Difference between revisions of "KDE Plasma Desktop"

Revision as of 11:43, December 7, 2015

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.

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 [1] and is the more stable version of Plasma available for Funtoo Linux. KDE Plasma 5 was released in 2014 [2] 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:

www.kde.org

www.kde.org/workspaces/plasmadesktop/

www.kde.org/applications/

wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/KDE

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 Plasma

Choose a version of KDE Plasma.

KDE Plasma 4 - recommended

Earlier Funtoo Profiles were set to the desktop flavor. Now an additional 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, NOT kde-plasma-5. Add the mix-in using epro

root # epro mix-in kde

This is the point to emerge KDE Plasma 4. There are two options to choose from.

One option is to merge the basic KDE Plasma 4 packages followed by any number of optional KDE Applications meta-packages. The package to merge is kde-apps/kdebase-meta and optional meta-packages are found under the category kde-apps (e.g. kde-apps/kdegames-meta).

The other (and recommended) option is to emerge the 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 be updated in addition to emerging KDE meta-packages. These actions can be performed in one step

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

Once completed proceed to the chapter Configure and Start KDE.

KDE Plasma 5

Earlier Funtoo Profiles were set to the desktop flavor. Now an additional 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 4 is kde-plasma-5, NOT kde. Add the mix-in using epro

root # epro mix-in kde-plasma-5

This is the point to emerge KDE Plasma 5. The can be 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

root # 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 required for a working desktop environment such as file manager or terminal emulator. Some useful packages to include with KDE Plasma 5 are

kde-apps/kdebase-runtime-meta (useful core applications)
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

root # emerge --ask kdebase-runtime-meta kde-apps/dolphin kate kdemultimedia-meta konsole

Once completed proceed to the chapter Configure and Start KDE.

KDE Plasma 5 from an Alternative Repository (overlay)

An alternative installation method exists for KDE Plasma 5 utilizing external KDE packages (separate to Funtoo Linux).

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)!

Startup agent (KDE Plasma 5 only)

Important

This section is in need of updates.

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 Plasma 4

The default Display Manager for KDE Plasma 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)

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.

The first step is to create a configuration file for SDDM as one 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' - the KDE Plasma 5 default theme.

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

[Theme]
# Current theme name
Current=breeze

The next step is to configure Funtoo Linux to allow SDDM to access the video hardware. This is achieved by adding the user sddm to the group video with the following command

root # gpasswd -a sddm video

SDDM is installed with support for ConsoleKit (No results) and Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM). For these features to operate correctly edit the file /etc/pam.d/system-login and change the line

/etc/pam.d/system-login

session    optional    pam_ck_connector.so nox11

removing 'nox11' so that the line is simply

/etc/pam.d/system-login

session        optional        pam_ck_connector.so

The final change required is to configure SDDM to start on system startup.

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

Troubleshooting

Important

This section is in need of updates.

kde-base/kde-meta No results

Missing KCM in KDE Plasma 5

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

@@ Line 117: / Line 117: @@
 * 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)
@@ Line 154: / Line 155: @@
 {{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)!}}
+=== Startup agent (KDE Plasma 5 only) ===
+{{SectionNeedsUpdates}}
 === Create a User Account ===
@@ Line 169: / Line 174: @@
 === Starting KDE with a Display (Login) Manager (Recommended) ===
-==== KDE SC 4 ====
+==== KDE Plasma 4 ====
-{{note|This '''does not''' apply to co-installations of kde-base/kde-meta and kde-plasma/plasma-meta. See [[KDE#KDE_Plasma_5_with_SDDM_(Recommended)|KDE Plasma 5 with SDDM]].}}
+The default [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_display_manager_(program_type) Display Manager] for KDE Plasma 4 is KDM (kde-base/kdm).
-The default [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_display_manager_(program_type) Display Manager] for KDE SC 4 is KDM (kde-base/kdm).
 To use KDM edit {{f|/etc/conf.d/xdm}} with your favorite editor, updating the DISPLAYMANAGER entry to equal 'kdm'
@@ Line 195: / Line 198: @@
 ==== KDE Plasma 5 with SDDM (Recommended) ====
-{{note|This also applies to kde-plasma/plasma-meta co-installed with kde-base/kde-meta.}}
 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 will install SDDM.
-A configuration file for SDDM is not created automatically. Create one using the following command
+The first step is to create a configuration file for SDDM as one is not created automatically. Create one using the following command
 {{console|body=
@@ Line 206: / Line 206: @@
 }}
-A configuration file now exists - {{f|/etc/sddm.conf}}. Edit this file with your favorite editor, changing the option 'Current' to be equal to 'breeze'.
+A configuration file now exists - {{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=
@@ Line 217: / Line 216: @@
 }}
-To use SDDM edit {{f|/etc/conf.d/xdm}} with your favorite editor, updating the DISPLAYMANAGER entry to equal 'sddm'.
+The next step is to configure Funtoo Linux to allow SDDM to 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
+}}
+removing 'nox11' so that the line is simply
+{{file|name=/etc/pam.d/system-login|body=
+session        optional        pam_ck_connector.so
+}}
+The final change required is to configure SDDM to start on system 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=
@@ Line 269: / Line 288: @@
 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 [[Funtoo Profiles|Profiles]] to use the ''desktop'' flavor. Now you must add a [[Funtoo Profiles|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 [https://bugs.funtoo.org/browse/FL-2373 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 {{c|epro}}
-{{console|body=
-###i## 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 {{Package|kde-base/kde-meta}} and {{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 as separate commands
-{{console|body=
-###i## emerge -auvDN --with-bdeps=y @world
-}}
-followed by
-{{console|body=
-###i## emerge --ask kde-base/kde-meta
-}}
-and
-{{console|body=
-###i## emerge --ask kde-plasma/plasma-meta
-}}
-Alternatively the above commands can be combined into one:
-{{console|body=
-###i## emerge -auvDN --with-bdeps=y @world kde-base/kde-meta kde-plasma/plasma-meta
-}}
-Once the [[Emerge|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
-{{console|body=
-###i## 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
-{{console|body=
-###i## emerge --ask @preserved-rebuild
-}}
-which should output
-{{console|body=
-##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 [[KDE#Configure_and_Start_KDE|Configure and Start KDE]].
 == Troubleshooting ==
@@ Line 342: / Line 294: @@
 {{Package|kde-base/kde-meta}}
 {{Package|kde-plasma/plasma-meta}}
-=== Package Blockers ===
-(with kde-base/kde-meta + kde-plasma/plasma-meta)
-=== Blank Screen with SDDM ===
-{{console|body=
-###i## gpasswd --add sddm video
-}}
 === Missing KCM in KDE Plasma 5 ===

Difference between revisions of "KDE Plasma Desktop"

Revision as of 11:43, December 7, 2015

Pre-Installation

Funtoo Profiles

Install the X Window System

Localization

Emerge KDE Plasma

KDE Plasma 4 - recommended

KDE Plasma 5

KDE Plasma 5 from an Alternative Repository (overlay)

Configure and Start KDE

OpenRC

Startup agent (KDE Plasma 5 only)

Create a User Account

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

KDE Plasma 4

KDE Plasma 5 with SDDM (Recommended)

KDE Plasma 5 with LightDM

Starting KDE Without a Display (Login) Manager

Starting KDE manually from a terminal

Tips and Tricks

Desktop Effects

Enable the Application Dashboard in KDE Plasma 5

Useful packages

Troubleshooting

Missing KCM in KDE Plasma 5

Navigation menu

Search