[dot] KDE 4 Set to Make Device Interaction Solid

[Dot Stories]

URL: http://dot.kde.org/1136389547/

From: Solid Team <>
Dept: another-state-of-matter
Date: Wednesday 04/Jan/2006, @07:45

KDE 4 Set to Make Device Interaction Solid
==========================================

   After a lot of hacking behind the scenes, a new initiative to improve
KDE's interaction with network and hardware devices has been launched.
Solid [http://solid.kde.org] will provide a robust basis for the dynamic
modern desktop in KDE, which needs to be aware of available hardware and
networks, paving the way for innovative functionality. Users should see 
KDE applications taking advantage of Solid in KDE 4, from the most basic
Plasma [http://plasma.kde.org] applets and complex applications to
desktop-wide awareness. Developers will be able to take advantage of a
robust, flexible and portable API and will be integrated into the Plasma
engine.  It will make use of existing technologies like HAL. Solid will
also include a knowledge base [http://solid.kde.org/cms/1072] providing
a way for users to easily provide feedback on incorrect behaviour.

     Nobody can be certain yet as to how Solid will be used by
developers, but according to Kévin Ottens
[http://people.kde.nl/kevin.html], Solid project lead, "Solid will be a
giant leap for KDE. For example, the desktop will be able to deal wisely
with your computer hibernating. You'd want network interfaces to go down
and for network-enabled applications to gracefully handle the
disconnection; USB devices should be synced to avoid data loss". In the
long run we can even imagine turning on a bluetooth video screen and
having every multimedia application provide you with the option of
remote playback.

     Not all of the ideas described so far will make it into KDE 4.0,
but with more developers for the APIs, the Plasma engine and the
knowledge base web site, much more can be achieved. Application
developers are also encouraged to experiment with Solid, which will help
it mature faster. If you would like to get involved in this exciting
area of the free desktop visit the Solid web site and get in touch
[http://solid.kde.org/cms/1086] with the team.
 [http://solid.kde.org/cms/1009]