Difference between revisions of "KDE Plasma Desktop"

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(Old single KDE guide. Has since been split into two pages: one each for KDE SC 4 and KDE Plasma 5. Set to redirect.)
 
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[https://www.kde.org/workspaces/plasmadesktop/ KDE Plasma] is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_environment desktop environment] developed by the [https://www.kde.org KDE Community]. KDE Plasma is based on the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qt_%28software%29 Qt] framework. Funtoo Linux offers KDE Plasma together with a variety of [https://www.kde.org/applications/ Applications] also from [https://www.kde.org KDE]. Through Qt and a common platform of libraries and services, KDE Plasma combined with KDE Applications aims to deliver a desktop environment that is tightly integrated and visually consistent.
#REDIRECT [[KDE Plasma 5]]
 
Currently there are two versions of the KDE Plasma Desktop available for Funtoo Linux - Plasma 4 and Plasma 5.
 
'''KDE Plasma 4''' was released in 2008 [https://www.kde.org/announcements/4.0/] and is the more stable version of Plasma available for Funtoo Linux. '''KDE Plasma 5''' was released in 2014 [https://www.kde.org/announcements/plasma5.0/] and while being the target of new developments is subject to a greater number of bugs or instability issues. While the full suite of KDE Applications is optimized for Plasma 4 a number of these Applications are yet to be optimized for Plasma 5.
 
This guide aims to cover the steps required to achieve a basic install of KDE Plasma on x86 architectures following the completion of the [[Install]] guide.
 
External Links:
 
[https://www.kde.org www.kde.org]
 
[https://www.kde.org/workspaces/plasmadesktop/ www.kde.org/workspaces/plasmadesktop/]
 
[https://www.kde.org/applications/ www.kde.org/applications/]
 
[https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/KDE wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/KDE]
 
__TOC__
 
== Pre-Installation ==
The following instructions are written for a new installation of Funtoo Linux performed using the [[Install]] guide.
 
=== Funtoo Profiles ===
Correctly setting [[Funtoo Profiles]] is required to install KDE. Review the selected profiles using [[Funtoo_Profiles#Using_epro|epro]].
 
{{console|body=
###i## epro show
 
=== ##g##Enabled Profiles##!g##: ===
 
        arch: ##bl##x86-64bit##!bl##
      build: ##bl##current##!bl##
    subarch: ##bl##intel64-haswell##!bl##
      flavor: ##bl##core##!bl##
    mix-ins: (not set)
 
 
=== ##g##All inherited flavors from core flavor##!g##: ===
 
                        ##bl##minimal##!bl## (from core flavor)
 
}}
 
The recommended [[Funtoo_Profiles#Flavors|flavor]] for KDE is ''desktop''. This can be selected with the command epro flavor desktop
 
{{console|body=
###i## epro flavor desktop
 
=== ##g##Enabled Profiles##!g##: ===
 
        arch: ##bl##x86-64bit##!bl##
      build: ##bl##current##!bl##
    subarch: ##bl##intel64-haswell##!bl##
      flavor: ##bl##desktop##!bl##
    mix-ins: (not set)
 
>>> Set flavor to desktop.
}}
 
Following a [[Funtoo_Profiles#Flavors|flavor]] change an update of Funtoo packages is required
 
{{console|body=
###i## emerge --ask --update --verbose --deep --newuse --with-bdeps=y @world
}}
 
{{tip|This command can be shortened to
 
{{console|body=
###i## emerge -auvDN --with-bdeps=y @world
}}
}}
 
=== Install the X Window System ===
KDE requires the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Window_System X Window System (X11)] to present graphics (video) and receive input (keyboard, mouse, joystick, etc.). Configuration is required for X11 to work with the video card on the target hardware. Use the [[Video]] guide to determine the appropriate VIDEO_CARDS entry for Funtoo Linux. With your favorite editor, edit {{f|make.conf}} to include the setting appropriate for the target video hardware.
 
