KDE 4.4 'Caikaku' released, complete with netbook trimmings
By Donald Melanson 
posted February 10th 2010 1:06PM
posted February 10th 2010 1:06PM
KDE might not be on the radar of everyone that jumped into the Linux game with Ubuntu, but that might change a bit with the release of KDE Software Compilation 4.4 (a.k.a "Caikaku"), which looks to add considerably more than some tweaks and a bit of polish. That includes a range of built-in social network features and, perhaps most notably, a Plasma Netbook component that's specifically designed for "ergonomic use on netbooks and smaller notebooks." Otherwise, you can expect to see some improved window management features, a new Desktop Search, and, of course, plenty of other minor improvements and bug fixes (7,293, to be exact). Hit up the link below for the complete overview, and the necessary download links to get started.
[Thanks, Madman]
[Thanks, Madman]
It looks so nice I actually consider to use it on Windows. Has anyone tried to compile / use it on that platform? And is or will there be a binary release for it?
@jeti As one of the KDE on Windows people:
If you compile yourself:
http://techbase.kde.org/Getting_Started/Build/KDE4/Windows/emerge
If you want to use the installer (sometimes buggy and no 4.4 yet):
http://windows.kde.org/
KDE 4.4 looks so good. I just don't know what Distro to choose to use it with. I don't want Ubuntu/Kubuntu either. Any suggestions?
@ryankage Debian?
@rbj how is debian towards a semi-new user to Linux? I've heard from friends it can be a pain to work with.
@ryankage opensuse 11.2 and update to kde 4.4, you wonyt be disappointed..
@ryankage
Well, openSUSE is a KDE-centric distro with all of the new KDE features built-in, but I still prefer U/Kubuntu. There are way more pre-packaged softwares for Ubuntu, and Ubuntu is also leaner and faster than openSUSE. Many third-party projects (closed source, or not available in the repositories) also support Ubuntu over other distros. So I highly recommend Kubuntu to a beginner, lest you are looking for headaches. You could also try Arch Linux, which, like Ubuntu, is based on Debian.
@bigcow05 I just want something without all the bloat so I can install everything myself and make it how I want it. Ubuntu has almost too much stuff installed that I didn't even use when I was on it.
@ryankage
Ah, in that case, you might want to check out Arch. It is pretty minimal compared to Ubuntu, but can still use .deb packages.
Reading the comments about this article makes it clear why Linux will never find mass appeal among the non-geeks.
Even though the price is ZERO, getting a distro to just work requires a significant investment in time.
@DavidDorpstein. "... getting a distro to just work requires a significant investment in time."
My friend - total n00b - spend two days tweaking Ubuntu to his liking.
His comment month later started like yours "getting a distro to just work requires a significant investment in time" but went on to "but unlike Windows requires literally zero time to keep running."
> "Reading the comments about this article makes it clear why Linux will never find mass appeal among the non-geeks."
In a way yes: it is made by engineers for engineers.
But keep checking Ubuntu forums: it is much more hopeful that I ever thought it would be.
@Dummy00001
I prefer freebsd for its speed, stability and lack of fluff. I use it occasionally. In the past I administered a freebsd server for over 8 years with no issue. When I left, they switched to linux and had a server breach within 2 months.
While linux may be easier, it is by no means easy nor maintenance free. Just try installing a new graphics card or other peripheral. Hours on the net looking for drivers and then tweaking them to work. Very few things are drop and go, and even if designed as such are often buggy and prone to failure. Yes, there are people who are lucky but I don't think they're the rule.
In order to attempt to make Linux appeal to a "noob" audience several layers of programming overhead have been added that in my opinion degrade the original appeal of such a system. That's why I prefer clean overhead FreeBSD. BTW arguably the best noob layer programming for FreeBsd has been done with MacOSx by Apple. (I'm no apple fan but calling it as I see it, I don't even own an ipod).
@DavidDorpstein
I agree that Ubuntu and other big distros tend to put way too much bloat between the user and OS. It's all fun and games until either you try to do something uncommon or the harware is a little bit unusual.
That's why I use Arch linux. a very barebones OS by default with a very barebones package manager. It takes a while to get X installed and running with your favorite WM and so on, but after you've got it running, it tends to run very well.
@DavidDorpstein It doesn't REQUIRE an investment in time, it generally works perfectly well 'out of the box' (so to speak).
It does, however, present you with the opportunity to change anything that doesn't suit you as the end user - that's where the time comes in. Don't like the media player? Don't worry, there's plenty of free alternatives, and K/Ubuntu (and most other top tier distros) will install it for you in one or two clicks - for free, without the need for Googling. Don't like the way things look, or react to your input? Hey, let's change that. For free (i'm looking at you Stardock). Has your data storage thrown a hissy-fit - no problemo, there are hundreds of data recovery utilities...
All. For. Free.
Linux users are grateful for this freedom, and as far as I can tell, 'non admin' users like me appreciate knowing what's going on inside the box that is becoming ever more essential to everyday life.
@Dummy00001 Windows takes hours to get running(forms, restarts, drivers...) then takes tons of work to get the proper applications installed, then you're still stuck with their UI.
I left Windows because it was so much work to keep working (this was in the XP days, granted, but yeah) and everything I did could be done on Linux. I was a windows power-user at the time I left it, which is probably why it took so long to adjust.
That said, with practice and study I can get a computer installed and set up to a nearly identical install as my last one in 2 hours. That includes extensive customisation, and setting up said customised software for that specific hardware.(I don't use QWERTY, and use a tiling window manager)
With that same installation disk in the same or less time I can have a server up and running.
I run the same disto on my netbook, server, and desktop. Can you say that for Windows?
I can update all my software in two commands (it would be one, but I don't use sudo).
Shit, if I was less concerned about security I could do that across all my computers with 2 commands.
Actually, I wouldn't do that even then, but I could.
Can you do that with Windows?
Do I run into problems from time to time? Less often than I did when on Windows.
I can't think of a time I've been happier with how my compute works.
Debian forever.
ind
@MacAnkka I tried Arch, but I like software that's tested before it's packaged.
And I like to have a selection of software.
And I like my binary distro to use binaries..(AUR == fail for the week I tried to get Arch working. how did they make simple and common Emacs packages behave in a totally broken manner? No idea, but I wasn't alone).
Blah.
If it works for you, more power to ya, but 'works for me' seems to be what Arch is all about...
Hope they fix KDE , I tired Fedora 12 and it was a pain to work with, couldn't change the clock to a regular 12 hour clock. I mean how many countries use a 24 hour clock?
Also I'm sick of the "K" start button, its the same as it has been since the 90s
@Hydra
Almost everyone uses 24-hour clock. Only north america and Australia use the 12-hour clock these days
@Hydra Let's change the K start button to a D start button! A world of difference, that will make!
@The REAL Lol
Lets do one better and put a window on it! That'll make loads of sense!
Why do linux nerds have to attack less tech savvy authors to express their superiority? So? He blundered. Politely suggest a correction with humility and move on. Have some decorum.
Why they never stop copy Windows UI, really sad.
Why do linux nerds have to attack less tech savvy authors to express their superiority? So? He blundered. Politely suggest a correction with humility and move on. Have some decorum.
Why do linux nerds have to attack less tech savvy authors to express their superiority? So? He blundered. Politely suggest a correction with humility and move on. Have some decorum.
Very sorry for the triple post.
Just because KDE got updated, doesn't mean that it isn't overly bloated anymore. I still use XFCE, JWM2, and IceWM.
I will never consider KDE until they drop their childish obsession with having every major program or project name sport the letter 'K' (two in this case, cause three would have been a little awKward).
@TheHoldSteady What, like some other company that seems to have a childish obsession with starting everything with the letter, "i"?
What a crap point to make. "Amarok's got a K in it, so it must be crap!" Reveals much about how simple your mind is.
I updated Kubuntu using the backports repository. Almost a smooth update. I'm pretty satisfied. I can notice some performance improvements, but actually I much prefer the previous Oxygen decoration and theme. Where did my nice line below the titlebar go, and the repressed-looking window buttons, and the space between close and the other buttons? Oh well, I'll be able to change it back by installing the old default theme again.