Similar to the Start menu on Windows, you can access all the programs installed on your system from the main menu. To open the menu click the green SUSE icon in the left corner of the panel. The function-oriented menu structure makes it easy to find the right application for your purpose even if you do not know the application names yet. Find more information about the main menu in Section 1.3.1, “Accessing the Main Menu”.

Figure B.2. Main Menu in KDE¶

Alternatively, you can also start programs from the command line. Press Alt+F2 to open a dialog where you can enter a command to start the application. The name of the command is often (but not always) the application name written in lowercase.

To start Konqueror, the default KDE file manager (and Internet browser), press Alt+F2 and enter konqueror. To view the contents of your home directory, click Personal Files. To open this view directly, use the quick start icon with a house in the panel.

Figure B.3. Windows Explorer and Konqueror¶

For more information about Konqueror as a file manager, see Section 1.4, “Managing Folders and Files with Konqueror”.

To run commands in a command line environment, similar to a command prompt on Windows, press Alt+F2 and enter konsole or use the quick start icon in the panel.

Figure B.4. Windows Command Prompt and Konsole Terminal¶

Read more about working with the command line in Chapter Working with the Shell (↑Deployment Guide).

To change to the way your KDE desktops looks and behaves, press Alt+F2 and enter kcontrol. Some of the settings you might want to change include the desktop background, screen saver, keyboard and mouse configuration, sounds, and file associations.

Figure B.5. Windows Control Panel and KDE Control Center¶

For more information, see Section 2.1, “The KDE Control Center”.

To set up or add a printer to SUSE Linux Enterprise, start the Printing Manager from the main menu. You can add and delete printers, manage print jobs, and configure your print system. For more information, see Chapter 12, Managing Printers.

Figure B.6. Windows Printers and Faxes and KDE Printing Manager¶

Similar to the taskbar on Windows, the bottom panel in KDE lets you easily switch between open windows. Unlike Windows, KDE lets you set up multiple desktops where each one can run different programs. Switch between them with a single click.

	Using Shortcut Keys
You can also use shortcut keys to switch between your multiple desktops and the applications running. Use the familiar Alt+→| to switch between applications. With Ctrl+F1, Ctrl+F2, etc., switch between desktops.

Figure B.7. Windows Panel and KDE Panel¶

From your desktop, you can access files and directories or certain services on remote hosts or make your own files and directories available to other users in your network. SUSE Linux Enterprise offers various different ways of accessing and creating network-shared resources. Given that the network structure and the configuration of your computer allow for it, you can easily browse your network for shared resources and services with your file manager, Konqueror.

Figure B.8. Windows My Network Places and Konqueror Network Browsing¶

To learn more about the various possibilities of accessing network resources, refer to Chapter 9, Accessing Network Resources.