KDE developer Nate Graham, who is known for writing the 'This week in KDE" blog posts keeping us up to speed on all the latest changes has a fresh update about plans for taking over the world, and Graham has some interesting things to say.
There's certainly no shortage of desktop environments on Linux and a number of ways to build software, each with their own goal and way of doing things. It's both a strength for choice and a reported weakness with so much. It's always interesting to read the point of view from developers whose work we rely on so much in the FOSS community. Especially when Graham came from a background in working with Apple, while now a KDE developer.
Here, it wasn't quite what I expected to read. The post goes over talking about the market leaders like Windows and Android, noting neither was the first to come to market but they've successfully captured the biggest slices. Noting that "Neither is picky about what kind of software you run on them or write for them, so they are used on a wide range of devices by lots of different people. Both work with others in adjacent industries, rather than taking a 'my way or the highway' approach. They are flexible."
The flexibility, Graham thinks, is the key to success.
Comparing KDE to Apple, they're clearly very different in how they do things explaining that "we’ve always dreamed of a broad scope and being useful for everyone" on why the Plasma desktop is so flexible and why "the Steam Deck handheld gaming console, PinePhone smartphone, and JingPad A1 tablet are built on top of KDE technology".
Some interesting words aimed at two other big names in the Linux space too, with Graham's post mentioning "So I think ultimately we will become the Windows or Android of the Free Open-Source Software world, with projects like GNOME and ElementaryOS competing to be the Apple of FOSS". You could easily take that as putting them in the firing line but it's more positive than that as Graham continues "I think there will absolutely be room for projects like theirs; in fact I think it’s highly likely that they’ll offer a better user experience than we do for people who fit within the usage paradigms they focus on–just like Apple does".
It's part of why I ended up moving from GNOME to KDE myself, that flexibility of setting it all up how I want it to be, not how designers think it should be. I cannot see myself moving away from Plasma as my own desktop environment on Linux any time soon. Looks good, works well and doesn't get in the way of gaming.
What are your thoughts? Will KDE and Plasma become the biggest players? Going by our own stats from users, Plasma is currently on top but GNOME is not far behind at all.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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And here's me sitting back on MATE with a bowl of popcorn, watching the show.
Does KDE still have all those large, ugly desktop widgets that were still around a couple of years ago when I last checked it out?
Nah, the widgets seem very refined these days, but they're still there if you want them, or ignore them if you don't. Before my conversion a few months back, I was (like you, I suspect) put off by KDE's insistence that I create a fairly ugly "desktop" widget just so that I could see my desktop icons.
Ironically, I rarely use desktop icons these days, but they work normally now, so you only use widgets (like I do) if you want some core functionality - in my case, a groceries list. The clock is actually conky.
BTW - Mate can be quite pretty, but I felt that it needed quite a lot of customisation to be be so. The absolutely tiny window grab handles were also an issue, especially on 4K. Haven't used it in about two years though, so maybe they fixed both!
!Scaine's KDE 4K Desktop
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KDE’s wayland support is not as good as Gnome. For now, Xwayland apps becomes blurry in HiDPI screen on KDE but not Gnome. And IME(input method engine like fcitx5 or ibus) on chromium ozone-platform (which provides wayland support) only works with Gnome.
Anyway, more choices are always good. I don’t think they are equivalent to macOS or Windows or anything else for they are totally different things. Apple sells hardware from powerful chips, true wireless earphones to smart phone, and also build softwares. Apple build a truly closed ecology that no other companies have. Gnome, KDE or System76 don’t. Whether you consider them closed or open, their software are open sourced and they produce products on the top of a open sourced Linux kernel. Open is in their DNA. To say the least, if anyone of them choose to be very closed then others could fork the code and start a new journey. But we can’t do that to Apple.
Anyway, more choices are always good. I don’t think they are equivalent to macOS or Windows or anything else for they are totally different things. Apple sells hardware from powerful chips, true wireless earphones to smart phone, and also build softwares. Apple build a truly closed ecology that no other companies have. Gnome, KDE or System76 don’t. Whether you consider them closed or open, their software are open sourced and they produce products on the top of a open sourced Linux kernel. Open is in their DNA. To say the least, if anyone of them choose to be very closed then others could fork the code and start a new journey. But we can’t do that to Apple.
