KDE Desktop
A LinuxMCE installation is built upon a Kubuntu distribution. Kubuntu is a version of the Ubuntu Linux distribution which uses the KDE desktop environment as it's primary user interface.
LinuxMCE does not utilize the KDE desktop as its display environment, however. Still, the KDE desktop is available from any Media director as a convenience.
Basic Layout
KDE follows a standard GUI window manager environment, in terms of layout, and should be familiar to most computer users upon first use. Menus, dialogue boxes, icons, application windows and other navigational graphic objects are all present in the environment.
The default layout includes a "dock bar" at the bottom of the screen which contains the ubiquitous system menu, familiar to most computer users, several configurable quick start application icons, a selector (called the "pager") to switch between virtual desktops (duplicate screens that provide additional workspace), an area that indicates the running applications, a notification area with icons, and a digital clock.
Each virtual screen, typically, duplicates the primary workspace (usually providing 4 screens). Icons can be placed in framed areas for organization. Widgets with various functionality can be placed on the screen.
In short, KDE provides a very familiar and standard workspace for general use computing. Users can customize certain aspects of this workspace's appearance and performance.
Use within LinuxMCE
The KDE desktop option in LinuxMCE is not intended to provide a regular general use computing environment to LinuxMCE users. Rather, it is available to help users make use of the graphical applications in its environment to administer, repair, tweak and explore the LinuxMCE system.
LinuxMCE administrators and users should take care in using the environment, that they do not cause irreparable harm to their LinuxMCE installation. This is particularly the case since, as of the release of the 1004 Beta, all logins on Media Directors are done as root (the Linux superuser).
Note: The KDE dock bar at the bottom of the desktop screen may cause the on-screen Orbiter in LinuxMCE to appear "offset" upwardly from its normal position, upon reentering the Orbiter screen. One possible work around for this problem may be to alter the dock's (or "panel's") behavior to cause it to auto-hide when the cursor icon is not in use with it. It appears that the KDE dock retains its tendency tonteserve space for itself on the desktop, even after the user leaves the KDE desktop.
