KDE Display Manager

Infobox_Software
name = KDE Display Manager (KDM)


caption = KDM in kubuntu
developer = KDE Team
latest_release_version = 4.0.4
latest_release_date = release date and age|2008|05|07
operating_system = BSD, Linux, Solaris, other Unix-like
genre = X display manager
license = GPL
website = [http://www.kde.org www.kde.org]

In computing, KDM (KDE Display Manager) is a graphical login interface for computers using Unix-like operating systems. It is the K Desktop Environment replacement for XDM, the default X display manager (from which it was originally developed). KDM allows users to pick their session type on a per-login basis. Like KDE, it uses the Qt toolkit and can be configured from the KDE control center. It also allows theming and user photos.

A simple KDM login dialog box has a list of users on the left, stating their username, their "real name" and optionally also containing a small picture that can be chosen by the user or the administrator. To the right from the list is a greeting and a picture. These items can be customised using the KDE Control Center. Users may also replace this picture with an analog clock. Under the picture/clock are the Username and Password text boxes. On some systems, users will find a session selector under the password field where you can select the kind of session type you want to start, e.g. KDE, GNOME or a simple terminal. At the bottom, there is a series of buttons which offers commands to shut down and reboot the computer, restart the X server or start a tool to manage users.

KDM has an optional autologin feature; despite the inherent insecurity of this, users sometimes request it.

External links

* [http://docs.kde.org/stable/en/kdebase-workspace/kdm/index.html The kdm Handbook]
* [http://www.kde-look.org/index.php?xcontentmode=40 KDM Themes (Kde-look.org)]

See also

*GDM, the GNOME display manager
*SLiM, the desktop-independent graphical login manager
*XDM, X Window Display Manager