Ahoy Mates
I was very excited to hear of the new KDE features for the use of icons and other awesome effects. So much so, that I decided to kick Microsoft to the curb and spent 2 days downloading the new Opensuse 11.2 to get my feet wet. I am a fairly new Linux user, so it's still a learning curve for me, but am very excited about the possibilities now.

With the new features I would like to start my new Desktop environment! The new KDE has all the features included in it to make this possible I believe. This is 2009 and we are using the same format for interfacing with a computer that Xerox invented in 1979! Granted it's a little bit shinier than when Apple brought it to the market in 1984, but none the less, 30 Years Later it's still the same! For myself at least, it's time to move forward.

I have searched for a few days on the web for info on how to customize KDE and had little luck finding the right info. For starters let us see what is possible to do in KDE.

1. Create scalable icons of any size and shape?
2. Create folders with style changes to match a theme?
3. Can Icons or folders be scripted?
4. Can the icons and folders be locked in place?

I would very much like to learn how to do these things to start with. I am Very Impressed with the work the KDE community has done to bring new possibilities to the table. Microsoft and Apple, I am sure have them at their fingertips as well. But what I have in mind, I am worried they would run with it and then charge us for the result. I am a strong believer that any and all progress should be to the benefit of all, not just those who have the money to pay for it. Besides Microsoft would just come up with some half baked, feeble version anyway!

Thank You in advance, and am Looking forward to any help with my crusade
Gui Gyro

1. It's called vector graphics. You can find the scalable icons from the default icon theme, Oxygen, in the SVN repository. If you want to create your own, you can use applications like Inkscape (personal favorite) and Karbon14.

2. Not sure what you mean.

3. Not sure what you mean here either. If you're talking about widgets, sure, they can be scripted.

4. On the desktop? If it's widgets, you just have to lock them (right click on desktop -> Lock widgets). In a Folder View (widget that displays files and folders) you can lock the icons: right click on Folder View -> Folder View Settings -> Display -> Lock icons in place.

here's a tutorial to create a vector icon using Inkscape http://inkscapetutorials.wordpress.com/ ... uidelines/

Thanks for the Quick Replies =)

1. Create scalable icons of any size and shape? Awesome info thanks!

2. Create folders with style changes to match a theme? To clarify what I mean. Right now every folder is opened in Dolphin and looks like a web browser of sorts. I am after a folder that can appear as a box with just a list of the files in it like the older styles, but I would like to be able to customize the borders, backgrounds etc. I imagine this is an option somewhere?

3. Can Icons or folders be scripted? To clarify more on this as well. As an example can I create an icon that instead of opening a folder or application can it be scripted to perform a task instead? Like a macro or something of that nature?

4. Can the icons and folders be locked in place? I simply mean if I were to create a custom icon or folder and it needs to be in a certain location and stay there, is there an option to lock them in place? If not then I can create "widgets" that can serve the same purpose as an icon or folders?

An as to Widgets, they can be used as regular folders on the desktop? As an example, I can create one that I can use to file pictures, music, video's etc just like a folder? Sorry for my ignorance, but this is all very new to me in general.
Thanks
Gui Gyro

I still have a hard time following you.

2. You can't have a folder appear in a specific way - it's just a container in your file system that can contain files and other folders. The "look" of a folder is determined by the file manager you use.

This box, do you want it on your desktop? In that case, you want a widget that shows the content of a folder. Folder View is such a widget.
What do you mean with older styles?

3. So, what you basically want is a script? You can create a shell script and make it executable. Clicking on the icon will execute the script.

4. Are you talking about the desktop? If you use Folder View the icon positions will be saved, as far as I know.

In KDE4 everything on you desktop are widgets. Widgets are not folders or files, but you can create icon widgets (simple drag and drop to desktop) that open a specific file, folder or application when clicked.

If you want to display icons like a file manager would, you need a widget for that. As said, Folder View is such a widget. You can also set Folder View as your desktop type: