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:At 1700 hours sharp you switch from the "work activity" to your "freetime activity".
:At 1700 hours sharp you switch from the "work activity" to your "freetime activity".


''More info'':  
'''More Information''':  
:[[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/FAQ/4.3#How can I add/remove an activity?|Creating Activities]]
* [[Special:myLanguage/Plasma#Activities|Creating Activities]]
<span id="Akonadi"></span>
<span id="Akonadi"></span>
===Akonadi===
===Akonadi===
:The data storage access mechanism for all ''PIM'' (Personal Information Manager) data in ''KDE''.  This allows various applications to access the required information in one place. Note that use of '''Akonadi''' does not change data storage formats (''vcard'', ''iCalendar'', ''mbox'', ''maildir'' etc.) - it just provides a new way of accessing and updating the data.
:The data storage access mechanism for all ''PIM'' (Personal Information Manager) data in ''KDE''.  This allows various applications to access the required information in one place. Note that use of '''Akonadi''' does not change data storage formats (''vcard'', ''iCalendar'', ''mbox'', ''maildir'' etc.) - it just provides a new way of accessing and updating the data.


:The main reasons for design and development of '''Akonadi''' are of technical nature, e.g. having a unique way to access PIM-data (contacts, calendars, emails..) from different applications (e.g. '''kmail''', '''kword'''..), thus eliminating the need to write similar code here and there.
:The main reasons for design and development of '''Akonadi''' are of a technical nature, i.e., having a unique way to access PIM-data (contacts, calendars, emails..) from different applications ('''KMail''' and '''Calligra''', for instance), thus eliminating the need to write similar code over and over again.


:Another goal is to de-couple GUI applications like '''kmail''' from the direct access to external resources like mail-servers - which was a major reason for bug-reports/wishes with regard to performance/responsiveness in the past.
:Another reason is to de-couple GUI applications like '''KMail''' from directly accessing external resources like mail-servers -- this was a major reason for bug-reports/wishes with regard to performance/responsiveness in the past.


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[http://userbase.kde.org/Akonadi/ Akonadi for KDE's PIM]  
* [[Akonadi|for KDE's PIM]]
:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akonadi Wikipedia - Akonadi]  
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akonadi Wikipedia - Akonadi]  
:[http://techbase.kde.org/Projects/PIM/Akonadi Techbase - Akonadi]
* [https://techbase.kde.org/Projects/PIM/Akonadi Techbase - Akonadi]
<span id="Containment"></span>
<span id="Containment"></span>
===Baloo===
===Baloo===
:'''Baloo''' replaced [[Special:myLanguage/Glossary#Nepomuk|Nepomuk]] as a "sematic desktop" search framework. [[Special:myLanguage/Baloo|Baloo]] is a file indexing and search service that '''Dolphin''' uses to search for files. In a terminal type, <code>balooctl check</code> to find out whether an index was created already. <code>balooctl disable</code> and <code>balooctl status</code> are helpful instructions as well.
[[Special:myLanguage/Baloo|Baloo]] is a file indexing and search service that '''Dolphin''' and '''Elisa''' use to get metadata for files and to allow global searches. In a terminal type, <code>balooctl check</code> to find out whether an index was created already. <code>balooctl disable</code> and <code>balooctl status</code> are helpful instructions as well.


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baloo Baloo]  
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baloo Baloo]  
<span id="Containment"></span>
<span id="Containment"></span>
===Breeze===
Breeze is the default theme starting with Plasma 5.
'''More Information''':
* [https://cgit.kde.org/breeze.git/ Git repository]
===Containment===
===Containment===
:A ''Containment'' is a top level grouping of widgets. Each Containment manages the layout and configuration data of its set of widgets independently from other Containments.
:A ''Containment'' is a top level grouping of widgets. Each Containment manages the layout and configuration data of its set of widgets independently from other Containments.
Line 39: Line 45:
<span id="D-Bus"></span>
<span id="D-Bus"></span>
===D-Bus===
===D-Bus===
:An inter-service messaging system. Developed by Red Hat<sup>®</sup>, it was heavily influenced by KDE3's ''DCOP'', which it supersedes.
:An inter-service messaging system. D-Bus allows multiple programs to interact. Developed by Red Hat<sup>®</sup>, it was heavily influenced by KDE3's ''DCOP'', which it supersedes.


