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Netstat -vat by Sean Michael Kerner (bio)

A command line view of IT



Torvalds back to GNOME. KDE responds

By Sean Michael Kerner on January 26, 2009 9:18 AM
tux.jpg
From the 'desktop flame wars aren't over' files:

Linux creator Linus Torvalds has helped to re-ignite interest in the on again/off again public flame war between GNOME and KDE Linux desktop users. Torvalds gave an interview in Australia last week where he noted that he had chosen to go back to GNOME after a negative experience using the KDE 4.x desktop.

Frankly I'm not surprised since I did the same thing. I had been a loyal KDE user for nearly 10 years and then switched in mid 2008 back to GNOME as my everyday desktop.

KDE developer Aaron Seigo is now offering his views on Linus' choice as well as some promises for the future. Though Seigo isn't happy with Torvalds comments, he correctly notes that Torvalds is only one user.
"I don't like losing any user, though, and such a happening can be deflating and make one second guess what they are doing (which isn't an entirely bad thing either, as long as it doesn't result in bad decision making or paralysis)," Seigo blogged.
Seigo added that KDE 4 was about the future, a future that will be more fully realized with the upcoming KDE 4.2 release.
"KDE 4.2 is a phenomenal release and unlike KDE 3.5, which was also a phenomenal release, this new release is a platform that we can successfully build on and compete in the market with for the next decade," Seigo stated.
OpenSUSE 11.1 which is already out, includes some KDE 4.2 backports and in my limited usage of the distro found it to be a very good desktop experience.

I don't know that the KDE 4.2 will be enough to sway long time GNOME users to KDE. However, I strongly suspect that it will make those that have switched from KDE to GNOME to second guess themselves and give KDE another chance - I know I certainly will.

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3 Comments

Alan Cramer said:

I have been really impressed by KDE 4.x since it was in testing. Sure if has been unstable at times, but as a long time GNOME user, I felt it was time for a change, after every GNOME release, they seem to dumb down how it works. I never liked the feel of the KDE 3.x interface either, it felt too much like Windows, but the eye candy in KDE 4.x is able to provide a power-users desktop, that doesn't look like Windows.

January 27, 2009 12:48 AM
Roland said:

There's nothing wrong with attempting major innovation. But there's plenty wrong with attempting it on a schedule. KDE 4.0 & 4.1 should have had Beta plastered all over them. Better yet, do like other major innovators do (Debian?),
only release "when it's ready".

January 27, 2009 7:26 PM
rene levesque-caline said:

Im using PCLinuxOS with KDE3.5, Mandriva 2009 with KDE4.1 and Kubuntu 8.10 with KDE4.1 so I will definitely give the Answer a look this weekend.

None will replace my beloved Arch and Gentoo but I like to keep up to date to see which distro becomes my defacto distro I suggest for friends and family who want to switch. Throughout the years, whenever ive given out Live CDs, its been 75/25 in favor of KDE when it comes to desktop but most people honestly cant tell two KDE or GNOME distros apart from the wallpapers (More than once I was asked if these werent the same thing). I like the fact that it allows me to have the desktop work like I want it to, not how some says I should want it.

So 4.2 is really interesting because I hope this will be the one that will be the one I start installing instead of the still very lovely 3.5.

My dad's laptop is running Mandriva KDE4.1 too so I do think its somewhat ready but since he discovered free software, he hasnt met a distro he hasnt tried..
Kubuntu is just too stable and flaky to hoist on my dad though. It is again far behind in my book when it comes to KDE integration and ease of use. (surprise to some maybe but both Mandriva and SUSE have always had good user interfaces).

Btw, if 4.2 is not ready still to my taste, you know what Im gonna have to do? Leave my aunts and uncles and cousins on KDE3.5.9. till 4.3 comes out in 6 months.
Ooh, the horror.
Could be worse, they could be paying 200$ to DELL for the honour of running the bug ridden Windows XP. You know, the OS that is 8 years old and gives you no choice in desktop (I like E17) so its looked the same the whole time. The other proprietary option where you pay for the service packs basically isnt any better.

My father on the other hand will be awaiting the return of one of his favorite things in KDE3.5, the ability to have different wallpapers on the different desktops.
I hope 4.2 is the one where all those 'little things' are resolved because KDE4.x is beautiful, fun and sexy.
After using the Ubuntu on my Dell Mini 9 all day, even more so...

January 28, 2009 9:39 PM

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