adjusting the contrast/brightness on desktop

[ronshor]

When I'm reading I like the contrast/brightness to be on a low level and when I'm watching videos or looking at pics I need it to be on a higher level.

When I used windows I had a small application (called Desktop lighter) that let me adjust the contrast/brightness very easily with only one click.

I've found something similar to it on KDE but for some reason I can't seem to find it on the kubuntu software center or Muon.

http://klcddimmer.sourceforge.net/

How can I install it on kubuntu and does kubuntu have something else that can do the job ?

[Rog132]

I think, that the KLcdDimmer was a KDE 3.5 tool. With the KDE 4:

KGamma:

:~$ apt-cache show kgamma
Package: kgamma
Priority: optional
Section: universe/graphics
...
Description: monitor calibration panel for KDE
This package contains a settings panel for adjusting the brightness, contrast,
and gamma-correction of a monitor. Test patterns are shown to help
determine the settings that accurately display the full range of colors.
.
Each of the red, green, and blue components can be adjusted individually,
or all three components can be adjusted together.
.
This package is part of the KDE graphics module.

Homepage: http://www.kde.org/

KDE System Settings > Display and Monitor > Gamma


From the KDE-Apps - Nightmode: http://kde-apps.org/content/show.php?content=123805

Description:
Nightmode is a kwin plugin that makes the entire screen darker. The reason behind this for when you are using the laptop at night, either outside or in bed - and find that even on the darkest screen backlight level the screen is way too bright.

The plugin can be turned on or off by a simple key combination, and the amount of dimming can be configured.

KDE System Settings > Desktop Effects > Focus...




Also, if you are using proprietary video drivers they could offer some tools.

[ronshor]

I couldn't find both of them on my system (KUBUNTU 12.04.02)

I opened the same folders you opened as shown in your screenshot and both Nightmode and Kgamma were not shown.So I looked for them in the Muon Package Manager and could find only Kgamma.

There are two options to download, one described as (i386) and the other with no additional description

What should I choose ?

And where can I find Nightmode (I acually downloaded a file from your link but I have no idea how to install it on the system)

By the way, when I used windows I had two other options to adjust the contrast/brightness with the help of a program called Forte manager for LG screen (made by LG) and the driver software of the video card.
They are both not working on linux and up untill now I couldn't find anything for linux on Lg and INTEL websites.
I have an LG screen and INTEL HD 2000 video card and would be very happy to find something that will help me adjust them the way I used to on windows.

[Rog132]

...There are two options to download, one described as (i386) and the other with no additional description.

What should I choose ?...

The older version of the Muon had this feature.

Check your system 32 bit (i386) or 64 bit.


Version info: http://www.kubuntuforums.net/showthr...fo-Regenerated


Open a konsole window and run command:

uname -i

It will tell the hardware-platform.

If it tells:

x86_64

Then you have the 64 bit system. If it is telling 'i686' or 'i386' then you have the 32 bit system and you should install the i386 version of the packages.

More:
- http://askubuntu.com/questions/41332...or-a-64-bit-os
- https://help.ubuntu.com/community/32bit_and_64bit

...on my system (KUBUNTU 12.04.02)

And where can I find Nightmode (I acually downloaded a file from your link but I have no idea how to install it on the system)

The Nightmode KDE-Apps page has the Ubuntu package link. Browse there and download either the kwin-effect-nightmode_0.2~20120222~precise~ppa1_amd64.deb or the kwin-effect-nightmode_0.2~20120222~precise~ppa1_i386.deb


Open a file manager window and left click the deb package.




More of the installation can be found: KDE-Menu > Applications > Help > Kubuntu Documentation > Kubuntu System Documentation Index -> Software Management / Manual Installation:

Install/Uninstall .deb files

The package files associated with Kubuntu have the .deb suffix because of Kubuntu's close relationship with the Debian GNU/Linux distribution. Individual .deb files can be downloaded and installed. Administrative privileges are required to do this.

To install a .deb file, simply Left click on the .deb file to initiate the installation process. A prompt will appear for a password associated with the necessary administrative privilege.

[ronshor]

It works !! and it's great !
Many thanks for your help and patience !

Kgamma seems nice but it's not exactly what I'm looking for.
NIghtmode though is excellent !!
Exactly what I needed.
The only thing is that I would like to have the option to change contrast with a dimmer from time to time just like with the KLcdDimmer and not always use the keyboard for that, but I guess you cant ask for too much... other than that it's perfect and my eyes are happy now.

since I'm here to learn how to do things on my own next time I have a few more question

1. Why some of the downloads are from the muon/software center and some from the KDE website ? what is the different between those two methods ?

2. Are these applicaton gonna get updated automatically or should I updated them myself ?

3. MY system is a 64 bit. On the download page of Nightmode there were other download options for 64 bit systems. How did you choose the one you told me to download ?

[Rog132]

Sharing - a matter of trust

1. Why some of the downloads are from the muon/software center and some from the KDE website ? what is the different between those two methods ?

KDE-Apps is part of the opendesktop.org: http://opendesktop.org/ . The FAQ is telling:

What is openDesktop.org?
openDesktop.org is a network of portals and community websites for open source and free software projects - it is a meeting point for both free software users and developers. Everyone can upload and download artwork, applications, documents and other files...

The developers are sharing the source code and sometimes compiled binaries. In this case the developer was telling - http://kde-apps.org/content/show.php...05&forumpage=0 :

...I'll also happily link to any packages that anyone makes...

Sometimes these sources are picked and added to the Debian/Ubuntu repositories.

More:
- http://www.kubuntuforums.net/showthr...s-new-features
- https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuDevelopment/NewPackages
- https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/Kubuntu

2. Are these applicaton gonna get updated automatically or should I updated them myself ?

If there is a repository added - then it is possible that there will be auto update.
If there is only a single package installed - no I don't think so.

More:
Repositories: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/Kubuntu
PPA repositories: https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+ppas
Searching from the PPA: https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+ppas?n...lter=nightmode

3. MY system is a 64 bit. On the download page of Nightmode there were other download options for 64 bit systems. How did you choose the one you told me to download ?

In this case the package name is:

kwin-effect-nightmode_0.2~20120222~precise~ppa1_amd64.deb
=>
1)name of the application (kwin-effect-nightmode)
2)version number (0.2~20120222)
3)Ubuntu release (precise)
4)PPA release number (ppa1)
5)hardware platform (amd64)
6)file format (deb)

More:
Ubuntu release names: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DevelopmentCodeNames