KDE with non-KDE applications

KDE Frequently Asked Questions
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# Chapter 11. KDE with non-KDE applications

11.1. My non-KDE applications like Emacs and kterm are running amok with large windows and strange fonts!
11.2. Netscape®

11.1. My non-KDE applications like Emacs and kterm are running amok with large windows and strange fonts!

It probably has to do with KDE trying to "apply KDE defaults to non-KDE apps", which means it uses xrdb to apply X defaults that are supposed to mimic the color, font, and other settings that you have set for KDE. However, experience tells us that this usually breaks things, particularly if you have carefully tuned the X resources of your non-KDE applications.

The official solution for KDE 1.x is click the K button, select Settings->Desktop->Style and disable the "apply KDE settings to non-KDE apps" checkbox. For KDE 2, click the K button, select Preferences->Look and Feel->Themes->Style and disable the apply fonts and colors to non-KDE apps checkbox instead. If the new setting does not seem to stick, make sure you have clicked OK directly without clicking Apply after making the change. If it still refuses to work, there is a brute-force solution: rename or delete the `$`KDEDIR`/share/apps/kdisplay/app-defaults` directory. This will prevent KDE from finding the X resource files it applies, and solve the problem. You have to exit your session and log back in for everything to return to normal.

If you do not want to, or cannot rename or delete the system-wide `app-defaults` directory, you can always copy it to your personal KDE directory (e.g. `$`HOME`/.kde/share/apps/kdisplay/app-defaults`) and then edit/add/remove files to taste.

11.2. Netscape®

Why does Netscape® load so slow?

  Netscape® loads slow because it is statically linked with Motif® and has to load all the widgets, etc. when it loads.

Why does Netscape® crash when I visit certain websites?

  What websites are you visiting? Java™ applets will often cause Netscape® to crash. Since most people use Java™ applets for spinning buttons instead of something useful, just turn Java™ off in Netscape®.

Why does Netscape® display images in a pixelated manner?

  When you run Netscape®, try using the `-install` switch e.g. netscape `-install` &. This will force Netscape® to allocate its own colormap which would hopefully solve the problem.

How do I make KDE use Netscape® when I create a WWWUrl kdelnk instead of KFM?

  You need to create a `.kdelnk` for Netscape®, then edit it (using KFM, right click and go to Properties) and select the right MIME type for URLs (in Application tab pick text/html and text/sgml). Then select Edit->MIME Types from the KFM menu, enter `text` and edit the properties for `html` and `sgml`: in Binding tab select the default application in the list box (since you have added the appropriate MIME type to Netscape®'s `.kdelnk` file, it should appear there).

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