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[http://freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/dbus FreeDesktop.org: What is D-Bus?]  
* [https://freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/dbus FreeDesktop.org: What is D-Bus?]  
:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-Bus Wikipedia: D-Bus]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-Bus Wikipedia: D-Bus]
<span id="Dolphin"></span>
<span id="Dolphin"></span>
===Dolphin===
===Dolphin===
:The default file manager in KDE SC 4.  It has a side panel (''Places''), but navigation is mainly by the ''breadcrumb'' trail above the main window. Split windows are possible, and views can be applied to individual windows. Mounting and umounting USB devices can be done in the side-panel. Other directories can be added to the Places panel.  A ''Tree view'' is also possible.
:The default file manager in KDE Plasma.  It has a side panel (''Places''), but navigation is mainly by the ''breadcrumb'' trail above the main window. It has various advanced features such as split windows and individual views in different windows. Mounting and umounting USB devices can be done in the side-panel. Other directories can be added to the Places panel.  A ''Tree view'' is also possible.


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolphin_(software) Wikipedia - Dolphin (software)]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolphin_(software) Wikipedia - Dolphin (software)]
:[http://dot.kde.org/2007/03/01/road-kde-4-dolphin-and-konqueror Road to KDE 4: Dolphin and Konqueror]
* [[Special:myLanguage/Tutorials/File_Management|The UserBase File Management Tutorial]]
:[http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070405-afirst-look-at-dolphin-the-kde-4-file-manager.html Ars Technica: A First Look at Dolphin]
:[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4HS1v0a9Xs Youtube - KDE 4 rev 680445 - Dolphin]
:[http://introducingkde4.blogspot.com/2007/12/dolphin.html Introducing KDE 4 Blog - Dolphin]
:[[Tutorials/File_Management|The UserBase File Management Tutorial]]
<span id="Flake"></span>
<span id="Flake"></span>
===Flake===
===Flake===
:''Flake'' is a programming library to be used in [[Special:myLanguage/KOffice|KOffice]] and [[Special:myLanguage/Calligra|Calligra]]. Functionally, it provides ''Shapes'' to display content and ''Tools'' to manipulate content. Shapes can be zoomed or rotated and can be grouped to work as a single Shape, around which text flow is possible.  
:''Flake'' is a programming library to be used in [https://krita.org/en/ Krita] and [[Special:myLanguage/Calligra|Calligra]]. Functionally, it provides ''Shapes'' to display content and ''Tools'' to manipulate content. Shapes can be zoomed or rotated and can be grouped to work as a single Shape, around which text flow is possible.  


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[http://community.kde.org/Calligra/Libs/Flake KDE Community Wiki - Flake]  
* [https://community.kde.org/Calligra/Libs/Flake KDE Community Wiki - Flake]  
<span id="Get Hot New Stuff"></span>
<span id="Get Hot New Stuff"></span>
===Get Hot New Stuff===
===Get Hot New Stuff===
:''Get Hot New Stuff (GHNS)'' is an open standard that makes it easy for users to download and install various extensions for their applications. Our implementation of GHNS is used by Plasma (for example to get new desktop themes), and by many applications and widgets.
:''Get Hot New Stuff (GHNS)'' is an open standard that makes it easy for users to download and install various extensions for their applications. Our implementation of GHNS is used by Plasma (for example to get new desktop themes), and by many applications and widgets.


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[http://store.kde.org The KDE Store]
* [https://store.kde.org The KDE Store]
<span id="Home Directory"></span>
<span id="Home Directory"></span>
===Home Directory===
===Home Directory===
:That's the place in your system where all your files are kept. You can write your files outside of this folder, but all applications are configured to propose this folder as place to write your files to. It is easier when you keep your things here.  
:That's the place in your system where all your files are kept. You can write your files outside of this folder, but all applications are configured to propose this folder as place to write your files to. It is easier when you keep your things here.  


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_directory Wikipedia - Home directory]  
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_directory Wikipedia - Home directory]  
<span id="KHTML"></span>
<span id="KHTML"></span>
===KHTML===
===KHTML===
:''KHTML'' is the HTML rendering engine for the KDE Plasma desktop, as used by the '''Konqueror''' browser. It also provides a KPart that enables all KDE applications to display web content. A new introduction, ''Qt WebKit'' is also for Plasma and other application development.  
:''KHTML'' is a HTML rendering engine that was the base of WebKit, the engine that powers many browsers still in use today (e.g. Safari).
<span id="Kirigami"></span>
===Kirigami===
:'''Kirigami''' is a set of components allowing developers to create applications that looks good and works well on mobile platforms as well as on the desktop.
 
