Kubuntu - some first thoughts

[Neil Winchurst]

Some one else has already commented of their first thoughts about 
kubuntu Edgy so I thought I would have a go.

Numlock
On installation this defaults to Off. It was easy to alter, but I think 
the default is wrong.

Panel
I like to have the panel out of the way when I am working - purely a 
personal thing. With all my previous distros (Suse, Mandrake/Mandriva) I 
have simply clicked on the panel hiding buttons to slide it out of the 
way. They were missing. It was easy to add them, but again I think the 
default is wrong.

I have now changed the panel configuration to 'allow other windows to 
cover the panel' which I think is great. Now I don't have to bother with 
hiding/revealing the panel any more. I just ignore it and opening a 
window (eg browser, console, home folder) uses all of the screen right 
to the bottom. Great.

Root folders
I was surprised not to see anything in the root folder. With some help 
from the group I sorted that out, but it seemed strange. I have since 
heard that this 'feature' will be removed for the next version.

Mouse
The default was that one click activated the icon, file whatever. I find 
it easier to use a double-click (again purely a personal thing). It was 
easy to change it.

Desktop Icons
On installation the desktop was completely empty, wow! I have been used 
to having at least an icon for Home  be there. Yes I know about the 
menus but I also like to have icons available for often-used items. It 
took some help from the group again to enable me to add a shortcut for 
Home on to the desktop. Others were simple to add.

OK, I know that lots of people like an empty desktop. Fine, but I like 
to have a choice between icons or menus. Just to annoy those who prefer 
none, I have 25 icons on my desktop at the moment. (Stand by ready for 
all the flak.) I also often use alt-F2 as well.

Apt-get, Adept
Much better than the RPM system I am used to. I had a bit of trouble 
when I tried to install Sun Java using adept but with some help from the 
group I sorted that out and eventually used apt-get. Incidentally I have 
been using computers for more years than I care to remember so I am 
quite happy to enter commands into a console window.

Console
When working in a folder window, eg Home, I like to be able to move to a 
console window while staying in the current directory. These had always 
been available with previous distros by using ctrl-t (for terminal). 
This did not work in kubuntu so I had to add the relevant button to the 
toolbar. Easy enough.

Repositories
I read up about these lists and thought it was a great idea. My problem 
was that I had to find out how to add the extra repositories so that I 
had a complete list of all available files. This took a bit of research 
and some errors on my part but I have it set up now. It could have been 
a bit easier though. I have used Linux for more that five years, but a 
beginner would probably struggle.

Please note that these are all comments, I am not complaining. I will 
certainly stay with kubuntu from now on. Much better than previous 
distros that I have used.

As a last comment, I agree with recent emails about making it easier to 
distinguish between kubuntu and ubuntu in wikis, help files and books. I 
have the 'Official Ubuntu Book' which does have just one chapter devoted 
to kubuntu. A lot of the rest of the book is not relevant and/or 
incorrect for me. A lot of it was helpful though.

I do realise that, due to the quick release of new versions, it is not 
possible for books to be up to date. That is why on-line help is so 
necessary. And that is why it is important to be clear about which help 
is for ubuntu, which is for kubuntu and which is for either.

I look forward to any comments, corrections, complaints etc.

Neil Winchurst