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
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
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 Drops bcachefs
After a clash over some late fixes and disagreements between bcachefs's lead developer and Linus Torvalds, bachefs is out.
-
ONLYOFFICE v9 Embraces AI
Like nearly all office suites on the market (except LibreOffice), ONLYOFFICE has decided to go the AI route.
-
Two Local Privilege Escalation Flaws Discovered in Linux
Qualys researchers have discovered two local privilege escalation vulnerabilities that allow hackers to gain root privileges on major Linux distributions.
-
New TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro Powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300
The TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro 14 Gen10 offers serious power that is ready for your business, development, or entertainment needs.
-
Danish Ministry of Digital Affairs Transitions to Linux
Another major organization has decided to kick Microsoft Windows and Office to the curb in favor of Linux.
-
Linux Mint 20 Reaches EOL
With Linux Mint 20 at its end of life, the time has arrived to upgrade to Linux Mint 22.
-
TuxCare Announces Support for AlmaLinux 9.2
Thanks to TuxCare, AlmaLinux 9.2 (and soon version 9.6) now enjoys years of ongoing patching and compliance.
-
Go-Based Botnet Attacking IoT Devices
Using an SSH credential brute-force attack, the Go-based PumaBot is exploiting IoT devices everywhere.
-
Plasma 6.5 Promises Better Memory Optimization
With the stable Plasma 6.4 on the horizon, KDE has a few new tricks up its sleeve for Plasma 6.5.
-
KaOS 2025.05 Officially Qt5 Free
If you're a fan of independent Linux distributions, the team behind KaOS is proud to announce the latest iteration that includes kernel 6.14 and KDE's Plasma 6.3.5.