'''More Information''':
* [https://www.kde.org/products/kirigami/ Kirigami on kde.org]
<span id="Kickoff"></span>
<span id="Kickoff"></span>
===Kickoff===
===Kickoff===
:Kickoff is a launch menu in KDE Plasma in which apps are sorted by functional groups. Right-click also offers the possibility of adding applications to the desktop or panel. Rapid access to a less-used application is made possible with the search box. There are also alternatives, such as the fullscreen app dashboard.  
:Kickoff is a launch menu in KDE Plasma in which apps are sorted by functional groups. Right-click also offers the possibility of adding applications to the desktop or panel. Rapid access to a less-used application is made possible with the search box. There are also alternatives, such as the fullscreen app dashboard.  


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[http://en.opensuse.org/Kickoff Design documentation]
* [https://en.opensuse.org/Kickoff Design documentation]
<span id="KJS"></span>
<span id="KJS"></span>
===KJS===
===KJS===
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<span id="KInfoCenter"></span>
<span id="KInfoCenter"></span>
===KInfoCenter===
===KInfoCenter===
:'''Kinfocenter''' originated as part of [[#KControl|KControl]] standing alone from KDE 3.1. In KDE SC 4 up until 4.4 it is replaced by modules configured in [[#System Settings|System Settings]], notably [[#Solid|Solid]], and is being reintroduced as an application in KDE SC 4.5.   
:'''KInfoCenter''' originated as part of [[#KControl|KControl]] standing alone from KDE 3.1. It can display data about your system such as energy usage, hardware info and many more.   


''More Info'':  
'''More Information''':  
:[[Special:myLanguage/KInfoCenter|KInfoCenter]]
* [[Special:myLanguage/KInfoCenter|KInfoCenter]]
:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinfocenter Wikipedia - KInfoCenter]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinfocenter Wikipedia - KInfoCenter]
<span id="KIO"></span>
<span id="KIO"></span>
===KIO===
===KIO===
:''KDE Input/Output framework'' provides a single ''API'' for operating on files, whether local or on a remote server.  Additionally, ''KIO Slaves'' provide support for individual protocols.  Some particularly useful ones are ''http'', ''ftp'', ''sftp'', ''smb'', ''nfs'', ''ssh (fish)'', ''man'', ''tar'' and ''zip''.   
:''KDE Input/Output framework'' provides a single ''API'' for operating on files, whether local or on a remote server.  Additionally, ''KIO Slaves'' provide support for individual protocols.  Some particularly useful ones are ''http'', ''ftp'', ''sftp'', ''smb'', ''nfs'', ''ssh (fish)'', ''man'', ''tar'', ''google drive'', and ''zip''.   


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[[Special:myLanguage/File transfers|A tutorial on file transfers]]
* [[Special:myLanguage/File transfers|A tutorial on file transfers]]
:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KIO Wikipedia - KIO]  
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KIO Wikipedia - KIO]  
:[http://www.linux.com/feature/124686 Linux.com - Master the KIO slaves]
* [https://www.linux.com/feature/124686 Linux.com - Master the KIO slaves]  
:[http://osdir.com/Article2159.phtml Breaking the Network Barrier]  
<span id="Kiosk"></span>
<span id="Kiosk"></span>
===Kiosk===
===Kiosk===
:[http://techbase.kde.org/KDE_System_Administration/Kiosk/Introduction Kiosk] is a framework for restricting user capabilities on a ''KDE platform'' system, ideal for use in locked-down environments such as Internet cafés. It is present in KDE 3 and KDE 4, but the administration tool, '''Kiosktool''' is KDE 3 only.  It can be used to configure KDE 4 apps, or '''kiosk''' configurations can be maintained by editing config files manually.
* [https://techbase.kde.org/KDE_System_Administration/Kiosk/Introduction Kiosk] is a framework for restricting user capabilities on a ''KDE platform'' system, ideal for use in locked-down environments such as Internet cafés. It has been unmaintained for quite some time now.
<span id="KPart"></span>
<span id="KPart"></span>
===KPart===
===KPart===
Line 112: Line 119:
<span id="KRunner"></span>
<span id="KRunner"></span>
===KRunner===
===KRunner===
:The mini-command-line that is accessed from the Classic menu, the keyboard shortcut ''Alt+F2'', or a right-click on the desktop. In '''KDE SC 4''' a partial name will display all possible matches
:The mini-command-line that is accessed from the Classic menu, the keyboard shortcut ''Alt+F2'', or a right-click on the desktop.


