I have recently installed Kubuntu 10.10 and am not familiar with KDE. I have searched the forum and not found a solution and wonder if someone could help.
When the desktop boots up I have a large transparent 'window' that takes up much of the screen and I can't seem to configure it, minimise it or even delete it. What is the purpose of this as it spoils an otherwize very attractive desktop?

Hi!
If you mean something like this one, it's a "Folder view". It's a plasmoid, and as such you can do what you do with it if you right-click on an empty place of the desktop and choose "Unlock widgets".

When widgets are unlocked, you can see the plasma logo on the main panel as well. Then, you'll be able to configure the folder view, that is resize it, make it show another folder (I find it very useful to show launchers, together with a "Home" element that allows me to quickly browse files and folders without having to open Dolphin) or easily remove it.

You can fastly have an idea of how plasmoids work by playing with them, adding some on the desktop or in the panel aso.

I hope that's what you were asking for =)


If it is, on the other side, something like this, it looks like it's a problem that was born with KDE 4.5.3. The large empty transparent window should go away if you resize the panel.
If you're on Kubuntu 10.10, I'd suggest to update to KDE 4.5.4 either way.

If it's the widget you're confused about, I suggest that you go to the Plasma HowTo. There you can also find an animation that shows you how to change to a more traditional desktop with icons ("Change to traditional desktop").

Thanks 'oleron' my widgets were unlocked, but found no way to adjust window. i did fine a setting which got rid of it , I logged out and back in again and sadly it was back. My version which I assumed was the latest because this is a new install and updated, KDE version is 4.5.1 on kernel 2.6.35.23

So maybe it is your second suggestion, and a great view of 'Venice' perhaps!

Thanks also to Hans, I am working my way through the 'How to' section

I've tried desktop settings/traditional folder view, which I have selected, but no mention of the 'tranceparent redundant' window in either of these which still annoys me.

i am happy with the all paper but perhaps an alternative would not have this error.