KDE 4 gives Linux some Mac, Windows flavor
KDE programmers released a significantly revamped version of its Linux graphical interfaces software on Friday, incorporating several features that also appear in Windows Vista and Mac OS X.
KDE features a new start menu reminiscent of Windows Vista and a new System Settings interface similar to Apple Mac OS X. Click the above image for more screenshots of KDE 4.0.
(Credit: KDE)Among new features in KDE 4.0 are a start menu on steroids called Kickoff, new ways of viewing widgets and applications, a revamped file browser, and a new look to some entertainment applications that I hope will help pioneer a new user interface technology.
Unfortunately for KDE fans, the upgrade to version 4.0 comes at an awkward time, just a few months before Ubuntu's planned release in April of its "Hardy Heron" version of Linux. This will be the second version of Ubuntu for which its backer, Canonical, offers long-term support. Because Canonical wasn't confident that there would be good developer support for the previous KDE 3.5 and expected KDE 4.0 not to be mature enough, Canonical decided to support just GNOME.
But there still are plenty of other Linux distributions, and KDE 4 will work fine on Ubuntu (the version is called Kubuntu) even if commercial support is absent. And let's face it--Linux on the desktop has appealed more to programmers and technically savvy do-it-yourselfers than to mainstream computer users.
KDE (K Desktop Environment), is one of the two major interfaces for Linux, the other being GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment). Both open-source projects include software ranging from low-level components such as buttons and drop-down menus to higher-level applications such as file browsers, games, and a console for those who want a command-line interface. The software handles many basic user interface tasks such as managing windows on the screen and letting users launch programs and switch between them.
One of the significant new features is Kickoff, the revamped start menu. Instead of offering just a hierarchical list of applications, Kickoff offers several other ways to get at programs you might want, including a search bar a la Windows Vista, a list of favorite programs, and a list of recently used programs and documents. It also provides quick access to hard drives, USB drives, and other storage devices.
KDE 4 also has been reworked to take advantage of new glitzy interface possibilities. Windows can be made transparent--a feature for which I personally see almost no utility, but I'll keep an open mind. But there are more useful options, too, such as the ability to quickly show all running widgets or to show all running applications in miniature, features that users of Mac OS X's Dashboard and Expose will recognize.
Perhaps more significant in the long run is some work to make KDE more resolution-independent. Most operating systems and accompanying software assume computer screens have a resolution of something like 96 pixels per inch, but hardware companies are capable of producing much finer resolution.
Theoretically, that could help produce higher-quality text that's less pixilated and easier to read and photos with more detail, but in practice you risk running software that's unusable because of with microscopic type and icons.
Some KDE applications, including the KMines minesweeper game and KPat solitaire card game, now have vector graphics, which scale to any size independent of pixel resolution. It's a small but welcome step.
Another new feature is Dolphin, a new file browser that among other things can present thumbnails of images and let users add captions and star ratings.
A revamped Systems Settings interface resembles Mac OS X's approach, with different options split into related categories.
Cosmetically, KDE has new artwork, including graphical elements such as buttons and window frames, called Oxygen.
And under the covers, there are other changes. A new Phonon library provides audio support to programs, KHTML is available for Web page rendering (it's used by Apple's Safari, too), Trolltech's QT 4 user interface components require less memory, and a package called Solid helps manage hardware details such as power management, wireless networking, removable storage devices, and Bluetooth networking. And for those whose computers have multicore processors, the ThreadWeaver library is designed to make it easier for software to take advantage of hardware abilities.
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank.
The poor user experience is what makes people stay away from Linux.
So what? Wait until KDE 4.1 if you want polish. You will get it.
So your point was... what?
/P
KDE4 brings it to _me_.
I've been waiting for commercial operating systems to use workspaces for years. And now that one finally has, I like linux too much to even think about switching.
Keep it unique, keep it separate. If I want to run OS X, I'll start my G4. If I want Windows, then I'll run that system. There's no need to make my Linux system into a clone of the others.
Ubuntu doesn't have a really good pretty theme of its own yet.
That's why. I expect this to change soon.
Many new features of the Windows world via Vista, have been available in Linux for years.
Microsoft and the multitude of other companies that the open
source community steals patented ideas from come down hard
and sue them into the ground.
There was a reason that Microsoft didn't use an Exposé style
system for windows management. Because they knew Apple
would come after them if they did. So they used Flip 3D instead.
The open source community seems to be stuck in the mindset
that everything should be free, including other's patented ideas.
The only saving grace for them is that since nothing in the
various distros is even close to being fully developed, most
people that try the operating systems leave it with a bad taste in
their mouth.
Lets hear it for uninspired copy-cats!
We come up with a good many ideas ourselves and in fact, our implementations are infinitely more flexible and more efficient than those of our competitors so really, while perhaps behaving similarly, they hold to a higher set of standards.
