1. Nixal
Netaji Subhas Eng College LUG
March 23, 2012
Stephanie Das Gupta
Email : stephaniedasgupta@gmail.com
IRC nickname : stephdg

2. What is KDE?
It is a “full suite of user workspace applications which allow
interaction with these operating systems in a modern,
graphical user interface. This includes Plasma Desktop,
KDE's innovative desktop interface. Other workspace
applications are included to aid with system configuration,
running programs, or interacting with hardware devices.
While the fully integrated KDE Workspaces are only
available on Linux and Unix, some of these features are
available on other platforms.”
(http://kde.org/community/whatiskde/)

3. A little bit more about KDE
“In addition to the workspace, KDE produces a
number of key applications such as the Konqueror web
browser, Dolphin file manager and Kontact, the
comprehensive personal information management
suite. However, our list of applications includes many
others, including those for education, multimedia,
office productivity, networking, games and much
more. Most applications are available on all platforms
supported by the KDE Development.”
http://kde.org/community/whatiskde/

4. Fun Facts
1. KDE was conceived on October 14th, 1996 with an email by Matthias
Ettrich, founder of the LyX project and currently employed by Nokia
2. There are over 1800 Contributor Accounts (those contributing source
code, art, documentation, etc. on a regular basis have a contributor
accounts; the vast majority of translators and 3rd party developers do not).
3. KDE is translated in over 65 languages.
4. Millions of users around the globe.
4. By most measures the KDE community is the second largest Free
Software community.
http://kde.org/presspage/

5. Areas that require no coding
skills in contributing to KDE :
Documentation
Artwork
Usability
User Support
Translation
Bug Triaging
Promotion
Educational Content

6. Definitions
Mailing List : a collection of e­mail addresses of people who have
subscribed to a certain mailing list. These are normally based on interests,
or different subjects of KDE. For some areas of KDE this is the main
communication portal.
Remember, there are mailing list etiquette that should be followed and the
rules can be found here : http://www.gweep.ca/~edmonds/usenet/ml­
etiquette.html
IRC Channel : IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat. This consists of
numerous servers and channels. Normally each KDE application or area
has their own IRC channel on the Freenode server.

7. Artwork
Artwork is where the icons, splash screens the start up screens for
KDE) and themes (plasma themes) are created by many people.
Website : http://community.kde.org/Getinvolved/art
Mailing List : https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kde­artists
IRC Channel : #kde­artists on Freenode

8. Usability
Usability is working with both, the developers and the users to make
applications more user­friendly and fitting for their use­cases.
Mailing List : https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kde­usability
IRC Channel : #kde­usability on Freenode

9. Bug Triaging
The Bugsquad, as the KDE bug triager's call themselves, keep
track of the incoming bugs, and go through the old bugs. They
also try to reproduce and verify the bugs and then help the
developers to be aware of the bugs so they can be fixed quickly.
They normally hold “Bug Days” and choose an application that
will be run through numerous rigorous tests.
Website : https://bugs.kde.org/ or
http://techbase.kde.org/Contribute/Bugsquad
Mailing List : https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/bugsquad
IRC Channel : #kde­bugs on Freenode

10. Translation
The translation team translates both the documentation for KDE, the
system information (menu, applications and application menu).
There are currently 108 languages that are available in KDE (some
partially translated, others fully).
Website : http://community.kde.org/Getinvolved/translation
Mailing List : https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kde­i18n­doc
IRC Channel : #kde­i18n on Freenode

11. Documentation
What is Documentation?
It is the process of documenting how the program works for users who
are not familiar with the program, or have questions.
KDE's Documents are translated in over 25 different languages.
Website : http://community.kde.org/Getinvolved/documentation
Mailing List :https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kde­docbook and
https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kde­doc­english
IRC Channel : #kde­docs on Freenode

12. Promotion
Promotion is basically getting the word out. Getting it out by sharing
KDE, by showing it, by contributing, and anything else. Also, it helps to
find new KDE contributors and a host of other fun things.
Website : http://community.kde.org/Getinvolved/promotion
(here are the Promotional Documents
https://projects.kde.org/projects/others/kde­promo/repository/)
Mailing List : https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kde­promo
IRC Channel : #kde­promo on Freenode

13. Educational Content
KDE has a very good educational package (kde­edu), that
includes Mathematics, Science, Language and other applications.
There is always a need for new content, whether it be maps (for
Kgeography) or vocabulary files (for Parley or Kwordquiz). These
are easy to make.
There is also need for other help in the educational area.
Website : http://edu.kde.org/
Mailing List : https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kde­edu
IRC Channel : #kde­edu on Freenode

14. User Support
This is what the title says. User support. The contributors in this area
help out the users by answering their questions and doing whatever else
they can do for them whether via IRC, email or forums.
KDE Help Forum : http://forum.kde.org/
Website : http://www.kde.org/support/
Mailing List : https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kde (general
mailing list) or send a e­mail to the application's mailing list. Full list of
mailing lists : https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo
IRC Channel : #kde on Freenode (or the corresponding channel for the
application)

15. Tip : NOBODY in KDE or FOSS will tell
you what to do. You need to find an area
(coding or non­coding, then a sub­area or
application) and ask what you can do to
help. Don't just ask other contributors
what you can do. That's not how it
works!!!
Find something you enjoy and contribute!