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mike80808

I've been reading the posts about how Xandros has "broken" KDM and that it prevents other desktop managers from being used.

OK. So, I'll ask the questions that so far, have not been answered (speculation welcome):

Since KDM is licensed under the GPL, any customer of Xandros receiving the distributed binary of a modified KDM is entitled to request (and Xandros is required to produce) the source code to the version distributed. See the KDM license
Has anyone requested this source from Xandros and/or received it?
Can anyone identify what features Xandros changed (i.e. "broke") in KDM?
My question is to determine what was Xandros trying to do, that apparently could only be accomplished by changing the KDM code, and not through scripting/configuration?
Was it to support the "user-switch" feature? Some custom screensaver or keyboard/mouse locking? Some esoteric security feature?

I'm not trying to complain, just understand what and why Xandros had to change KDM to suit their needs. Then perhaps someone can identify a solution that meets those same requirements for Xandros, yet doesn't require changes to KDM.

Maybe it is possible, maybe not. Feel free to post what is known about the KDM modifications. And the Xandros source code to KDM if someone obtains it.[/list]
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aldube · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 9:49 pm Post subject:

KDM wasn't broken; Xandros just took out the option to boot other windows managers & desktops out of KDM since Windows converts don't need-to/should worry about such issues or be encouraged to install alternate window managers or desktops since those topics are experimental and belong to this forum.

A copy of KDM that matches Xandros' KDE version should be made available on a alternate DEB repository for those Linux users who are familliar with Linux and know what they are doing when they install an alternate window manager or desktop. Finding the source code for KDE 3.3.0's KDM is not available as far as I looked, and I looked for a while too.

To simply say KDM is broken is simpley not true; and I hope a copy of the original KDM used in Xandros 4 is put aside for us more experienced Linux users to make use of. I have no problem with Xandros discouraging the average Xandros user (Windows convert) from installing alternate desktops & window managers; however, for the other Linux users they should have the option to start Gnome or anything else as they see fit for their needs or interests. Wink

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Chaotic Thought · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 3:59 am Post subject:

It seems like the changes could have been made without KDM source being modified. The above statement about taking out the menu to start alternate sessions, for instance--you can do this change by assigning a different KDM configuration. You don't need to change the source.

I looked at the Xandros KDE source--it is available on the FTP server--I remember it being a little confusing to find (not as straightforward as most sites), but not terrible. I think it's supposed to be set up for automatic downloading through APT or something, but I just grabbed the source package manually. I tried making a diff of the Xandros KDE source vs. the nearest-matching version of the official KDE source--I had a lot of trouble compiling the modified version due to KDM. It looked to me like the modifications had to do with bypassing the authentication. For example, in Xandros's KDM, you are able to login without your password (even if the password field on your user account is non-blank).

Check out the "Kwin Shadow patch" thread for some details (I needed the kdebase source in order to get the kwin shadow patch to work):

http://forums.xandros.com/viewtopic.php?t=16901

aldube · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 1:20 pm Post subject:

bryantrv · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 1:47 pm Post subject:

FWIW- I use gdm on my OCE box- pretty much the only annoyance is not being able to shut down from the logout screen- you have to wait for the X server to restart and go in to the gdm login screen- then choose shutdown.
I do have choices of sessions (including the XDMCP chooser, which is why I use it).
IIRC, I just did an apt-get install gdm, and edited /etc/X11/default-display-manager to read /usr/bin/gdm .
I'll look at getting the kdm from another source to see if it works.
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Arne Anka · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:14 pm Post subject:

aldube · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:39 pm Post subject:

WayneT · Xandrosian Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 224

Has anyone made any progress on this or has everyone given up?
It would be really nice to have a fully functional KDM.

aldube · Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:46 am Post subject:

I haven't had time; I hope someone kept a copy of KDM 3.4.2 for Xandros 4 (before it dissapears) or we'll have repeat of the same problem with Xandros 4.
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WayneT · Xandrosian Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 224

aldube · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:17 pm Post subject:

I got my copy of kdebase-3.4.2 which contains kdm 3.4.2
ftp://217.146.40.180/pub/FreeBsd/ports/distfiles/KDE/kdebase-3.4.2.tar.bz2

I had a hard time finding this KDE 3.4.2 source, as most of the links are broken by now. I suggest anyone else intesrested in creating a creating KDM with Desktop/Window Manager menu better grab it now while it's still possible to download. Wink

I may be able to find time to work on this in December 2006.
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