Basic
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Networking
This section will help you connect to the internet.
Wired
In most cases the wired network connection will simply work without any changes to the default Kubuntu configuration. Wired network connections are selected as default when they are available.
Wireless
Most wireless cards are supported out of the box by Kubuntu. However, in some cases, the wireless network device may need a restricted driver in order to operate. The best way to check this is to open the jockey-kde application (also known as 'Additional Drivers'). To open this program, click the Kickoff Launcher and search for 'Additional Drivers'. If the device needs a restricted driver, then jockey-kde can help with selecting, installing, and activating the proper driver. Once this is all handled, the system will need to be rebooted. For more information on troubleshooting Wi-Fi on your system, see Wireless Troubleshooting.
Launchers
Kickoff
As a KDE distribution, Kubuntu uses the Kickoff Application Launcher by default. The Kickoff Launcher can be compared with the 'Start Menu' in Windows (pre Windows 8). For more information on how to use and customize it, see Kickoff.
KRunner
Like Kickoff, KRunner is a launcher, but it does a lot more than just launching applications. Usually KRunner is accessed by pressing 'Alt + F2'. For more information on what it can do, see Krunner.
Desktop Customization
This section covers the basics of configuring Kubuntu to suit your needs. One of the strengths of the KDE philosophy is the focus on control of just about every aspect of the desktop environment. Wallpapers, themes, widgets, color schemes, splash screens, and more; the options for customization are endless.
KDE-Look is the number one location to find customized settings for the KDE Plasma desktop. Some of the applications even allow direct connections to KDE-Look to download a new configuration or image.
Themes
Kubuntu allows themes to be changed easily. Open System Settings and choose Workspace Appearance in the Workspace Appearance and Behavior section, then choose from the list of installed themes.
You can change the theme of the Window Decoration, Cursor Theme, Desktop Theme, and the Splash Screen. Pick from the default choices that are installed, or left-click the 'Get New...' button in each section for more choices.
Plasmoids
Plasmoids (also called Widgets) can be added by right-clicking the desktop and selecting 'Add Widgets...', which will bring up a list of Widgets. For more information, see Plasma Widgets.
Panel
By right-clicking on the desktop once again, you can select 'Add Panel' to get more panels. You can left-click the button on the far right side of the panel to alter the properties of the panel, like changing its height or width or adding Widgets, for example. For more information, see Plasma Panels.
File Management
Dolphin
Dolphin is the default file manager in Kubuntu and can be compared with Windows Explorer. Dolphin looks simple because of great design, while having many powerful features. For more information, see Dolphin.
Software Management
Graphical (Muon)
If you prefer the Ubuntu-style "Software Center", Kubuntu also has a user-friendly package manager called Muon Software Center with a clear user interface.
Both package managers might provide information about required dependencies. Once this information is acknowledged, the required packages will begin downloading. When the installation process is complete, the software will be ready to use. It is rarely necessary to restart the system after software installation or updates. If it is, the system will warn you and give you a restart icon to do the restart at your convenience.
Muon also provides an easy method to remove software that is no longer needed.
How-to: Start Muon Software Center with Kickoff Application Launcher (K menu), click on 'Installed Software' and find the application you want to remove. Click 'Remove' and Muon Software Center will remove the application.
Muon is an advanced program with a graphical user interface (GUI) for installing and removing applications. Muon Package Manager can be started with Krunner or using Kickoff.
How-to: You can search for applications with the search box on the top and the filters on the left side of the window. The application information will be displayed in the large white space below the search area. Click on the application title to be installed. Click the 'Install' button to start the installation process.
Command Line
For managing software with the CLI (the command line) Kubuntu uses APT (Advanced Packaging Tool). It is a powerful package management system which is the basis for the graphical software management applications like Muon Software Center. APT automatically handles dependencies and performs other package operations that are required for package installation. To use APT most people use Terminals to issue the commands.
Running APT requires administrative privileges, Entering commands with "sudo" generates a password prompt. Several of the commands below will not run without sudo.
Common commands used with APT are:
- Install packages: sudo apt-get install 'packagename'
- Remove packages: sudo apt-get remove 'packagename'
- Remove package dependencies that are no longer needed: sudo apt-get autoremove
- Search for packages: apt-cache search 'keyword'
- Retrieve the current list of available packages: sudo apt-get update
- Install the latest available updates for the applications currently installed: sudo apt-get upgrade
- Clean downloads, useful when disk space is getting short: sudo apt-get clean
To list further commands and options: apt-get help
For more information about the use of APT read the comprehensive APT - Debian Wiki User Manual
For more information on the Command Line see here
CategoryDocumentation
Repositories
Thousands of programs are freely available to install in Kubuntu. These programs are stored in software archives ("repositories") and are made available for installation over the Internet. Installing new programs in Kubuntu is quick, reliable, and secure because each program is built specifically for Kubuntu and is checked thoroughly before it is made available. Kubuntu repositories are categorized into four groups:
- Main
- Restricted
- Universe
- Multiverse
Two factors are used to determine categories:
- The level of support provided for a program by its software development teams.
- The level of compliance the program has to the Ubuntu Free Software Philosophy.
More information about the Repositories is available on the Ubuntu Community Help Wiki on Repositories website.
The standard Kubuntu LiveDVD contains some software from the "Main" and "Restricted" categories. Once a system has information about the Internet-based locations for these repositories, more programs are available for installation. Using the software package management tools installed by default, it is possible to discover, install, and update any piece of software directly over the internet without the need for the LiveDVD.
For more information about managing repositories, click here.
PPAs (Personal Package Archive)
Personal Package Archives allow any person in the Ubuntu community who has committed to observe the Ubuntu Code of Conduct to upload Ubuntu source packages to be built and published as an apt repository by Launchpad. Software from Launchpad's Personal Package Archive (PPA) requires a GnuPG (GPG) key so your system can verify that it's getting the packages from the correct source and that the packages have not been interfered with since they were built. GnuPG is GNU's tool for secure communication and data storage.
Important: The contents of Personal Package Archives are not checked or monitored. You install software from them at your own risk.
For more information about PPAs, see the Managing PPAs.
Manual installation of .deb files
The package files associated with Kubuntu have the ".deb" suffix because of Kubuntu's close relationship with the Debian GNU/Linux distribution. Individual ".deb" files can be downloaded and installed. Humble Bundles, for instance, distribute debs. Administrative privileges are required.
How-to: simply left-click on the ".deb" file to initiate the installation process. A prompt will appear for a password associated with the necessary administrative privilege.
To install software from source, see the corresponding section on Managing Software.
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