Desktop mode UI

[Yoko'Tsuno]

Hi all !

Steam deck is an awesome gaming device, i enjoy it a lot. thank Valve ! I also like the fact it runs with linux but the UI isn't optimized for touch screen and gamepad navigation.

so, i'm curious about your optimization, what changes did you do to improve desktop mode experience ? I guess KDE are working on it :)

I changed icon to 32 px so i can close windows with my fingers.
Sadly it doesn't work with steam desktop, their button are very small.
As for firefox, i didn't find the option for bigger tab. Any idea on how to bring a mobile version of this browser ? i'm open to another browser but i will miss firefox add-ons and its sync.

i use KDE connect so my phone can be used as a keyboard so i can work on document without having the virtual keyboard taking 1/3 of the screen but it only work on wifi. I recommend it, it's a very good app from KDE ;)

As for libre office i haven't tried yet.

is there anyway to use nextcloud ? i tried online account from setting but there is no option for nextcloud, only open desktop is mentionned.

So what are your tweaks and favorite app for using steamdeck as a tablet ?

[[KAMI] RedWyvern]

Mine's basically all default, but I made a Desktop Layout tweaked to my liking and use the trackpads for system navigation instead as this is more precise and doesn't leave fingerprints on the screen.
To give you a starting point, here is my current layout: steam://controllerconfig/413080/2888694523
I have plans to make a more advanced layout with virtual menus, but this gets you further than you might expect.

Firefox's touch mode can be enabled in the bottom bar of the Customize Toolbar menu, though again, I don't use it.
I actually use the LibreWolf browser, but this is a Firefox fork optimized for privacy to the degree of needing tweaks to work for basic usage, along with having uBlock Origin pre-installed.
I use a few other apps, I posted about this here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1675200/discussions/0/3594464430443796996/

Given you have KDE Connect, you must be using the 3.4 Preview.
If you run into weird crashing issues, you might want to have a look at this: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1675200/discussions/0/3541546590709961979/
The onscreen keyboard needs this workaround to not, well, frequently soft-lock the Deck, but enable Trigger Clicks in Game Mode and give it some practice.
It has some issues, namely random Enter keypresses after opening, but you can get decently fast and accurate with it, this entire post was written with it, using the Trigger Clicks as these are needed to improve much.

Not sure what the account synchronization options are, I only use Thunderbird and my browser for my (non NextCloud) accounts, which works perfectly.
NextCloud integration can probably be made to work by unlocking the filesystem and installing some packages... until an update wipes all modifications.

And finally, I just love using my Deck as a Linux tablet, have been looking for something more compact than a laptop for literal years, but I don't like touchscreens.
Which the Deck works around with the amazing trackpads and other inputs, takes some learning and configuring to use it, but wow can it work well.

[Yoko'Tsuno]

thank for sharing it, i'm still adjusting the controller for navigation. i will check your setup and i'm starting to mess with the radial menu. we should create megathread for using steamdeck as tablet. :P

AFAIK, i noticed the navigation is better with page down and page up instead of scrolling with fingers. i still have trouble to using app switching (with TAB). In the app menu i used dpad to select app but it didn't work as it use the mouse position instead of the selected element, how can i solve it ?

Account sync with nextcloud allow ya to share file, document directly with the file browser instead opening nextcloud with firefox. i couple it with syncthing to ensure syncronized data on all device.

[golephish]

pretty much the only reason i'm on preview for 3.4 arch. i've still been too lazy to install nanofetch -- but don't sleep on that daily nasa wallpaper :)

[Ben Bernanke]

i just got used to the trackpads after a while. like playing a video game.

also in settings under appearance, you can increase font and icon size.

u might not need desktkop. u can add flatpak apps as non-steam games in the client. they show up like google chrome in gamer mode. this is better because u can use the custom controller setting to auto load on a per app basis. I put mpv or some video player in there but it didnt work well bc i couldn't access the menus at the top above the app. Basically it limits you to shortcuts.

if u want to browse files, u can us chrome and type downloads or documents folder in the address bar.