Hi,

I'm using sidux with KDE 4.1.2 from experimental. I just read about a desktop cube (plugin) implemented in the kwin-effects? Couldn't find it. Is this just a patch or soth else for only some distributions and not yet available for Debian systems? Or could I download that plugin from somewhere?


Greez and thanx

w.

The cube was written for KDE 4.2, so officially it hasn't been released. Some distributions have backported it though, with bugs and all, so you will need to query your distribution's community to see if it's available to you.

You mean this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arZSxLuwv_E ?

It was developed at this year's Google Summer of Code - so it still takes a while to get to us users, but I found some hints of it working in Intrepid...

Thanx for the fast replies!

Allright, I saw it in Suse11. But I can wait for such bling-bling-stuff
was just a request for information.

Thanx again

w.

michael4910 wrote:You mean this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arZSxLuwv_E ?

It was developed at this year's Google Summer of Code - so it still takes a while to get to us users, but I found some hints of it working in Intrepid...

Has been taken out already because it didnt really work except of the cube itself. It probably wont be reimplented again.

As cool as the desktop cube is, that's all it's really useful for in my opinion; looking cool. I've heard lots argue that the desktop cube is more productive, etc. I just don't see how these people find the desktop cube so productive when all it does is take the multiple desktops you have and place them in a 3D rendered environment which eats more CPU/GPU/RAM than normal.

I can see why developers don't want to mess around with this stuff; sure it's nice to show your friends but beyond that it isn't worth putting the man hours into something that doesn't really change the way you use the system itself.

But it does change the way one uses the system. Perhaps not the cube by itself, but the GUI, the way your system looks has an impact on the user which sits in front of it. Who of us would like to work with a boring win95 like computer nowadays when there's a great looking KDE4 available? You're right: none! So all that transparency, shadows, icons and also the cube make the user more productive, even when there is no real functionality given...

You are correct in saying the GUI delivers a better "end-user" experience with all of the cool looking windows/shadows, etc. and I do quite agree with you that all the very nice GUI features make it so much better to use from a visual standpoint. I was getting more into the productivity end of things though. It is the 'look and feel' effect that lights the average user up and gets them interested. However, from a productivity standpoint I don't think they do much of anything to contribute to letting the user get more things accomplished (aside from transparency). I'm inclined to believe the developers look more into how useful a feature is as far as productivity and efficient use of the OS over flashy looks. Granted the KDE4 dev's have done wonders for the look and feel of it, and the transparency is nice for looking through windows to see other windows underneath sometimes, I don't think they can count the development time towards making the cube work vs something else that will greatly improve how one interacts with their OS.

Destroyer661 wrote:I don't think they can count the development time towards making the cube work vs something else that will greatly improve how one interacts with their OS.

Maybe, maybe not. However, someone thought the cube, for whatever reason, would improve how users would interact with KDE. Would it has changed his/her opinion if someone had said "No, the cube is worthless. Channel your talent(s) here instead" had improved things?

Maybe, but not necessarily. It could also have meant that we, as KDE users, would have gotten neither the cube or whatever said someone would have thought to be more worthwhile.

That's just the nature of FOSS (exluding when organisations/corporations such as Novell explicitly funds development of specific features): people work on whatever they have an interest in, and that interest does not negate that others work on other stuff (visual or otherwise).

Personally, I think the cube is worthwhile. It makes people not used to the idea of virtual desktops more perceptive of how it works and how it is useful.

My view is that the cube will be great for looks and functionality.

I want one ....pleaseeeee.