From Fedora Project Wiki

Chapter 3: Desktop Tour

Introduction

This chapter introduces Fedora KDE 4 Desktop environment. It is based on a modern KDE Plasma technology, which brings to users new usability and visual appealing desktop experience.

Plasma logo.jpg

The Plasma Desktop

After first login you can see default Plasma desktop containing the panel, folder view widget and Plasma button at the top right corner. Use this button to customize your desktop - to add/remove Plasma widgets.

Kde plasma.jpg

Desktop widgets

To add or remove Plasma widgets click on Plasma button at the top right corner of your screen and press Add Widgets button. Now you can choose from various Plasma widgets like several kinds of clocks (analog, digital, binary, fuzzy), notes, calculator, comic strip etc. Then press right mouse button on selected widget and drag it to desired place on your desktop. Widgets can be even dropped on the panel. To manipulate with widget use handle shown when you move mouse above it. You can resize and rotate widget or remove it completely from desktop.

Plasma widgets.jpg

Folder view widget

With Folder view widget you can place icons on your desktop.

Getting new widgets

New widgets are available by yum as RPM packages (search for kde-plasma-*) or from Hot New Stuff service.

Idea.png
Search for new Plasma widgets in repository with 'yum search kde-plasma'!.
Idea.png
Google Gadgets, Mac OS X widgets and Superkaramba widgets are supported too!.

Plasma dashboard

CONTROL+F12 shows Plasma dashboard - replacement for "Show desktop" functionality known from older KDE releases. It hides all windows and puts all the widgets in front of them. You can use it as quick preview of your widgets on the desktop - to read notes (the famous yellow ones), check battery status, clock and even to play interactive games. Press ESCAPE key or CONTROL-F12 again to leave dashboard mode.

More customizations

Setting wallpaper

Getting new Plasma theme

The Panel

Plasma panel.jpg

Configuring the Panel

Kickoff

Kde kickoff.jpg

The Launcher