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KDE 4.2 Is Released

OhReally writes "It's a great day for Free Software: KDE, the desktop environment for Linux, Windows, Mac, and (Open)Solaris, has just reached version 4.2, exactly a year since the release of 4.0. This is a version suitable for broad usage, with many improvements all across the board, and lots of bugfixes. You can leave a comment or congratulate the developers here."

6 of 488 comments (clear)

  1. Re:1 question by JackieBrown · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Get over 4.0. There is no changing what happened and it's too easy a bitch anyways.

    KDE 4.2 is functional and should work beyond expectations for most typical home users.

    It even intergrates google gadets into plasma!

  2. Nice improvements by digitalderbs · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I just upgraded on kubuntu 8.10, and I'm very happy with it. It's considerably more polished than 4.1. The dialogs look more polished, the eye candy is faster and smoother, the new taskbar looks great -- and you can now have other applications cover the taskbar.

    I was thinking of switching to XFCE this week (after about 8 years on KDE), but I think I'll hold off.

    good job devs!

  3. Future Roadmap by Enderandrew · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Now that KDE has laid the framework for development, and recreated most of the features from KDE 3 as well, where do they go from here? Can they do something truly innovative?

    (No, widgets aren't innovative).

    The folderview, as a fullscreen containment with wallpaper theming is a plus. I'm looking for other innovations in how we interact with software.

    Adjusting dialogs and the interface to work well on small form factors is another step in the right direction, but honestly I think they also need an Oxygen-widget derivative specifically for minimalist screens.

    Multi-touch gestures are trendy, but other than mobile devices, I don't expect to touch my PC screen.

    The concept of a fully-realized semantic desktop sounds interesting, but is currently half-baked at best.

    Would it be a crime for KDE to steal some of the better innovations from OS X and Windows 7? Should KDE offer an official dock, or revamp the taskbar? What about both?

    Kwin, for all its nifty-ness could take a few pages from Windows 7.

    What about a crazy concept? People keep talking about a Web OS, cloud computing, etc. I've seen a proof of concept of Plasmoids served via a web plugin. KDE runs natively on Mac, Windows, Linux and Solaris today. What if you could store your KDE desktop settings and sessions online?

    Sit at any computer with most any OS, and have your desktop. Plasmoids that aren't installed locally could even be served up online.

    Where do you think KDE should go in the future?

    --
    http://blindscribblings.com - Tasty pop-culture in conceptual fashion.
  4. Re:No Critisism of F/OSS? by mr_matticus · · Score: 4, Interesting

    "People here attack F/OSS Software almost constant."

    People here attack proprietary software almost constantly, and in far greater numbers, too. There are an equal number of trolls and astroturfers on both sides, which is impressive considering the proposition that most "/. users Are WINDOWS users", as if that means they automatically support proprietary software or are automatically opposed to open source solutions.

    Windows crashing jokes and Apple cult jokes are okay, but Linux pile of half-broken crap jokes aren't? Develop a sense of humor, because guess what, there are pros and cons to everything, and not everyone has to have a religious devotion to everything discussed.

    Windows has its uses. Proprietary software has its uses. Linux has its uses. Open source software...you get the picture. People can make choices. Developers are free to release their code with an iron fist heavily slanted in their favor, or they can send it out into the world with no strings attached, or they can find some suitable middle ground. All approaches are valid. People are free to choose to walk into limitations--everything has them: Windows, OS X, Linux all have flaws.

    If Linux users get attacked constantly, it's that small subset of "Linux users" who believe that There Can Be Only One Software Model and that TEH LINUX IS PERFECT. They are trolls, astroturfers, and zealots themselves.

  5. Re:1 question by 3p1ph4ny · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Amarok 2 does not have support for an equalizer, because Phonon (KDE4's media backend) does not have equalizer support. I have seen no timeline which indicates that there are even plans to add equalizer support to Phonon (although, presumably I'm not the only one missing this feature).

    A google search of "phonon equalizer" yields nothing of any value.

    Does anyone know if there will be an equalizer for phonon?

  6. Re:Woah by X0563511 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    When the user has a locked system he doesn't care!

    I do care! I care because I want to look for a solution, not throw my hands up in despair like some other users do.

    How else do you think things get fixed? People like me notice and write it up. It gets fixed.

    How long have you been running 4.2? Have you submitted any bug reports or contributed in testing? No? Then you have no right to bitch about it.

    --
    For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...