the desired application.

• To access the files in your home folder, click on the icon that has a house image. This launches Konqueror, KDE's file manager utility.

• To get a UNIX command prompt, select System Konsole from the K menu. Alternately, you can press <Alt><F2> to get a mini-command prompt window, for running a single command.

• To configure KDE, select Settings Control Center from the K menu.

• To toggle between KDE desktops using the keyboard, press <Ctrl><Tab>.

• To switch between applications running on the KDE desktop, press <Alt><Tab>.

• To access context menus for the panel, desktop, and most KDE applications, press the right mouse button.

Using KHelpCenter

KDE help and documentation is available from within the KDE environment by running KHelpCenter.

You can access KHelpCenter in several ways:

Help menu

Each KDE application provides a Help menu. Select Help Contents to open that application's help file.

K menu

From the K menu, select Help. This opens the default welcome page in KHelpCenter.

KDE panel

By default, the panel contains an icon for starting KHelpCenter.

Command line

You can start KHelpCenter from the command line by specifying a URL to display a specific file. See the KDE documentation for information on how to do this.

The Contents pane in KHelpCenter is displayed on the left side of the screen. The Contents pane provides access to a number of KDE documents, including:

Introduction to KDE

the KDE Quick Start Guide. It contains a tour of the KDE interface and offers help and tips on working more efficiently with KDE.

KDE User's Manual

an in-depth exploration of KDE, including information on configuring, customizing, and using the desktop environment.

application manuals

native KDE application documentation. All KDE applications provide corresponding documentation in XML format, which is converted to HTML when viewed.

KDE FAQ

frequently asked questions about KDE, and answers.

KDE subsystems and applications

The SCO OpenServer Release 6.0.0 distribution of KDE includes the following subsystems:

• kdebase -- applications include:
  
  Kate, programmer's text editor
  KControl, KDE Control Center
  KDEPrint, printing framework for KDE
  KDEsu, graphical front-end for su
  KFind, file find utility
  KHelpCenter, KDE help system
  Kicker, application starter panel
  Klipper, clipboard cut and paste utility
  Konqueror, file manager and web browser
  Konsole, X terminal emulator
  KWrite, a text editor

• kdenetwork -- applications include:
  
  KDict, graphical client for the DICT protocol
  KGet, tool for grouping downloads
  KNewsTicker, ticket applet for the KDE panel
  Kopete, multi-protocol instant messenger client
  Kpf, for sharing files over a network
  KPPP, a dialer and front-end for pppd
  KTalkd, an enhanced talk daemon

• kdepim -- applications include:
  
  KAlarm, alarm and email scheduler
  Kandy, synchronizes mobile phone data with the desktop
  KMail, email client
  KNode, newsreader
  KNotes, sticky notes program
  KOrganizer, personal information manager

• kdeaccessibility -- applications include:
  
  KMagnifier, screen magnifier
  KMouseTool, tool to help avoid repetitive stress injury
  KMouth, computer speech tool
  KTTS, Text-to-Speech system

• kdegraphics -- applications include:
  
  Kamera, download and view digital camera images
  KColorEdit, palette files editor
  KGamma, simple tool for monitor gamma correction
  KGhostView, displays and prints PostScript/PDF files
  KolourPaint, paint program
  Kooka, scanning application
  KPDF, PDF viewer based on xpdf code
  KSnapshot, simple applet for taking screenshots
  KuickShow, image browser/viewer
  KView, image viewer

• kdeaddons -- includes:
  
  Kate plugins
  Kicker add-on applets
  Konqueror plugins

• kdeutils -- applications include:
  
  Ark, an archive manager
  KCalc, scientific calculator
  KDiskFree, displays available file devices
  KEdit, simple text editor
  KHexEdit, hexadecimal editor
  KWallet, password management subsystem