| openSUSE Documentation KDE Quick Start / openSUSE 10.3 KDE Quick Start | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | KDE Quick Start | 2. Starting Programs |  | |
| openSUSE Documentation KDE Quick Start / openSUSE 10.3 KDE Quick Start | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KDE Quick Start | 2. Starting Programs | | |
Contents
Abstract
openSUSE® provides the tools that Linux* users require in their daily activities. It comes with an easy-to-use graphical user interface (KDE* desktop) that communicates with the underlying Linux system to access and manage files, folders, and programs. openSUSE provides an integrated suite of applications for a wide range of purposes (office, multimedia, Internet). The OpenOffice.org suite is also included, which allows you to edit and save files in a number of formats. Because the office suite is available for several operating systems, you can use the same data across different computing platforms.
When you start your system, you are usually prompted to enter your username and password. If you did not install your system yourself, check with your system administrator for your username and password.
After logging in to KDE for the first time, you see the KDE desktop, which shows the following basic elements:
 |
Desktop Icons: Click an icon on the desktop to access its associated program or application. Right-click to open a context menu for moving, copying, or performing other functions on an icon.
Desktop Context Menu: Right-click an empty area on the desktop to access this context menu for creating new objects, such as files, folders, or bookmarks; configuring the appearance of the desktop; running applications; and logging out.
KDE Panel: By default, the panel of your KDE desktop consists of the following areas (from left to right): main menu button, quick launcher, desktop previewer, taskbar, and system tray. You can add or remove icons in the panel and customize the appearance of the panel as well as its location on the desktop. If you hold your mouse pointer over an icon in the panel, a short description is displayed.
Main Menu Button: Use the icon at the far left of the panel to open a menu which holds a search function at the top and several tabs at the bottom, thus providing quick access to the key functions of the menu. The tab shows all installed programs in a function-oriented menu structure which makes it easy to find the right application for your purpose even if you do not know the application names yet.
Quick Launcher. The quick launcher contains some larger icons that are shortcuts to frequently used programs, folders, and functions, such as an Internet browser, your home folder, and direct desktop access.
Desktop Previewer: Between the quick launcher and the taskbar, find a miniature preview that shows your virtual desktops. openSUSE allows you to organize your programs and tasks on several desktops, which minimizes the number of windows to arrange on the screen (see Section 4, “Using Virtual Desktops”). To switch between desktops, click one of the symbols in the previewer.
Taskbar: By default, all started applications and open windows are displayed in the taskbar, which allows you to access any application regardless of the currently active desktop. Click to open the application. Right-click to see options for moving, restoring, or minimizing the window.
System Tray: This rightmost part of the panel usually holds some smaller icons, including the system clock displaying time and date, the volume control, and icons for several other helper applications.
