Gentlemen,
I think the KDE progam should be strongly reconsidered. KDE is by far (with Lancelot of-course) the best looking desktop out there.

In terms of performance-to-usability, only Xfce can approach it. In looks only JWM's window borders or Bluebottle's desktop can look as sophisticated.

With the mailing option as opposed to other company's website my head started spinning. In a similiar manner that is the same drawback of the KDE desktop.

A novice user will lack confidence because there are too many options which aren't clear, and that alone is the biggest security hazard of any operating system.

To this day, many such as myself, just don't know where to go with KDE. It's like being at a crossroad in the middle of the desert. Yes, with all those signs. What displeases me about KDE is that it's way too unlimited. Imagine the thoughts of a man with no GOD (almighty creator). Just too dangerous.

I recalled in KDE 3.5, the resolution had no limit. Exploring it, I found out the hard way. The fonts grown to such an enormous size it was impossible to find the default button. My thouughts were, why would KDE allow that in their system? There seem to be no safeguards with KDE.

The most recent unpleasant experience was the option to remove the lower panel in KDE 4.3.2. I inadvertently hit the button. Once the lower panel was removed, I couldn't get it back, I had to reinstall the whole operating system. Again, why would KDE even have that option and who would intentionally use it?

New users to KDE is going to have to constantly reload the whole operating sytem before they get it right. To me due to my past failing experience with KDE I would describe KDE, "as a paradise with a panther lurking in the dark." However, with a few of these bug-a-boos fixed, I do look forward to KDE 4.4

Well, actually it's not the options aren't so clear, as far as the desktop is concerned, but it lacks an undo button for configuring it improperly or deleting something regrettably.

How can I forget? KDE has the absolutely best sounding welcome screen.

Too many options vs. usability is a returning topic around KDE. I for one, and I think many who choose KDE SC and it's workspaces, choose it because it has much less limits than others!

When I use Windows or Gnome or Xfce I simply feel like my hands are tied. I feel that it is not me who decides how to use my computer, but someone else who absolutely has no idea about my needs.

With KDE software... you are free. Yes, freedom also allows you to do things you don't want to. There is a saying: "With great freedom comes great responsibility."

As for the panel removal problem. You don't have to reinstall the whole OS. There are ways to undo things if you really need to (for example if you delete the .kde folder in your home, then all KDE software reverts to default settings) or you can also simply add a new panel and put things back onto it.

And to answer your question why would one remove the default panel... for example to replace it with something else? Like a dock, a different panel they have made, etc. The choices are again, limitless. And that is the best about KDE SC, that is the best about GNU/Linux in general. That you are in control of your computer and not someone else.

Prince, I can understand the 'lost' feeling when you first come to KDE SC 4.x, but you simply need a hand-holding while you find your way around. Think back to when you first used Linux - it's really hard without some contact to help you, yet feels effortless after a while.

In coming to the forums you have made a good first step. I'd also recommend that you join a mailing list for your distribution, and keep browsing around http://userbase.kde.org. Above all, ask when something puzzles you. Re-installs are no more necessary than they were with KDE 3.5. Sometimes it's easy to get something back by adding a widget. Other times you will need to edit or remove a configuration file (as Kelytha said, a deleted config file will always be replaced by a default one), but there are always people around to help. That's the joy of working with a community

Sometimes I use a paneless system because I can just slap my menu, task-bar, battery monitor and clock right on the desktop. I re-map Alt + F1 to Show Dashboard and I'm good to go.

But yeah, I can imagine the confusion. Right-click --> Add Panel. Then, you can go to "Add Widgets..." and slap that stuff back on, or even omit stuff you realize you didn't want. Application Launcher, Task Manager, Battery, System Tray and Digital Clock. If you still use the pager, you can add that somewhere too. (Y)

Kelytha, you've just shot a smile on my face. I like the quote: "I feel that it is not me who decides how to use my computer." You are so right. I thought to myself what other pretty desktop have these capabilities?

Only KDE. I even like the way one can configure the unusual looking Lancelot button back to KDE button, how cool

As for the manager you're pretty good. Yeah, you guessed it, I am using a linux operating sytem. And as I got further I got better.

Now, I'm thinking KDE even got a manager here for a prompt response! KDE gotta be the best. You and Kelytha said some key things. Now, back to my linux mode -yeah, in the event the screen resolution goes beyond desktop accessability, I'll just use MC to delete the KDE file.

And to Madman: I have right-click before, but the panel didn't extend to full with and it stayed above the desktop. Also, trying to retrieve the originall install look was way too tedious and unsuccessful. I'll try the Alt+F1 key. Thanks to you and Kelytha and the manager I no longer feel like I'm lost in a jungle.

Thanks To You All

And I asking again, is really so difficult to add a manual save menu entry to Plasma?

With this option you can't be worried about Plasma crashes an lost of configuration and you can play with your desktop without fair to loss all your configuration (I actually have to copy all plasma configuration files with an script before made changes).

The most relevant advantage of this add is that you have an free undo mode with a simple restart.

Off course, this option could be disabled by default but you could be enabled and then Plasma only save changes under user decision.

I like KDE a lot because the user had the control but, with Plasma, I feeling like I'm not using a KDE application.