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/Krunner | KRunner wiki]
* [[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/Krunner|KRunner wiki]]


<span id="KWin"></span>
<span id="KWin"></span>
Line 121: Line 128:
:''KWin'' is the window manager of KDE. This is where window decorations can be changed and themes applied.  
:''KWin'' is the window manager of KDE. This is where window decorations can be changed and themes applied.  


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[[Special:myLanguage/KWin|KWin]]
* [[Special:myLanguage/KWin|KWin]]
:[http://dot.kde.org/1180541665/ Road to KDE 4: KWin Composite]
:[http://francis.giannaros.org/blog/2007/12/03/kde4-desktop-effects-kwin-composite-video-tour/  KDE SC 4 Desktop Effects Video Tour]
:[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrFz7IxXppU Youtube - KDE SC 4.0 KWin Composite Showcast]
:[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WBLlc6xCQ4 Youtube - KWin compositing config &amp; intro]
<span id="Pager"></span>
<span id="Pager"></span>
===Pager===
===Pager===
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<span id="Panel"></span>
<span id="Panel"></span>
===Panel===
===Panel===
:See [[#Kicker|Kicker]]. In '''KDE SC 4''' the name "kicker" is dropped, and the name "panel" is the norm.  "Applets"; are largely replaced by [[#Widget|Widgets]]
:See [[#Kicker|Kicker]]. In '''KDE Plasma''' the name "kicker" is dropped, and the name "panel" is the norm.  "Applets"; are largely replaced by [[#Widget|Widgets]]


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/Panels|Panels]]
* [[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/Panels|Panels]]
<span id="Phonon"></span>
<span id="Phonon"></span>
===Phonon===
===Phonon===
:A cross-platform multimedia API, interfacing with existing frameworks, such as ''gstreamer'' and ''xine engines''.  KDE 2 and 3 depended on ''aRts'' for sound.  ''Phonon'' replaces it.
:A cross-platform multimedia API, interfacing with existing frameworks, such as ''gstreamer'' and ''xine engines''.


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[[Special:myLanguage/Phonon|Phonon]]
* [[Special:myLanguage/Phonon|Phonon]]
:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonon_(KDE) Wikipedia - Phonon (KDE)]  
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonon_(KDE) Wikipedia - Phonon (KDE)]  
:[http://phonon.kde.org/ Phonon website]
* [https://phonon.kde.org/ Phonon website]
<span id="Plasma"></span>
<span id="Plasma"></span>
===Plasma===
===Plasma===
:Plasma is the desktop environment from KDE. It is the part of the desktop that you can see. Plasma also acts as a glue between panels, plasmoids and Kickoff. Plasma Mobile allows Plasma to run on smartphones and uses the same underlying code base.
:Plasma is the desktop environment from KDE. It is the part of the desktop that you can see. Plasma also acts as a glue between panels, plasmoids and Kickoff. Plasma Mobile allows Plasma to run on smartphones and uses the same underlying code base.


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(KDE) Wikipedia - Plasma (KDE)]  
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(KDE) Wikipedia - Plasma (KDE)]  
:[http://plasma.kde.org/cms/1107 Plasma website]  
* [https://plasma.kde.org/cms/1107 Plasma website]  
:[[Special:myLanguage/Plasma|The Plasma main page]]
* [[Special:myLanguage/Plasma|The Plasma main page]]
:[[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/FAQ/Index|The Plasma FAQ's]]
* [[Special:myLanguage/Plasma/FAQ/Index|The Plasma FAQ's]]
:[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5RpH9HOXJA&amp;feature=related  Youtube - Plasma Applets Galore (Part 1)]
:[http://liquidat.wordpress.com/ Liquidat&#039;s Blog]
<span id="Qt"></span>
<span id="Qt"></span>
===Qt===
===Qt===
:(Pronounced "cute") A framework/toolkit for writing cross-platform applications. It is used by many cross-platform applications such as '''Opera''' browser, '''GoogleEarth''' and '''Skype'''. ''Qt'' is developed by Trolltech, who are now part of the Nokia company.  Qt forms the underlying library KDE software is built on.  
:(Pronounced "cute") A framework/toolkit for writing cross-platform applications. It is used by many cross-platform applications such as '''Krita''', '''GoogleEarth''' and many others.  Qt forms the underlying library KDE software is built on.  


