Having multiple choices of desktop environments is one of the Linux OS’s strong points — as well as its potential nemesis. This lack of a uniform desktop strategy means confusion for Linux newcomers and frustration for seasoned users. For example, the two most used desktop environments are GNOME and KDE. But the choices do not end there. Add to the fray Xfce and LXDE and more bare-bones systems such as FVWM and IceWM, among several others. And then you must factor in a handful of X Window managers that handle the windows that applications bring up within a desktop environment.
You can easily just install Xubuntu, then use all your favorite Gnome or KDE components.
For example, I use the Dolphin file manager in it, along with gnome components such as Gedit and Gmusic browser.
The main menu and settings managers in Xubuntu (I call it MIGHTY MOUSE myself) is infinitely customizable and will bring up everything you need for all three environments, or components thereof.
All this after simply checking two boxes in the Xubuntu Settings manager to enable all KDE and Gnome components!
I see no reason to install just one environment on a modern machine (faster than 2GB processor with 2GB ram) and, indeed, the latest "unity" or "plasma" just don't do it for me anyway.
As far as I understand it, Ubuntu has a bad history with their KDE implementations.. I can see how you had so much trouble. But your experience is very limited to just "your" distro and not even fair to KDE...
I suggest you get your hands on OpenSuSe 11.4 By far the best KDE distro around, or Mint even. Though OpenSuSe runs just about every desktop, they focus on the integration and usability alot more.
I dont think anything that you wrote about the problems with KDE are accurate. I'm running it on a lil Samsung NC10 Netbook with 1 gig of RAM (four virtual desktops, widgets, effects), I have not noticed any slow down or major issues. I admit to crashing it while messing with activities... but that was my doing while pushing my lil machine to its limits.
Be fair and accurate when you review a product of any kind.
I use the keyboard a lot inside of KDE... check out "Shortcuts and Gestures" under the Personal settings section. Also, you can press ALT+F2 to bring up KRUNNER, which allows you to navigate windows, desktops run programs or even search the net (wiki google et al) just by typing their name... KDE is configurable to a hectic degree. I even hide typical programs I run (like console and chat) from the taskbar and enable shortcut keys to them.
And have they done anything yet for those of us who prefer to work from the keyboard rather than the mouse?
I would love to move from GNOME to KDE; the application richness under KDE is so much better. Unfortunately my work is slowed down so much by having to continually reach for the mouse that this currently isn't an option.
No. It was not the netbook version. I installed the full version on all of the hardware I referenced. I am running the same version of KDE 4.6.1 on the desktop, the laptop, and the netbook. The netbook version has a slightly different interface, but that is not the version I reviewed.
I am a KDE user and it looks and sounds like you are actually reviewing the "Netbook" version of KDE 4.6.1 If that is the case, you might want to clarify that for the readers.
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New KDE Polishes Linux but Leaves a Few Little Streaks
Posted by: Jack M. Germain March 30, 2011 05:00 AMHaving multiple choices of desktop environments is one of the Linux OS’s strong points — as well as its potential nemesis. This lack of a uniform desktop strategy means confusion for Linux newcomers and frustration for seasoned users. For example, the two most used desktop environments are GNOME and KDE. But the choices do not end there. Add to the fray Xfce and LXDE and more bare-bones systems such as FVWM and IceWM, among several others. And then you must factor in a handful of X Window managers that handle the windows that applications bring up within a desktop environment.
For example, I use the Dolphin file manager in it, along with gnome components such as Gedit and Gmusic browser.
The main menu and settings managers in Xubuntu (I call it MIGHTY MOUSE myself) is infinitely customizable and will bring up everything you need for all three environments, or components thereof.
All this after simply checking two boxes in the Xubuntu Settings manager to enable all KDE and Gnome components!
I see no reason to install just one environment on a modern machine (faster than 2GB processor with 2GB ram) and, indeed, the latest "unity" or "plasma" just don't do it for me anyway.
I suggest you get your hands on OpenSuSe 11.4 By far the best KDE distro around, or Mint even. Though OpenSuSe runs just about every desktop, they focus on the integration and usability alot more.
I dont think anything that you wrote about the problems with KDE are accurate. I'm running it on a lil Samsung NC10 Netbook with 1 gig of RAM (four virtual desktops, widgets, effects), I have not noticed any slow down or major issues. I admit to crashing it while messing with activities... but that was my doing while pushing my lil machine to its limits.
Be fair and accurate when you review a product of any kind.
I would love to move from GNOME to KDE; the application richness under KDE is so much better. Unfortunately my work is slowed down so much by having to continually reach for the mouse that this currently isn't an option.
Best regards, Jack M. Germain