Posted on 01/26/2008 4:27:43 AM PST by Halfmanhalfamazing
"The KDE desktop environment is going cross-platform with support for the Windows and Mac OS X operating systems. In addition to porting the core KDE libraries and applications, developers are also porting popular KDE-based software like the Amarok audio player and the KOffice productivity suite. New KDE binaries for Windows were released yesterday and are now available from KDE mirrors through an automated installer program. The Mac OS X port is made available via BitTorrent in universal binary format."
(Excerpt) Read more at apple.slashdot.org ...
Good link.
It was a link off of yours. There are some bugs as would be expected, but a lot of the applications apparently run well.
What’s intriguing to me is how this opens Windows users to new (to them) and free applications that directly compete with the likes of Microsoft.
I run Ubuntu Feisty Fawn on a small extended partition, in addition to XP. I use Ubuntu for my browsing because it loads so fast, and XP for those apps, like Quicken, I need for personal management purposes.
Yeah, it is pretty interesting. Microsoft’s own operating systems become battlefields now, more than ever before.
Not sure it offers OS/X users anything but an interesting experiment, but it’s certainly worth a try on Windows.
I don’t think it offers anybody much of anything right about now.
KDE 4.0 is pretty much like Mac OS 10.0. Incomplete.
The target is clearly developers. It was then(os10) and it is now.(kde4)
But keep an eye out. As it matures, you’ll be able to get a lot of applications that you may find very useful.
Also, I’m not currently able to see what the OS cutoffs are. (operating system support)
Obviously this will work on XP. Will it work on 2k? Me? 98/95? 3.1? How far back does it go?
And the same question for mac. Obviously it’ll work with 10.5.
I think you are incorrect. KDE going cross-platform opens up a new interface for windows users, making it easier for them to see what Linux (and OSX) can do. It makes any decision about transitioning to another OS a little easier.
It shows MS users that they are not stuck with what Billy has shoved at them.
I'd imagine 2K, but not NT4, and none of the DOS-based Windows (98 and earlier).
There's enough support in the later NT branch of Windows (2K/XP/Vista) to run applications that expect a real operating system under them. But the DOS branch doesn't provide much support for that. 98 and earlier really were just single-user, single-application toys.
I say that as someone who still runs 98SE and DOS7 on old hardware sometimes. They have their place and time. But no one should expect support for them in 2008.
I use KDE and Linux on my personal computer (my work machine, unfortunately, is still mired in the Windows world) and I like KDE very much. But I seriously question the wisdom and the why of this move. It’s a misuse of KDE developers’ resources and a diversion from making KDE better and more bulletproof. The fact that the most important breakout Linux distro in years, gOS, chose the lighter-weight Enlightenment desktop should have renewed KDE’s developers’ focus on streamlining and improving KDE. Not this.
[I’m getting a new desktop PC next week. It’s coming with XP, and I intend to install Kubuntu 7.04.on part of two hard drives.]
I’ve read the article, but I don’t get the big picture. If, in XP I download this KDE desktop [I like KDE], then what? This is where I’m lost. Would it simply serve as an alternative desktop to XP’s? What else, if anything, would it allow?
My guess is KDE’s ability to run multiple desktops, for one thing. I’m sure there are other things, but as I don’t run Windows, it’s kinda hard for me to figure out some of Windows shortcomings as compared to KDE.
OK— so then its purpose is really as an interest-piquer, intended draw interest in (K)Ubuntu/Linux.
Thanks.
Don't take my word as gospel. That's only my impression/opinion. I haven't visited KDE's site to research it
Ping.
I think there are two objectives. Get past the learning curve hurdle to Linux adoption for users, and expand the base of developers and code that works with KDE, which helps KDE as well as lowers even further barriers to entry to Linux. Seems like a good strategic move all around except from MS’s point of view.
Yeah....... all of that is pretty much what I figured.......
However, seeing it in writing on their website is clearly a lot better than an assumption. :-)
That’s all I meant.
I'm looking at KDE 4.0 as many people looked at Mac OS 10.0.
The vision that is Mac OSX came much later than Mac OS 10.0, and the vision that is KDE4 will come much later than 4.0.
That's how Aaron Seigo explained it, and it makes perfect sense to me.
Or, I could explain it to in Don Rumsfeld fashion. :-P
"We release the software we have, not the software we wished we had".
LOL
------The fact that the most important breakout Linux distro in years, gOS, chose the lighter-weight Enlightenment desktop should have renewed KDE’s developers’ focus on streamlining and improving KDE. Not this.----------
Maybe. That is a good point, and I don't entirely disagree. But a polished KDE 4.xxx should be lighter than KDE 3.xxx. It will be faster. Lightweight software will only get you so far. I love efficiency, but I also love reality.
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