Desktop activity ..... Folder view activity

[craesz]

I've waited a while and played with going back and forth between activities.... I've read posts and online information about the two. I have some odd results (to me) and was hoping someone could elaborate.

If I switch from Desktop to Folder view my desktop image changes. Why?

If I switch and allow separate activities on each desktop, the desktop image changes. Why?

I can't seem to have both desktop activity for one desktop and folder view activity for another. Why?

I do not understand the need to have both a desktop activity and a folder view activity. What purpose does this serve? Why not simply have different desktop activities? That seems to accomplish having one set up for media, one set up for work, one set up for games, etc.

In KDE 3.5, I had four desktops each with a different background. That is the extent of my eye candy. I would like to recreate that but don't feel comfortable (based on the above) with trying something that might bork the system. I've been to the KDE site and it was not very much help. [there are threads here about the difference between desktop setup and PCC regarding graphics - I think that adds some measure to the confusion of everyone because the two butt heads AND the checkboxes should be radio buttons to allow a single collection (you can select task switcher items that don't play with the others but that is for another topic)] All in all this activity scenario seems redundant, confusing and perhaps overkill. I hope someone here can explain the above to me so I can try to figure out what to do. Thanks for the help.

[menotu]

Why not simply have different desktop activities?

Hi craesz,

I don't know if you've already tried but you could go to:

Configure Your Desktop >> Look and Feel >> Desktop >> Multiple Desktops > and set "Different Activity for each desktop"

What version of PCLinuxOS are you using? If it's not the full KDE2010 version I would suggest you install that as I too had desktop problems when running the beta but they all disappeared with the new final distro (which is now at version 2010.1) If you do have the latest 2010 and its fully updated that will also build it upto 2010.1.

HTH

[craesz]

Why not simply have different desktop activities?

I don't know if you've already tried but you could go to:

Configure Your Desktop >> Look and Feel >> Desktop >> Multiple Desktops > and set "Different Activity for each desktop"

What version of PCLinuxOS are you using? If it's not the full KDE2010 version I would suggest you install that as I too had desktop problems when running the beta but they all disappeared with the new final distro (which is now at version 2010.1) If you do have the latest 2010 and its fully updated that will also build it upto 2010.1.

HTH

Thought it was obvious from my post that I had selected that option... that was why my desktop images changed.

I'm using a fully updated 2010. Total reinstall with current updates.

[menotu]

Well it obviously wasn't clear otherwise I wouldn't of posted - but, I'm sorry, I was only trying to help out!

[Rudge]

craesz, another thing about your original post rant, that is "unclear" is what you are referring to as your "desktop image" and in what way it changes.

[craesz]

Well it obviously wasn't clear otherwise I wouldn't of posted - but, I'm sorry, I was only trying to help out!

I know. Wasn't trying to be rude. Just at work and can't elaborate much.

[craesz]

craesz, another thing about your original post rant, that is a bit "unclear" is what you are referring to as your "desktop image" and in what way it changes.

The wallpaper. Sorry

[Rudge]

craesz, another thing about your original post rant, that is a bit "unclear" is what you are referring to as your "desktop image" and in what way it changes.

The wallpaper. Sorry

So, do you not know how to change your wallpaper?

[craesz]

Ok... sorry to have upset you two. I normally post here and don't have an issue. For some reason, simple questions that involve seeking clarification have offended you. Sorry for that.

I thought my original post was clear. My desktop wallpaper is changing when I switch from desktop activity to folder view activity. I presume there is a purpose for this. It seems that there are two branches to the code and they don't share the same config files. I have no idea why. I have no idea what the reason might be. Frankly, I'm not sure how what I originally posted could be characterized as a rant, but so be it. Whether I know how to change my wallpaper is not the point. KDE is, without my asking, doing it. [By the way, I actually do know how to change the wallpaper. My original posts states that under 3.5 I had no problem with setting different wallpapers]

The programs I execute in both activities cooperate in the same manner..... I can find no real reason why any of this is going on and it seems that trying to figure it out has created an issue. Perhaps it was a design of one of the responders and I have somehow offended that designer. Sorry for that. Perhaps I am a victim of a troll..... whatever.

[muungwana]

If I switch from Desktop to Folder view my desktop image changes. Why?

The background image is tied to an activity, the background image changing when the activity changes is an expected behavior.

If I switch and allow separate activities on each desktop, the desktop image changes. Why?

Because the desktop image is tied to an activity, if you change to another activity, the desktop image will change too.

I can't seem to have both desktop activity for one desktop and folder view activity for another. Why?

Probably because you set your desktop to have that behavior.

Each activity manages its own background image.

You can set your desktop for each desktop to have its own activity and you will have to manually set the same background on all activities if you want them all to have the same background or you can set your desktop to only have one activity that shows up on all desktops and you will only need to set your desktop image once but you can not have a desktop activity on one desktop and a folder view activity on the other.

I do not understand the need to have both a desktop activity and a folder view activity. What purpose does this serve? Why not simply have different desktop activities? That seems to accomplish having one set up for media, one set up for work, one set up for games, etc.

The original plan for kde4 was to have desktop activity only but a lot of people complained because they wanted the "traditional desktop". Folder view activity gives the traditional desktop to the traditional folks while desktop activity does given the "default" kde4 desktop experience.

[craesz]

thank you muungwana.... I will ponder this and try to make it work more efficiently for me.... thanks again.

[muungwana]

There are threads here where people have expressed their opinions wishing for background image to be shared across activities so you arent along if you wanted/expected this behavior. If you have multiple activities, you will notice that backgrounds arent the only thing that cant be shared, virtually everything that is inside an activity can not be shared.

[Rudge]

Ok... sorry to have upset you two. I normally post here and don't have an issue. For some reason, simple questions that involve seeking clarification have offended you. Sorry for that.

I thought my original post was clear. My desktop wallpaper is changing when I switch from desktop activity to folder view activity. I presume there is a purpose for this. It seems that there are two branches to the code and they don't share the same config files. I have no idea why. I have no idea what the reason might be. Frankly, I'm not sure how what I originally posted could be characterized as a rant, but so be it. Whether I know how to change my wallpaper is not the point. KDE is, without my asking, doing it. [By the way, I actually do know how to change the wallpaper. My original posts states that under 3.5 I had no problem with setting different wallpapers]

The programs I execute in both activities cooperate in the same manner..... I can find no real reason why any of this is going on and it seems that trying to figure it out has created an issue. Perhaps it was a design of one of the responders and I have somehow offended that designer. Sorry for that. Perhaps I am a victim of a troll..... whatever.

craesz, my apologies.

You seemed short and dismissive of an honest attempt to help, so I was short and dismissive back.

It's not my place to do so.

No hard feelings I hope.

[craesz]

craesz, my apologies.

You seemed short and dismissive of an honest attempt to help, so I was short and dismissive back.

It's not my place to do so.

No problem..... just not what I am used to from this group.

[craesz]

Ok..... followed pinoc's lead and set up four directories for folder view activities (.vdesk1, .vdesk2, etc.). I just used synaptic to update and found a newer kernel. 2.6.33.4. I installed it and just rebooted to use the new kernel.

I logged in and there is nothing but a blue wallpaper. When I right-clicked and selected folder view activity, the system thinks the wallpaper I selected is there (obviously not showing) and is looking to the directory (.vdesk1) for folder view activity information.

Is this because of the kernel??? Strange.....