Exploring the next generation KDE desktop
Desktop Party
© Lead Image © Elena Schweitzer, 123RF.com
The KDE desktop has at least a thousand tweaks for configuring your user interface down to the tiniest detail. KDE SC 5, the next generation K desktop, will be no exception.
Desktop environments have an equally strong effect on user satisfaction and productivity as does the underlying infrastructure of a distribution, and the Linux world is firmly divided into two design camps: supporters of the Qt framework [1] and supporters of Gtk+ [2]. Often KDE also acts as a first point of contact for users who switch from Windows to Linux. The way the desktop is controlled and visuals facilitate the transition. Rich configurability in particular is one of the KDE desktop's greatest strengths.
Both KDE and Gnome are the elder statesmen of Linux. KDE was founded in 1996 as the "Kool Desktop Environment," and the Gnome project was founded three years later. Lately, both desktops have evolved in opposite directions – which does not mean the two projects do not cooperate – such as in the Free Desktop Project [3]. The Gnome development process is increasingly moving toward a reduction of visible features, whereas KDE tends toward the other extreme and continually implements additional components, such as the semantic desktop.
Besides the Software Collection (KDE SC), which I will look at in this article, the KDE project also released the Calligra Office Suite [4], which emerged from KOffice, and KDE Extragear [5]. Extragear comprises programs such as the Amarok jukebox, K3b burning software, Digikam photo management, Konversation IRC client, and Kaffeine media player (Figure 1), which round out the current KDE SC with additional applications.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Digital Autonomy
• How the Fediverse Found Parts for Its Platforms
• The Answer Was Already on the Shelf
• Changing the Chip Industry: How Public Investment Has Grown Open Silicon
• United Nations Open Source Portal Goes Live
• EU Open Source Strategy Plays Key Role in Tech Sovereignty Package
• France Says “Au Revoir” to Microsoft
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Working Exploit for a Linux Kernel Flaw Made Public
Even before a bug received its CVE identifier or an upstream fix, the local privilege escalation vulnerability exploit found its way into the wild.
-
r/opensource Bans AI-Assisted and AI-Related Projects
The de facto subreddit for all things open source has not only banned AI-related projects but also users who "don't speak English."
-
Bottlenecks Discovered by Meta Engineers Lead to Scalability Improvements
Thanks to a small group of engineers at Meta, the Linux kernel module kernfs has been improved, which has led to some serious gains.
-
PwnEscape Poses VM Vulnerability
A guest-to-host escape flaw in Linux KVM, named PwnEscape, might be yet another means of attacking Linux.
-
Linux Mint 27 Set for a Christmas Release
The developers behind Linux Mint have announced a Christmas release, and it looks like Santa's sack will be brimming with features.
-
Is Linus Torvalds Vibe Coding?
The creator of Linux has added AI into his process for Linux kernel development, and it's more than just for debugging.
-
openKylin 3.0 Released with Expanded AI Integration
The latest release features a pre-installed AI agent to help perform tasks.
-
DigitalOcean Ends Open Source Credits Program
In a change that has surprised many open source developers, DigitalOcean has decided to sunset its Open Source Credits Program.
-
Office 365 Available for Testing on Linux via Bottles
Linux users can now test the official Office 365, thanks to Mirko Brombin's work on Bottles.
-
Dutch Government Turns to Open Source for Digital Sovereignty
Following in the footsteps of other European countries, the Netherlands is looking to increase its sovereign digital infrastructure with open source software.