{{file|name=/etc/portage/make.conf|desc=example for Intel HD Graphics|body=
VIDEO_CARDS="intel i965"
}}
 
Now install the X Window System by merging the meta-package {{Package|x11-base/xorg-x11}}
 
{{console|body=
###i## emerge --ask --verbose x11-base/xorg-x11
}}
 
=== Localization ===
To install KDE for a language other than English (United States) add an appropriate LINGUAS entry to {{f|/etc/portage/make.conf}}
 
{{file|name=/etc/portage/make.conf|desc=Example for English (United Kingdom)|body=
LINGUAS="en_GB"
}}
 
{{tip|More information on Localization can be found at [[Funtoo Linux Localization]].}}
 
== Emerge KDE Plasma ==
Choose a version of KDE Plasma.
 
=== KDE Plasma 4 - recommended ===
The [[Funtoo Profiles]] were earlier set to the ''desktop'' flavor. Now an additional [[Funtoo_Profiles#Mix-ins|mix-in]] profile is required to provide a smooth installation of KDE Plasma 4.
 
There are two KDE-related mix-ins available in Funtoo: ''kde'' and ''kde-plasma-5''. The mix-in required for Plasma 4 is '''kde'''. Do NOT choose kde-plasma-5. Add the mix-in using {{c|epro}}
 
{{console|body=
###i## epro mix-in kde
 
=== ##g##Enabled Profiles##!g##: ===
 
        arch: ##bl##x86-64bit##!bl##
      build: ##bl##current##!bl##
    subarch: ##bl##intel64-haswell##!bl##
      flavor: ##bl##desktop##!bl##
    mix-ins: ##bl##kde##!bl##
 
>>> Added kde mix-in.
}}
 
Now KDE Plasma 4 can be merged. This can be achieved in one of two ways.
 
One method is to merge the basic KDE Plasma 4 package followed by one or more optional KDE Applications meta-packages. The base package to merge is '''kde-apps/kdebase-meta''' and optional meta-packages are generally found under the category ''kde-apps'' (e.g. kde-apps/kdegames-meta).
 
The other (and recommended) method is to emerge the package '''kde-base/kde-meta'''. This will install KDE Plasma 4 together with the full suite of KDE Applications and underlying libraries and services (known as KDE Platform). Collectively this is referred to by KDE as the ''KDE Software Compilation 4'' or simply KDE SC 4.
 
Since the Profile has changed (added mix-in) the world set of packages must also be updated in addition to emerging KDE meta-packages. These actions can be performed in one step
 
{{console|body=
###i## emerge -auvDN --with-bdeps=y @world kde-base/kde-meta
}}
 
Once completed proceed to the chapter [[KDE#Configure_and_Start_KDE|Configure and Start KDE]].
 
=== KDE Plasma 5 ===
The [[Funtoo Profiles]] were earlier set to the ''desktop'' flavor. Now an additional [[Funtoo_Profiles#Mix-ins|mix-in]] profile is required to provide a smooth installation of KDE Plasma 5.
 
There are two KDE-related mix-ins available in Funtoo: ''kde'' and ''kde-plasma-5''. The mix-in required for Plasma 5 is '''kde-plasma-5'''. Do NOT choose kde. Add the mix-in using {{c|epro}}
 
{{console|body=
###i## epro mix-in kde-plasma-5
 
=== ##g##Enabled Profiles##!g##: ===
 
        arch: ##bl##x86-64bit##!bl##
      build: ##bl##current##!bl##
    subarch: ##bl##intel64-haswell##!bl##
      flavor: ##bl##desktop##!bl##
    mix-ins: ##bl##kde-plasma-5##!bl##
 
>>> Added kde-plasma-5 mix-in.
}}
 
This is the point to emerge KDE Plasma 5. This is performed by merging the package '''kde-plasma/plasma-meta'''. Since the Profile has changed (added mix-in) the world set of packages must be updated as well. These actions can be performed in one step
 
{{console|body=
###i## emerge -auvDN --with-bdeps=y @world kde-plasma/plasma-meta
}}
 