Flamebait--
the KDE developers had most of these ideas prior to the release of Windows Vista. And although they have borrowed a few ideas from Apple it is about time they get some payback for giving Apple the KHTML rendering engine for Safari. Apple owes much to the open source community and they know it - FreeBSD, libgcc, libstdc++, etc.
As to stealing... look at Windows Vista. Most of their ideas are slightly-changed rip-offs of Linux desktop environments and OSX. For example, where did they get the idea to have rectangular title bar buttons that fade brighter or to red on mouse hover. Look at several Linux themes and that's exactly what you find.
I am not going to argue about software patents, although I personally think software should be governed by what it was in the first place...copyrights, not patents. Patenting software is like putting a patent on a document... you could do it, but it would be sub-intelligent.
I do agree that KDE4 has rough edges, but as I have watched the developers this long. I think I can trust them that KDE 4.1 will follow soon and will bring a much better user experience. KDE 4 is just the beginning from what I have read I understand that more original user interface changes will be added in future versions...It's not like Vista where you will see the same interface and hear the same sounds for the next six years.
If you want to accuse someone of ripping off of Mac or Windows, go after compiz, AWN, and desklets. Sometimes a competitor has a good idea. You don't run from it because it's theirs. You match it and raise them one. We're constantly doing just that.
Also, we have some very fierce competition going on between window managers right now, and I'd nearly say Mac and Windows are irrelevant. This is e17, compiz, KDE, and gnome competing, and i dare say they're doing a much better job than explorer, aero, quartz and whatever else is going on.
</rant>
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/notag/torvalds-family-uses-windows-not-linus-linux-311845.php
This operating system sucks so much that they need representatives to be sent to various schools, colleges, offices so that they can motivate people to use their dump O.S named Linux. The long haired man named Richard Stallman has no work to do but to move here and there and make absurd comments about other software companies. Stop whining that Linux is secure , it is free....bla bla bla. Even it is free its struggling from a long time against Mac and Windows. Thats the reason why open source morons try to copy features and show that if apple and windows can do this, it is also available in Linux. Though some open source applications are good, Linux is as bad as and OS can be.
Even then would you really believe all those jokers an gizmodo.
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9849168-7.html?tag=nefd.only
That being said, your eye doesn't like linux. That's obvious and personally I don't care if you like it or not. For others, linux is a thing of beauty. Considering this article concerns those who are interested in linux, your comments are akin to walking into a biker bar and shouting, "motorcycles suck and are for morons!" How stupid can you get?
point? Your open source crusade has, as far as I can tell, made
little progress and labored to produce a variant that looks like
the original beta copy of OS X. Not exactly forward thinking,
guys. In fact, OS X and even Vista, for all its many faults, are far
more forwarding thinking than any Linux operating system
flavor. Is Linux still appealing to you because you're stubborn
malcontents unhappy with any system that's (gasp) user
friendly? That sounds like a clear case of software Ron Paulitist.
Face it Linux boys and girls, you are in conflict and at a
crossroad in your lives. You have labored to produce an uncool
software Golem that I would argue is overly difficult to
use/maintain and perhaps become passé. You had your fun
poking Bill Gates in the eye and raging against the "machine".
But it's time to join the family of man and decide what you will
do with your remaining years. Put down the blimp and simply
walk away.
http://theillustratedconservative.blogspot.com/
C John your thoughts about Linux are flawed. Just because you couldn't leverage Linux to your advantage doesn't mean its a worthless system.
you know you can download it separately in many color variations
from http://www.vladstudio.com/wallpapers/?keyword=eos
Thanks!
I earned two beautiful college chics along the process
by teaching them Linux, and had sex with them.
Now sex, that's the most amazing operating system
ever!
All I have to do is talk confidently about Linux and
they're turned on.
Really cool stuff!
http://redmondmag.com/features/article.asp?editorialsid=2395
Linux isn't for everyone, and if vini156 doesn't like it, that's fine. But those considering a switch shouldn't be impaired by accusatory whining or a pathetic system such as KDE. I also fault the author, Stephan Shankland, for insinuating that Linux is trying to catch up to other OS's. In many ways, Linux is already ahead.
brethren or yore. Personally I'm a GNOME fan myself, but KDE 4 is
looking quite sharp and seems to out do even Windows Vista in
look-n-feel in some places.
The more choice the better, kudos to the KDE development team
for all their hard work and dedication :-)
Maybe they are stock holders? I guess apple and Ms are public companies.
- Funny Stuff
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by hellsyes
January 15, 2008 9:38 AM PST
- You've been drinking too much of the Steve Ballmer Kool-aid. "Linux infringes on 235 Microsoft Patents".
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Reply to this comment
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(69 Comments)Oh yeah, Steve? Can you tell us which ones and how? "Uhh... no, I can't"
Problem is, most of Microsofts software patents are probably bogus anyhow and wouldn't hold up in court. That's why they haven't pursued legal action against the open source community.