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I love my Gnome Desktop, but I’m also loving my iPhone experience, so I guess this and also the statement of the article fits perfectly 
( _the_ tip for having a good Gnome experience, learn the keyboard shortcut’s)
Last edited by jens on 15 Nov 2021 at 6:24 pm UTC
( _the_ tip for having a good Gnome experience, learn the keyboard shortcut’s)
Last edited by jens on 15 Nov 2021 at 6:24 pm UTC
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fearnflavio 15 Nov 2021
Well, if it wasn't for KDE I wouldn't be a Linux user myself since my first experience with Linux, back in 2007 with Fedora 6 and Gnome 2 was terrible. After trying a local distro that used KDE 3 at the time I fell in love with Linux and how amazing it was to personalize.
Also, I miss Amarok a lot.
Also, I miss Amarok a lot.
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( _the_ tip for having a good Gnome experience, learn the keyboard shortcut’s)That sounds very plausible. But I don't wanna learn keyboard shortcuts to be able to use my DE. I'm fine with the WIMP style interface, thanks.
I should probably give KDE another try one of these days. Tried it two or three times in the past; each time it was like, I respected it, but it didn't feel comfortable and there was something or other that didn't work.
I'm happy with MATE. It works like a basic normal (yes, fairly Windowsy except with more control over it) desktop with sane defaults. I probably can't do as many things with it as I could with KDE, but all I really want is a taskbar, a menu, and the ability to stick another taskbar or something (preferably on the side because screens are wide so I don't miss the real estate there) with launchers on it. MATE does that for me and is just comfortable to use.
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( _the_ tip for having a good Gnome experience, learn the keyboard shortcut’s)That sounds very plausible. But I don't wanna learn keyboard shortcuts to be able to use my DE. I'm fine with the WIMP style interface, thanks.
This is perfectly OK of course. Just saying that Gnome might take some investment to get its intention.
But anyway, users and workflows are different and I think it would be to much to fit all use cases into a single Desktop. So I'm happy to hear that MATE works nicely for you!
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I find it hard for KDE to come on top when the most popular distros default to Gnome, but you never know, things can change, and KDE's UI stability might help them in the end to become the biggest player. But even then, I doubt being the biggest will mean having a majority of the market share, I think it just means the KDE user base may fragment less than Gnome's user base.
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I used Gnome briefly in 2.0 days but switched to KDE when it started moving to 3.0. I agree that Gnome can't compete with KDE in flexibility.
I wish though KDE and KWinFT projects would collaborate. I'd also like to see KWin stop using OpenGL / EGL and switch to Vulkan / WSI.
I wish though KDE and KWinFT projects would collaborate. I'd also like to see KWin stop using OpenGL / EGL and switch to Vulkan / WSI.
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BTW - Mate can be quite pretty, but I felt that it needed quite a lot of customisation to be be so. The absolutely tiny window grab handles were also an issue, especially on 4K. Haven't used it in about two years though, so maybe they fixed both!
MATE is something of a comfort zone for me, so I'm unlikely to be swayed by pretty and shiny. I used Linux for quite a while before briefly changing to Windows for practical reasons for a few years. At the time I left, Gnome2 was the the big thing and, finding MATE after a while of using vanilla Ubuntu (with Unity) it was kind of like coming home.
I have done the tweaking to make it prettier and more comfortable though, worry not.
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Easy to see why Valve would go with KDE on something like the Deck, where it can be tweaked and kept in the background. But barring some massive changes to the landscape I'd never, ever use it on the desktop. Just far too clunky, buggy, and ugly.
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if steam deck sell well and many people dont install windows and use the desktop mode...
then it can be a game changer indeed, and KDE is the default on it, so it might work.
then it can be a game changer indeed, and KDE is the default on it, so it might work.
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As far as I'm concerned, KDE can be what ever they want !
As long as they stay FOSS and doesn't remove the freedom och choice in the DE, I'm a happy camper.
As long as they stay FOSS and doesn't remove the freedom och choice in the DE, I'm a happy camper.
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This is literally like the most polite DE war I've ever seen, lol.
If it has a Start menu I can type in, does Windows, and has system tray/notification area, I'm pretty happy.
Now, if you want to really impress me, implement a fully functional "Control Panel" / settings page / control center thing. Most DE's are a little limited to thier own settings. Closest thing I've seen is YAST, although I'm sure there are others.
