Tutorials/KDE3 to KDE SC 4

KDE 3 features missing in KDE4 (and work-arounds)

Creating icons on the desktop

In KDE 3 you could add a link to an application by right-clicking onto the desktop. In KDE 4.2 it is again possible, but not on the default desktop: you can add links to applications in a folderview, or turn the desktop itself in a big folderview, bringing you back to the same desktop as KDE 3. You have to right-click onto the desktop, select Desktop Settings -> Type | Folder View. Your desktop now acts as a whole folderview.

Automounting of USB devices

In KDE 3 you could choose to have usb devices mounted automatically upon plugin. In KDE4.2 and 4.3 this feature is supported, but in KDE4.1 this was/is not possible,

Workaround:

The best way is to install a fixed device notifier plasmoid that has automount functionality:

http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php/New+Device+Notifier+with+Automount?content=91517

Alternative approach:

Use an automount mechanism outside of KDE4, e.g. manually edit hal configuration files and/or add the devices to /etc/fstab.

Configuration example with udev under Debian/Ubuntu:

As root create and edit a file and named: 80-usbdevice.rules and save it under /etc/udev/rules.d/. In this file add a rule for the automatic mounting for each individual device that should be automounted.

The lines look like this for a vfat usb stick (replace ##entries## according to your system). RUN+="/bin/mount -t vfat -o uid=0,gid=46,umask=007 /dev/##DEVICENAME## /media/##usb-stick##"

Afterwards restart udev

sudo /etc/init.d/udev reload

For details please consult the writing udev rules guide.[1]

kcontrol no longer exists

kcontrol no longer exists. Use the program systemsettings instead.
Included, at least in KDE 4.2.1

kpersonalizer no longer exists

kpersonalizer no longer exists.

kdesktop no longer allows 3rd party apps to draw the background

In KDE3 it is possible to use 3rd party apps such as XPlanet to set the desktop wallpaper, by clicking 'Advanced Options' under the background settings panel. It is also possible to have a real-time map of the planet as a background (directions here: http://taint.org/xplanet/). The ability to use a custom command to draw the desktop background no longer exists.

Auto-hide Panels

Kicker in KDE3 used to have an option to autohide. In KDE4.2 this is possible. To achieve this click on the cashew (plasma icon) at the right side of the panel and select 'configure panel'. Then under 'more options' enable autohide.

Move applets on the panel

In kicker in KDE3, one could move applets by clicking the middle mouse button or by dragging a handle. In KDE4 you have to bring up panel control. You can use the cashew in the topleft of the desktop or do a right click on an empty area on the desktop. Choose unlock widgets. You can now bring up panel control by clicking the cashew on the bottom-right of the panel. Now you can move widgets either by drag and drop or click - mnove - click to drop.

Finish by clicking on the "Cashew" and lock plasmoids.

Obtain network access behind Fritzbox routers

Currently, KDE4 networking contains or triggers a bug that makes it impossible to obtain network access behind a popular FritzBox router (and some other models). If you cannot access any websites with konqueror and if other net access (e.g. internet update of plasmoids) fail, you may be a victim of this bug. See the Bug report[2] for details. There is no real fix yet.

Work-arounds

1. Use any program but konqueror KDE4, for example firefox, opera etc for browsing. Please note that this does not fix the problems for e.g. downloading plasmoids from the net.

2. Change the network settings of your system to direct DNS requests directly to an external DNS server to circumvent the router.

3. Use a different router, i.e. buy new hardware.

4. Turn off IPV6 completely by preventing the ipv6 linux kernel module from loading. For details refer to http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/linux-how-to-disable-the-ipv6-protocol.html

Show the application name instead of the description in the K - menu

KDE3 used to let you configure whether you wanted to see the application name (e.g. amarok) or the description (e.g. media player). KDE4 always shows only the description and this makes it very hard to find applications.

Work-around: None so far.