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KDE Plasma Desktop
User:Tassietux This page is work-in-progress!
Introduction...
(see kde.org, wikipedia, etc.)
Versions
KDE SC 4
The KDE Software Compilation 4...
(e.g. KDE Plasma 4, KDE Platform, Applications)
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
KDE Plasma 5 desktop environment...
(e.g. Plasma 5 desktop, KDE Frameworks, KDE Applications)
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.
Installation
Preparation
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 -auvDN --with-bdeps=y @world
Install the X Window System
KDE requires the X Window System (X11) to handle video and input devices (e.g. keyboard, mouse). 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 GraphicsVIDEO_CARDS="intel i965"
Now in the X Window System with the following command.
root # emerge --ask ---verbose x11-base/xorg-x11
Optional: To install KDE for a language other than English (United States) add an appropriate LINGUAS entry to make.conf.
/etc/portage/make.conf - Example for English (United Kingdom)LINGUAS="en_GB"
Choose a KDE Installation
There are several variations to choose from.
KDE SC 4
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 (Note: kde-plasma-5 not currently available - coming soon!). For KDE SC 4 the required mix-in is kde, NOT kde-plasma-5. Add this mix-in using epro
root # epro mix-in kde
root # emerge -auvDN --with-bdeps=y @world
root # emerge --ask kde-base/kde-meta
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 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 (Note: kde-plasma-5 not currently available - coming soon!). For KDE Plasma 5 the mix-in required is kde-plasma-5, NOT kde. Add this mix-in using epro
root # epro mix-in kde-plasma-5
root # emerge -auvDN --with-bdeps=y @world
root # emerge --ask kde-plasma/plasma-meta
Unlike the KDE SC 4 meta-package the kde-plasma/plasma-meta ebuild does not install additional core applications such as a file manager or terminal. The following applications updated to 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)
root # emerge --ask kde-apps/dolphin kde-apps/kate kde-apps/konsole
Optional KDE meta-package ebuilds that are mostly KDE Frameworks 5 and KDE Applications 5:
root # emerge --ask kde-apps/kdeadmin-meta kde-apps/kdemultimedia-meta kde-apps/kdetoys-meta
KDE Plasma 5 with KDE SC 4 packages
This combines the KDE Plasma 5 desktop with compatible KDE SC 4 packages.
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 (Note: kde-plasma-5 not currently available - coming soon!). For KDE Plasma 5 combined with KDE SC 4 ebuilds from kde-base/kde-meta, the mix-in required is kde-plasma-5, NOT kde. Add this mix-in using epro
root # epro mix-in kde-plasma-5
root # emerge -auvDN --with-bdeps=y @world
root # emerge --ask kde-base/kde-meta kde-plasma/plasma-meta
Configure and start KDE
OpenRC
root # rc-update add alsasound boot root # rc-update add cupsd default root # rc-update add consolekit default root # /etc/init.d/udev --nodeps restart
Create a User Account
root # useradd -m -G ld,ldadmin,plugdev,users,video,wheel larry
root # passwd larry
Starting KDE
With a Display (Login) Manager (Recommended)
KDE SC 4
Edit xdm configuration
/etc/conf.d/xdm DISPLAYMANAGER="kdm"
Add xdm to the default runlevel and start.
root # rc-update add xdm default root # rc
KDE Plasma 5
Using SDDM
Use SDDM to create a new config file.
root # sddm --example-config > /etc/sddm.conf
Edit the SDDM configuration to use the KDE Plasma 5 theme 'breeze'.
/etc/sddm.conf - Change the line Current=[Theme]
# Current theme name
Current=breeze
Edit xdm configuration
/etc/conf.d/xdm DISPLAYMANAGER="sddm"
Add xdm to the default runlevel and start.
root # rc-update add xdm default root # rc
Using LightDM
(details)
Without a Display (Login) Manager
(details)
Tips and Tricks
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
Package Blockers
(with kde-base/kde-meta + kde-plasma/plasma-meta)
Blank Screen with SDDM
root # gpasswd -a sddm video
KDE Plasma 5 desktop crashes over VNC
Requires a OpenGL-capable viewer.
Missing KCM in KDE Plasma 5
kde-misc/kcm-ufw has not been updated to work with KDE Plasma 5.
Combining KDE mix-ins with others
(Details)