Thinking about installing Kubuntu

[RJ12]

Hello guys. I was looking at Kubuntu and I was thinking of installing it on my system (I am posting this from the LiveCD) I wondering a few things before I install it.

First of all, does Kubuntu users get the same nice support here (I love these forums!)

Second, does Kubuntu use the same type of GRUB as Ubuntu? I want it to still be able to boot into my Windows 7 partition.

Third, are there themes for Kubuntu? Can I get more than a blank screen saver (thats the only choice in the Live CD, other than random)

Fourth, There is an awesome feature in Ubuntu that turns off the trackpad when you are typing, can I get that on Kubuntu, I am already having trouble typing this post...

Fifth and finale question! - Can I run most of the Ubuntu programs on KDE? I know most programs made for Ubuntu don't have a "Kubuntu" option. I really need NDISWrapper because my wireless doesn't work correctly in Ubuntu / Kubuntu and I have the Windows Drivers. How would I go about installing it, I can't find the package manager for KDE / Kubuntu

[dibl]

First of all, does Kubuntu users get the same nice support here (I love these forums!)

"Nice"? - yes, pretty much. "Support"? -- well, heh heh heh -- usually, I'd say.




Second, does Kubuntu use the same type of GRUB as Ubuntu? I want it to still be able to boot into my Windows 7 partition.

Yes, absolutely identical.




Third, are there themes for Kubuntu? Can I get more than a blank screen saver (thats the only choice in the Live CD, other than random)

YES. I'm personally not a themer, but go to kde-look.org and focus on themes for KDE4 and there are quite a few.



Fourth, There is an awesome feature in Ubuntu that turns off the trackpad when you are typing, can I get that on Kubuntu, I am already having trouble typing this post...

Sorry, I can't answer that one -- don't know. Hopefully someone who knows will help.




Fifth and finale question! - Can I run most of the Ubuntu programs on KDE? I know most programs made for Ubuntu don't have a "Kubuntu" option. I really need NDISWrapper because my wireless doesn't work correctly in Ubuntu / Kubuntu and I have the Windows Drivers. How would I go about installing it, I can't find the package manager for KDE / Kubuntu


NDIWrapper works the same. Beyond that, I would not suggest that you BEGIN your KDE experience by trying to replicate Gnome -- it's not going to be any happier than trying to replicate Windows. Instead, figure out what you want to accomplish with your system, and then look into what KDE packages exist to support that activity. If you don't like what you find, and you have a great Gnome solution, then by all means install the Gnome solution. For example, I'm very content to use gftp, and came up dry looking for a better solution for KDE, so I use gftp. I'm not a Koffice fanboy, and am happy to use OpenOffice.Org, which is the same on KDE as it is on Gnome. Like that.

[RJ12]

First of all, does Kubuntu users get the same nice support here (I love these forums!)

"Nice"? - yes, pretty much. "Support"? -- well, heh heh heh -- usually, I'd say.




Second, does Kubuntu use the same type of GRUB as Ubuntu? I want it to still be able to boot into my Windows 7 partition.

Yes, absolutely identical.




Third, are there themes for Kubuntu? Can I get more than a blank screen saver (thats the only choice in the Live CD, other than random)

YES. I'm personally not a themer, but go to kde-look.org and focus on themes for KDE4 and there are quite a few.



Fourth, There is an awesome feature in Ubuntu that turns off the trackpad when you are typing, can I get that on Kubuntu, I am already having trouble typing this post...

Sorry, I can't answer that one -- don't know. Hopefully someone who knows will help.




Fifth and finale question! - Can I run most of the Ubuntu programs on KDE? I know most programs made for Ubuntu don't have a "Kubuntu" option. I really need NDISWrapper because my wireless doesn't work correctly in Ubuntu / Kubuntu and I have the Windows Drivers. How would I go about installing it, I can't find the package manager for KDE / Kubuntu


NDIWrapper works the same. Beyond that, I would not suggest that you BEGIN your KDE experience by trying to replicate Gnome -- it's not going to be any happier than trying to replicate Windows. Instead, figure out what you want to accomplish with your system, and then look into what KDE packages exist to support that activity. If you don't like what you find, and you have a great Gnome solution, then by all means install the Gnome solution. For example, I'm very content to use gftp, and came up dry looking for a better solution for KDE, so I use gftp. I'm not a Koffice fanboy, and am happy to use OpenOffice.Org, which is the same on KDE as it is on Gnome. Like that.




