Exploring Kubuntu 18.04 LTS and the Plasma desktop
Kubuntu Close-up
© Lead Image © federicofoto, 123RF.com
Kubuntu 18.04, which is built on Ubuntu Bionic Beaver, is the first long-term support release that includes the Plasma 5 desktop. This article looks at the latest Kubuntu and highlights some cool configuration tricks.
In July 2014, KDE announced Plasma 5.0, a visually updated core desktop experience that was user friendly and familiar. Plasma also introduced a new major version of KDE's workspace.
The new "Breeze" artwork concept introduced cleaner visuals and improved readability. Central workflows were streamlined, while well-known overarching interaction patterns were left intact. Plasma 5 improved support for high-DPI displays and added a "converged shell," able to switch between user experiences for different target devices. Changes under the hood included the migration to a new, fully hardware-accelerated graphics stack centered around an OpenGL ES scene graph. Plasma is built using the new Qt 5 and Frameworks 5.
The changes ushered in with Plasma 5 have finally reached the Kubuntu LTS series with Kubuntu 18.04. If you're new to Kubuntu, or even if you're upgrading now from a previous LTS edition, this article will give you a brief introduction to Kubuntu 18.04 and show you some highlights of the Plasma 5 desktop.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
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
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.