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KDE 3.4 Released
andy753421 links to today's announcement of the official release of KDE 3.4, and writes "Several KDE 3.4 based distributions such as ArkLinux and Kubuntu are soon to follow. Features in the release include built in Text to Speech, a revamped trash system, enhanced PDF support and PC to PC synchronization, as well as a new theme. KDE 3.4 weights in at 6,500+ bug fixes, 1,700+ enhancements, and a grand total of 80,000+ contributions." Reader gotr00t adds a link to the KDE download mirror page . Update: 03/16 20:58 GMT by T : mrevell points out an interview with KDE hacker Aaron Seigo in the latest LugRadio, in which Seigo "dispels various myths about KDE and talks about the desktop environment's future."
There are a few basic replies to this.
1. You're assuming all 'developers' have the same level of competency and interests. Just because there are 100 contributors doesn't mean that 100 contributors all working on 'window shading' together would make things better, or even be efficient.
2. KDE (and Gnome) are much more than 'Window Managers'. If that's all you want, use something else.
I do agree that it seems that there are some redundant projects, but seeing multiple projects and code can continue to spur development of projects. If Kopete sees something in Gaim, they can add that feature, or vice versa.
Politics comes into it too. Just because someone contributed something to Gaim doesn't mean the Gaim devs would take the contribution. Having multiple projects for people to contribute to could be seen as fostering innovation, not splitting resources, as more people can express themselves, and (hopefully) the best ideas float to the top.
Whether the whole open source community is a true meritocracy or not is another matter, though I tend to think in most cases it's closer to that than other development models.
creation science book
There is still a KOffice because the developers of KOffice started working on it before OOo existed, and right now its MUCH lighter than OOo and has most of the features, and has several extra things.
"It seems that the developers' time would be better spent improving the core functions of the window manager."
The developers will spend their time doing what they want to do (and most likely are best at), if they didn't spend it working on program X, they wouldn't necessarily be spending it working on program Y.
I think this release is going to have trouble gaining much usage in the UK - the entire country has been left off the globe on the new wallpaper!
---- Den ene knappen er powerknapp, den andre er Bender voice knapp "Bite My Shiny Metal Ass"
"I'm used to it, and it makes sense in a way."
No, it doesn't make sense.
I am not clueless or Myths and misconceptions about the design of GoboLinux
It's 10 PM. Do you know if you're un-American?
Please please please don't install all KDE modules!
Now it has been said.
The kdetoys modules is designed to contain useless crap that makes people go: HUH? What the hell is that? Other examples from that modules is a tea clock and rolling head. So if you don't want useless crap don't install kdetoys!
Other modules to avoid is kde-i18n (do you really want KDE in Swahili and Welsh?) and kdeaddons (stuff no one wanted responsibility for)