KDE 4 (Will this be on our updates list?)

[asharmaearth411]

Hi everyone, now that the release of KDE 4 is just a few days away, will this release automatically appear on our update repositories or will we have to download a new image file off from our favorite Linux Distributors and install a whole new operating system on our computers?

[bigtomrodney]

KDE4 packages shouldn't come down automatically as part of your system updates as they are a major change. They will however start to appear in the newer distro releases (particularly next release 'season', between February and April when the big distros are releasing).

On the other hand you will be able to use unofficial or semi-official KDE4 sources/repositories to update your current distro. Actually I'm posting this from KDE4 on Ubuntu :-

If you follow these instructions you can get the latest packages on Ubuntu. I've been getting updates each week, at this stage I am seeing a lot more stability and functionality. The splash screen is nice too.

Kubuntu - The KDE Desktop

[oz]

Just because of what I've read/heard about KDE4, I'll be approaching it with great caution.

[Jonathan183]

Just tried the KDE4 preview on SUSE10.3 - it didn't work and would not let me back out again ... tried
init 3, init 5 cycle - no joy
tried reboot but the thing started up again instead of kde !
ended up dropping back to the console, init 3 and uninstalled kde4 using yast !

... I think I'll wait a while before trying kde4 again

[asharmaearth411]

Thanks, I'm downloading it right now, and am going to run it on my virtual machine. Another question: When the final release comes out on the 11th, would you have to reinstall the whole O/S? Or will this update automatically on your Ubuntu system?

KDE4 packages shouldn't come down automatically as part of your system updates as they are a major change. They will however start to appear in the newer distro releases (particularly next release 'season', between February and April when the big distros are releasing).

On the other hand you will be able to use unofficial or semi-official KDE4 sources/repositories to update your current distro. Actually I'm posting this from KDE4 on Ubuntu :-

If you follow these instructions you can get the latest packages on Ubuntu. I've been getting updates each week, at this stage I am seeing a lot more stability and functionality. The splash screen is nice too.

Kubuntu - The KDE Desktop

[oz]

Ok, it was released today:

K Desktop Environment - KDE 4.0 Released

I really thought they might put the release off for a few weeks.

[Thrillhouse]

Further down the page in the link ozar provided is a list of KDE4 availability for different distros:

The following distributions have notified us of the availability of packages or Live CDs for KDE 4.0:

* An alpha version of KDE4-based Arklinux 2008.1 is expected shortly after this release, with an expected final release within 3 or 4 weeks.
* Debian KDE 4.0 packages are available in the experimental branch. The KDE Development Platform will even make it into Lenny. Watch for announcements by the Debian KDE Team. Rumours are that a Live CD is planned as well.
* Fedora will feature KDE 4.0 in Fedora 9, to be released in April, with Alpha releases being available from 24th of January. KDE 4.0 packages are in the pre-alpha Rawhide repository.
* Gentoo Linux provides KDE 4.0 builds on Gentoo Linux Projects -- Gentoo KDE Project.
* Kubuntu packages are included in the upcoming "Hardy Heron" (8.04) and also made available as updates for the stable "Gutsy Gibbon" (7.10). A Live CD is available for trying out KDE 4.0. More details can be found in the announcement on Kubuntu.org.
* Mandriva will provide packages for 2008.0 and aims at producing a Live CD with the latest snapshot of 2008.1.
* openSUSE packages are available for openSUSE 10.3 (one-click install), openSUSE Factory (one-click install) and openSUSE 10.2. A KDE Four Live CD with these packages is also available. KDE 4.0 will be part of the upcoming openSUSE 11.0 release.

[daark.child]

I installed KDE 4 on openSUSE 10.3 and it worked great for me. I am pretty impressed with the improvements that the KDE devs have made. I will continue to use it, but KDE 3.x will be my main desktop for a while.

[Vergil83]

I installed it on Debian Sid and I was pretty impressed too. They made a lot of improvements, although it still needs some polish. When KDE4.1 comes out, it should be very nice (and I am a GNOME user).