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qt_(toolkit) The Qt Toolkit]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qt_(toolkit) The Qt Toolkit]
<span id="Solid"></span>
<span id="Solid"></span>
===Solid===
===Solid===
:''Solid'' provides a single API for hardware management.  Hardware is grouped into "domains".  The initial domains relate to ''HAL'', ''NetworkManager'' and the ''Bluetooth'' stack. Since the backends for Solid are pluggable, Solid helps application developers write less code, and have it platform independent.  
:''Solid'' provides a single API for hardware management.  Hardware is grouped into "domains".  The initial domains relate to ''HAL'', ''NetworkManager'' and the ''Bluetooth'' stack. Since the backends for Solid are pluggable, Solid helps application developers write less code, and have it platform independent.  


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[http://solid.kde.org/cms/1058 Discover Solid]
* [https://solid.kde.org/cms/1058 Discover Solid]  
:[http://dot.kde.org/1177385913/ Solid Brings Hardware Configuration and Control to the KDE platform]  
<span id="System Settings"></span>
<span id="System Settings"></span>
===System Settings===
===System Settings===
:The system settings are the unified place where you can change and customize many aspects of the Plasma desktop and KWin such as icon themes, desktop effects and shortcuts.
:The system settings are the unified place where you can change and customize many aspects of the Plasma desktop and KWin such as icon themes, desktop effects and shortcuts.


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[[Special:myLanguage/System Settings|System Settings]]
* [[Special:myLanguage/System Settings|System Settings]]
:[http://www.lazytechguy.com/2008/01/kde4-system-settings.html KDE SC 4 System Settings illustrated]
<span id="Threadweaver"></span>
<span id="Threadweaver"></span>
===Threadweaver===
===Threadweaver===
:This thread programming library spreads work among multiple-core processors where available, prioritising them before queueing them for execution. ''ThreadWeaver'' provides a high-level job interface for multithreaded programming.  
:This thread programming library spreads work among multiple-core processors where available, prioritising them before queueing them for execution. ''ThreadWeaver'' provides a high-level job interface for multithreaded programming.  


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[http://www.englishbreakfastnetwork.org/apidocs/apidox-kde-4.0/kdelibs-apidocs/threadweaver/html/Why.html Why Multithreading? (Technical article)]
* [https://www.englishbreakfastnetwork.org/apidocs/apidox-kde-4.0/kdelibs-apidocs/threadweaver/html/Why.html Why Multithreading? (Technical article)]
<span id="Virtual Desktops"></span>
<span id="Virtual Desktops"></span>
===Virtual Desktops===
===Virtual Desktops===
Line 186: Line 185:
<span id="WebKit"></span>
<span id="WebKit"></span>
===WebKit===
===WebKit===
:HTML ''rendering engine'', originating from a fork of [[#KHTML|KHTML]]. Adopted by Apple and developed for Safari. ''Webkit'' brings the whole functionality back to KDE SC 4, where it is available through Qt.  
:HTML ''rendering engine'', originating from a fork of [[#KHTML|KHTML]]. Adopted by Apple and developed for Safari.  


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[http://webkit.org/ The Webkit home page]  
* [https://webkit.org/ The Webkit home page]  
:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webkit Wikipedia - Webkit]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webkit Wikipedia - Webkit]
<span id="Widget"></span>
<span id="Widget"></span>
===Widget===
===Widget===
:Collins English Dictionary: "Any small mechanism or device the name of which is unknown or temporarily forgotten." In KDE software terms, a '''widget''' is a single component on the canvas. Other common names that are analogous are "applet" or "gadget". Superkaramba Themes, Apple's Dashboard, Google Gadgets, Yahoo Widgets, Vista Sidebar Widgets, Opera Widgets are all examples of other widget systems (some of which are supported by Plasma as well).
:Collins English Dictionary: "Any small mechanism or device the name of which is unknown or temporarily forgotten." In KDE software terms, a '''widget''' is a single component on the canvas. Other common names that are analogous are "applet" or "gadget". Superkaramba Themes, Apple's Dashboard, Google Gadgets, Yahoo Widgets, Vista Sidebar Widgets, Opera Widgets are all examples of other widget systems (some of which are supported by Plasma as well).
<span id="X-Server"></span>
<span id="X-Server"></span>
===X-Server===
===X Server===
:The ''X-Server'' represents a basic layer upon which the various GUIs like the KDE Plasma desktop are built. It manages the basic mouse and keyboard input (from the local host as well as from remote hosts) and provides elementary graphic routines to draw rectangles and other primitives.
:The ''X Server'' represents a basic layer upon which the various GUIs like the KDE Plasma desktop are built. It manages the basic mouse and keyboard input (from the local host as well as from remote hosts) and provides elementary graphic routines to draw rectangles and other primitives.
<span id="XMLGUI"></span>
<span id="XMLGUI"></span>
===XMLGUI===
===XMLGUI===
:A programmers' framework for designing the user interface.  It is extensively used by ''KParts''  
:A programmers' framework for designing the user interface.  It is extensively used by ''KParts''  


