Using /skel to make user "blueprints"

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What is /skel

skel is a sub directory under the /etc directory that contains all the default settings used when creating new users.

found as : /etc/skel

You can modify skel in almost any way you can think of to customize how you want your default user setup to be. changing backgrounds, iconsets, fonts, anything.

You can add apps to the hidden dir: /.kde/Autostart and in it is in /skel, it will be automagically set that way in all of your new users.

Why use /skel

It helps provide a distinctive look and feel for the user. It also allows the admin to preset things the way they should be, having the apps and links, etc that will best fit the needs of the business or network.

It's good for large rollouts of multiple desktops or customized installs you want for different depts, etc.


/skel the correct, but long way

Here, from advice graciously provided by the Lead dev at Granular Linux, Anurag Bhandari, We have some light on the subject.

  1. Go to the location: */etc/skel.*
  2. Make sure that the *Show hidden files* is enabled.
  3. Enter the folder *.kde* and then traverse to the *share* folder.
    • (Please pardon me the use of the word "folder". I have a habit of using this word instead of "directory")
  4. You'll see various folders in there, but the ones of main concern are: *apps* and *config*.
  5. So let's configure all the required aspects of the KDE environment.
    • For that, enter the *config* folder. There are several files in this folder, but you'll have to deal with just a few.
  6. Let's start orderwise:
    1. _*emaildefaults*_:In this file, look out for the *EmailClient* variable. Set its value to the default email client you are using.
    2. _*kcminputrc*_:Here, look out for the variable *cursorTheme* and set its value to the name of the desired theme you want to be set for the new users.
    3. _*kdeglobals*_:This is a very important file. The variables to lookup in here might include:
      • *BrowserApplication, fixed, font, menuFont, taskbarFont, toolBarFont,
      • *widgetStyle* -- under the *[General]* section.
      • *Theme* -- under the *[Icons]* section
      • *colorScheme* -- under the *[KDE]* section: As these variable names suggest, you just have to assign the name of the associated property as the value to them. For example, suppose you have an icon theme with the name xyz. If you want this icon theme to be the default for the new users, just assign the value *xyz* to the *Theme* variable under the *Icons* section. I hope you are getting my point.
      • _*kdesktoprc*_:Here, the only variable which would interest you is the *Wallpaper* variable. This is where you specify the default wallpaper which would be seen by a new user upon first login. To give it a value, assign the full path to the desired wallpaper. For example, this value could be -- /usr/share/wallpapers/yourdesign.jpg
      • _*kickerrc*_:Check out some variables here that relate to the customization of the KDE panel. You can change the default icons & applets contained in the panel, background, orientation, size, etc. of the panel. There is a rare chance you would want to edit this file.
      • _*ksplashrc*_:Replace the name of the KDE Splash, already assigned to the variable *Theme,* to the name of the splash theme you want.
      • _*kwinrc*_:Find the variable *PluginLib* under the *[Style]* section and assign itthe plugin name of the desired window decoration as the value. You canget this value from /root/.kde/share/config/kwinrc. Do not forget to copy the file with a name like this: *kwin/desiredwindowdecorationthemename/rc *from the folder /root/.kde/share/config to the folder /etc/skel/.kde/share/config. If it's already present there, then it's alright.
      • _*startupconfig*_:Finally, specify the values for these variables again: Default mouse cursor theme: *kcminputrc_mouse_cursortheme* Default KDE Splash theme: *ksplashrc_ksplash_theme
  7. Altering the above settings will probably solve your problem.
  8. Also, go through similar kind of settings in the */etc/skel/.kde/share/apps* folder. Analyze each & every file to make sure all is configured according to your needs.
  9. The other folders to look out for might include:*/usr/share/apps*, */usr/share/config*, */usr/share/Applications


/skel, the quick, dirty way

  1. Create a user
  2. Modify that user the way you want all defaults to look/act
  3. copy the user /home dir to /etc
  4. rename /etc/skel to something like /etc/oldskel or the like
  5. rename the user folder you just copied into /etc as skel

bang.

it's done, quick, dirty, effective


General Docs

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