hello everyone, i have an absolute beginner question and hope someone can help.

i run kubuntu 12.4 with kde 4.8.5.
there is no real pannel that shows open windows, tabs etc..
as i switch quite often between open office, browser and so on, the extra click in the top right corner is annoying and not practical.
on the web i found tons of images where kde has such a panel as gnome, lxdel.
i hope you understand my problem, i would simply like a panel that shows me open applications.

what do i need to change or do?
btw, i am on kubuntu now because it is the only distro, for some strange reason, ( not ubuntu nor mint) that connects to the internet at my home.

much thanks in advance,

the bottom panel (which should be installed by default) should include the task manager which shows open apps

the bottom of you screen should look like this (note: this is not the entire panel)


if you don't have a bottom panel then right click on the desktop -> add panel -> default panel, if you do have a panel then just add the task manager widget to it

and yes there are task managers that are of a docker style such as the icon-only, smooth and fancy task manages

well unfortunately if i right click there is no option to add panel.
it only offers to "configure search and launch".
this is what my desktop looks like .
[img]file:///home/kai/snapshot211png[/img]
its the "plasma" i guess.

your pic doesn't show, to post images on the forum you must place them on a pic hosting site and then use the link to the site not your home folder

do you see an option to unlock widgets? if so then unlock and then you should see a panel option

what is systemsettings -> workspace behavior -> workspace -> workspace type ?

You're using the "Search and launch" desktop type. Switch to the Default one (by clicking "Configure Search and Launch"), and you'll have a more classic desktop.