GNOME, KDE 4.1, or KDE 3.x

[Distorted Humor]

I hope this is the right place,

I am downloading OpenSUSE (I have the 10.1 box set, but decided since it 11.1 to try it) and in my Google-fu I see that a lot of people felt that the new KDE was a bit unstable, but now there is a new version of KDE, and I was wondering.

Which do you recommend to install since Suse 11.1 has them as options.

[oz]

It's like vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate ice cream and really a matter of personal preference, so you'd need to try them all and decide for yourself.

That said, I personally like Gnome, although I was a big KDE fan up until KDE4 hit the streets. For whatever it's worth, I also prefer vanilla ice cream.

[gerard4143]

Personally I started with KDE and then I was seduced by the simplicity of Gnome and haven't looked back since...Gerard4143

Plus Gnome is GTK+ based and GTK+ is free...Hope this helps

[D-cat]

I'm still a KDE fan, though I hate the new layout in KDE 4 (they really need to stop trying to make Vista's visual bugs bigger and badder), but it wasn't too hard to click back into classic mode. The new prefrences layout isn't really too different from the old, but a few relocations drive those who are used to finding certain things in certain places a little nuts... again, replicating the Windows experience just a little too well!

KDE is the interface designed for transitioning Windows users. It is the most featured, heaviest, and indeed clunky of all the interface options. Gnome is a smooth and fairly clean interface that is still very powerful. Some call it a cheap Mac experience, but I disagree; it's an interface of its own evolution. A transitioning Windows user might feel a little lost at first, but after playing around a little while may come to enjoy the design.

Anyway, for a new user, none of my rant is relevant, it really is just about what you like better. I had a bad experience with Gnome many years ago, a bug I'm sure has long been squashed, but since I've gotten very familiar and comfortable with the KDE interface, that's pretty much all there is to it.

Some people might even prefer to use a light desktop like xfce for performance with GTK and KDE core components installed for compatibility (Rocky Road).

What's best is what's best for you. It's all your choice. Welcome to Linux!

[rokytnji]

I experiment with different Desktops from KDE,Gnome, JWM (Jims Window Manager), LXDE, Icewm. and XFCE. All have their strong points, they just do things differently . Some have more features like Gnome and KDE and the others are way faster like Icewm,JVM,LXDE,and XFCE. I seem to syncronize with Gnome best. Still learning the ins and outs of the others.Variety is the spice of life, so if you have the room make room for different sessions of Desktops and you can pick which session/Desktop to boot up and see for yourself what trips your trigger. Kindda fun actually.

[bigtomrodney]

Plus Gnome is GTK+ based and GTK+ is free...Hope this helps

The Qt toolkit that KDE is based on has been GPL'd for years now and is also free. As of last week Nokia announced that Qt would be available under the LGPL on all platforms and is now as free as GTK+ in all aspects. I just needed to clear this up as the Qt licensing controversy was resolved years ago and it does no good to keep dragging it up.

KDE - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Distorted Humor]

Well I will install a number of deskstops to see which one I like most, and play around with it till I find one I like, then do a nice clean install with that desktop. It is kinda moot till I figure out how to safely partition my drive...

[oz]

Well I will install a number of deskstops to see which one I like most, and play around with it till I find one I like, then do a nice clean install with that desktop.

While it is more time consuming to do all this, it really is the best method for figuring it all out, and it is the only way you will know for sure what you like best.

Best of luck with your experimentation.

[gerard4143]

The Qt toolkit that KDE is based on has been GPL'd for years now and is also free.

You should check this web site for any qt license queries

Qt Licensing — Qt Software - Code Less. Create More. Deploy Everywhere

this is a quote from the web site:

The Open Source Edition is freely available for the development of Open Source software governed by the GNU General Public License versions 2 and 3 (“GPL”). The Qt Commercial Editions must be used for proprietary, commercial development.

Is it free...well kind of

and for GTK+, its quote:

GTK+ - About

GTK+ is licensed under the GNU LGPL 2.1 allowing development of both free and proprietary software with GTK+ without any license fees or royalties.

this is assuming both web sites are current and up to date...Hope this Helps Gerard4143

[Distorted Humor]

While it is more time consuming to do all this, it really is the best method for figuring it all out, and it is the only way you will know for sure what you like best.

Best of luck with your experimentation.

Thanks, will be getting to it as soon as I can get something to safely partition Vista I will be well on my way.