If it has a Start menu I can type in, does Windows, and has system tray/notification area, I'm pretty happy.
Now, if you want to really impress me, implement a fully functional "Control Panel" / settings page / control center thing. Most DE's are a little limited to thier own settings. Closest thing I've seen is YAST, although I'm sure there are others.
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Easy to see why Valve would go with KDE on something like the Deck, where it can be tweaked and kept in the background. But barring some massive changes to the landscape I'd never, ever use it on the desktop. Just far too clunky, buggy, and ugly.
Good god, when was the last time you tried it? It's not clunky any more, although editing the panel should be easier, I admit. Buggy? I've not experienced a single bug. Not sure how prevalent bugs on DEs are - can't imagine they last long after being reported. As for ugly - there's way more themes on stock KDE than you get on Gnome, even when delving into Gnome-look for further customisation. KDE is stunning these days. But then, frankly, all the DEs are stunning these days. If you think there's a reasonably modern, yet ugly DE out there, you're just not trying! Check out the screenshot thread for some inspiration, maybe?
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I've been using so many desktops over the years I lost count a while ago, but after all these years I finally know what I want: something I don't have to configure for hours. So I prefer GNOME because it fits my needs perfectly and it is very intuitive. I can quickly focus on what I'm working on.
I do like KDE but it's really not made for me. It's kind of bloated and I feel like I need to customize it to death before I am satisfied. Apps made for KDE tend to be overcomplicated for the exact same functionality and I'm not very fond of taskbars...
I do like KDE but it's really not made for me. It's kind of bloated and I feel like I need to customize it to death before I am satisfied. Apps made for KDE tend to be overcomplicated for the exact same functionality and I'm not very fond of taskbars...
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It's kind of bloated
I'm gonna start sounding like a rabid KDE fanboy here, but I'm really curious by the language people use when talking about it. What makes KDE bloated?
I get your other point, sure. There's definitely a little more "interface" showing in KDE apps, than gnome. Not much though, in my experience and the more I use KDE apps like the file manager and the PDF viewer, the more I realise how much extremely useful functionality I've been missing thanks to all my years on Gnome.
Like Dolphin - I launched Nautilus every single day of my life and every time, I had to move the window to its location on the bottom left, navigate quickly to my Downloads directory, then open a new tab and navigate that to Documents. On Dolphin, all of that happens when I launch it (it remembers its window position and its last-opened tabs). Miraculous.
But back to "bloated". How so? What would you change to unbloat it?
(I've heard rumours that KDE is lighter in RAM/CPU than Gnome these days, so presumably it's not that kind of bloat we're talking about, but interesting if it is!)
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Nevertheless 15 Nov 2021
Cinnamon is currently exactly what I need. I like Plasma, Mate and XFCE, because I can make them what I need. Also, the KDE software is great!
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I've been using so many desktops over the years I lost count a while ago, but after all these years I finally know what I want: something I don't have to configure for hours. So I prefer GNOME because it fits my needs perfectly and it is very intuitive. I can quickly focus on what I'm working on.
There is functionality that I require from my computer - like being able to set the volume control interval to something other than 6%, or making applications look how I want - that can't be achieved on Gnome no matter how much tweaking I do. Whereas from any distro's KDE defaults I can turn it into what I want with maybe a couple of minutes clicking in the built-in settings application.
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Since Cinnamon is ultimately based on Gnome 3, the values of Gnome and Cinnamon would have to be added to be fair. This would put Gnome-based desktop environments ahead of Plasma. At least according to our own statistics here.
Cinnamon: 8,09%
Gnome: 29,49%
Togehter: 37,58%
KDE Plasma: 32,97%
Cinnamon: 8,09%
Gnome: 29,49%
Togehter: 37,58%
KDE Plasma: 32,97%
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slaapliedje 16 Nov 2021
I've been using so many desktops over the years I lost count a while ago, but after all these years I finally know what I want: something I don't have to configure for hours. So I prefer GNOME because it fits my needs perfectly and it is very intuitive. I can quickly focus on what I'm working on.This is exactly how I feel. When I actually want to get things done, I use Gnome. When I want to play around with the desktop, I install KDE.
I do like KDE but it's really not made for me. It's kind of bloated and I feel like I need to customize it to death before I am satisfied. Apps made for KDE tend to be overcomplicated for the exact same functionality and I'm not very fond of taskbars...
1 Likes, Who?
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