KDE vs GNOME

[Sixstrings]

Which is better for a newbie to learn on? I read in another post that KDE was bloated but I kinda like the interface.
Also, if I install a program under GNOME will KDE have that program or do I need ot install it under KDE as well?

Thanks

[paulb]

I prefur Gnome becuase it is faster and open-source, in the spirit of linux. (the "g" is for "GTK", whith a "g" for "GPL", which is basically open source :D.

If you install a program in Gnome, you will be able to run it in KDE, but the program might not put a shortcut in the "start" meun depending on the program.

[2thumbs]

Not sure if GNOME is any faster than KDE. Both start in about 4 seconds on my machine. However, I prefer KDE for it's "complete feel". GNOME just feels like a bunch of pieces thrown together. I suppose that's mostly due to the fact that KDE is a whole "desktop environment". Dunno.. maybe it's just me.

As paulb said, if you install something in GNOME/KDE then you'll be able to use it in the other.

[ 26 March 2002: Message edited by: 2thumbs ]

[paulb]

I never thought of it like that. Gnome may seem like a bunch of pieces fit together, but they fit together nicely. If KDE was based on GTK, though, I would use it.

[2thumbs]

Hmm. Everytime I use GNOME, it feels so klunky. But that's just how I feel and not a reflection on the usability of GNOME, I'm sure it has its merits and some advantages over KDE.

[ 26 March 2002: Message edited by: 2thumbs ]

[demian]

Originally posted by paulb:
<STRONG>I prefur Gnome becuase it is faster and open-source, in the spirit of linux. (the "g" is for "GTK", whith a "g" for "GPL", which is basically open source :D.</STRONG>
The G in Gnome stands for GNU (GNOME = GNu Object Modelling Enviroment).

And the license issues with trolltech's QT toolkit are long resolved. KDE _is_ open source software.

[mdwatts]

Originally posted by 2thumbs:
<STRONG>Not sure if GNOME is any faster than KDE. Both start in about 4 seconds on my machine. However, I prefer KDE for it's "complete feel". GNOME just feels like a bunch of pieces thrown together. I suppose that's mostly due to the fact that KDE is a whole "desktop environment". Dunno.. maybe it's just me.

</STRONG>

It's not just you... I couldn't explain it myself (you've hit the nail on the head), but your explaination does make sense to me.

I have always used KDE and just recently installed Sourcer at home and Gentoo at work both selecting Gnome instead of KDE as I thought I would give Gnome a try since the last time I used Gnome was Helix-Gnome and Caldera's eDesktop 2.4.

I'm glad to see someone else feels the same. KDE just has the feeling of a complete intergrated desktop environment compared to Gnome. Nothing wrong with Gnome however. Now really comparing the two, I will most likely stay with KDE.

Probably why most distros that once only included Gnome, are now including both.

[Sixstrings]

Thanks for the info!

When I am in KDE, how do I switch to GNOME?

[evilcartman]

Both are ok I think.

[paulb]

To switch, there should be a button in the lower left hand corner (unless you moved it)-(its a 'K' in KDE and a foot in Gnome) and goto logout. A screen may come up asking you a question or two. Then how you switch depends on the distro, but it should be rather obvious.

[paulb]

Oh - and another reason why I think Gnome is better - When people make linux software, they generally use either the "QT" (used by KDE) or "GTK" (Gnome).

Most of the best software in my opinion, including GIMP [By far the best image editor for Linux for free, and as powerfull as most commercial editors], DIA [Comparable to Visor by Microsoft (I think its called that)], and AbiWord [The only .doc and .wpd editor for Linux]

I also think there are more themes for GTK, so that in any of the above mentioned programs you can theme so that the buttons have a gradiant, are purple, or look like cheese and more [thank god :)] at http://www.themes.org