I am new to linux. A friend was given a Samsung nc10 notebook with broken xp on. I installed Kubuntu 10 (removing previous os) and updated all packages. I installed Firefox and then gedit (before I realised this wasn't really needed).

All that is needed from the notebook is internet browsing using a vodaphone payg modem. I have the modem working using the sakis3g script. I have completed the sakis3g.conf so that the modem connects fine with no user interaction required.

I wrote two simple scripts to connect and disconnect the modem. These are in the home directory and basically call the sakis3g script with either 'connect' or 'disconnect' arguments. This all works fine but I need to simplify it further.

I am no expert but the notebook owner is really idiotic with machines. I need to set up the machine as simply as possible for him to use. This is where I need help.

Please excuse my 'windows' talk but I am looking to place two shortcuts to these scripts next to a shortcut to Firefox. All three icons nicely side by side.

Currently I have to run the connection scripts from the command line and then open firefox from 'Search and launch'. There is no way the notebook owner will do this. I am looking for a way to simplify this - I would like three shortcuts together, side by side - two to connection scripts and the other to firefox. How can I do this?

I can see that Kubuntu should have a desktop - in fact that was the attraction. However, I cannot get the to a working desktop. I don't think I have the K-Menu. I have no idea why these are not working. My workspace seems to have only 'Search and launch' and 'Page one' panel.

If I search 'desktop' I see a few apps that reference desktop. This includes 'Desktop' - upon selection I see a plain grey screen with the bar accross the top. I have installed new themes which change the colours. But I cannot see how to add any functionality to the desktop. I ran the command 'sakis3g Desktop' and got a msgbox saying a shortcut had been created on the desktop - but there is no shortcut visible on my desktop.

Any advise appreciated. Many thanks,
Phil

couple of quick notes:

1) you are using what is called workspace type of netbook instead of desktop, it's designed for small screens like the Samsung thats why the different screen layout

2) Kmenu on the type netbook is displayed as the icons on the middle of your screen instead of as a more conventional popup menu

3) Kubuntu just released 12.x so you are now 2 releases behind, because this affect functionality and bugs you really should upgrade/install

4) the network management widget is normally used to manage connections, no idea if it will work with what you have
- if it doesn't work with widget problem you should start a new thread and in forum Network & Internet viewforum.php?f=18 If you need to have it as icons on the desktop next to FF (which I assume is on the screen's top) because it's pay and go then you need to add the items to Kmenu which will let you id the script to run and pick an icon to display and then drag the menu item from Kmenu to the top of the screen (as far as I know, not something I use). As I don't use the netbook layout I can't be that helpful, but it would be better if you started a new thread entitled adding app icons to netbook workspace (or such) for this issue.

As google01103 noted, you may want to switch to the regular Plasma Desktop: System Settings -> Workspace Behavior -> Workspace -> Workspace Type: Desktop.

If the netbook is only used for Internet browsing, why not autostart Firefox? You can even remove the window decoration to save some precious screen space. After switching to Plasma Desktop, you can place the two icons to connect/disconnect in the panel (you may want to try this widget).

Hello Google01103 & Hans

Thanks for the swift responses. The key for me was to understand that I was looking at the notepad desktop. I had been reading about the desktop and non of it had seemed relevant. Now I understand why!

So, I have switched to the traditional desktop and placed my two connection scripts and a shortcut to firefox. That's good enough.

I will look into installing the on/off widget to replace the scripts. I can see that is a sweet widget but have no idea how to install.

I may update to v12 but is that really needed if I have a stable v10? The v12 download size is not trivial when on an uber budget ISP deal.

Thanks again for your help.
Phil

It's a binary widget so you have to find a package for your distribution or compile it manually. I found a PPA here: https://launchpad.net/~samrog131/+archive/ppa (don't know how secure this is, better ask other Kubuntu users).

The typical procedure to compile it is:
1. Download and extract it to somewhere.
2. Go to that folder in Dolphin and press F4 to open the terminal.
3. Run the following commands:

Code: Select all

mkdir build
cd build
cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=`kde4-config --prefix` ..
make
sudo make install

You may have to install additional dependencies before you can compile it, such as build-essential, cmake and kde-workspace-dev.

if the issue is bandwidth you can buy the disc pretty cheap on the web, http://www.osdisc.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi/ ... istrowatch or ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ubuntu-Kubuntu- ... 1e6d9165dd obviously you don't have to update but at same point you will find newer versions of KDE and it's sw won't be available for download. I used to dl and burn cd's at friend's houses when I had dialup and they had broadband

I will give the on/off switch a try later. And yes, I do have access to an unlimited connection to grab v12.

Great help. I am inspired to try linux for myself when my xp goes!

Thanks again,
Phil

phil1001 wrote:Great help. I am inspired to try linux for myself when my xp goes!

Oh, seeing how you're talking about scripts etc., I thought you were already an experienced Linux user. (Psst, you can always dual-boot between Windows XP and e.g. Kubuntu. ) Don't hesitate to ask if you run into any problems!