Tuesday, we reported that the KDE project had released the first beta of KDE 4.1, the release that is supposed to be ready to replace KDE3 on normal users' desktops. The information and marketing speak in the press release sure was promising, so Ars decided to take the KDE 4.1 beta out for a spin.
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Member since:2008-02-29
I don't know about that. I find it very soothing looking. Nothing brash looking takes over the screen, and the looks that they've chosen just seem to flow. I've been using 4.0 for a while, and many people who have never used Linux are impressed with its looks/usability. With 4.1, the artists seem to be making the tweaks necessary to really make KDE pop (in my humble opinion) If it really does seem that bad to you, maybe you could help with the creation of some themes (the KDE site had a contest not too long ago for Plasma themes). I'm not much of an artist myself, so I couldn't do it (on top of that, as I've stated, I like the way KDE 4 looks, especially 4.1). Anyway, to each his own. Take it easy.
Member since:2005-11-12
Member since:2005-11-21
And what is with all the wasted space in the window borders and such?
ew.
This especially:
http://www.thecodingstudio.com/opensource/linux/screenshots/scaled/...
Is it just me or did we get happy with our up/down right/left arrows to the point that every textfield has one whether it needs it or not and the scrolling needs it on both ends.
Add the fat footer it really looks bad.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2005-07-07
Is it just me or did we get happy with our up/down right/left arrows to the point that every textfield has one whether it needs it or not
Those aren't textfields but comboboxes or drop-down selections. It is quite customary on all platforms and widget styles to use an arrow to hint at this drop down option.
Member since:2006-01-01
You realize it was rendering to a screen that was 800x600? You also realize that if any other Desktop OS were rendered like that these days it'd also look huge? Windows using the classic theme probably being the exception. Then again I can make the panel smaller... and it looks nice on a big screen as it is.
Then again, you don't even really need a panel in kde4. Its not a requirement. You don't have to have it. You could even go write your own in javascript if you wanted if you feel like its that crappy. Instead all I see is the usual whine drones.
I have a feeling you've never actually bothered using it (the beta) but just had to throw your two cents in as usual.
Listen, if your going to criticize something people have put years of effort on it would at least be kind to try it, have an open mind about it, and be a little more descriptive then "its fugly."
Its not very hard btw to make or grab a new theme. The default was always programmer art from what I recall. At least for plasma.
Member since:2006-06-30
Member since:2007-02-05
I didn't like the default theme either. It felt very dark and just didn't appeal to me. But it was the easiest thing in the world to pick a new one. 5 or 6 come by default, more are a single click away (there's a 'Get New Themes' button that integrates really well with kde-look.org and will help you download new ones. Here are a couple screenshots of the theme I use and how to pick a new one:
My desktop (with a folder view plasmoid showing the desktop folder):
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/viewPhoto?uname=reldruH&aid=52058971...
The theme selector with all the default ones:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/viewPhoto?uname=reldruH&aid=52058971...
The default colorscheme (I forgot I had changed it):
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/viewPhoto?uname=reldruH&aid=52058971...
Member since:2005-12-31
Member since:2007-12-12
The only problem i have with the KDE4 user interface is the incredibly small fonts they use. Huge dialogs with huge unused empty spaces, which are caused by these small fonts. It makes the dialogs hard to read, and they are confusing..
Other than that i like KDE4's modern looks, and it seems like it will be great some day for KDE fans. I'm still using Gnome though, but that is a personal preference.
Member since:2005-11-12
t looks like Vista and OSX's love child with autism.
You truly have a gift for words. That line cracked me up. I don't know if I like the new direction of KDE either. It looks like the old gel craze in UIs that was popular in 1990. It is concerning that people are saying a lot of the components are unstable. I wouldn't dare use it for production use.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2006-12-16
I agree - the buttons still look very ugly and unpolished - even looking at the window edges, they are unrounded and rather "sharp".
KDE really needs to fix these minor things to really make their desktop environment shine imho. It has a long way to go from the usability point of view...
Dave
Member since:2005-10-01
Member since:2007-02-17
Luckily, there are enough of artists taking care of that.
Look at Skulpture or Bespin on kde-look.org.
Probably plenty more will show up once KDE 4.1 is out.
Skulpture looks pretty good to me.
http://www.kde-look.org/content/show.php/Skulpture?content=59031
http://www.kde-look.org/content/preview.php?preview=3&id=59031&file...
At this stage, that is what I would probably choose.
By the time KDE 4.1 actually gets released, doubtless there will be a wider choice.
Member since:
2005-07-06
wow, those shots are ugly as sin! They really need to hire a good designer or something. It looks like Vista and OSX's love child with autism.
And what is with all the wasted space in the window borders and such?
ew.