I have used GNOME and in my desktop (AMD Athlon X2 and 2GB ram) it always found a way to mess itself up.I thought it was because of my Distro but it did that in Ubuntu and Fedora.

KDE doesnt appeal to me and most probably will never ever do so.

But my fav DE at this moment is Xfce (highly customizable, effective and it is pretty without a lot of eye-candy or trying too hard) and so far no crash nor any bug. (Using Xfce with Slackware and im really happy,)

Ratpoison

Well, normally I use dwm, which is a very simple (if not the simplest) tiling window manager. It's really comfortable for programming or sysadmin work. But whenever I feel like clicking my way around I use XFCE. It is clean and simple and doesn't get in your way.

I use KDE, and for something lighter I prefer fluxbox. Trying tiling WMs is on my ever-expanding todo list (about 3 miles long and growing ).

The only guidance I can provide is, CLI cowboys just want the DT to get out of their way. That's why long developmental cycles (or even no active development at all) don't bother them, each user is constantly "developing" the DT every time they tinker with it. What's important to them is keygrab functionality since the mouse is just a handy device that wakes the monitor up when it times out in there world. The ease with which they can control applications through scripting the underlying config files ultimately is their gold standard.
That, however, is the definition of hell for folks who prefer the graphical interface. A purely graphical user want the widest possible compatibility (what do you mean it wont run "weatherbug"?) and the least complicated system for accessing the apps and data they desire. To add to the level of complication, the "CLI" vs "Graphical" conundrum is not binary, people actually fall somewhere along the curve between the two absolutes which is why linux users champion a dizzying array of possible desktop software.
I hope this helps but I secretly suspect it wont.

True

Well, fluxbox from git is little nicer than the stock slack version

Hehe very true

It certainly makes things behave nicely

There's definitely a gap between what CLI folks want/need and GUI folks want/need. I suspect for someone with a programming background they would be nearer the CLI side of the tracks. But some of us do like firing up KDE now and then (when work is thin) and playing with the eye candy for fun or to see what we can make it do.

My history of choices is KDE --> Gnome --> Fluxbox --> XFCE.

I've been very happy with XFCE for quite some time now. Fluxbox was nice, too but at some point I got bored of editing the menus myself. XFCE recognizes the .desktop files, which comes in very handy. But it doesn't have the bloat of KDE, which matters on my eeePC.

PS: Indeed, I should've said XFCE+ xbindkeys. Xbindkeys is a nice tool that lets you assign keyboard shortcuts. I autostart xbindkeys at login and I'd say it is by far the most helpful thing that improves my desktop experience. Firing up or terminating applications, controlling XMMS, checking my emails, volume control, etc... All these are reduced to a single press on the keyboard thanks to xbindkeys. Fluxbox has a similar built-in system and DEs have similar features but xbindkeys works under all window managers and is easy to customize, that's why it's my preferred method.

That pretty much sums up how I feel about XFce and Fluxbox. Fluxbox is very nice; I run XFce on all of my Slackware boxen at home.

Hello Krystah
It would be helpful to know what you commonly do at work but I will assume that like most work you need to keep and communicate with contacts via a variety of sources like email, IMs,telephone (skype?) memos, and notes etc)and KDE does that best since it now integrates communications and contacts with the Desktop. There are plamoids that keep track of meetings and events both personal and work related and even the "Run" dialogue box is integrated with numerous applications and databases. There is also no need for icons cluttering up your desktop since a few letters typed in to Run or Menu Search bar accesses databases that cross reference by activity type as well as name.

IMHO the KDE team has boldly created a truly "next gen" environment that is well worth learning all it's power if you need such quick access and integration. It also integrates well with mobile devices in ways no other can presently match. On a minor detail I personally hate the "Snap" feature but many I know how like it and use both say it is superior to Win 7 snap.

Hope this helps

Hello again. I thought it was time to respond to the people inquiring about my work. The matter of fact is, I am not working as of today, I am studying programming (mainly Java and soon C) and I am preparing for when I finish school and go out to work. In all honesty, I don't know what I will work with, or in what environments, but I am pretty sure it will be in the programming category.

I am currently torn between Fluxbox and KDE.

Before you flip, I have heard that KDE scored higher than GNOME in terms of administrative tools and control in a pretty recent review, which is why it appeals to me as not just a bloated box of eye-candy (as most oldschool Linuxee's call it), but as a solid foundation with lots (maybe too much, but still alot) of good tools for various occasions and needs.

It seems to me as the main argument people have against KDE is that it is slow and bloated. I do not find this argument all that valid, taking in consideration that I am currently running KDE on a 2g lap, and although I must admit Fluxbox is ALOT faster, KDE really ain't that bad. Technology is constantly evolving, and before we know it, 4g (heck, maybe even 8g) will be the new laptop standard when buying "decent laptops", I just can't see how it should pose any problem.

I assume most of you are as of now (it's 2011..) sitting at no less than 2g RAM. If you're a system admin complaining about performance issues with KDE then I have to ask, why would any serious system admin run his business on such ancient hardware? It doesn't matter which Distro/DE/WM you use, if you're actively multitasking SQL's, Eclipse etc on a rig with 1gig ram, well, I guess you're asking for it.

Don't shoot me yet - I am not mixing up stability with performance, this is a completely different subject. This is the main reason KDE feels like Window$ to me. The constant, although often harmless, crashes that doesn't usually make or break your day, but it completely kills your working flow. Most serious users have little to none tolerance for crashes caused by such superficial reasons as graphical units, utilities and applications, and I think KDE has to sort out a lot of these bugs before it will be super.


