K Desktop Environment

So how would an average user like the Linux desktop? Let’s take a look at it ourselves...

Linux sure has come a long way from the days when it sported only a spartan command-line interface. This used to scare off most average and non-techie users. But, now you have a choice of GUIs that can service any kind of user–the novice computer user, the techie Linux user or even the Windows power user. We’ll take a look at the default desktop for PCQ Linux–KDE 2.1.1.

As mentioned in the lead-in article, Joe Ramaswamy has a certain set of requirements that need to be met which would make him comfortable with the desktop and hence the OS itself.

How easy is it to navigate the desktop? Well for a start, if Joe was a Windows user, he should be up and running on
KDE in no time. The KPanel is very similar to the Windows task bar and offers many UI and functional enhancements over it. For example, you can add “applets” to the Panel that run continuously and can be from a variety of things, from small games, to system monitors and management tools. The panel also has a Mac OS X like look with zooming icons that look absolutely great when the size is small.

The next big thing in the new KDE desktop is the integration of the KDE Web browser–Konqueror– into the interface. The integration of the desktop and browser makes for a much better user experience. Konqueror is a world class browser and I’d heartily recommend it. Our mutual but fictitious friend, Joe, would have no trouble using it or have performance or stability issues with it.

The advantage of having the browser as part of the desktop becomes apparent when “browsing” your local hard disk. Say, after downloading a file from the Web, Joe can simply type in the folder path into the address bar, and have a KExplorer window right there. He could quickly run the application, press the “Back” button and be back on the Web from where he just left. No extra windows, no load times and no problems. This integration alone is worth the upgrade to KDE 2.x over any other window manager you might use.

One of the major concerns about Linux was the availability of applications to do your job. That is no longer an issue. Ramaswamy can work with hundreds of applications to meet any of his needs. And many, if not most, of these are free for download and use. He can use the excellent KOffice suite for all his business needs.This tiny download has a full-featured word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation manager.

For entertainment, he can view CDs and listen to MP3s from the Net in the many media players bundled with the desktop. He could also check out the many games that are included.

If he’s the creative kind, he can create his own graphics using the Photoshop equivalent, GIMP, or if a music lover, the MIDI synthesizer can let him create his own symphonies. Many of the latest games coming out are also available in Linux versions and are as easy to install as their Windows cousins.

Another great thing about Linux desktops in general, and KDE 2 in particular is the existence of multiple virtual desktops. This is such a useful and additive feature to have that I’m surprised that the chaps working on The Other OS (TM) have not built it in yet. The ability to switch desktops when one gets cluttered or to send open windows from one desktop to another for better management is another killer feature. Yes, pretty good freeware applications let you do that in Windows as well, but having the ability as part of the desktop is a major advantage.

The KDE 2 control panel lets you customize his system. In fact, the desktop applet has more options than in Windows. And unlike the Win 9x OSs, Linux lets each user on the machine have an individual desktop.

Now let’s consider Joe’s brother, Moe Ramaswamy, who is a software developer. He also uses the computer to create programs and test out stuff, off and on. To create programs, not only do you have the powerful GNU compilers, but also great visual and RAD tools like KDevelop and
Kylix.

The final clincher in this whole deal is that there are no catches. You don’t need a high-end machine to run your business applications or upgrade the OS every time a new program comes up. While it is true that KDE does require more resources than window managers like WindowMaker (another excellent, though feature-wise limited, desktop, by the way), it will run just fine on a machine with reasonable amount of memory (64 MB or more) and a reasonable processor (Celeron upwards).

In most cases, you wouldn’t even need anything apart from the programs that comes along with the Linux CD itself. Most of the programs you get are free for use and you need not worry about product activation, registration or license issues.

Overall, the KDE 2 desktop is something that is worth working with and once you do, there are a lot of features that you’ll get used to quickly and find it hard to ever look at any other desktop. And you’ll understand why so many new users have this to say after using KDE2: “kool!”

Vinod Unny is a technology consultant with iSquare Technologies
www.isquaretech.com