KDE 4. Short but not sweet.

This is going to be just about the briefest review of KDE 4 you’ll read anywhere.

First things first: I LIKE KDE. I like it a lot, and have done for years. I use it every day (literally) and always look forward to new versions. They just get better and better.

KDE 4 was finally released a few days ago, and I installed the Kubuntu version of it to take it for a spin.

First impressions? It’s pretty. After oooing and aahing at the new GUI for a few seconds I decide to stick with it. All I have to do is make a few customisations to ensure it’s how I like it, and I’ll be all set.

To replicate my existing (3.5) KDE environment I only need to do the following:

• remove any photo from the desktop background (I like it a plain colour)
• move the taskbar from the default position at the bottom of the screen to the right-hand side.
• check a screensaver is defined.

Can I do any of these things? Nope. Not a chance.

I’m really sorry to have to say this, but the KDE people have made an incredibly stupid decision to release this as a finished product. It isn’t. In fact in light of the items I found missing / not working within about 2 minutes of starting it it’s not even beta standard. It’s an early alpha.

The developers have nothing to be ashamed of. KDE 4 shows huge promise. However the KDE management should take a long hard look at the damage this release could do to KDE’s previously well-deserved reputation.

Disappointed. Very disappointed.