But here I go, rambling. I am sorry for venting, but these are my thoughts. What do you others think of the future and KDE? I think KDE has a lot of potential, but some rigs are apparently not completely ready for it yet (Vista all over again..).

Best regards,

Krys

OK, I said good words about FluxBox, but, for the experiment decided to use Window Maker, it is incredible - so fast, easy and costumizable - wont't go more deeply, but I guess I have found my DE

Interesting link: http://xwinman.org/vote.php

KDE 4.4.5, but seriously thinking about trying Awesome (http://awesome.naquadah.org/) after having seen it in action on a friends computer.

Although I don't know recent versions of Gnome, what I read about it confirms, that this is exactly true. A recent review of a Gnome 3 development version stated, that "Gnome knows better" (than you). Which is exactly what I hate the most in older versions MS Windows.
KDE may look like Windows 7 in some respects, but that's not a bad thing, as Windows 7 is the first incarnation of that system, that doesn't completely scare me...
My personal preference is KDE, because it's configurability. As I said, I am not sure about recent Gnome, but older versions of it and recent versions of Xfce and other DEs don't have nearly as good multilanguage support as KDE has. And almost everything can be set to suit individual users, whereas other DEs have only global settings for some things.
For some specific tasks I use Fluxbox. When I don't need all the services and the ease of use of KDE, because I only want to write a letter or watch TV. So for specific tasks a lean window manager is the most efficient choice, whereas a full-blown DE like KDE is much more universal and flexible out of the box. In principle you can do everything with Fluxbox, too, but it requires some more handwork at the CLI. The good thing is: The best terminal emulation is Konsole, and you can use it with Fluxbox, if you like. Xfce is also nice, but it doesn't solve the issues I have with Fluxbox. So I tried it, liked it, but don't normally use it.
Another WM I have tried recently was AfterStep. Not bad, at all. And another one, I will try: Enlightenment. But these are not included with Slackware, so installation can be a bit more tricky. I have not tried any of the tiling WMs, as far.

In short: KDE can be set up for many workflows comfortably and fast, but for certain tasks and on older hardware a simple window manager or something ligthweight like Xfce or LXDE may be more efficient.


The freedom of Linux is the freedom of choice, and you can switch between a window manager and a full-blown or medium-sized DE at any time.

Because the suits decide on the budget, when actually the admins should...

So in the very short period of time, since you started exploring this all, you came to exactly the same conclusion like me, after so many years. I agree completely! (Although I don't see that many crashes; actually I don't see any, usually, but I know that several users do).

Regarding the future of KDE, especially on Slackware, you might want to read Alien Bob's blog. According to him, the next Slackware release is going to include KDE 4.5.5, as it is regarded rock stable, whereas KDE 4.6 has some glitches, yet. Several users on this forum running Slackware-current report the same and confirm that 4.5.5 is very stable. If you want to try it yourself, you might give Slackware-current a shot.

I haven't tried KDE 4.5.5 myself, so far, as I don't have any serious problems with 4.4.x, and the next stable release is expected for the near future. So I can wait, and avoid the (usually minor) risk for stability, that I would have to accept running Slackware-current.
Regarding tiling WMs, I think I remember that KWin has a tiling feature in a recent version. Not sure, if KDE 4.6 is required, or if it is already available in 4.5.5.

Best regards

gargamel

Greetz Krystah
I've been running Slackware-Current since September (presently on the Jan 10 build) with KDE 4.4.x (now 4.4.5) and I am not experiencing crashes, even though I may have made it more tenuous by installing a full 3rd party Gnome desktop too. Perhaps I was spoiled by my first installs of Slackware, starting with v7, but I enjoy and find it useful having many WM/DEs available. Right now my 2nd favorite DE is Enlightenment E17 because it is really pretty as well as low profile (runs on phones I think) but it could not be as nice if it wasn't that it runs KDE apps. I like to use apps, icons and applets from one DE on another but the one indispensable DE is KDE for me.

There are probably substitutes for the many programming development tools that come with KDE but if at all possible I prefer to not tack things on. It's just so...well, tacky. When you add in the vision of integration that began with KDE v 4.x.x (though I agree it was a misstep to release it when it was at first so buggy and greedy) it is realy hard to deny except by people whi have not tried using and learning it for a month or so. I contend that it is well worth the effort for most serious users and admins, unless you're Richard Stallman

So.. what version are you using and what sort of crashes are you experiencing? I am confident that is fixable and that even deep programmers need to communicate with teams and be reminded of events. (Hmmm on that last one, reminding... maybe even especially programmers :P

If you're a heavy multi-tasker it's KDE all the way. Tabbed windows, screen edge actions, activities, customizable widgets that allow you to do stuff in one click that used to take five or six, window tiling... I could go on, but you get the idea. The fact that I can put completely different widgets on each activity or virtual desktop is a decisive feature even if you ignore anything else. Add the best file manager in the business (Konqueror, not Dolphin!) and you've got yourself a winner. Nothing else is anywhere near as customizable. Nothing else even comes close.

EDITED TO ADD: BTW, if you upgrade the stock KDE 4.4.3 to 4.4.5 from Alien's repos it's utterly stable. 4.5 and especially the magnificent 4.6 are the real winners, though.