6 KDE widgets to level up your Plasma desktop – and how to add them

Plasma (aka KDE Plasma) is likely one of the finest desktop environments in the marketplace at present. It is equal components magnificence and effectivity. It is immediately acquainted and straightforward to customise. 

However do you know that the Plasma desktop supplied widgets manner earlier than MacOS? And do you know that with the addition of some of those widgets, you can also make your desktop much more efficient?

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After all, everybody’s wants are totally different, in addition to everybody’s thought of “efficient”. Nevertheless, I’ve created a brief record of widgets that almost anybody can profit from.

Let’s dive in.

1. Dictionary

Okay, I confess this widget is particularly helpful to me as a author. However everybody runs into phrases they may not know. Others may wish to give their work a bit extra panache. These causes are why I all the time like fast entry to a dictionary and Plasma has a widget only for that function. 

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With this widget, you need to use all obtainable dictionaries (the default), or choose which dictionary you like. To make use of this widget, click on the icon, sort the phrase you wish to lookup, and hit Enter in your keyboard. A popup will seem with the definition, and also you’re good to go. You may as well create a keyboard shortcut to launch the dictionary, so there’s even much less clicking.

2. Folder View

Folder View is pretty primary — it simply shows the contents of a folder you designate. By the widget, you’ll be able to click on a sub-folder which can open within the Dolphin file supervisor, and even open a file with the related default software. 

I added this widget to the record as a result of it makes accessing information and folders simpler. As a substitute of getting to launch the file supervisor and navigate to the folder in query, you simply click on on the folder within the widget and do your factor. 

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You’ll be able to configure the default folder, how icons are displayed, filter the contents of the default folder, and create a keyboard shortcut (though I’ve but to get this function to work correctly). Folder View is a necessary widget for anybody who desires critical effectivity on their desktop.

3. Software Launcher

The Software Launcher widget locations an icon in your desktop that, when clicked, opens the desktop menu. Okay, why would you want this, given there’s already an icon on the desktop panel for that function? The reply to that query comes from my days utilizing the Enlightenment Window Supervisor, which incorporates an software menu that may be accessed from wherever on the desktop with a right-click of the mouse. 

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That function means you do not have to spend seconds shifting the cursor throughout the desktop. As a substitute, place the Software Launcher in a handy spot and you will have quicker entry to the purposes you wish to use.

4. Quicklaunch

Talking of which, when you have favourite purposes that you just recurrently use, why not add the Quicklaunch widget? This widget lets you add software launchers to your most-used purposes, so you’ll be able to launch them straight from the widget. 

This strategy is helpful when you have a group of apps for a particular function (corresponding to networking, productiveness, design, and extra). So as to add launchers to the widget, you open the Plasma Menu and drag any icon from the menu to the widget.

5. Sticky Notice

I recurrently should jot issues down and barely have fast entry to pen and paper. As a substitute of opening up a notepad app or Google Hold, I can add the Sticky Notice widget to the Plasma desktop and all the time have a spot to sort a fast be aware. You’ll be able to customise the colour of your sticky notes, the font measurement, and even add some primary formatting. You may as well configure the widget to be clear so that each one you see are the notes you have written. This widget needs to be the primary one you add as a result of it is so helpful.

6. Vaults

In case you use the Plasma Vaults function, you may be glad to know you will get fast entry to any vaults and even create vaults, straight from the widget. Though this widget might not be helpful to everybody, should you prefer to preserve data locked away in a safe folder, and wish to have fast entry to that data, this widget might be very useful.

Find out how to add Widgets to Plasma

The method for including widgets may be very easy:

1. Proper-click wherever on the desktop

2. Click on Enter Edit Mode from the popup menu

3. Click on Add Widgets from the top-left nook

4. Find the widget you wish to add and drag it to the desktop

5. Add extra widgets

6. When completed, click on Exit Edit Mode within the top-right nook of the desktop

And there you will have it — 5 Plasma widgets to assist make your desktop expertise more practical and environment friendly.