Unlike the KDE SC 4 meta-package (kde-base/kde-meta) merging kde-plasma/plasma-meta will not install a number of core KDE Applications and services (KDE Frameworks) required for a working desktop environment such as file manager, web browser or terminal emulator. One recommendation is to install the following packages together with KDE Plasma 5
 
* '''kde-apps/dolphin''' (File Manager for KDE Plasma desktops)
* '''kde-apps/kate''' (An advanced text editor for KDE)
* '''kde-apps/kdemultimedia-meta''' (sound mixer applications for sound and video playback)
* '''kde-apps/konqueror''' (KDE's web browser)
* '''kde-apps/konsole''' (KDE's terminal emulator)
 
Merge these using one command
 
{{console|body=
###i## emerge --ask kde-apps/dolphin kate kdemultimedia-meta konqueror konsole
}}
 
Once completed proceed to the chapter [[KDE#Configure_and_Start_KDE|Configure and Start KDE]].
 
=== KDE Plasma 5 from an Alternative Repository (overlay) ===
An alternative installation method exists for KDE Plasma 5 which utilizes an external repository of KDE packages (separate to Funtoo Linux).
 
See [[KDE Plasma 5]].
 
== Configure and Start KDE ==
 
=== OpenRC ===
After the many packages have been merged portage will present a variety of post-install messages. A number of these will request that critical services are started first in order for KDE to work. Typically these are ALSA ({{Package|media-libs/alsa-lib}}), ConsoleKit ({{Package|sys-auth/consolekit}}), DBus ({{Package|sys-apps/dbus}}), and UDev ({{Package|sys-fs/eudev}}). Since the ''desktop'' flavor has been set CUPS ({{Package|net-print/cups}}) will also be included.
 
Issue the following commands to set these essential services to start automatically via OpenRC (sys-apps/openrc)
 
{{console|body=
###i## rc-update add alsasound boot
###i## rc-update add cupsd default
###i## rc-update add consolekit default
}}
 
DBus is usually started when these services start.
 
UDev is usually rebuilt during an install of KDE due to changes in USE flags from changing Profile flavor and mix-ins. To accommodate changes it is best to restart the service.
 
{{console|body=
###i## /etc/init.d/udev --nodeps restart
}}
 
{{tip|Do not confuse the UDev package '''eudev''' (sys-fs/eudev) with '''evdev'''! '''evdev''' is the generic input device driver for the X Window System (x11-drivers/xf86-input-evdev)!}}
 
=== Create a User Account ===
Now is the appropriate point to create a user account for use with KDE Plasma. The following example creates a user ''alice'' and associates that account with the Groups ''lp'', ''lpadmin'', ''plugdev'', ''users'', ''video'' and ''wheel''. A home directory for the account ''alice'' will be created at {{f|/home/alice}}.
 
{{console|body=
###i## useradd -m -G lp,lpadmin,plugdev,users,video,wheel alice
}}
 
Now set a password for ''alice''
 
{{console|body=
###i## passwd alice
}}
 
=== Starting KDE with a Display (Login) Manager ===
==== KDE Plasma 4 ====
The default [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_display_manager_(program_type) Display Manager] for KDE Plasma 4 is KDM (kde-base/kdm).
 
To use KDM first edit {{f|/etc/conf.d/xdm}} with your favorite editor, updating the DISPLAYMANAGER entry to equal 'kdm'
 
{{file|name=/etc/conf.d/xdm|body=
DISPLAYMANAGER="kdm"
}}
 
Now add xdm to the default runlevel of OpenRC.
 
{{console|body=
###i## rc-update add xdm default
}}
 
The display manager KDM should appear at the end of computer boot. To avoid an unnecessary restart you can launch KDM/KDE from here with a simple command
 
{{console|body=
###i## rc
}}
 
You should be presented with a graphical login screen. Input devices (mouse, keyboard) should be working at this stage. Logging in will take you to the KDE Plasma desktop of KDE SC 4.
 
