KDM-Plasma - Update

Hm...where should I begin...

Oh, right. I've been accepted to GSoC 2010 to work on this very project, which is very cool for me, as it means I can work full time on kde over the summer.

I'll describe a few bits as to where I currently am on this project - as quite a few people have been bugging me about updates to it ;-)

So far, I have a good majority of the Plasma::DataEngine & Plasma::Service completed, so this will allow kdm applets to easily be created. The DataEngine was probably where the bulk of the work was (quite a bit even now).

I don't think I've mentioned this, but a while back I got Plasma to run in kdm, and it runs quite well. Even the Marble wallpaper plugin works on it. :p

I also have multiscreen handling in a usable state in it. It's in need of more refinement, but that will come later. (I have 2 LCD screens so I can test it easily/well).

I have been stripping out the previous kdm "plugin system", which essentially allows a new plugin to be written for each authentication type. The actual login dialog would embed the QWidget that the plugin provides.

This does/did not fit our needs and it would just hinder the move to Plasma - not to mention by design, it cannot really offer the most consistent ui (since it is not in charge of all aspects). So, by removing that, we can have 100% native Plasma::Applets/QGraphicsWidgets.

I am currently working on making a replacement for the message boxes and the shutdown dialog.

Why, might you wonder?

Because not only does their presentation bring you out of Plasma-Heaven(yes, it's a place ;) they also have the issue of a "dialog appearing on top of a dialog" which I am quite unfond of in this context.

The message box replacement will be a Plasma-esque one. When a message box has to be displayed, it could slide in from the side (kudos to aseigo for the idea) and push the rest of the screen out of the way. When it's job is done, it can slide back and be done with it.

Also, I've read some of this which puts forth some valid points, and I will address the ones that I can.

I think that covers just about everything..