FOSSPicks
Tiling window management
KDE Tiling Extension
This is a slightly different type of product for this section, as it's not a standalone application or utility. Instead, it's a script for KDE users that makes KDE operate as if it was running a tiling window manager. A tiling window manager, such as xmonad, i3, or bspwm, takes full control of where windows are placed on the screen. Starting with a single application taking over the entire screen, new windows will split the full screen display according to which layout has been selected. It may be purely columns, for example, with each new application subdividing the screen into vertical slices for each window. But layouts can also be more complex. The user can drag the borders between the window panes and define new layouts too, perhaps splitting both vertically and horizontally, depending on your own needs.
Tiling window managers are very useful and gaining in popularity, but using them often means you also lose access to many of the convenience features that make Gnome and KDE popular, for example. KDE's Tiling Extension is one possible solution. It's a set of third-party scripts that can either be downloaded by clicking Get New Scripts in the KWin Scripts configuration panel, or directly from the project's GitHub page. When activated, the script takes over control of window placement and size, making KDE feel very much like it's running a tiling window manager. Hotkeys allow you to change the layout, and the mouse can still be used to resize and move windows from one slot to another (try holding the Alt key and click drag). Turn off tiling for specific types of windows, such as dialogs, or applications, such as Yakuake, and disable tiling completely for separate virtual desktops.
Project Website
https://github.com/faho/kwin-tiling
Modular music composer
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.