KDE Plasma Desktop

KDE Plasma is a desktop environment developed by the KDE Community. KDE Plasma is based on the Qt framework. Funtoo Linux offers KDE Plasma together with a variety of Applications also from 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.

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:

www.kde.org

www.kde.org/workspaces/plasmadesktop/

Versions

   Warning

User:Tassietux This page is work-in-progress!

KDE Plasma 4, KDE Software Compilation 4 (KDE SC 4)

   Note

KDE Software Compilation 4 is the most stable version of the KDE desktop environment. Many 3rd-party packages support KDE SC 4. It is the recommended version to install.

KDE Plasma 5

   Warning

While KDE Plasma 5 is maturing, several KDE applications are yet to be migrated to KDE Frameworks 5. Combining KDE Plasma 5 with KDE SC 4 packages may be problematic. 3rd-party packages that claim support for KDE may remain broken until updated to support Plasma/Frameworks 5. Proceed with caution.

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 epro.

root # epro show

The recommended flavor for KDE is desktop. This can be selected with the following command.

root # epro flavor desktop

With the flavor has been set to desktop, update Funtoo with the following command.

root # emerge --ask --update --verbose --deep --newuse --with-bdeps=y @world

   Tip

This command can be shorted to

root # emerge -auvDN --with-bdeps=y @world

Install the X Window System

KDE requires the X Window System (X11) to present graphics (video) and the use of input devices (keyboard, mouse, joystick, etc.). Configuration is required in order for X11 to work with your particular video card. Use the Video guide to determine the appropriate VIDEO_CARDS entry for your install of Funtoo Linux. Using your favorite editor, edit make.conf to include the setting that you wish to apply.

   /etc/portage/make.conf - example for Intel HD Graphics

VIDEO_CARDS="intel i965"

Now install the X Window System by merging the meta-package No results

root # 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 /etc/portage/make.conf

   /etc/portage/make.conf - Example for English (United Kingdom)

LINGUAS="en_GB"

   Tip

More information on Localization can be found at Funtoo Linux Localization.

Emerge KDE

There are several variations to choose from.

KDE Plasma 4 (KDE SC 4) - recommended

This will provide the most 'complete' KDE desktop environment.

Earlier you set your Profiles to use the desktop flavor. Now you must add a mix-in in order to ensure the smooth installation of KDE. There are two KDE-related mix-ins available in Funtoo: kde and kde-plasma-5.

   Important

A mix-in for KDE Plasma 5 - kde-plasma-5 - is currently not available as validation testing is still ongoing. See FL-2373. (4-Nov-2015)

The mix-in required for KDE SC 4 is kde. Do NOT use kde-plasma-5. Add the mix-in using epro

root # epro mix-in kde

You are now ready to install KDE SC 4. The will be done by emerging the package kde-base/kde-meta. Since the Profile has changed (added mix-in) the world set of packages must be updated as well. These actions can be performed as two separate commands

root # emerge -auvDN --with-bdeps=y @world

followed by

root # emerge --ask kde-base/kde-meta

or alternatively in one line

root # emerge -auvDN --with-bdeps=y @world kde-base/kde-meta

Once completed proceed to the chapter Configure and Start KDE.

KDE Plasma 5

This will result in a minimal desktop environment based on KDE Plasma 5. Additional packages will need to be installed manually in order to provide a 'complete' desktop environment.

Earlier we set your Profiles to use the desktop flavor. Now you must add a mix-in in order to ensure the smooth installation of KDE. There are two KDE-related mix-ins available in Funtoo: kde and kde-plasma-5.

   Important

A mix-in for KDE Plasma 5 - kde-plasma-5 - is currently not available as validation testing is still ongoing. See FL-2373. (4-Nov-2015)

The mix-in required for KDE Plasma 5 is kde-plasma-5. Do NOT use kde. Add the mix-in using epro

root # epro mix-in kde-plasma-5

You are now ready to install KDE Plasma 5. The will be done by merging the package No results. Since the Profile has changed (added mix-in) the world set of packages must be updated as well. These actions can be performed as two separate commands

root # emerge -auvDN --with-bdeps=y @world

followed by

root # emerge --ask kde-plasma/plasma-meta

or alternatively in one line

root # emerge -auvDN --with-bdeps=y @world kde-plasma/plasma-meta

Unlike the KDE SC 4 meta-package (kde-base/kde-meta) merging No results on its own does not install additional core applications such as a file manager or terminal emulator. The following KDE Applications 5 are available in Funtoo Linux

• kde-apps/dolphin (File Manager for KDE Plasma desktops)
• kde-apps/kate (An advanced text editor for KDE)
• kde-apps/konsole (KDE's terminal emulator)

Merge these using one command

root # emerge --ask kde-apps/dolphin kde-apps/kate kde-apps/konsole

   Tip

At the time of writing this guide there are a small number of KDE meta-package ebuilds available to introduce several KDE Applications 5 applications.

Example:

root # emerge --ask kde-apps/kdeadmin-meta kde-apps/kdemultimedia-meta kde-apps/kdetoys-meta

KDE Plasma 5 from an Alternative Repository (overlay)

See KDE Plasma 5.

Configure and Start KDE

OpenRC

After the many packages have been merged there will be a variety of post-install messages. Some of these request that critical services must be started in order for KDE to work. Typically these are ALSA (No results), ConsoleKit (No results), DBus (sys-apps/dbus), and UDev (No results). If the desktop flavor has been set then CUPS (No results) will also be included.

