############################# 
 Desktop Configuration
############################# 

Install Software Packages
=============================

There is a whole slew of software one would want on a computer for writing, 
graphic arts, and so forth. The selection of available packages changes with 
each operating system version. The easiest way to install the packages for a 
particular version is through a script, and scripts are provided for many 
recent system releases.

Desktop scripts by version
-----------------------------

Install a script as follows. First, download the script file appropriate for 
your system, saving it to file :file:`first-install.sh` in your home folder:

+ :download:`KDE/Mint 12 desktop </_downloads/KDE-Mint_12-desktop.sh>`
+ :download:`KUbuntu 12/Mint 13 desktop </_downloads/KUbuntu_12-desktop.sh>`
+ :download:`KUbuntu 13 desktop </_downloads/KUbuntu_13-desktop.sh>`

.. Tip:: If your browser saved this file without asking you where to put it or 
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   saving downloads.

Now perform the following:

#. Open a console (terminal) window
#. Type the command :command:`sudo bash first-install.sh <Enter>`
#. Enter your password when asked
#. When asked for a mysql pasword, type :kbd:`mysql`
#. Wait an hour or so while over 1000 software packages are installed
#. Restart your system to load updates to the Linux kernel

Install ReST, Sphinx tools
-----------------------------

Install documentation tools with the following separate script:

#. Download :download:`reST script </_downloads/rest-install.sh>` to filename 
   :file:`rest-install.sh`
#. Open a console (terminal) window
#. Type the command :command:`sudo bash rest-install.sh <Enter>`
#. Enter your password when asked
#. Wait an hour or so while packages are installed and compiled

Configure Workspaces
=============================

For laptops and netbooks, the workspace type may default to *Netbook*. This is 
changed as follows:

+ Open *System Settings*
+ Under *Workspace Appearance and Behavior*, open *Workspace Behavior*
+ Click the *Workspace* cashew icon
+ Click the droplist next to *Workspace Type:* and select *Desktop*
+ Click the *Apply* button in the bottom-right of the window
+ Close *System Settings*

Add an improved system menu and multi-workspace paging as follows:

+ Click the configuration cashew at the right on the menu bar
+ Click *+ add widgets...*
+ Add *Lancelot Launcher*, remove *Application Launcher*
+ If missing, add *Pager* (already installed on KUbuntu; not installed on Mint) 

Configure Clipboard, Editor
=============================

+ Click the scissors on the task bar, and choose :guilabel:`Configure Klipper...`.
+ On the :guilabel:`General` tab, check the box labeled 
  :guilabel:`Synchronize contents of the clipboard and the selection`.

+ Open the editor `Kate`.
+ On :menuselection:`View --> Tool Views`, Check all three options:
  :menuselection:`Show Sidebars`, :menuselection:`Show Documents`,
  :menuselection:`Show Terminal`.

Avoiding VIM
=============================

Change default editor in KDE with the command::
  
  sudo update-alternatives --config editor

Change default editor when opening files in Dolphin:

+ Right-click on file, choose *Properties*
+ Click on the wrench to the right of *file type*
+ Click on your preferred editor in the *Application Preference Order* list
+ Click *Move Up* to move your preference up the list
+ Click *Apply*, then close the properties window.

Turn on Apple Keyboard function keys
=====================================

::
  
  #. display current keyboard state (1=off, 2=on):
  
     cat /sys/module/hid_apple/parameters/fnmode 
     
  #. set keyboard state to 2 (on):
  
     echo 2 | sudo tee /sys/module/hid_apple/parameters/fnmode
     
  #. make the configuration change permanent version 1 (not working on Mint 12):
  
     sudo touch /etc/sysfs.conf
     sudo bash < <(echo 'echo "module/hid_apple/parameters/fnmode = 2" >> /etc/sysfs.conf')
     
  #. make configuration change permanent, version 2
  #. still working on this, as it must come before "exit 0":
  
     sudo bash < <(echo 'echo "echo 2 > /sys/module/hid_apple/parameters/fnmode" >> /etc/rc.local')

References:

`AppleKeyboard <https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AppleKeyboard>`_