Hey all, just wanted to thank the KDE team (and community). KDE is really great. Here is my story!

I administer two linux servers and have run ubuntu on my laptops for the last 6 years. However I'm a desktop man, and very much still rely on Windows for that. I love linux though and every year I have a play around to see if I think I can make the leap for my desktop. Every year so far it's been pretty much "... nope!".

So recently I've tried Ubuntu 11.10 (complete with Unity), Linux Mint 11 and 12. I was pretty astounded at the steps back that Gnome has taken and how much control they have taken from users for customizing the experience, look and feel. There was ONE thing I liked about Unity, which was the launcher. The Linux Mint team have clearly listened to users (instead of sleeping pills or whatever is guiding the Unity ux team), but it's not enough - LM 12 feels like Gnome 3 with a tacked on taskbar. And it's still not customizable.

I nearly gave up again for another year but decided to give KDE a shot. It always seemed a bit of an underdog (sorry!) but I had seen the improvements made in recent times and I had to admit it was looking pretty snazzy.

After installing Kubuntu and logging in I was pretty disappointed that nothing seemed to be working and there were several error messages. Canonical's fault, not yours, I know. However after updating, the problems vanished. It took me about 30 minutes to get to grips with the level of customizability (total system shock coming from Gnome 3!!!).

I've still had problems (mostly ATI drivers), and the app names are honestly bonkers (Kopete, Rekonq? really?), but I can actually say that I think KDE has given me a desktop experience to replace windows. Not to mention wiping the floor with Unity / Gnome 3.

KDE has a launcher (Kickoff), panels with whatever you want on them, want a taskbar? Yes? no? change the effects? new window decorations? GREAT! YOU CAN HAVE IT!

I LOVE the depth of customization. Please don't cut this out like everyone else. Less options does not make anything better!

So thanks KDE team for restoring my faith in the desktop experience that is being developed for Linux.

Now for some feedback:

• As mentioned before, the level of customization is perfect.
• The activities aspect of the desktop seems a little.. useless? I am never actually on the desktop level when working, it's usually covered by several layers of windows.
• I find the folder icons to be ugly. Entirely personal preference though, I know.
• Customizing panels is clumsy. It took me quite a while to get it set up exactly how I wanted and work out what the controls are for resizing and positioning them. It works, but could be done in a more intuitive manner.

Goodbye Gnome, hello KDE

Nice to see some positive feedback. Oh, and welcome to KDE!

There was ONE thing I liked about Unity, which was the launcher.

Then you should check out Icon Tasks, an alternative taskbar for Plasma. More information here.
Thanks to the hard work of the author it's going to become a part of KDE SC 4.8.

the app names are honestly bonkers

At least the trend is moving away from KAppname, which many seem to have a problem with. Personally I think some of the app names are very good, such as Plasma, Krita and Amarok.

The activities aspect of the desktop seems a little.. useless? I am never actually on the desktop level when working, it's usually covered by several layers of windows.

They're becoming more and more useful for every release. In recent versions windows are also associated with activities, and in 4.8 you can also customize your power profile depending on your activity (for example, you could have a Presentation activity where the screen is never dimmed).

Links to more information about activities: viewtopic.php?f=67&t=93183

I find the folder icons to be ugly. Entirely personal preference though, I know.

See viewtopic.php?f=17&t=97735 and my reply below.

Customizing panels is clumsy. It took me quite a while to get it set up exactly how I wanted and work out what the controls are for resizing and positioning them. It works, but could be done in a more intuitive manner.

It's very powerful but I agree that it can be unintuitive in the beginning. If you need further help, you can take a look at Plasma HowTo. Unfortunately the page is a bit out-of-date (especially the activities stuff) as I haven't found the time to record the new version(s).

Icon tasks looks quite promising. I'm using Docky that I have superimposed over the main panel right now, it works nicely.

The link in your signature was helpful, I didn't know about kdeplasma-addons.

Thanks for the reply and all the information.

I was pretty astounded at the steps back that Gnome has taken and how much control they have taken from users

Yeah, no doubt. Totally agree. It seems most other desktops insist on treating their users like complete idiots, and removing all but the most simplistic features. I really am quite irritated by this Idiocracy-style dumbing everything down that's all the rage recently.

KDE is the only thing left that satisfies me as being sufficiently powerful and configurable, while also being intuitive and easy. Neither Windows, OSX, or the other major Linux DE's do that. KDE is really very well designed, and deserves more exposure than it seems to have. Right now, very few distros use it by default, and you have to know enough to get some "KDE flavor" of the distro if there is one. Most people just aren't aware, or won't bother. KDE needs some bug fixing here and there, but the core design is fantastic.

So yeah... yay for KDE's customization abilities.