strange plasma and behavior in KDE 4.2

Tue Mar 10 07:16:19 UTC 2009

Jorge Pérez wrote:
> I just upgraded my Kubuntu 8.04 to 8.10. The panel is having a strange 
> behavior.
>
> The clock and "system tray" areas is huge with a lot of unused space 
> (as you can see in the screenshot). I don't have the "open windows" 
> area and some icons are missing (I tried to use the Oxygen icon theme 
> but a lot of icons was broken and now I'm using another theme)
The things that did not work, probably need dependent packages, or 
perhaps your system is not up to the technology.  They probably are not 
broken.  But if you video card is not reasonably current, it will 
probably not be able to handle all the plasmoids and special features.  
And too little memory may be a problem.  If you can't come up with the 
necessary tools, you won't be able to take advantage of the features.  
Other than that, it is probably just a configuration problem
>
> I re-instaled KDE (apt-get update kde) but that didn't help.
It may not go back to what you are used to, it may however move you to 
something better.  It is just a matter of coming up to speed.

Did you use the command apt-get update kde or did you use sudo apt-get 
install update kde.  If you want to update kde, it takes sudo privilege; 
so to get it done, you have to use the term sudo.  Also it may work 
without the word install, but I was taught to use install  as well.  And 
by not including the word kde, you will upgrade everything, not just 
KDE. You want every thing updated.  You also want every thing upgraded 
to the most current stable status, so you should consider sudo apt-get 
install upgrade too.  That will upgrade all your system default 
applications to the same state of current.

Then you should forget about retaining much of anything about Hardy 
Heron and KDE 3.5.10.  You are right to be in KDE 4.2; it is much better 
than KDE 4.1 or 3.5.10 or 3.5.9 and so forth and so on.

Then, and this is the most difficult thing to accept is that you are 
moving to a better way of doing things.  If it doesn't look or operate 
the same as what you are used to, don't get negative and say why did 
they do this that way, I liked what used to be just fine.  Because then 
you will be looking backward and not forward where all of progress is.  
You have to trust the fact you will be easily able to make the 
transition to something new.  And you will see that the developers are 
really making things better.  With that attitude, you will progress 
faster and have a better time moving up to the new technology, and more 
experts will want to take the time to help you.

Saying that, consider the fact that maybe nothing is really missing; it 
is just different.  So the next step is to play with the new Operating 
System/Desktop and find where the thing you used to find easily are 
located now.  You will have to add certain applications that you used to 
have and like in your previous issue of Kubuntu/KDE,  like perhaps 
Firefox or Thunderbird.  You will have to find what new applications 
have replaced the application you are used to.  Don't worry so much 
about wondering why did they change a perfect application, just accept 
the fact that you will probably understand the new packages obvious 
benefits in not too long a time.

After you have installed all the packages that you used to have and are 
still offered, then update and upgrade them, to take advantage of all 
the latest features and improvements.

Some of the features you will have now are just so much higher tech that 
you will call them Glitzy.  If you are an old timer who just wants to 
work in a terminal, you may not have much use for them, but for anyone 
just coming off a Microsoft product, you will enjoy these features, 
because they are graphic and very Hi-Tech.

If you multi-task a lot, like have the email you are working from or 
responding too, have references made to a certain forum on the Internet, 
perhaps have Dolphin open, or Gwenview or an art program, it doesn't 
take many such applications to have them overlapping and hard to find on 
the work area.  For me, I would have to search the menu bar to get where 
I needed to be.  Usually I would have to pause, because of abbreviations 
or small print.

In the new Operating System, with KDE 4.2, you simply move the cursor 
into the upper left corner of the screen, and all of those applications 
+ any completely minimized applications you may have open and used to be 
on the Kmenu panel, will come on the screen at once.  Each one will be 
reduced in size enough to see them all and have none overlapping.  
Reading the contents of one of the pages might be difficult because 
having a lot of applications open at the same time can sometimes make 
them very small to view when not overlapping, but you should have no 
difficulty recognizing, at a glance, the one you want on top.  Then just 
click on it and it will return to the surface of the work area to use.  
You won't have to move a lot of applications around to find the one you 
want.  It is easier and faster and in my opinion better than before.  It 
isn't just Hi-tech and Glitzy as some may say.  It is practical and 
useful and fast.

To have that feature working, you have to activate desktop effects, but 
along with that feature are several new technology features you might 
enjoy.  Just realize that if you don't like that large clock, you can 
right-click on it and make it go away.  You won't necessarly be able to 
make things go back to the way you are used to, but before you had a 
clock on the desktop you needed but did not have it.  It is still the 
same, you need it, so you will probably have it.  Why not give the 
current issue a chance to grow  on you.

You should make sure your video card is suited to all the new stuff.  If 
there are updates or new drivers that make the new things work better, 
then update them.  If you just loved Kaffeine and default is now Dragon 
player, give it a chance.  You will find the features that make it 
better as a default application.  And if you love Kaffeine and have to 
have it, install it.  No one is stopping you.

You will want to make sure your sound card is up to date so that you get 
trouble free sound.  These are things you are going to have to deal with 
as you change in operation.  And when you are finished, you will have a 
computer that you will like to look at, because it will be fancier and 
more beautiful, and you will love the greater function.  You will 
probably even forget those applications that were your favorite 
applications yesterday and are no longer available, once you get used to 
the advanced way of doing things.  And it will probably be a similar 
experience when you change to Insipid or the one that follows. 

There was a time when cars did not exist.  Buggy whip manufactures 
thrived, and overnight their profession disappeared, but who would want 
to go to the barn on a cold and frosty morning to bridle the horses and 
hook up the wagon to sit on a wooden bench for the 3 hour 20 mile ride 
into town for a quart of milk.  Isn't better, to click the button on 
your key ring and come to your car, with its soft seats into a 72 degree 
driving compartment, with music playing for the 20 minute ride to get 
your milk.  It is the same with technology.  Embrace it and enjoy it is 
my motto.

Everything is there that you need.  Get used to your new tool, then come 
back with specific needs, and the real gurus of this List will come to 
your assistance.  I was almost unteachable, yet I am learning fast now.  
This is the best place for you and your new system.  And the really 
intelligent helpers will have patience with you until you gradually 
sharpen up.  But the better your attitude and the more willing you are 
to go forward instead of brood over lost applications, the more they 
will help you to understand the better way.
>
> P.S: I did a fresh instalation on my laptop and everything was ok, but 
> in my desktop I only have the upgrade option, so I have to fix that 
> problems.  When you know the problem that needs fixing, bring it bacl 
> to the list.  Some generous and kind person will be here to help you.
>
> any idea/sugestion?

That is my idea and suggestion.  You will love this list.  It is the 
best of its kind.  It prospers because of a large group of generous, 
selfless, experts who are willing to take the time to help you the way 
you think you need help.  Eventually they will help you to get help a 
better way.  Then you can help others too.

Good luck friend, I will always help you with the things I am capable of 
helping.  Although this is a long post, I think it will help you get 
what you want and need faster, and you will enjoy the process more.

Cheers! Cudos, Caio and Cordially,

Steven