kubuntu-users Digest, Vol 50, Issue 46

Tue Mar 10 14:05:16 UTC 2009

>
> Message: 6
> Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 03:16:19 -0400
> From: Steven Vollom <stevenvollom at sbcglobal.net>
> Subject: Re: strange plasma and behavior in KDE 4.2
> To: Kubuntu Help and User Discussions <kubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com>
> Message-ID: <49B613C3.5030609 at sbcglobal.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> Jorge P?rez wrote:
>> I just upgraded my Kubuntu 8.04 to 8.10. The panel is having a strange
>> behavior.
>>
>> The clock and "system tray" areas is huge with a lot of unused space
>> (as you can see in the screenshot). I don't have the "open windows"
>> area and some icons are missing (I tried to use the Oxygen icon theme
>> but a lot of icons was broken and now I'm using another theme)
> The things that did not work, probably need dependent packages, or
> perhaps your system is not up to the technology.  They probably are not
> broken.  But if you video card is not reasonably current, it will
> probably not be able to handle all the plasmoids and special features.
> And too little memory may be a problem.  If you can't come up with the
> necessary tools, you won't be able to take advantage of the features.
> Other than that, it is probably just a configuration problem
>>
>> I re-instaled KDE (apt-get update kde) but that didn't help.
> It may not go back to what you are used to, it may however move you to
> something better.  It is just a matter of coming up to speed.
>
> Did you use the command apt-get update kde or did you use sudo apt-get
> install update kde.  If you want to update kde, it takes sudo privilege;
> so to get it done, you have to use the term sudo.  Also it may work
> without the word install, but I was taught to use install  as well.  And
> by not including the word kde, you will upgrade everything, not just
> KDE. You want every thing updated.  You also want every thing upgraded
> to the most current stable status, so you should consider sudo apt-get
> install upgrade too.  That will upgrade all your system default
> applications to the same state of current.
>
> Then you should forget about retaining much of anything about Hardy
> Heron and KDE 3.5.10.  You are right to be in KDE 4.2; it is much better
> than KDE 4.1 or 3.5.10 or 3.5.9 and so forth and so on.
>
> Then, and this is the most difficult thing to accept is that you are
> moving to a better way of doing things.  If it doesn't look or operate
> the same as what you are used to, don't get negative and say why did
> they do this that way, I liked what used to be just fine.  Because then
> you will be looking backward and not forward where all of progress is.
> You have to trust the fact you will be easily able to make the
> transition to something new.  And you will see that the developers are
> really making things better.  With that attitude, you will progress
> faster and have a better time moving up to the new technology, and more
> experts will want to take the time to help you.
>
> Saying that, consider the fact that maybe nothing is really missing; it
> is just different.  So the next step is to play with the new Operating
> System/Desktop and find where the thing you used to find easily are
> located now.  You will have to add certain applications that you used to
> have and like in your previous issue of Kubuntu/KDE,  like perhaps
> Firefox or Thunderbird.  You will have to find what new applications
> have replaced the application you are used to.  Don't worry so much
> about wondering why did they change a perfect application, just accept
> the fact that you will probably understand the new packages obvious
> benefits in not too long a time.
>
> After you have installed all the packages that you used to have and are
> still offered, then update and upgrade them, to take advantage of all
> the latest features and improvements.
>
> Some of the features you will have now are just so much higher tech that
> you will call them Glitzy.  If you are an old timer who just wants to
> work in a terminal, you may not have much use for them, but for anyone
> just coming off a Microsoft product, you will enjoy these features,
> because they are graphic and very Hi-Tech.
>
> If you multi-task a lot, like have the email you are working from or
> responding too, have references made to a certain forum on the Internet,
> perhaps have Dolphin open, or Gwenview or an art program, it doesn't
> take many such applications to have them overlapping and hard to find on
> the work area.  For me, I would have to search the menu bar to get where
> I needed to be.  Usually I would have to pause, because of abbreviations
> or small print.
>
> In the new Operating System, with KDE 4.2, you simply move the cursor
> into the upper left corner of the screen, and all of those applications
> + any completely minimized applications you may have open and used to be
