The K Desktop Environment

Chapter 6. Other Features

6.1. Applets

Applets are small and useful programs. Once started they become part of the panel (they are "embedded").

You can add applets to the panel in three ways. Click K button->Panel menu->Add...->Applet , or right click an empty part of the panel and click Add...->Applet, or right click any icon of the panel and choose Panel menu->Add...->Applet.

You can remove applets by right clicking on the applet's Handle.

6.1.1. Clock

This handy clock displays current time and date. Click the clock to display a simple reference calendar. You can change the date, month and year of the calendar by clicking on the arrows or on the name of the month or on the year number. This has nothing to do with changing time and date of your machine. It serves as a simple view of the days of the week in a particular month.

Right click the Clock to display Clock options. You can change between analog and digital clock design, you can change the date and time of your system (if you are not logged in as system administrator you will be prompted for the root password), you can modify the date and time format, and you can copy current time and date to the clipboard in various formats.

6.1.2. Example

The Example applet serves as a sample applet. It's only purpose is to show you that you can create new applets that will integrate seamlessly with the default KDE applets.

6.1.3. Kasbar

Kasbar is an application switching tool. Unlike other applets, Kasbar is not displayed inside the panel, but rather in the top right corner of the screen. It cannot be moved, and it is visible on all virtual desktops.

Kasbar displays medium-size symbol for each application that you start. You can switch between applications simply by clicking on a symbol.

6.1.4. Pager

With the Pager applet you can switch between virtual desktops. You can also switch to a particular application, because the Pager represents a "view from a distance" on your virtual desktops. Simply click on a particular window within the Pager to switch to an application.

Right click the Pager applet to display View mode selection. There are three view modes available:

  • Preview displays each running application as a simple frame.

  • Desktop number displays number for each virtual desktop. Pager cannot be used to switch between particular applications in this mode.

  • Desktop name displays a name of each virtual desktop. Pager cannot be used to switch between particular applications in this mode.

6.1.5. Application Launcher

Use the Application Launcher applet to display handy command line with history in the Kicker panel. This is very similar to Run....

6.1.6. System Tray

The System Tray applet lets you see applications which are "docked".

While applets are always embedded in the panel [1], certain normal applications may be docked in the panel. Docking means that a symbol of the application is displayed within the panel. Examples of docked applications include the CD Player and the Tea Cooker.

If you want docked applications displayed within the panel, the System Tray applet must be running.

6.1.7. Taskbar

The Taskbar applet may be the most important applet of all. As such, it is running when you start K Desktop Environment for the first time. Each running application is displayed as a small bar in the Taskbar.

The Taskbar displays only those application which are running on the currently active virtual desktop. You must therefore switch between virtual desktops to see all running applications.

However you can change this behavior. Right click the Taskbar handle and choose Preferences. You can check the Show all windows checkbox if you want to see all windows no matter what virtual desktop they reside on. Check the Run outside of panel checkbox to separate Taskbar from the Kicker panel; you can also specify the position where the separate Taskbar appears.

Switch between applications by clicking on that application's bar. You can also hold Alt or Meta key and press Tab repeatedly to switch between applications.

Right click an application bar to display a local menu for that application. You can minimize or maximize the application, and you can also move the application to a different desktop. You can also close an application by clicking on Close. Please note that legacy applications and console applications should not be closed in this way unless they stop responding, because they are not reminded about the need to save your data. You should use that application's menu to close such application.

Tip

Pager, Taskbar and Kasbar actually provide overlapping functionality. While you can run all three applets at the same time, it is best to choose one or two of them. The best combinations are:

  • Taskbar: use Taskbar to switch between running applications, and Ctrl-Tab to switch between virtual desktops.

  • Pager: for best results, switch Pager to Icon view.

  • Kasbar: it displays applications on all desktops, but it occupies significant space on the screen.

  • No applet: You can disable all applets if you wish, and only use hotkeys. Hold Alt or Meta and press Tab repeatedly to switch between applications. Hold Ctrl and press Tab repeatedly to switch between desktops.

6.1.8. Quick Launcher

This applet initially displays five of the most often used programs. With Quick Launcher running you can remove most of the Basic Icons; as a result the Kicker panel will have more space for other applets.

You are, however, not limited to those five programs. Right click the applet and click Add Application to add any number of application from the Main menu.

6.1.9. KMix Applet

The KMix applet shows sound mixer embedded in the panel. This is very handy if you change sound volume or recording level quite often.

6.1.10. System Monitor

This simple applet shows the current system load. When the system load is very high, you may need to close the most demanding applications in order to make your system more responsive.

Notes

[1]

...with the notable exception of Kasbar.