8.6:     Utilities

See also Section 8.7

Accessibility

Various open-source utilities exist for MEPIS Linux 7.0 users with disabilities. Two are installed, and others are available through Debian and KDE projects.

• Kmag:  Screen and cursor magnification; click KMenu --> Utilities --> Accesibility --> Screen Magnifier. KMag opens a floating window that magnifies everything around your cursor for those with a vision impairment, or for those that need that little more zoom.
  KMag home page: kmag.sourceforge.net/
• KMouseTool:  Screen and cursor magnification found by clicking KMenu --> Utilities --> Accesibility --> KMouseTool. KMouseTool clicks the mouse for you, so you don't have to.
  KMouseTool FAQ: http://accessibility.kde.org/aids/kmousetool.php/

KDE accessibility software: http://accessibility.kde.org/
Debian accessibility software: http://www.us.debian.org/devel/debian-accessibility/software.en.html

Desktop

The following packages for use on the desktop can be found under KMenu --> Utilities --> Desktop.

• Klipper:  A clipboard tool that docks into the system tray and keeps a record of items you copy to the clipboard, as well as offering a few additional features like the ability to open a web page.
  Klipper home page: http://docs.kde.org/stable/en/kdebase/klipper/index.html
• KNotes: Knotes is a "sticky notes" program to leave quick notes for yourself on the screen. It is also integrated into Kontact, the KDE personal information manager.
  KNotes home page: http://kontact.kde.org/components.php#notes
• KCalc:  A calculator for the KDE Desktop that can be used in simple or scientific mode.
  KCalc home page: http://docs.kde.org/stable/en/kdeutils/kcalc/index.html
• KAlarm:  A simple alarm program that allows you to display a message or file, run a command, or send an email at a given time of day.
  KAlarm home page: http://www.astrojar.org.uk/kalarm/index.htmll

Folders and Files

MEPIS Linux 7.0 comes with two powerful programs to manage files and folders. One is a graphical program known as Konqueror, the web browser, file manager and file viewer for KDE. The other is a command-line program that uses the entire terminal screen called Midnight Commander. Each has its advantages, depending on your preferences and the task you need to accomplish.

• Konqueror:  Konqueror as a File Manager is reached most easily by clicking the Documents icon on the desktop or the home icon on kicker panel at the bottom of the screen. Note that by default Konqueror does not show hidden system files (the ones that start with a dot such as .mozilla; to change that, click View --> Show Hidden Files.
  MEPIS Wiki: Konqueror: http://www.mepis.org/docs/en/index.php/Konqueror
  Konqueror home page: http://www.konqueror.org/
  Wikipedia: Konqueror: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konqueror
• Midnight Commander:  Open a terminal, become root if needed (for altering system files, for example), and type: mc to start the program.
  MEPIS Wiki: Midnight Commander: http://www.mepis.org/docs/en/index.php/Midnight_commander
  Midnight Commander FAQs: http://www.ibiblio.org/mc/FAQ
  Wikipedia: Midnight Commander http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_commander

A couple of smaller packages for working with files are also installed with MEPIS Linux 7.0.

• Ark:  A Graphical Archiving tool for KDE, similar to winzip, with support for zip, tar, tar + compression (lzop, gzip, bzip2, bzip, compress) lha, zoo, rar, ar, etc... It is most commonly used simply by right-clicking a file or folder in Konqueror and selecting Compress or Extract, depending on the item's current state. You can also click KMenu --> Utilities --> File --> Archiving Tool (Ark).
  Ark information page: http://docs.kde.org/stable/en/kdeutils/ark/using-ark.html
• KFloppy: A utility that provides a straightforward graphical means to format 3.5" and 5.25" floppy disks.
  KFloppy information page: http://docs.kde.org/stable/en/kdeutils/kfloppy/introduction.html

Other common choices: http://www.mepis.org/docs/en/index.php/Linux_software#Advanced_file_tools

Printing

Two print utility packages are supplied with MEPIS Linux 7.0.

• KJobViewer:  A utility to view and manipulate print jobs found under KMenu --> Utilities --> Peripherals.
  KJobViewer home page: http://printing.kde.org/overview/kjobviewer.php
• HPLIP Toolbox (Printer Toolbox):  HPLIP Toolbox is an HP-developed solution for printing, scanning, and faxing with HP inkjet and laser-based printers in Linux.
  Hplip home page: http://hplip.sourceforge.net/

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