What is up with the plus and minus in Kde 4's icons?

linux.is.skynet · 07-10-2009, 10:48 PM

I know it's function has to be something simple, but I don't get the use behind it. My icons have a green plus sign on them when I put the cursor on them but turn to a red minus when I click on the plus. I thought it must be some kind of deletion short cut but I dunno. Please enlighten me.

stureedy · 07-11-2009, 06:54 AM

From what I can tell, the green plus means "add this item to selection." The red minus means "remove this item from selection."

When selecting multiple items (by holding down CTRL or SHIFT) this becomes more obvious.

Hope that helps!
Stu...

Eric Elliott · 07-11-2009, 11:41 AM

You are writing of the kpackage program?
Here is how to make it work.
Type synaptic in search field & enter.
You will see synaptic touch pad stuff and synaptic package install program. Synaptic install program will not have full color icon as it is not installed & clicking + - icon will get green plus at first click only. Green + icon will get Apply button not ghosted. Click apply to install synaptic package program. Close kpackage for last time.

Enjoy using synaptic without ambiguous dialog boxes & stupid icons.

linux.is.skynet · 07-11-2009, 03:45 PM

I mean the icons that you see in Dolphin. A green plus sign shows up when you place your cursor on any icon in the Dolphin file manager. Anybody know it's use?

Eric Elliott · 07-11-2009, 03:56 PM

Thanks for details.
People are less willing to help when they know not exactly what you see when on what. If you post exactly what version of OS, of desktop & what version of what program you see these icons in, then you may get more replies.

I run dolphin on both gnome & KDE, atop Ubuntu 9.04 & 9.1, both 32 & 64 bit versions. Never saw what you describe. Did you change from stock plasma desktop decorations? My computers are always set to minimize desktop effects, that may be why no stuff like you are seeing.

norobro · 07-11-2009, 04:40 PM

stureedy's got it right in post #2

From the Dolphin manual:

Quote:

. . . when file is selected, and you place your mouse cursor over it, in place of "+" sign there will be "-". If you click it, the file will be deselected.

linux.is.skynet · 07-11-2009, 11:15 PM

Thanks! I just don't see any use or eye candy to it. I think it's enough that the icon glows when the cursor is over it. Oh well, maybe it's just one of those things that just is.

stureedy · 07-12-2009, 09:30 PM

Well, if you don't want the little plus and minus, you can turn them off.

From the Dolphin 'Settings' menu, select 'Configure Dolphin'
When the Dolphin Preferences box appears, click 'View Modes' on the left
Uncheck 'Show selection marker'

Cheers,
Stu...

i92guboj · 07-12-2009, 11:23 PM

It's just a way to select files that are not adjacent in the view. Usually you would press control and go clicking each file, until all the files you want are selected. This +/- symbols are just another way to do exactly the same thing, without requiring the intervention of the keyboard, for those that don't like keyboard shortcuts or that are simply too lazy.