By default, the KDE panel extends the full width of the bottom part of the screen and contains the following controls, called widgets:
the Kickoff Application Launcher. In Fedora 11, this is represented by an icon of the Fedora "Infinity" logo. The Kickoff Application Launcher gives you access to software and storage locations on your computer, as well as allowing you to perform system-related tasks. It is described in more detail in Section 4.3.1, “The Kickoff Application Launcher”.
the Device Notifier. This widget shows devices or media attached to or inserted into your computer, such as a USB flash drive or a CD. Holding your mouse pointed over the icon displays the devices or media. Click on this widget to see a menu that allows you to interact with the device or media.
the Pager, which allows you to switch between multiple desktops on your computer. Multiple desktops (or workspaces have long been a feature of UNIX and Linux desktop environments. Each desktop provides a separate view with different applications running in it. Four desktops are configured by default. Clicking on one of the faded workspaces will change to that workspace, or you can switch between them by holding down the Alt key on your keyboard and pressing the F1, F2, F3, or F4 key. To add more desktops, right-click on the Pager, then click Pager Settings>Configure Desktops....
application launchers – icons which you can click to start particular applications. None are installed by default. You can add launchers by right-clicking the application's icon in the Kickoff Application Launcher, and clicking Add to panel.
the Task Manager, which displays buttons for any applications that are running. Clicking on one of these buttons brings that application to the foreground of your current view.
Use the key combination AltTab to switch between open windows
Holding down the Alt key and pressing the Tab key will open a small window containing icons of all of your open windows. Repeatedly pressing the Tab key cycles through the icons. Release both keys on your selection to pull it to the front
the System Tray, which shows Klipper (a clipboard tool) and displays status notifications, such as the status of network connections or remaining battery power.
a clock. Click on the clock to see a calendar, or right-click on it to change the way that the panel displays the time and date.
the plasma toolbox for the panel. Clicking here allows you to change the size and proportions of the panel, and to re-arrange the order of the widgets that it displays.
4.3.1. The Kickoff Application Launcher
The Kickoff Application Launcher contains:
Favorites – your favorite applications and places. Right click on an application or folder icon to add it to this list. The initial list consists of:
Web Browser – Konqueror, the default web browser installed with KDE.
System Settings, which allows you to personalize your computer.
File Manager, which allows you to browse files and folders on your computer. The default file manage installed with KDE is Dolphin
Applications – the applications installed on your computer, sorted into the following groups:
Administration
Development
Education
Games
Graphics
Internet
Multimedia
Office
Settings
System
Utilities
Find Files/Folders
Help
Personal Files
Computer – information about your computer, and links to important places on it.
System Settings, which allows you to personalize your computer.
System Information, which displays information about your computer
Home, your Home folder, the default storage location for your documents and media files.
Network, which displays information about your network connections and allows you to change network settings.
Root, the folder that contains every other file and folder in your file system.
Warning
Do not move or delete items from this folder unless you are certain that you understand what you are doing. If you move or delete items within this folder, you might damage your installation of Fedora to the point where it can no longer function.
Trash, which holds files and folders that you have deleted from your system.
Recently Used – applications and documents that you used recently.
Leave – options to finish working with your computer.
Logout ends your session, but leaves the computer running.
Lock leaves you logged in, but blanks the screen and prevents interaction with the computer until you type in your password.
Switch User leaves you logged in, but lets another user log in to the computer.
Suspend to Disk pauses your computer without logging out.
