From 11f3dd1d15b41cb813fe4fcdfc57a75da7adc14a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Darrell Anderson Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2012 20:59:48 -0500 Subject: Update Help center: Reorganize TOC, rename files; initial update of FAQ, Welcome, Quick Start guides; numerous revisions. --- doc/faq/intro.docbook | 148 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++------- 1 file changed, 127 insertions(+), 21 deletions(-) (limited to 'doc/faq/intro.docbook') diff --git a/doc/faq/intro.docbook b/doc/faq/intro.docbook index a366ae038..d7434b097 100644 --- a/doc/faq/intro.docbook +++ b/doc/faq/intro.docbook @@ -13,13 +13,12 @@ What is &tde;? -&tde; is the Trinity Desktop Environment. The project was initiated +&tde; is the Trinity Desktop Environment. The project was initiated by Matthias Ettrich in -1996 and originally called the K Desktop Environment. The aim of the &tde; project is to connect the +1996 and originally called the K Desktop Environment. The aim of the &tde; project is to connect the power of the &UNIX; operating systems with the comfort of a modern user interface. -In short, &tde; will bring &UNIX; to the desktop! -If you want further information about &tde;, have a look at +If you want further information about &tde;, look at About Trinity @@ -29,28 +28,40 @@ interface. On which platforms can I expect &tde; to work? -&tde; is a Desktop Environment for all flavors of &UNIX;. While -it is true that most &tde; developers use &Linux;, &tde; runs smoothly -on a wide range of systems. You may, however, need to tweak the -source code a bit to get &tde; to compile on a not-so-popular variant -of &UNIX;, or if you are not using the &GNU; development tools, in +&tde; is a Desktop Environment for all flavors of &UNIX; systems. +While most &tde; developers use &Linux;, &tde; should run +on a wide range of systems. You might need to tweak the +source code a bit to get &tde; to compile on different variant +of &UNIX; systems, or when not using the &GNU; development tools, in particular the &gcc; compiler. + + +Why should I use TDE? + + +TDE provides a traditional computer desktop that is snappy and +responsive. A project goal is to provide a highly customizable +desktop without forcing any particular feature or effect on users. +TDE comes with many software tools to provide a productive and enjoyable +computer desktop system. + + + Is &tde; a window manager? -No, &tde; is not a window manager. While &tde; includes a very -sophisticated window manager (&twin;), &tde; is much more than that. -It is a full-blown Integrated Desktop Environment. -&tde; provides a complete desktop environment, including a web -browser, a file manager, a window manager, a help system, a -configuration system, uncountable tools and utilities, and an ever -increasing number of applications, including but not limited to mail -and news clients, drawing programs, a &PostScript; and a &DVI; viewer +No, &tde; is not a window manager. While &tde; includes a +sophisticated window manager (&twin;), &tde; is much more, providing +a full integrated desktop environment. +&tde; includes a web browser, a file manager, a window manager, a help system, a +configuration system, many tools and utilities, and many +applications, including but not limited to mail +and news clients, drawing programs, a PDF and a &DVI; viewer and so forth. @@ -64,29 +75,124 @@ and so forth. No, &tde; is not a clone. Specifically &tde; is not a CDE or &Windows; clone. While the &tde; developers have and will continue to glean the best features from all existing -desktop environments, &tde; is a truly unique environment that has and +desktop environments, &tde; is a unique environment that has and will continue to go its own way. + + +On what platform is TDE based? + + +TDE uses C++ and the &Qt; C++ crossplatform toolkit. +The TDE development team now maintains the Qt3 toolkit, renamed TQt3. + + + Is &tde; free software? Yes, &tde; is free software according to the &GNU; General -Public License. All &tde; libraries are available under the +Public License. All &tde; libraries are available under the LGPL making commercial software development for the &tde; desktop possible, but all &tde; applications are licensed under the GPL. &tde; uses the &Qt; C++ crossplatform toolkit, which is also released (since version 2.2) under the GPL. -It is absolutely legal to make &tde; and &Qt; available on -&CD-ROM; free of charge. No runtime fees of any kind are +Both &tde; and &Qt; can be made available on +&CD-ROM; free of charge. No runtime fees of any kind are incurred. + + + +Why the rebranding and renaming efforts? Why can't you continue to call the software KDE? + + +The "KDE" name, various logos, and related efforts are trademarked by the KDE +Foundation. Since the Trinity project is not affiliated with the KDE Foundation, +we can't legally use their trademarks. + + + + + +How is Trinity different from KDE4? + + +Both desktop environments share common roots to KDE 3.5.10, the last +official release of KDE in the 3.x series. Many KDE developers wanted to break +from that code chain and tool sets to start afresh. Thus was born KDE4. In +addition to moving to the Qt4 tool set, the KDE developers revamped the +underlying KDE code set. + +KDE4 and Trinity have different philosophies about work flow preferences. +KDE4 developers want to support emerging work flow concepts and techniques. +Trinity developers want to maintain a "traditional" desktop environment. + +For example, KDE4 offers the following tools: + + + + +Semantic desktop through Nepomuk + + + +PIM (Personal Information Management) data caching through Akonadi + + + +Desktop file searching through Strigi + + + +Activities, a computer desktop metaphor for managing tasks and activities + + + + +Whereas TDE offers the following: + + + + +Desktop search through the locate:/ kio-slave and Beagle + + + +Integrated PIM suite with plugins + + + +Related task management using multiple desktops + + + + +The KDE developers support alternate desktop interfaces, such as those used +with netbooks, tablets, and smart phones. TDE provides a single interface that is +optimized for the mouse/keyboard HCI (Human-computer interaction) model. + +Both desktop environments provide an excellent choice for different work +flows but differ in approach. Trinity leans toward user expectations of how +desktop environments have functioned traditionally. There is a sense of +familiarity with that environment many people like. Similarly other users prefer +the work flow features offered by KDE4 because those features match their +expectations of how they want their computer to behave. The difference between the +two environments does not mean one is smaller, buggier, or slower -- only that +they are different and appeal to different types of people. Although sharing a +common heritage, both desktops appeal to different groups of people. As always +with free/libre software, there is a choice. + + + + -- cgit v1.2.3