KDE menu + installed RPMS + updating
 

I know this is probly extremely n00b... but... =)

How do you get KDE to update its menu/start menu

I installed openoffice via synaptic/rpm packager and I do not see it on the menu's... is there a database or program that builds the menus from scratch by searching installed rpm packages and the paths to their executables ?

Under Preferences is a Menu Editor, try there.

There's also a menu updating tool (at least I have one in the settings menu in my distro), that will scan your path for any programs that don't automatically create entries in the menu and lets you add them manually.