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I'm new to Linux, installed Ubuntu yesterday and today I've changed from Unity to KDE, but when I restarted the system, the sidebar disappeared. I can only see my desktop and the things in it.

Ubuntu version: 14.04

none
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1 Answers1

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You mean the toolbar on the left side of Unity is not there? Isn't that how a regular desktop like KDE is supposed to look?

You should be able to add or move a bar to the left side if you prefer, or use a program like docky or cairo-dock to add a fancy unity-like (mac-like) dock / menu to whichever side you wish. (I liked docky, but really prefer a regular old-fashioned desktop with a "programs" menu without a "dock")

FYI, here's a decent looking How To Install Programs question: How do I install applications in Ubuntu?

And a nice quick overview of different desktops, with some install info: What kinds of desktop environments and shells are available?

An excellent way to try out new desktops is to use the live iso's, either on a cd/dvd/usb (cd-rw or dvd-rw to just try briefly), or boot them in VirtualBox or another VM (little slower than "for real"). There's iso's for Xubuntu, Lubuntu, Kubuntu, and the Mint iso's use Cinnamon (like customized gnome 3) or mate (gnome 2 fork?), or Mint xfce & others

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Xen2050
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  • so... how is the correct way to use KDE? – none Dec 05 '14 at 00:34
  • KDE should look & act a lot like windows 7, vista, xp... a "start menu" with programs to run & settings & things, open windows/running programs listed in a windows-area of a bottom or top bar, etc. Plus KDE has some extra widgets to display more info or stats, maybe on the desktop or a bar, I'm not very familiar with them. – Xen2050 Dec 05 '14 at 00:40
  • Is there a bar (on top or bottom or both) with programs and things like a clock, open windows, etc? If not then maybe not everything has started up or been configured correctly – Xen2050 Dec 05 '14 at 00:41
  • No, that's the point, there's nothing, only the desktop. – none Dec 05 '14 at 00:48
  • I think if I install another environment the problem will be solved, any suggestions? I'm looking for a customizable one – none Dec 05 '14 at 01:00
  • Not having any bars anywhere is a problem, something didn't configure or start correctly. Maybe it got installed strangely, an apt-get purge and install again may help? I found a few metapackages that should install ALL the kde stuff (programs too), like kubuntu-desktop or kde-plasma-desktop (adds 300megs to xfce) or maybe just the desktop stuff from plasma-desktop (still 200megs to xfce). Or for others there's xubuntu-desktop (or just xfce4), lubuntu-desktop (or just lxde), mate-desktop, Installing those with apt-get or synaptic or regular Software... should work. – Xen2050 Dec 05 '14 at 01:41
  • so... I need to purge kde-full, then install kubuntu-desktop, then install kde-plasma-desktop? – none Dec 05 '14 at 01:56
  • If you can still boot into another desktop (like regular Ubuntu/Unity) or to a terminal then purging kde should leave you with a "fresh slate" to try installing it again (maybe not best answer, doesn't "fix", but it should work). I don't know which package you used to install KDE though, should show up in Synaptic or the Software center? I didn't see the difference between kubuntu-desktop and kde-plasma-desktop, but there are some old packages that have been replaced, but still show up -- But if your install is so new, it might be easier & faster to reinstall a fav desktop from iso/usb/cd/dvd – Xen2050 Dec 05 '14 at 02:06
  • Solved! I'm one step closer to create my perfect virtual world. Thanks! – none Dec 05 '14 at 05:11
  • No problem, you're welcome. And definitely give the virtual machines (like VirtualBox) a try for test-driving new desktops, there's an insane amount of them -- like if someone told me they were going to make a new desktop, only 22+ of them, all pretty similar, I'd question their sanity ;-) lol – Xen2050 Dec 06 '14 at 00:36