[DESKTOP] KDE Connect ease of use

[woodsmoke]

Hi,
I know that there are other threads on KDE connect but if one searches with "KDE connect" one gets about a jillion returns so I decided to make a new thread for possible new users.

If a moderator wants to move this or subsume it into another thread feel free to so do.


KDE connect is one of the best things that the KDE team has developed, hands down, in terms of expediting "office work".

I have been given full "physics" classes as opposed to just "physical science" classes, after all, I have to prove myself, I ..."only" have an earned MS in plant ecology! lol

But, I am in the process of producing a curriculum, lesson plans, assignments, etc. for the class.

Instead of "typing it all out", I am sitting in a comfortable chair, or on the couch, listening to Peer Gynt suite, or some other such, with the text in my lap, a nice cup of tea to hand, and TALKING the materials into my Samsung SIII smartphone, using WPS office on the phone, and yes I have made a donation.

I then go to the computer which already has KDE connect and the phone already paired.

a) I open WPS office on the phone and navigate to the saved .doc file and "long press" the file, I do not open it.
b) a menu pops which has an option for "sharing".
c) a boatload of options appears and I slide down to KDE connect and tap it.
d) KDE connect pops and offers the option of my computer.
e) I MERELY tap the option!
f) It instantly begins to downlod to the computer and appears under "home".

It would probably not be immediately apparent to the uninitiated that merely tapping the computer name would send the file, it might be a thought to expand the text in the share page to "choose the destination for the file by tapping".

HOWEVER, it might be that this situation already occurs if there are two computers available that are connected, I don't know.

Again, to restate, the old woodsmoker thinks that the KDE team has hit a home run with this app.

if there are any questions please ask.

woodsmoke

[NickStone]

Can you tell me what KDE Connect actually does? I mean does it simply allow you to transfer files from your Android device to your pc (running KDE) or is there more to it?
If it is just a way of transferring files I can do that already without the need to use KDE Connect.

[richb]

KDE Connect Functions

Many other functions. I have attached a screenshot.

[NickStone]

Thanks for your reply RichB but from the list you quoted I can do most of that already without using KDE Connect and the rest I don't feel the need to use. e.g. browsing the file system on the Android device through the computer, I can do that already, streaming media files from the device to the pc I can do that already, using the device as a touchpad - why? I've got a mouse! Notifications of incoming calls and SMS messages, the phone does that already, if I get a call I just pick up the phone and answer it.

To me I think the KDE Connect utility is wasted code that I don't need on my computer. Although if you can convince me that KDE Connect is useful then please inform me.

[whatthefunk]

The most useful features for me:
- Shared clipboard - if Im using the computer and want to send a link, name, email address etc to my phone, I can copy it on my computer and paste it on my phone. Works the other way around too. Very useful.
- Notifications - I really like how it will automatically pause a movie or music player for a phone call. Also, sometimes I leave my phone on silent or its in the other room so this helps me get notifications that I might otherwise not hear.
- Media player controls/mousepad - I run an HDMI wire to my tv and watch movies through my computer. I usually use my mouse to control everything, but sometimes the mouse is somewhere else so having another way of controlling the computer is convenient.
- Share files - way easier to use than any other file sharing method Ive found.

[woodsmoke]

What whatthefunk said, but also

When it was first released it would only connect to Amarok, but now it connects to Clementine, etc. I can control volume and pause, stop, jump in playlist etc. I'm using it now on the the computer that is attached to the big screen t.v.;

There is an advert on tv about talking to your computer by a company that makes a wordprocessor with voice capabilities, but you are stuck in front of the computer, or it's nearby environs. I can drop a file to the computer upstaris while munching on a crumpet and dreaking tea in the kitchen, that I have made on the phone.

I think that KDE connect is a "paradigm shift" in that we are used to sitting in front of the computer doing "computery stuff" and then we have the phone out and about doing "phone stuff" and some "computer stuff on the phone."

I think that the main devs opening line on his blog that it offers a "fusion" of KDE devices may not be far off the mark.

I think that next I'll try to connect to my printer, which I may or may not be able to do.

But I think that the appy has a lot of oomph in it that is just now beginning to be develpeed.

woodjustsomethoughtssmoke

[SteveRiley]

To me I think the KDE Connect utility is wasted code that I don't need on my computer. Although if you can convince me that KDE Connect is useful then please inform me.

"Wasted" is too strong of a word, perhaps? Sure, there are other ways to accomplish these tasks. And perhaps they work well for many people, including you. However, KDE Connect is the most convenient and useful method for me, that's why I prefer it. So rather than being a waste, it's one of many options. Options are always cool

The most useful features for me:
- Shared clipboard
- Notifications
- Share files

These are my favorite. I hope they get an SMS reply function working soon.

[claydoh]

And not needing Bluetooth or setting up file sharing......

I miss my Kdeconnect, need to see how the kf5 support is coming along.

Sent from my Verizon HTC Droid DNA smartphone running an HTC One m7 Google Play Edition Rom with Android 5 Lollipop, via Tapatalk --as if phone stats really matter, the phone is outdated, lol!

[Feathers McGraw]

I can drop a file to the computer upstairs while munching on a crumpet

Steve, how did you miss this golden opportunity? I know it's the holidays, but really...

[richb]

And when my phone is across the room and I am couch potating it with the laptop on my lap, it is darn convenient.

[jlittle]

Many other functions. I have attached a screenshot.

Typing SMS on the computer, to be sent by the phone, is a glaring omission. For some texting use cases a full keyboard and touch typing is a very good thing. Airdroid does it. I suppose the common clipboard could be used, but would need a lot of back and forth.



Regards, John Little

[SteveRiley]

Typing SMS on the computer, to be sent by the phone, is a glaring omission.

Yeah, it's been promised for a while now... I do hope it's still on someone's roadmap.

[richb]

That would be a welcome addition. There is a web based Desktop SMS application called Pinger. But you have to create an account which will turn off some users.