==== KDE Plasma 5 ====
The recommended [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_display_manager_(program_type) Display Manager] for KDE Plasma 5 is SDDM - {{Package|x11-misc/sddm}}. Installing KDE Plasma 5 with the ''kde-plasma-5'' mix-in installs SDDM.
 
A few steps must first be completed in order for SDDM to work correctly . The first step is to create a configuration file for SDDM as one is not created automatically. Generate one using the following command
 
{{console|body=
###i## sddm --example-config > /etc/sddm.conf
}}
 
The configuration file now exists at {{f|/etc/sddm.conf}}. Edit this file with your favorite editor, changing the option 'Current' to be equal to 'breeze' - the KDE Plasma 5 default theme.
 
{{file|name=/etc/sddm.conf|desc=Change the line Current= |body=
 
[Theme]
# Current theme name
Current=breeze
 
}}
 
Next it is required to allow SDDM access the video hardware. This is achieved by adding the user ''sddm'' to the group ''video'' with the following command
 
{{console|body=
###i## gpasswd -a sddm video
}}
 
SDDM is installed with support for ConsoleKit ({{Package|sys-auth/consolekit}}) and Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM). For these features to operate correctly edit the file {{f|/etc/pam.d/system-login}} and change the line
 
{{file|name=/etc/pam.d/system-login|body=
session    optional    pam_ck_connector.so nox11
}}
 
by removing the part 'nox11'. It should now read
 
{{file|name=/etc/pam.d/system-login|body=
session    optional    pam_ck_connector.so
}}
 
The final steps involve configuring OpenRC to load SDDM during startup.
 
Edit {{f|/etc/conf.d/xdm}} with your favorite editor, updating the DISPLAYMANAGER entry to equal 'sddm'.
 
{{file|name=/etc/conf.d/xdm|body=
DISPLAYMANAGER="sddm"
}}
 
Now add xdm to the default runlevel of OpenRC.
 
{{console|body=
###i## rc-update add xdm default
}}
 
The display manager SDDM should appear at the end of computer boot. To avoid an unnecessary restart you can launch SDDM/KDE from here with a simple command
 
{{console|body=
###i## rc
}}
 
You will be presented with a login screen. Input devices (mouse, keyboard) should be working at this stage. Logging in will take you to the KDE Plasma 5 desktop.
 
== Next Steps? ==
'''This concludes the basic installation of KDE Plasma on Funtoo Linux.'''
 
For advanced installation options visit the individual package pages for KDE Plasma:
 
For KDE Plasma 4 (KDE SC 4) see {{Package|kde-base/kde-meta}}.
 
For KDE Plasma 5 see {{Package|kde-plasma/plasma-meta}}.
 
== Tips and Tricks ==
{{SectionNeedsUpdates}}
=== Starting KDE manually from a terminal ===
 
As an alternative to using a Display (Login) Manager, KDE Plasma can be launched from a terminal with the command
 
{{console|body=
###i## startkde
}}
 
=== Change Desktop Effects ===
System Setting > Desktop Behavior > Desktop Effects
 
=== Enable the Application Dashboard in KDE Plasma 5 ===
Unlock Widgets
Right-click on Panel > Alternatives
 
=== Useful KDE-related packages ===
app-cdr/k3b
 
net-firewall/ufw + kde-misc/kcm-ufw
 
kde-misc/yakuake
 
NetworkManager frontends
 
== Troubleshooting ==
{{SectionNeedsUpdates}}
=== KDE Plasma 5 not displaying Oxygen-themed icons ===
Settings > Icons > re-select ''Breeze'' icons and apply.
 
=== No Sound in KDE Plasma 5 ===
emerge kdemultimedia-meta
 
see section on SDDM - edit /etc/pam.d/system-login
 
=== Missing KCM in KDE Plasma 5 ===
kde-misc/kcm-ufw has not been updated to work with KDE Plasma 5.
 
=== System Tray icons not appearing ===
 
[[Category:Desktop]]
[[Category:First Steps]]
[[Category:Official Documentation]]

Latest revision as of 13:37, May 13, 2016

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