I loved KDE and have used it for 2 years now, under Suse. Today I decided to try Ubuntu and since it was a from a dvd that didn't have Kubuntu, of course the first thing I did was install KDE. But it is in no way like the KDE I loved so much. Sluggish, none of the configurability I loved KDE so much for, smooth scrolling with Alt-Tab, msBloodyWindows-like start menu, etc. Actually the only way I know it's KDE is the 'K' in the start button.
So I thought about reverting to 3.5, but is there another way? Can I get the functionality and look and feel of 3.5 whilst keeping 4.4 installed? Gnome is no alternative.
This really is very important to me so could someone help me out please? Thanks

define 'look and feel of 3.5' - what look are you trying to attain?
define 'none of the configurability' - what exactly can't you configure as you'd like

for start menu - right click and change to kickoff style or replace with lancelot

The look and feel is a bit hard to define, but a major aspect is the sluggishness. A prime example of that is when I use Alt-Tab it takes about half a second until the window-list appears and then there is a sort of smooth-scrolling effect, which I positively hate. I use Alt-Tab about once per minute, so this really is a big thing to me. I already solved that by switching to kde/openbox (or lxde, which also uses openbox).
One example of the configurability is the panel. Previously, I could right-click that, select 'configure' and get loads of options. Now there's just a handfull, which no longer includes putting it on the left side of the screen, where I like it (lxde also has this functionality).
As for kick-off, that's what I had. I switched to classic now, which is what I like. Sorry, this was my mistake, not thinking of right-clicking it.

DirkvdM wrote:The look and feel is a bit hard to define, but a major aspect is the sluggishness. A prime example of that is when I use Alt-Tab it takes about half a second until the window-list appears and then there is a sort of smooth-scrolling effect, which I positively hate. I use Alt-Tab about once per minute, so this really is a big thing to me. I already solved that by switching to kde/openbox (or lxde, which also uses openbox).

I don't understand why some hate the smooth scrolling that much. If I repeatably hit tab, the selection jumps down directly without any effects.

One example of the configurability is the panel. Previously, I could right-click that, select 'configure' and get loads of options. Now there's just a handfull, which no longer includes putting it on the left side of the screen, where I like it (lxde also has this functionality).

Unlock widgets if they're locked -> Click on the panel toolbox (rightmost icon) -> drag "Screen Edge" to where you want your panel.

This should help you get started with widgets and panels http://userbase.kde.org/Plasma/HowTo

DirkvdM wrote:A prime example of that is when I use Alt-Tab it takes about half a second until the window-list appears and then there is a sort of smooth-scrolling effect, which I positively hate.

If you dont like that animations go to Systemsettings > Desktop > Desktop Effects > General and switch "Animation Speed" to "Instant".

I had de-selected 'enable desktop effects', which should have solved that. I now tried re-enabling it to set the speed to instant, but got the message "Failed to activate desktop effects using the given configuration options. Settings will be reverted to their previous values. Check your X configuration."
Also, I now have only text (not sure why), which would be ok if it were in a column, like before, but they're partly side by side, extending beyond the width of my screen, which is even worse.

Ah, I now know how to move the panel to the right. Thanks. But that was just one example. Maybe the other options (I can't remember which they were) are now elsewhere. But (and this is crucial!) the thing with any change is that the change itself is always a disadvantage because people will have to learn the new way it works. So there should be a real advantage, and I don't see how this method is better than the old one. Actually, I think its worse because it's less intuitive. Also, dragging with the mouse is bad for my rsi.

As for smooth scrolling, it's not just some people who hate that. You could say it's a matter of taste (I like German cars more than French cars for a similar reason), but it's really a matter of not wanting to waste time waiting for the computer to do what I want it to. When I tell it to do something, why should there be a delay?

So for now I'll continue with openbox, either kde or lxde, despite the fact that it arranges the icons horizontally instead of vertically, which also makes the switching slower because I have to go by the Firefox-windows one by one (I usually have 10 to 20 windows open). But they're much faster, also with a slimmer look, giving me more monitor space.