Technical Reviews and Geek Toys

With the release of "The Answer", (a.k.a KDE 4.2.0) desktop yesterday, the KDE Community is now confident they have a compelling offering for the majority of end users. KDE 4.2.0 builds on the technology introduced with KDE 4.0 in January 2008. I installed it on a Kubuntu 8.10 machine that I had built for a neighbor to compare it with the KDE 4.1 version that I have on my machine.

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The KDE Desktop Workspace consists of a group of core applications including Plasma, KWin, KRunner and SystemSettings. Plasma, is a fundamental rewrite of several desktop interaction technologies included in the KDE desktop environment for Linux and other Unix-like systems, focusing on eyecandy and special graphical effects. Plasma also provides a resolution-independent interface for KDE, making the desktop look identical almost regardless of screen size or resolution. Plasma's applets are collectively called plasmoids, but range from informative widgets to mini-applications like calculators and dictionaries. An important feature of Plasma is that there is no longer a distinction between panels (like the taskbar), desktop icons, and widgets; they are created the same way.

I have been impressed with the ease of use and pleasing visuals provided by the KDE 4.1 on my machine. Although there is not a wide selection of Plasmoids available, I have found a couple that I use all of the time. There are also some that I only use occasionally. While it is very easy to adding / remove a plasmoid, it would be nice to be able to be able to have it installed without taking up desktop space. The dictionary is a prime example. It works fine on the desktop but I was unable to put it in a panel to get it out of the way and end up add / removing it as needed. The dictionary in KDE 4.2 may be added to a panel where it shows up as an icon. Clicking on the icon activates the dictionary... just as it should be. KDE 4.2 has also added a Keyboard Shortcut to the plasmoids so they can be on focus via a keystroke. As for the Dictionary, a keystroke will activate / deactivate it. Very nice.

I like the changes in the way the K menu operates, The shading is different allowing one to more readily see which category is in view. I really like some of the new plasmoids... the LDC Weather Station; RSS Now as well as the News; there are individual System Monitor plasmoids for system temperature, CPU usage, hard disk usage, and network usage... or a System Monitor plasmoid that has all in one; the Twitter Microblogger is a plasmoid that I use all of the time in my current KDE. Oh, it now shows how many characters are available for the post.

A nice thing about new releases is the problems that are fixed. Since I started using KDE 4.1 I have not been able to VNC into the desktop and do anything. I am able to remote in, but for example, am not able to pop up the K menu. From the remote client I press the K menu and nothing happens. I can look at the local monitor and the menu pops up, I just can't see it on the remote client. I guess it is the way Plasma works or something. It has only been a slight annoyance and I haven't taken the time to research the problem to see if there was a fix. I am pleased to see that it is fixed in KDE 4.2.

Of course, this is not going to be an exhaustive review of KDE 4.2. I just wanted to check it out and share some of what I found. I would suggest you follow the links and see the details. View the KDE 4.2.0 Release Announcement here. See how the KDE 4.2 Desktop Improves User Experience. KDE Applications Leap Forward KDE also comes with an abundant number of educational applications and games. KDE 4.2 is FREE and may be found on the KDE Download page.

Did you know? KDE Applications are available for Windows.

Well, I must say I like what I have seen of "The Answer", (a.k.a KDE 4.2.0) desktop. I have been very happy with the KDE 4.1 desktop that I have been using for awhile now. This release adds even more features that I have been looking for. In fact I am in the process of installing it on my laptop so I can give it a more thorough testing. I asked Bella to stop by storage to pick up another PC to play with. I need to make sure it will work on that platform before I install it on her machine. Don't want to break her machine for sure. I am looking forward to the release of Kubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope which is scheduled to be released in April.