''More info'':
'''More Information''':
:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XMLGUI Wikipedia - XMLGUI]  
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XMLGUI Wikipedia - XMLGUI]  
:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qt_Style_Sheets Wikipedia - Qt Style Sheets]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qt_Style_Sheets Wikipedia - Qt Style Sheets]


{{Prev|Special:myLanguage/An_introduction_to_KDE|An Introduction to KDE}}
{{Prev|Special:myLanguage/An_introduction_to_KDE|An Introduction to KDE}}

Latest revision as of 13:29, 7 October 2022

Other languages:

This page sets out to provide a non-technical reference, together with links for further information or demonstration. See also Jargon File.

Activities

Activities are sets of Plasma widgets that have their own wallpaper. A bit like Virtual Desktops, but not quite.
For example you have a "work activity" with commit rss feeds, a note with your TODO, a Folder View with your work related files, and a subtle wallpaper.
Next to it, you have your "freetime activity", with previews of family photos and dogs, rss feeds from your favourite blogs, a Folder View showing your movie collection, a twitter applet and of course that Iron Maiden wallpaper you have been loving since the early 80s.
At 1700 hours sharp you switch from the "work activity" to your "freetime activity".

More Information:

Akonadi

The data storage access mechanism for all PIM (Personal Information Manager) data in KDE. This allows various applications to access the required information in one place. Note that use of Akonadi does not change data storage formats (vcard, iCalendar, mbox, maildir etc.) - it just provides a new way of accessing and updating the data.
The main reasons for design and development of Akonadi are of a technical nature, i.e., having a unique way to access PIM-data (contacts, calendars, emails..) from different applications (KMail and Calligra, for instance), thus eliminating the need to write similar code over and over again.
Another reason is to de-couple GUI applications like KMail from directly accessing external resources like mail-servers -- this was a major reason for bug-reports/wishes with regard to performance/responsiveness in the past.

More Information:

Baloo

Baloo is a file indexing and search service that Dolphin and Elisa use to get metadata for files and to allow global searches. In a terminal type, balooctl check to find out whether an index was created already. balooctl disable and balooctl status are helpful instructions as well.

More Information:

Breeze

Breeze is the default theme starting with Plasma 5.

More Information:

Containment

A Containment is a top level grouping of widgets. Each Containment manages the layout and configuration data of its set of widgets independently from other Containments.
The end result is that you can group widgets within a Containment according to the significance to your working pattern, rather than by directory grouping.

D-Bus

An inter-service messaging system. D-Bus allows multiple programs to interact. Developed by Red Hat®, it was heavily influenced by KDE3's DCOP, which it supersedes.

More Information:

Dolphin

The default file manager in KDE Plasma. It has a side panel (Places), but navigation is mainly by the breadcrumb trail above the main window. It has various advanced features such as split windows and individual views in different windows. Mounting and umounting USB devices can be done in the side-panel. Other directories can be added to the Places panel. A Tree view is also possible.

More Information:

Flake

Flake is a programming library to be used in Krita and Calligra. Functionally, it provides Shapes to display content and Tools to manipulate content. Shapes can be zoomed or rotated and can be grouped to work as a single Shape, around which text flow is possible.

More Information:

Get Hot New Stuff

Get Hot New Stuff (GHNS) is an open standard that makes it easy for users to download and install various extensions for their applications. Our implementation of GHNS is used by Plasma (for example to get new desktop themes), and by many applications and widgets.

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Home Directory

That's the place in your system where all your files are kept. You can write your files outside of this folder, but all applications are configured to propose this folder as place to write your files to. It is easier when you keep your things here.