Thanks for your help! I really would like to get that trackpad problem remedied, but I guess it would be something I have to get use too. I hope to be installing Kubuntu soon though!

[dibl]

gsynaptics would probably work on Kubuntu, but there used to be something called kmousetool (or something like that -- I'm not able to see the repos atm). Put "turn off touchpad" in the search window at the top of the forum, and you should find some hits on the topic.

Also, FYI, most Kubuntu users here prefer synaptic to the built-in KpackageKit, for reviewing and installing packages. You can decide for yourself, but if KPackagekit is not to your taste, just
sudo apt-get install synaptic ;)

[MoonRise]

With the release of 10.04 (actually may be KDE version specific) there is now a TouchPad control area that will do just that.

System Settings --> Keyboard and Mouse --> Touchpad.

Ta Da! ;D

As far as screen savers, yes, once installed there are a bunch of those in the Repos!

[RJ12]

With the release of 10.04 (actually may be KDE version specific) there is now a TouchPad control area that will do just that.

System Settings --> Keyboard and Mouse --> Touchpad.

Ta Da! ;D

As far as screen savers, yes, once installed there are a bunch of those in the Repos!





I am sorry but I can't find the option, can you explain more of where it is :-[

[doonze]

Kubuntu is the bomb, gnome was clean and neat looking, but seems.....lacking somehow for me. No don't get me wrong, I was raised on DOS....IBM DOS at that, even before MS DOS, so I'm not afraid of command lines. However I do think GUI is how things should be now, and you can make KDE slick as heck! My only complaint? (and I'm gonna get flamed for this) There is still to much command line stuff needed for my taste.... like putting a AM radio in a Caddy. But I think the linux purest would have a cow, there would be screams of "Windows wannabe" all up and down the hall!!! LOL

But really, I like Kubuntu, and really dig KDE. And (K)ununtu has enough market share to make it a highly followed and supported distro....

[RJ12]

Ok, another question, this one about the widgets. How can I lock just one widget? Because when I add a widget, say the analog clock, I drag it somewhere, then I move the mouse and bam! The clock moves to some random spot. Is there a way to fix this?

[verndog]

If you have some experience using Ubuntu, then you should feel more at home using Kubuntu. Once you get past the "quirks" of KDE.

I have been using Ubuntu exclusively for a while now, and haven't had much time to mess with KDE. I installed suse, Mandriva and the like, and have had one hellacious experience doing so.

I now am very happy using Kubuntu. I'm using the Lucid 10.04.1 updated version(been keeping zsyn the current iso).

Most all the cli commands that I'm use to in Ubuntu work in Kubuntu - aptitude, which I use a lot of. Also I can copy my bash_aliases over without a miss-step.

I think DIBL answered most of your questions very well.

[vinnywright]

Ok, another question, this one about the widgets. How can I lock just one widget? Because when I add a widget, say the analog clock, I drag it somewhere, then I move the mouse and bam! The clock moves to some random spot. Is there a way to fix this?


that's strange....?

I never lock my widget's and thay allways stay whare I put them?

[dibl]

I never lock my widget's and thay allways stay whare I put them?



What -- Vinny, is that for real? I ALWAYS keep my widgets locked, except when I want to change one. I thought the rule was "Unlock widgets ---> change what you want to change ---> lock 'em up again".

[RJ12]

I never lock my widget's and thay allways stay whare I put them?



What -- Vinny, is that for real? I ALWAYS keep my widgets locked, except when I want to change one. I thought the rule was "Unlock widgets ---> change what you want to change ---> lock 'em up again".


Yeah, it doesn't bother me that much, but when the widgets are locked, the bouncy ball won't move, my brother loves that thing, and he always makes me bounce it around ;D ::)

[MoonRise]

I never lock my widget's and thay allways stay whare I put them?



What -- Vinny, is that for real? I ALWAYS keep my widgets locked, except when I want to change one. I thought the rule was "Unlock widgets ---> change what you want to change ---> lock 'em up again".


