KDE getting ready to go native on Windows

ZDNet UK ^ | February 08, 2005, 14:50 GMT | Ingrid Marson

[N3WBI3]

The Linux desktop environment KDE is moving a little closer to Microsoft Windows as developers ready a release of QT, the KDE graphical framework, that will run natively on the proprietary operating system.

Ralf Habacker, a KDE developer who initiated a project to port the Linux desktop to Windows, said over the weekend that a native Windows port for Qt, the KDE graphical framework, will be released under the General Public License (GPL).

"The native GPLed port of QT/Win 3.3.3 will reach production state soon," said Habacker.

He said that people who have used the native port to build releases of Linux applications have only reported "minor problems".

At present, KDE fans who want to run the desktop on Windows have to use the Unix emulator Cygwin, which reduces performance. Habacker said in a recent post on the Sourceforge forum that performance is likely to be improved by running KDE natively on Windows.

The 'KDE on Cygwin' project team believes a Windows port is important as Microsoft users can try the open source desktop without switching their operating system, according to the project Web site.

"We think that KDE is a great desktop and has the opportunity to be a big player in the 'desktop environment' area," said a posting on the project's Web site. "Windows is the OS of choice for many companies. How does this square with the promotion of KDE? The answer is simple: build something that allows KDE applications to run atop Windows. This is the goal we are aiming for with this project."

But some KDE developers disagree that the desktop should be made available on Windows, and Habacker agreed there are differing opinions over the project. "Some developers like this idea, some do not," said Habacker. "The first group sees more the practical advantages, while the latter has more political objectives."

KDE developer Aaron Seigo said in a recent blog posting that making open source applications such as KDE, Firefox and OpenOffice available on Windows, means that users are less likely to switch to Linux on the desktop.

"By porting Free Software to Windows one increases the number of valuable applications on that platform," said Seigo. "Since application availability is a key factor in operating system usage, we can do the math pretty easily: if Windows has Microsoft applications plus the stable of Free Software apps while desktop Linux/BSD/etc has only the Free Software apps, why would anyone in their right mind switch to Linux/BSD (and incur the training and data migration costs) when they already have all the software they need and want right in front of them? They have no reason to. None. Ergo, they won't."

[N3WBI3]

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[xcamel]

[martin_fierro]

"...if Windows has Microsoft applications plus the stable of Free Software apps while desktop Linux/BSD/etc has only the Free Software apps, why would anyone in their right mind switch to Linux/BSD (and incur the training and data migration costs) when they already have all the software they need and want right in front of them? They have no reason to. None. Ergo, they won't."

Well, you get exposed/accustomed to the apps -- and then eventually make the switch to a more secure underlying OS.

[N3WBI3]

In either event I would be content. I dont really care if Linux is on x% of desktops, there is enough of a community to keep it growing and maturing.

[darkwing104]

Why?

[N3WBI3]

Because its a more configurable, and lighter interface than the one windows comes with ;). Right now I use emerge on my windows box because I am more comfortable with something I can really play around with rather than just change from crayola to classic ;)

[NoClones]

interesting...I'd try it

[N3WBI3]

I don't like KDE for starters, and the advantages for running such a windows manager would be for the Linux kernel, which wouldn't be the case if you had running on top of Windows. This is an exercise in pointlessness, and I see no benefit gained.

Im not a huge kde fan myself, my heat will always belong to fvwm though Im now using xfce. I still think this will provide users on windows with a better choice for the UI than explorer and any more options for the end user is a good thing. It will also get windows users more comfortable with UNIX interfaces and possibly make moving to Linux eventually a little less intimidating.

OpenSource is not all about Linux this will benefit KDE which, like Linux, is a good example of a successful opensource project. I dont see anyone who has waited this long to try KDE on windows be disuadded from running Linux.

This will benefit only those who still think *nix is command line only and a crap desktop. For a desktop machine linux has had underpinnings as strong as windows for years, and it has overcome clunky interfaces that were not fun to tune (fvwmrc anyone). After playing with KDE at the very least they wont be as frightened of Linux even if they decide to stay on windows..

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

Why?

Don't get me wrong, i LOVE KDE, but it would still be Windows (shudder).

[N3WBI3]

Think of it as a baby step, a user can see what a linux desktop would be like while still having all the system they are used to.

Also keep in mind KDE is not Linux this is a yawner as far as Linux is concerned but for KDE this will open up 90%+ of the market that up until now could not run their product..

[rzeznikj at stout]

This sounds great!!

Any idea when the full version's supposed to ship?

The other thing, could this mean that the Crystal set used in KDE could be implemented for use in Windows--I'd like to change all of the default icons to Crystal, and possibly find a more realistic KDE Windowblinds theme (though, I'm using the free version...)

[rzeznikj at stout]

I don't mind KDE personally--it works for my purposes, but I personally like XFCE more, and I know I can upgrade it on my liveCD without any operation or space-on-the-cd problems.

Flux isn't bad either, IMO.

Though when I had Linux on my desktop, I had Enlightenment, fvwm, IceWM, Blackbox, etc. though I personally didn't care for them.

That said, I sometimes still miss GNOME (not available yet for Slax)...

[softwarecreator]

Great idea.  If KDE runs on Windows, it will give many users a chance to use it and get familiar with what it can do.

Transfering to Linix will then become a bit easier.

[Golden Eagle]

Obviously, with news like this, more things are moving from Linux to Windows than vice versa.

[softwarecreator]

I think it's great to have competition between the two (if Linux can continue it's market share increase).  Microsoft really needs to step it up and prove they are innovative.  I will probably always prefer MS systems but would love to see them fight a little more to stay ahead.  My fear is that they are becoming lazy with their last few operating systems.  This could turn into a trend that someday (in the far, far future) could spell their doom.

[Golden Eagle]

LOL, funny you would support the full time cloners and put the onus on MS to innovate. Where is the open source Active Directory? Equivalent to .NET framework? Media Center O/S? Hell, they can't even match Outlook after years of trying, ROFL.

[softwarecreator]

I understand that for you this whole MS vs Linux thing is somehow personal.  It's not personal to me.  I prefer MS, always have, probably always will.  The "onus", as you say, has nothing to do with the "cloners".  I want them to do better for my own selfish reason ... getting the best operating system possible.  Is that wrong to want?  To push them to go farther?  I don't see why that would be wrong.  I am personally pushing myself to get a brown belt, even after a very serious leg injury almost forced me to quit permanently ... competition is good.