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KHTML

KHTML is a HTML rendering engine that was the base of WebKit, the engine that powers many browsers still in use today (e.g. Safari).

Kirigami

Kirigami is a set of components allowing developers to create applications that looks good and works well on mobile platforms as well as on the desktop.

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Kickoff

Kickoff is a launch menu in KDE Plasma in which apps are sorted by functional groups. Right-click also offers the possibility of adding applications to the desktop or panel. Rapid access to a less-used application is made possible with the search box. There are also alternatives, such as the fullscreen app dashboard.

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KJS

KDE platform's JavaScript engine.

KInfoCenter

KInfoCenter originated as part of KControl standing alone from KDE 3.1. It can display data about your system such as energy usage, hardware info and many more.

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KIO

KDE Input/Output framework provides a single API for operating on files, whether local or on a remote server. Additionally, KIO Slaves provide support for individual protocols. Some particularly useful ones are http, ftp, sftp, smb, nfs, ssh (fish), man, tar, google drive, and zip.

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Kiosk

  • Kiosk is a framework for restricting user capabilities on a KDE platform system, ideal for use in locked-down environments such as Internet cafés. It has been unmaintained for quite some time now.

KPart

A KPart is an individual component of the KDE Plasma desktop and allows applications to share their services with other applications. KParts allow KMail and KOrganizer to integrate (as plugins) into the Kontact suite, or KHTML to display sites in Akregator.

Kross

Kross is a scripting framework, enabling support for multiple scripting languages. A plugin system allows for the support of further languages in the future.

KRunner

The mini-command-line that is accessed from the Classic menu, the keyboard shortcut Alt+F2, or a right-click on the desktop.

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KWin

KWin is the window manager of KDE. This is where window decorations can be changed and themes applied.

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Pager

A pager is a small program or panel applet which shows the position of windows on your desktop and usually, if you have several Virtual Desktops, gives an overview over all.

Panel

See Kicker. In KDE Plasma the name "kicker" is dropped, and the name "panel" is the norm. "Applets"; are largely replaced by Widgets

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Phonon

A cross-platform multimedia API, interfacing with existing frameworks, such as gstreamer and xine engines.

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Plasma

Plasma is the desktop environment from KDE. It is the part of the desktop that you can see. Plasma also acts as a glue between panels, plasmoids and Kickoff. Plasma Mobile allows Plasma to run on smartphones and uses the same underlying code base.

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Qt

(Pronounced "cute") A framework/toolkit for writing cross-platform applications. It is used by many cross-platform applications such as Krita, GoogleEarth and many others. Qt forms the underlying library KDE software is built on.

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Solid

Solid provides a single API for hardware management. Hardware is grouped into "domains". The initial domains relate to HAL, NetworkManager and the Bluetooth stack. Since the backends for Solid are pluggable, Solid helps application developers write less code, and have it platform independent.

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System Settings

The system settings are the unified place where you can change and customize many aspects of the Plasma desktop and KWin such as icon themes, desktop effects and shortcuts.

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Threadweaver

This thread programming library spreads work among multiple-core processors where available, prioritising them before queueing them for execution. ThreadWeaver provides a high-level job interface for multithreaded programming.

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Virtual Desktops

A popular concept of Unix based window managers is the one of virtual desktops. This means you have not only one screen where you can place your windows on but several. When you switch to a different desktop (usually with a pager) you will only see the windows which you started on your new desktop or moved to it. A window can also be made "sticky" which means it appears on all virtual desktops.

WebKit

HTML rendering engine, originating from a fork of KHTML. Adopted by Apple and developed for Safari.

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Widget

Collins English Dictionary: "Any small mechanism or device the name of which is unknown or temporarily forgotten." In KDE software terms, a widget is a single component on the canvas. Other common names that are analogous are "applet" or "gadget". Superkaramba Themes, Apple's Dashboard, Google Gadgets, Yahoo Widgets, Vista Sidebar Widgets, Opera Widgets are all examples of other widget systems (some of which are supported by Plasma as well).

X Server

The X Server represents a basic layer upon which the various GUIs like the KDE Plasma desktop are built. It manages the basic mouse and keyboard input (from the local host as well as from remote hosts) and provides elementary graphic routines to draw rectangles and other primitives.

XMLGUI

A programmers' framework for designing the user interface. It is extensively used by KParts

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