kde4.0.1 taskbar question(solved)

[errol]

I can't figure out how to configure my taskbar when using KDE4.0.1. The main problem I'm encountering (and I hope it's ONLY a configuration problem) is the fact that when minimizing anything the program seems to close and not minimize. I'll try and explain. Normally (both in Windows and KDE3) when minimizing say ones browser or mail program, that program goes onto the taskbar as is and to maximize it (and be in the format you were using it) one presses on the appropriate place on the tasbar. Using KDE4 on my computer this doesn't happen. When minimizing, the program disappears and I have to reopen it to reuse it. Is this a fixable problem?
In general I haven't found where or how to configure the taskbar using KDE so if there is a good howto somewhere I'd like to read it.
TIA
Errol

[Fintan]

Re: kde4.0.1 taskbar question

Are you sure the taskbar is there?

You can check by:
-right clicking in a empty space on the panel if you get no "configure taskbar" message it is not there. -right click on the panel and choose "add widget"-> search for taskbar and see if there is a red "minus" sign. If not it isn't being used.

Now click on it and drag it to the place you want it. If you press "install" it will be placed on the right hand side of the panel.

On a side note I would seriously consider upgrading to kde4.1

[errol]

Re: kde4.0.1 taskbar question

The taskbar is there and it has the following icons on it (not in the order I would like it - but as I said I don't know how to configure the taskbar).
The taskbar is at the bottom. From left to right. Left corner is the 4 "squares" denoting the different screens, Immediately next to that is an icon that looks like a computer and when clicking on it shows the items plugged into the computer. In the centre is the "big K" icon which opens up the program menu. To the left of the "big K" (in the middle between the 4 "squares") is the time in big digits. On the right of the "big K" are various icons of programs and items used by me (skype, loudspeaker, klipper etc). That's what I see.
When right-clicking on the taskbar I get the following 2 options:digital clock settings and unlock widgets. On unlocking the widgets I now get the following 5 options above a line: add widgets, remove widgets, lock widgets, panel settings, remove this panel. One option below the line: remove this system tray.
In no situation can I get the open programs to minimize and show an icon on the taskbar.
Errol

[Fintan]

Re: kde4.0.1 taskbar question

That isn't your taskbar.
That the "panel".
Your taskbar lives on the panel.
So if you rightclick on the panel and choose add widget you will see a choice of widgets.

Choose taskbar and add it as described above.

[Nate]

Re: kde4.0.1 taskbar question

But regardless, you really should move to 4.1 as it is far more coherent than 4.0.1.

[Fintan]

Re: kde4.0.1 taskbar question

I concur:

On a side note I would seriously consider upgrading to kde4.1

[errol]

Re: kde4.0.1 taskbar question

I mistyped the version of KDE I use. It is 4.1
As to the "taskbar". In my understanding, the taskbar is the bottom strip in the panel where certain functions can be placed for easy access. At least that's what it is called in Windows. The panel, I thought, is the rest of the desktop. Maybe my terminology is incorrect. If so, the item I'm referring to with the problem where the minimized programs don't appear after minimizations on that bottom row.
I have 3.Xx installed as well and there there is no problem.
Errol

[errol]

kde4.0.1 taskbar question (solved)

I solved the problem of minimization. I right-clicked on the taskbar, went to add widgets and added the folder view widget. Now all is well for that problem!
I still don't really know how to configure the taskbar.
Errol

[Fintan]

Re: kde4.0.1 taskbar question(solved)

The panel is the place where your clock, systray, pager and a few other things can reside. The taskbar goes here as well and shows the applications you have started.

As default the panel sits at the bottom of your desktop.

Right click on the panel (you know that thing on the bottom of your desktop with the clock, etc) ->
add widget->taskbar widget. Done.

Now to move things around: right click on the panel choose configure panel. now a large bar will ppear. when you go over a panel element a cross will pop up. Click on that item and move it to where you want it.
Done.

[errol]

Re: kde4.0.1 taskbar question(solved)

When I right-click>add widget on the panel I have no taskbar widget. The list of widgets I have is: analog clock, application launcher, application launcher menu, battery monitor, digital clock, kate session applete, lock/logout, new device notifier, pager, system tray, task manager, trash. That's all - no taskbar widget.

[Snowhog]

Re: kde4.0.1 taskbar question(solved)

Same here, unless the widget is the one called Task Manager.

[errol]

Re: kde4.0.1 taskbar question(solved)

Nope it doesn't seem to be the task manager widget. Mine is marked with a plus and if I add another one (press on task manager and press add widget) I get a sign on the panel which says "add widget" and nothing else happens.

[Snowhog]

Re: kde4.0.1 taskbar question(solved)

When you don't see a - on the widget (Task Manager) it means that it is not installed. So, clicking it and adding it puts it on the panel. You won't "see" this happen. Close the Add Widgets window and open a program and minimize it. The application icon should appear on the panel. The snapshot below shows Three running applications - Konqueror, Konsole, and Gimp, of which Konsole and Gimp are 'minimized.'

[errol]

Re: kde4.0.1 taskbar question(solved)

My task manager is marked with a plus. When"adding" (with add widget) it again it places a copy (a second copy) of the prgrams I have open on the bar at the bottom which I now understand is called the panel (and not a taskbar as I thought). What I am not able to do is configure this panel in any way. I cannot move icons around, add programs, nothing. Kubuntu "decided" what was to be there and that's what there is.
My original opening of this thread was that programs I was minimizing weren't being shown on the panel. After activating "task manager" they are showing on the panel.
What is now unsolved (for me) is the question of what is the taskbar and how to show it and use it.

[Snowhog]

Re: kde4.0.1 taskbar question(solved)

Refer to reply #8 by fintan.

In the screen shot below, I've identified how my panel is organized.
By the numbers:

1 - this is the Application Launcher widget.
2 - this is the New Device Notifier widget.
3 - this is the Pager widget.
4 - this is the Task Manager widget.
5 - this is a Konsole icon added to the Panel by K Menu > Applications > System > right-click on Terminal > Add to Panel
6 - this is the System Tray widget.
7 - this is Digital Clock widget.
8 - this is the Trashcan widget.