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 to reserve space for itself on the desktop, even after the user leaves the KDE desktop. The reserved space is the apparent source for the upward shift in the on-screen Orbiter, after KDE use, and enabling auto-hide appears to resolve the issue.
Other residual effects may be present in the on-screen Orbiter, after KDE desktop use. It may be desirable for users to reset Media Directors after using the KDE desktop.
Reducing Performance Penalties of KDE
The KDE desktop environment, as of the 4.X versions, contains tools used enhance "social networking" and multimedia file availability to the users. The major tools, activated by default in KDE 4+, are the Akonadi server, Nepomuk and Stringi. These, taken together, are meant to enhance the user experience by scanning the available storage for media, personal contact related information, and other things which may enhance a user's ability to search for information. Unfortunately, as of Kubuntu 10.04, these features are inefficient, and can hog significant resources. Additionally, since LinuxMCE already has its own media detection routines, Akonadi, Nepomuk, and Stringi (the file search component) are redundant.
To reduce performance impact of Akonadi, Nepomuk and Stringi, a user may consider deactivating them. LinuxMCE does not ulitize them, and deactivateing them will not cause problems on a LinuxMCE system. To deactivate them, a user can search the program menu in KDE for the system settings application. From there, the user can select the Advanced tab, and look for the file search icon as well as the system services icon. Careful search of these areas will reveal options to turn off these services.
A more detailed description of how to deactivate Akonadi, Nepomuk and Stringi in KDE can be found by performing an internet search for doing so. Various sources provide the method, including some with screen shots, to perform the deactivation of these services.
