Which Linux Desktop (and why?)

[MidnightCowboy]

Great summary and review of the developments connected with Gnome3, Unity and KDE.

http://www.techradar.com/news/softwa...nment--1045280

[wdhpr]

Great article, read it from start to finish.

Of the three desktop environments on test, only KDE ships with different interfaces for regular screens and netbooks and doesn't force the user to stick to either. Some users even preferred the netbook workspace on a laptop.

Something I have wondered about myself. To me it seems only logical to provide an environment for both regular screens and laptops/tablets.

One major improvement of this KDE release is the improved integration of GTK apps with Plasma Workspaces. This was apparent when users installed and used the Cheese webcam app without realizing that they were using a Gnome application in KDE.

Very slick and a nice touch

While there was something to like about all of the desktops, KDE 4.7 drew the lowest number of groans. A major factor in KDE's success is its familiar interface. We're pretty sure if we'd put Gnome 2.x in the mix no one would have had any complaints. But, to be fair, KDE scored pretty highly, even after discounting the familiarity factor.

I have been so happy with Gnome 2 (Mint Julia) I almost forgot about KDE.

If our tests are any indication, though, KDE 4.7 is the desktop environment to beat, with Unity 11.10 a close second and Gnome Shell 3.2 bringing up the rear.

As I see it I have a couple of options. Kubuntu seems to be the most promising. DebEX-Mint 12 with KDE 4.7.3 may be a bit more challenging.

Now that I have a 2TB external drive I have plenty of room to test both. I'm hoping I can find refuge from Unity and Gnome3.

PS: and yes wireless connections continue to be a problem with KDE 4.7

[MidnightCowboy]

Funny you should mention Kubuntu because I loaded it onto a flash drive over the holiday but never got round to looking at it. I did though this morning and first impressions are very good.

The last version didn't recognize my mobile broadband, but this one does Still the same old story with the cable DSL though (despite being marked as "fixed" in their forum) but running "sudo pppoeconf" and entering the details connects instantly so I could live with that.

Kubuntu is definitely one of the less resource hungry KDE distros (like Mageia) but doesn't seemed geared to running all the bells and whistles. Half the desktop effects won't work on my system for instance so if yours is the same you'll have to do without some Superkaramba themes and other glitz. Kororaa on the other hand runs this stuff out of the box but the penalty is higher resource use.

I really like the Kubuntu presentation which I would best describe as "crisp".

It also seems much more stable than the last version I ran. I tried all the usual things like messing with system settings in live session, installing stuff and closing the Software Centre before it finished etc., but it's rock solid.

Might be tempted to a full install

[wdhpr]

Got around to installing Kubuntu 11.10. Two things, My Nvidia video card would not allow me to see the Grub logon menu. ( a known bug ) The update process froze at 56% I had to hard boot after letting it go for almost 2 hours

I'm still kicking around the idea of downloading DebEX-Mint 12 Special with KDE 4.7.4 which is 1,480 MB. I guess I may revisit Zorin.......... decisions decisions

*note* I totally missed the thread on Dedoimedo's best of 2011 list Thanks Anupam

I'm thinking of Kubuntu 11.04 now

[MidnightCowboy]

Well, I was tempted to install Kubuntu but on my system at least this turned out to be a pointless exercise. The live CD performed admirably but as soon as I completed the install - no network. A message appeared for ages saying "waiting for network configuration", and then another saying "waiting up to another 60 seconds for network configuration", but it never arrived! Shame really, if I get time I'll post in their forum to see if anyone else has experienced this.

[wdhpr]

I'm having a terrible experience with Kubuntu 11.04 also
Same issues with my Nvidia video. I would think my hardware isn't obsolete after just 4 years. Onward and forward..... time for something else
sigh..

[MidnightCowboy]

Originally Posted by wdhpr

I'm having a terrible experience with Kubuntu 11.04 also
Same issues with my Nvidia video. I would think my hardware isn't obsolete after just 4 years. Onward and forward..... time for something else
sigh..

I guess it all comes down to making a desktop decision first. IMO with a bit of extra theme tweaking ( which is easy enough as it still supports Emerald), and in my case bit of service disabling for the bundled extras I don't need, Pinguy has to be the easiest and most complete. I also found the x64 perfectly stable.

Overall, all of the reviews I've read say that KDE is now a better platform than either Unity or Gome3, but I just wish there weren't all these inconsistencies with hardware recognition, and especially networking which has dragged on for so long, it's a joke. Even Netrunner which previously used Gnome Network Manager with no issues has also gone over to KDE, hence it doesn't now work for me.

As of this latest release, I'd probably switch to Dreamlinux if the sound issues could be ironed out. Having failed to get a registration confirmation for their forum, I've now tried the direct email contact. Being from Brazil, I hope they respond

[wdhpr]

After a disastrous run with Kubuntu I held my nose and installed Ubuntu 11.10
I did so after reading Dedoimedo's list of best distros of 2011. I still retain Mint Julia and have no plans to stop using it. I had the same issue's with with my Grub boot menu but was able to resolve the issue with the help of the Ubuntu help community. Just in case others with Nvidia graphic cards run into this problem I found the solution Here Basically just install the StartUpManager and set the display to 800x600 (problem solved) it effect the boot menu only.

I figure it cant hurt to get familiar with this new desktop. (who knows I might get to like it)

[MidnightCowboy]

Do share how you get on with it. My main gripe was the lack of customizing options. Not a major point from a usability perspective, but having been used to Emerald and Windowblinds, looks are important to me

[wdhpr]

Nothing important to report. Ubuntu 11.10 is functional but not as easy to customize as Mint Julia. Julia is more intuitive IMO.. but thats not to say U 11.10 isn't, its just that I haven't figured out how to get it where I want it yet.

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