As a minimum execute the following series of commands to start services automatically via OpenRC (sys-apps/openrc)

root # rc-update add alsasound boot
root # rc-update add cupsd default
root # 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. To accommodate changes it is best to restart the service.

root # /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 a good point to create a user account in addition to root. The following example creates a user alice and associates that account with the Groups games, lp, lpadmin, plugdev, users, video and wheel. A home directory for the account alice will be created at /home/alice.

root # useradd -m -G games,lp,lpadmin,plugdev,users,video,wheel alice

Now set a password for alice

root # passwd alice

Starting KDE with a Display (Login) Manager (Recommended)

KDE SC 4

   Note

This does not apply to co-installations of kde-base/kde-meta and kde-plasma/plasma-meta. See KDE Plasma 5 with SDDM.

The default Display Manager for KDE SC 4 is KDM (kde-base/kdm).

To use KDM edit /etc/conf.d/xdm with your favorite editor, updating the DISPLAYMANAGER entry to equal 'kdm'

   /etc/conf.d/xdm

DISPLAYMANAGER="kdm"

Now add xdm to the default runlevel of OpenRC.

root # 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 KDE from here with a simple command

root # 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 desktop of KDE SC 4.

KDE Plasma 5 with SDDM (Recommended)

   Note

This also applies to kde-plasma/plasma-meta co-installed with kde-base/kde-meta.

The recommended Display Manager for KDE Plasma 5 is SDDM - x11-misc/sddm. Installing KDE Plasma 5 with the kde-plasma-5 mix-in will install SDDM.

A configuration file for SDDM is not created automatically. Create one using the following command

root # sddm --example-config > /etc/sddm.conf

A configuration file now exists - /etc/sddm.conf. Edit this file with your favorite editor, changing the option 'Current' to be equal to 'breeze'.

   /etc/sddm.conf - Change the line Current=

[Theme]
# Current theme name
Current=breeze

To use SDDM edit /etc/conf.d/xdm with your favorite editor, updating the DISPLAYMANAGER entry to equal 'sddm'.

   /etc/conf.d/xdm

DISPLAYMANAGER="sddm"

Now add xdm to the default runlevel of OpenRC.

root # 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 KDE from here with a simple command

root # 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.

KDE Plasma 5 with LightDM

   Important

This section is in need of updates.

x11-misc/lightdm

Starting KDE Without a Display (Login) Manager

   Important

This section is in need of updates.

Starting KDE manually from a terminal

KDE can be launched from a terminal with the command

root # startkde

Tips and Tricks

   Important

This section is in need of updates.

Desktop Effects

System Setting > Desktop Behavior > Desktop Effects

Enable the Application Dashboard in KDE Plasma 5

Unlock Widgets Right-click on Panel > Alternatives

Useful packages

app-cdr/k3b

net-firewall/ufw + kde-misc/kcm-ufw

kde-misc/yakuake

NetworkManager frontends

Combining kde-bas/kde-meta with kde-plasma/plasma-meta

This combines the KDE Plasma 5 desktop with compatible KDE SC 4 packages.

   Warning

Updating an existing KDE SC 4 installation to KDE Plasma 5 may be problematic. This method is not recommended. Please consider a clean installation. Proceed with caution.

Earlier you set your Profiles to use the desktop flavor. Now you must add a mix-in in order to ensure the smooth installation of KDE. There are two KDE-related mix-ins available in Funtoo: kde and kde-plasma-5.

   Important

A mix-in for KDE Plasma 5 - kde-plasma-5 - is currently not available as validation testing is still ongoing. See FL-2373. (4-Nov-2015)

The mix-in required for KDE Plasma 5 (combined with KDE SC 4 ebuilds from kde-base/kde-meta) is kde-plasma-5. Do NOT use kde. Add the mix-in using epro

root # epro mix-in kde-plasma-5

You are now ready to install KDE Plasma 5 with KDE SC 4 ebuilds. The will be done by emerging the packages kde-base/kde-meta and No results. Since the Profile has changed (added mix-in) the world set of packages must be updated as well. These actions can be performed as separate commands

root # emerge -auvDN --with-bdeps=y @world

followed by

root # emerge --ask kde-base/kde-meta

and

root # emerge --ask kde-plasma/plasma-meta

Alternatively the above commands can be combined into one:

root # emerge -auvDN --with-bdeps=y @world kde-base/kde-meta kde-plasma/plasma-meta

Once the emerge has completed portage is likely to recommend a preserved rebuild relating to kde-apps/kdearwork-styles. This package was merged a second time (with changed USE) during the merge of kde-plasma/plasma-meta. Issuing the command recommended by portage - emerge @preserved-rebuild - will result in portage "complaining" that a merge of kde-base/kwin blocks kde-plasma/kwin!

The true situation is that kde-apps/kdeartwork-styles is not required. Instead of issuing a preserved-rebuild, run the following command

root # emerge --ask --depclean

which will remove packages no longer required by kde-base/kde-meta and kde-plasma/plasma-meta. If you wish to check that this has been resolved issue the command

root # emerge --ask @preserved-rebuild

which should output

root ##g##These are the packages that would be merged, in order:

Calculating dependencies... done!

Total: 0 packages, Size of downloads: 0 KiB

Nothing to merge; quitting.

Once completed proceed to the chapter Configure and Start KDE.

Troubleshooting

   Important

This section is in need of updates.

Package Blockers

(with kde-base/kde-meta + kde-plasma/plasma-meta)

Blank Screen with SDDM

root # gpasswd --add sddm video

Missing KCM in KDE Plasma 5

kde-misc/kcm-ufw has not been updated to work with KDE Plasma 5.