That is the rule isn't it! Man I hope so. :D

[MoonRise]

With the release of 10.04 (actually may be KDE version specific) there is now a TouchPad control area that will do just that.

System Settings --> Keyboard and Mouse --> Touchpad.

Ta Da! ;D

As far as screen savers, yes, once installed there are a bunch of those in the Repos!




From the K Menu (Square K in the lower left) click on Applications --> Settings --> then System Settings as above. Let me know.


I am sorry but I can't find the option, can you explain more of where it is :-[

[RJ12]

With the release of 10.04 (actually may be KDE version specific) there is now a TouchPad control area that will do just that.

System Settings --> Keyboard and Mouse --> Touchpad.

Ta Da! ;D

As far as screen savers, yes, once installed there are a bunch of those in the Repos!




From the K Menu (Square K in the lower left) click on Applications --> Settings --> then System Settings as above. Let me know.


I am sorry but I can't find the option, can you explain more of where it is :-[



I got into system settings > keyboard and mouse, but then I can't find the option. I have a feeling it just isn't in 10.04 :(

[MoonRise]

I'm fairly sure it is but then again maybe it isn't on the LIVE-CD. Might be a "you need to install" before it shows up?

[RJ12]

I get that same screen, I don't see an option for disabling when typing, I don't see it yours either ???

[GreyGeek]

That's because his touchpad isn't recognized.

Do you have synclient installed?

[RJ12]

That's because his touchpad isn't recognized.

Do you have synclient installed?



Actually I don't have Kubuntu installed yet, I am running the Live CD.

[GreyGeek]

That's because his touchpad isn't recognized.

Do you have synclient installed?


Actually I don't have Kubuntu installed yet, I am running the Live CD.


I was referring to Moonrise's pic. I should have mentioned that. Sorry.

You can install software while running the LiveCD if you have enough RAM.
In a Konsole enter
apt-get update
apt-get install xserver-xorg-input-synaptics
apt-get install kcm-touchpad

If you reboot anything you've installed is gone. If you have to restart the xserver you can do that via the konsole.

[vinnywright]

I never lock my widget's and thay allways stay whare I put them?



What -- Vinny, is that for real? I ALWAYS keep my widgets locked, except when I want to change one. I thought the rule was "Unlock widgets ---> change what you want to change ---> lock 'em up again".


well yes I beleve it is the rule........or at least a good idea BUT it just adds another button to click when I want to resize,move,change one of my folder views.
and yes if you accidentally click the wrong thing you can releve your self of your intire panel :o
fortunately I know how to get it/them all back....... ;) ......and what not to click.

in fact I'v never kept them locked and prefer it that way so I get the pop out controles whenever I want just by pointing at it... ;)

VINNY

[RJ12]

Thanks for all of the help guys! I will be installing tomorrow, while my brother is installing Ubuntu on his computer :)



I have a two little questions.

what is the gksu equivalent to kde? also when installing synaptic, will it install all of the gnome programs?

[vinnywright]

Thanks for all of the help guys! I will be installing tomorrow, while my brother is installing Ubuntu on his computer :)



I have a two little questions.

what is the gksu equivalent to kde?

kdesudo




also when installing synaptic, will it install all of the gnome programs?

no just a few things it neads......

VINNY

[doonze]

I get that same screen, I don't see an option for disabling when typing, I don't see it yours either ???


Doesn't seem to be a dedicated "disable when typing" Mine is recognized and working perfectly but I only have the options moon had. You have On and OFF and MOVE ONLY.....that's it....

[kubicle]

also when installing synaptic, will it install all of the gnome programs?

no just a few things it neads......

For a "minimal" installation of synaptic, use:

sudo apt-get --no-install-recommends install synaptic
(it does recommend some gnome packages that aren't necessary for it to function...especially in a kde environment)

[MoonRise]

Sorry, that pic was just to assure you that it is there. That was from my desktop but my lappy does have that and it can do that. Trust me, I hate the Touchpad. I make sure it is OFF all the time. I even suggested to the developer to try to incorporate what I've seen on some systems where it will automatically disable that thing when a real mouse is installed. Hope they can get that soon. Any way, it's there it works, if not let us know and we'll help figure it out! :D

[The Liquidator]

I imagine that you are trying to stop accidentally activating something when you touch the pad? Then move only is probably the option.