> on the Kmenu panel, will come on the screen at once.  Each one will be
> reduced in size enough to see them all and have none overlapping.
> Reading the contents of one of the pages might be difficult because
> having a lot of applications open at the same time can sometimes make
> them very small to view when not overlapping, but you should have no
> difficulty recognizing, at a glance, the one you want on top.  Then just
> click on it and it will return to the surface of the work area to use.
> You won't have to move a lot of applications around to find the one you
> want.  It is easier and faster and in my opinion better than before.  It
> isn't just Hi-tech and Glitzy as some may say.  It is practical and
> useful and fast.
>
> To have that feature working, you have to activate desktop effects, but
> along with that feature are several new technology features you might
> enjoy.  Just realize that if you don't like that large clock, you can
> right-click on it and make it go away.  You won't necessarly be able to
> make things go back to the way you are used to, but before you had a
> clock on the desktop you needed but did not have it.  It is still the
> same, you need it, so you will probably have it.  Why not give the
> current issue a chance to grow  on you.
>
> You should make sure your video card is suited to all the new stuff.  If
> there are updates or new drivers that make the new things work better,
> then update them.  If you just loved Kaffeine and default is now Dragon
> player, give it a chance.  You will find the features that make it
> better as a default application.  And if you love Kaffeine and have to
> have it, install it.  No one is stopping you.
>
> You will want to make sure your sound card is up to date so that you get
> trouble free sound.  These are things you are going to have to deal with
> as you change in operation.  And when you are finished, you will have a
> computer that you will like to look at, because it will be fancier and
> more beautiful, and you will love the greater function.  You will
> probably even forget those applications that were your favorite
> applications yesterday and are no longer available, once you get used to
> the advanced way of doing things.  And it will probably be a similar
> experience when you change to Insipid or the one that follows.
>
> There was a time when cars did not exist.  Buggy whip manufactures
> thrived, and overnight their profession disappeared, but who would want
> to go to the barn on a cold and frosty morning to bridle the horses and
> hook up the wagon to sit on a wooden bench for the 3 hour 20 mile ride
> into town for a quart of milk.  Isn't better, to click the button on
> your key ring and come to your car, with its soft seats into a 72 degree
> driving compartment, with music playing for the 20 minute ride to get
> your milk.  It is the same with technology.  Embrace it and enjoy it is
> my motto.
>
> Everything is there that you need.  Get used to your new tool, then come
> back with specific needs, and the real gurus of this List will come to
> your assistance.  I was almost unteachable, yet I am learning fast now.
> This is the best place for you and your new system.  And the really
> intelligent helpers will have patience with you until you gradually
> sharpen up.  But the better your attitude and the more willing you are
> to go forward instead of brood over lost applications, the more they
> will help you to understand the better way.
>>
>> P.S: I did a fresh instalation on my laptop and everything was ok, but
>> in my desktop I only have the upgrade option, so I have to fix that
>> problems.  When you know the problem that needs fixing, bring it bacl
>> to the list.  Some generous and kind person will be here to help you.
>>
>> any idea/sugestion?
>
> That is my idea and suggestion.  You will love this list.  It is the
> best of its kind.  It prospers because of a large group of generous,
> selfless, experts who are willing to take the time to help you the way
> you think you need help.  Eventually they will help you to get help a
> better way.  Then you can help others too.
>
> Good luck friend, I will always help you with the things I am capable of
> helping.  Although this is a long post, I think it will help you get
> what you want and need faster, and you will enjoy the process more.
>
> Cheers! Cudos, Caio and Cordially,
>
> Steven
>

Thank you Steve, but I think I said bad (maybe bc English isn't my
mother language).

1) I upgraded from 8.04 to 8.10 in the "regular way" with Aptitude
2) I like KDE 4 (and I'm used to bc I'm using it since its first
release) but I know something is wrong because some areas are huge
(and in my laptop they are ok) and the "minimized applications area"
dissapear.
3) Then I did an update with (my original message was wrong): sudo
apt-get install kde to install all the kde stuff (kde games for
example) trying to fix the things.

thank you!