The K Desktop Environment

5.6. Borders

This module is used to control "active borders" and "magic borders".

5.6.1. Use

This module is divided into 2 sections: Active desktop borders and Magic borders.

5.6.1.1. Active Desktop Borders

Active desktop borders, is a feature of KDE, which allows you to switch between desktops by simply sliding the mouse pointer to the edge of the desktop. After a certain, user selectable, delay KDE will automatically change to the neighboring desktop.

The active desktop borders section of the module consists of three options:

Enable active desktop borders

If this option is enabled, when you move your mouse over to the edge of a desktop, and hold it there for a specified period of time, KDE will automatically switch you to the desktop that neighbors that edge.

This allows you to slide drag windows between desktops.

Move pointer towards center after switch

If this option is enabled, and you switch desktops using the active desktop borders, the mouse cursor will automatically be moved to the center of the next desktop. If this option is disabled, the mouse will be located at the corresponding edge of the new desktop.

Tip

This option prevents you from unintentionally switching back and forth between desktops when you are on the edge).

Desktop switch delay

Adjust this option to determine the delay (the amount of time the mouse must stay at the desktop border) before KDE switches desktops.

5.6.1.2. Magic Borders

Magic borders, is a feature of KDE to help keep your desktop neat. The idea behind magic borders, is to create an area around an object (either the desktop or a window). When another window is moved within this "magic borders area", the window is automatically placed right next to the object (this can be right next to another window, or at the edge of a desktop.

There are two slider bars in this section of the module.

The first slider bar is labeled "Border snap zone". This is an area around the edge of the desktop. You can use this slider bar to adjust the width/height of the area. Once a window is placed within this area of the screen, it automatically snaps to the outside edge of the screen.

The second slider is labeled "Window snap zone". This is an area around every window. You can use this slider to adjust the width of this "magic area". Once another window enters this "magic area", it automatically snaps to the edge of the original window. This helps you set two windows right next to each other.

Tip

You may have noticed that you cannot disable magic borders. If you do not want to have one or both magic border effects on your desktop, simply set the width of the "magic area" to zero. This will effectivly disable the "magic zone".

5.6.2. Section Author

This section written by Mike McBride