Does one of the desktops have a clear advantage over the other? I currently use KDE and get on OK with it, but wondered if it is the best choice.
Your comments appreciated.
0rinoco

I would answer no, there's no clear advantage (in general). It's more that people are wired differently and one makes more intuitive sense to them than the other. The only time I really worry about it is on an old machine, when you shouldn't really use either because they take up resources compared to something like fluxbox, icewm, XFCE, or WindowMaker.

Try them out until you find one you like and then feel free to stick with it...

Its all about preference and sometimes hardware. Its not just between KDE and GNOME either! There are others such as XFCE. Experiment, see what suits you. I use different environments for different hardware or different uses.

I am partial to kde... so check back on it when it reaches its 4.1 and 4.2 releases sometime next year. Its going to rock.

frankly, but not wishing to offend anyone, I can't stand either kde or gnome. In fact I don't see the point or all the menus and dialog boxes and stuff like that they provide. For me, the only way to interact with and control my system is through the command line, and so all I want is a completely blank and minimal window manager. I use fluxbox, and I love it.

I would recommend, however, that you install the entire range of window managers and just go crazy and play with them all until you find one you like. It is all a matter of individual taste.

-mark

It is mostly what a user gets use to from the start usually. Both have their pros and cons and that can be based on who says what. If unsure you can run both at the same time and switch between them. It does slow the system a bit running both. Or add on one of the many other window maker choices.

Brian

QFT!! Yes, I too like the minimal window manager. I really like Fluxbox but have since taken a liking to XFCE (what I am currently using).

To me it is all up to what kind of Linux user you are, how you use your system and what you are used to. If you come from windows, you will most likely take comfort in all the graphical interfaces that Gnome and KDE offer. Personally, I prefer command line and the like, so after turning off XFCE's desktop and removing all th shortcuts to file browsers, I have a minimal window manager and an xterm. I just dont feel comfortable looking at a trash-bin icon on my Linux desktop..

I use Gnome and if I wouldn't prefer it because I like the visual style more, it would be because of the Unicode code point input with Ctrl-Shift. (See your keymap question, I just mentioned this there.. )

I don't use any Qt application, but many Gtk-based ones, so Gnome is my choice.

If one were absolutely better than the the other in all respects and was more appreciated by users, then, over time, everyone would move to the better one. In reality, they have advantages and disadvantages and, in part, which you prefer is at least partly a function of what your priorities are.

I prefer KDE, but there are other people who prefer Gnome. And as has been pointed out earlier, other choices exist. In part, my preference for KDE is based on the supplied applets; I find that they do the job more often than not and Gnome, as it currently exists, just irritates me slightly.

Having said all that, currently Gnome seems to be gaining share over KDE. I suspect once KDE 4.x is established and stable that situation will go into reverse slightly (unless the KDE developers screw up, which I don't expect).

Try them, see which works best for you!

well to say the truth i will have to go with..... gnome well i think it is better an faster then KDE

I too use different interfaces for different purposes, and I love the power that the shell gives you. Its not the modern Neutered version of DOS, thats for sure. I use DSL (not sure what WM it uses) so I love minimalism at times. I spend most of my time in KDE on my Toshiba Laptop. I have Beryl, super karamba, etc all installed and running to show the "flash" of Linux.

I like Amarok, Kaffeine, K3b, etc. I know that you can install them on either, but it seems less fuss to use the apps for the WM that they are built for.

Mohtech

I think DSL uses fluxbox....

Thanks to all for the informative input. Very much appreciated.
0rinoco

so what are you going to stick with gnome or KDE or flux did you make a choose ?? huh?

I'll try the others when I've installed Opensuse 10.3. Still waiting for the postman.

o you ordered it from the computer how much did you buy it for the cd