Video Tip: Using a Folder View

Using: KDE 4.2 development version (KDE 4.1.60 (KDE 4.2 >= 20080709))

This video shows basic features of the Folder View:

• Filtering contents
• Showing a remote location (ftp used as an example)
• Drag and drop support

I’ve uploaded it to YouTube this time because, even if the quality is worse, one can add annotations to the videos. It’s still a beta feature and you will probably have to watch it directly on YouTube, sorry. Anyway, here it is:

Quick report

I’m now working with Luca Beltrame on the video recording front. We want to create a series of videos showing off Plasma and possibly other parts of KDE 4.1. The videos are user-oriented so basicaly they will serve as the visual counterpart to the existing Plasma FAQ.

As Luca posted on the KDE-Promo list, we are using a page on TechBase to coordinate the effort. If you have suggestions or ideas, edit the page yourself or leave them as a comment here.

Video Tip: Switching between Kickoff and Classic Menu

Using: KDE 4.1 (development version, compiled from sources on the 9th of July)

Switching from Kickoff to the Classic Menu style is incredibly easy. In case you don’t believe me, watch for yourself:

As you can see, I switched back to Kickoff. I can barely stand using the Classic Menu anymore. Even if you don’t understand Kickoff at first, keep using it and it will grow on you too

It’s confirmed, widgets can be moved

Using: KDE 4.1 development version (compiled from sources the 4th of july)
Status: Work in progress.

Here is the mandatory video to prove it:

Window to Plasmoid converter

You might have seen Vladimir’s post already. He has created a plasmoid to convert windows into plasmoids. It’s still a work in progress but interesting work nonetheless. Go read it if you haven’t, I’ll wait.

Some question the advantage of having a widget limited to your desktop area when you could have the application window itself. Well, as far as I know the vision for Future Plasma includes the ability to transfer widgets to other systems: PDA, mobile phone, other PC, 2.0 toaster, etc. Limited? Not really.

And even though IANAD, at first glance it looks like this may be useful once Chani’s GSoC project gets implemented. We could have a Konsole window showing very interesting output over a locked screen without the need of someone creating a plasmoid for it first. One can dream, right? Anyway, Chani’s project is gonna be awesome with or without the converter.

Almost there: Moving Plasma widgets on the panel

After reading this:

SVN commit 826398 by aseigo:

* delete the panel controller on hide
* put a little overlay widget on each applet when it shows up; currently unpainted (and so invisible) as i’m not sure that the Release Pantheon would be very approving of me adding something like applet moving at this point in the freeze, but i’d like to commit the work done thus far

and this thread on the kde-core-devel and Release Team mailing lists, it looks like 4.1 will come with 25% to 50% less Plasma Trolls. Or maybe not, we’ll see.

Now, seriously, it’s great to see this feature back and I hope everyone starts to feel more comfortable using a KDE 4 environment. I’ll post some screenshots as soon as I get my hands on this.

Itty Bitty Tip: How to change the Plasma theme [Updated]

Using: KDE 4.1 (Self-compiled development version)

Question: How can I change the way Plasma looks?

Answer:

Right click on your desktop and select Desktop Settings.

On the Deskop Settings window expand the Theme list to see all the themes you have available.

If that’s not enough for you or you can’t find anything you like, use the New Theme button to access even more Plasma Theme goodness.

This “Get Hot New Stuff” (isn’t that an awesome name?) window let’s you browse and manage the themes available online. You can install, uninstall or update them by pressing the button on the right side of each item. You may notice that the GetHotNewStuff service is currently a work in progress, with some pretty cool features planned. I’ll more than likely keep you posted as they unfold

Once you’ve found a theme that looks promising, go back to the Desktop Settings window and expand the Theme list. Select the chosen one and press Apply to see it in action. When you’re happy with your choice press Ok and enjoy.

No, really, enjoying is required to finish the process.

Update: I recorded a video of the process, but I don’t have anywhere to upload it in OGG format. I tried YouTube and GoogleVideo but quality is awful. Vimeo did a better job and if you log in it lets you download the original file, so here it is: