Disclaimer
A lot of what makes a Linux distribution exceptional depends on how well the developers make the distro work with desktop environment. For example, openSUSE is well-known for running well on KDE, while Ubuntu had previously been released consistently with a Gnome environment. This review attempts to focus only on the merits of the desktop environment and not the Linux distribution itself. Other elements not considered are:
- performance in relation to the Linux distribution (varies considerably)
- application selections (varies considerably)
- distribution-specific customizations (e.g. Linux Mint's menu)
KDE
- Sample distributions: Kubuntu 11.10, openSUSE 11.x, Mandriva 2010, Mandriva 2011
- Distinguishing Characteristics: KDE Desktop Settings, Plasma Desktop
KDE Kickoff Menu
Overview
1. KDE3 was unfairly compared to Windows during its run despite a superior interface and unique features. The same could be said about KDE4, which stumbled during its initial releases, but has been refined to impressive results.
2. KDE4 is characterized by an infinite number of user accessible GUI settings. Every component can be changed and modified without having to access script files or open the Terminal. This gives KDE4 both control and complexity, which may explain why others prefer Gnome2's simplicity and "hidden" configuration settings.
3. Although Gnome2 had grown somewhat bloated itself during its final stage before the introduction to Gnome3, KDE has always felt considerably more bulky than its primary competitor. The Activity Manager, dozens of widgets, the KDE Plasma Netbook Interface, the ROSA desktop (Mandriva), have all been included on top of KDE4 on some Linux distributions. Even without the aforementioned features, KDE is loaded with numerous KDE-applications that have weighed down the desktop's install, update, and even user experience.
Feature Highlights
1. I personally love the KDE Kickoff Menu. I hardly use any type of Application Menu, but its smooth operation and well-suited icon set makes it more fun to use than any Dock or Widget.
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| Kickoff Menu |
2. The highly organized and robust Desktop Configurations settings are more useful and more comprehensive than ones found in Xfce, Gnome2, Gnome3, and LXDE's. Sections are clearly labeled and for added convenience there's a context-sensitive search bar too. KDE4 shames Windows 7's Control Panel by a mile.
3. Plasma Desktop - I hardly use desktop effects. I don't find widgets useful either. However, if I had an extremely powerful machine, I'd probably be using widgets such as the Folder View and Hard Disk widgets (included in all KDE4 desktops). I also find the newly-improved Plasma Netbook interface a great addition.
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| Netbook Interface |
Work in Progress?
1. I find Nepomuk/Strigi/Akonadi annoying and superfluous.
2. KDE4 isn't the best for low-powered machines despite the inclusion of the Plasma Netbook interface.
3. Startup time hasn't really improved with KDE4, which is understandable but still difficult to accept. KDE-based desktops such as Mandriva 2011, openSUSE 11.4, openSUSE 12, and Kubuntu can't seem to match any LXDE or Gnome-based distro out there even after optimization (i.e. removing services, uninstalling applications, turning off effects, etc.).
4. Some of KDE's applications are excellent. My personal favorites are Ksnapshot and Dolphin. Unfortunately, KDE also comes loaded with what could easily be seen as crapware - Ktorrent, KMail, KwalletManager, KAddressbook, and others.
5. Although KDE4 doesn't crash as much as KDE3, it's still not unusual to have an application crash and a user assaulted by the KDE bug window.
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| Hands down my favorite application in KDE is Dolphin |
Xfce
- Sample distributions: PCLinuxOS, Xubuntu 11.01, Fedora Xfce Spin, Mandriva 2010 Xfce
- Distinguishing Characteristics: Application Finder, Application Launcher ("Dock"), XConf Settings editor
Overview
1. Xfce is the "other" lightweight distribution though many have noted that Xfce is as fully-featured as Gnome2.
3. Xfce attempts to present a fast desktop by including applications such as Gnumeric and Abiword, but the overall user experience and features is very similar to Gnome2. Xfce actually straddles the line between the frugal LXDE and Gnome2 in this respect.
Feature Highlights
While looking for a lightweight distribution, I've tried Xfce several times and was burned every time. LXDE succeeded in Lubuntu 11.10, but I have yet to try a Xfce release I like (not even Xubuntu 11.10).
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| The App Finder is very Mac OSX but seems redundant with a menu and Dock already available. |
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| Some might like the included "Launcher Panel" |
There is nothing wrong with Xfce and the desktop has plenty of followers. It's a simple, straightforward desktop and in theory the features are tasteful, but doesn't really do anything for me.
Work in Progress?
1. My impression of using Xfce is that there is really no speed gains from running the desktop - it's only the Xfce application selections that make it "lightweight." It's not exactly crippled nor frugal, but between a fully-powered Gnome desktop and a slightly reduced Xfce release, a user might as well pick Gnome and work from there.
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| Xconf can be somewhat obtuse. |
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| Very limited Desktop Settings |
2. When not implemented right, Xfce is a disaster. The combination of Gnome and Xfce libraries made for an unpleasant experience in Mandriva 2010 Xfce. PClinuxOS has notched a few misses with their Xfce spin. openSUSE's Xfce releases have been bland and uneventful.
3. The menu is plain and the included dock seems out of place for a lightweight distribution. When shown to a non-Linux user, Xfce just doesn't elicit the "wow" factor of even Knoppix 6.5's tasteless Compiz effects. For all of the criticisms against Gnome3 and Unity, the two at least impresses.
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| Mundane menu |
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