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Nine Rules for Designing a Linux Desktop By Bruce Byfield | Article Published February 07, 2012 The Linux user revolts of recent times could be avoided by following these guidelines. Tags: Linux, KDE, Gnome, open source tools The Dilemma of the Linux Desktop By Bruce Byfield | Article Published January 31, 2012 Between Ubuntu's Unity and Linux Mint's Cinnamon, we have a snapshot of the Linux desktop in crisis. Tags: Linux, Shuttleworth, KDE, Gnome The Fragmentation of the Linux Desktop By Bruce Byfield | Article Published January 17, 2012 Dissatisfaction with Unity and GNOME, among other factors, is wreaking havoc on the Linux desktop. Tags: Linux desktop, Unity, KDE, Gnome 2011: The Year of Linux Disappointments By Bruce Byfield | Article Published December 13, 2011 As years go, 2011 was a kidney stone of a year for free and open source software. Tags: FOSS, Gnome, Linux, KDE KDE Widgets: Why They Matter By Bruce Byfield | Article Published December 06, 2011 KDE offers a broad array of widgets to make your daily work easier and faster. Tags: Linux, widgets, KDE, Gnome, Unity GNOME vs. KDE vs. Unity: Performing Seven Basic Tasks By Bruce Byfield | Article Published November 08, 2011 How do the top Linux desktops compare when you're doing basic tasks? The answers may surprise you. Tags: KDE, Unity, Linux, Gnome Is the Linux Desktop Dead? By Bruce Byfield | Article Published November 01, 2011 The increased importance of mobile computing raises questions about the Linux desktop's future. Tags: KDE, Linux desktop, Gnome, Linux KDE's 'Plasma Active' Tops GNOME 3 and Unity By Bruce Byfield | Article Published October 11, 2011 Designed for touch screen tablets, KDE's Plasma Active is clearly superior to its rivals. Tags: KDE, open source apps, Linux desktop, Ubuntu, Gnome GNOME 3.2: Tactical Brilliance and Strategic Stubbornness By Bruce Byfield | Article Published October 05, 2011 It's unclear whether GNOME 3.2 will be enough to reconcile users alienated by GNOME 3.0. Tags: KDE, Linux, Gnome Building the Ultimate Modern Linux Desktop By Matt Hartley | Article Published September 20, 2011 A veteran Linux user lists his choices for a top-flight desktop. Tags: KDE, Linux desktop, Ubuntu, Gnome Windows 8, Metro, and the Linux Desktop By Bruce Byfield | Article Published September 20, 2011 Windows 8's Metro could indicate an unfortunate direction in the future of the Linux desktop. Tags: mobile, KDE, Linux desktop, Windows 8, Metro browser, Gnome Is Ubuntu Driving Users Away? By Matt Hartley | Article Published September 12, 2011 A Linux pundit realizes his resentments about the Ubuntu desktop are shared by a good number of Ubuntu users. Tags: Linux, KDE, Gnome, Ubuntu Eight Complaints About the Linux Desktop By Bruce Byfield | Article Published September 08, 2011 The Linux desktop is like a colony that has gained independence yet still thinks that everything is done better in the mother country. Tags: Linux, KDE, Gnome, Linux desktop What GNOME Can Learn from KDE's Recovery By Bruce Byfield | Article Published August 23, 2011 KDE made a course correction after a user revolt. Will GNOME show the same ability to learn from mistakes? Tags: Linux, KDE, Gnome The GNOME 3 Meltdown By Bruce Byfield | Article Published August 16, 2011 Is there hope for GNOME 3 in the face of a largely negative user response? Tags: Linux, Torvalds, KDE, Gnome Seven Concerns on the Linux Desktop By Bruce Byfield | Article Published August 09, 2011 After years of trying to match proprietary desktops, the Linux desktop has yet to find a new destination -- or even a compass point. Tags: Linux desktop, Unity, KDE, Gnome GNOME vs. KDE vs. Unity: Customization Tools and Ease of Use By Bruce Byfield | Article Published July 26, 2011 Which of the three major Linux desktops offers the most customization tools, and which tools are easiest to use? Tags: Linux, Unity, KDE, Gnome KDE 4.7: Long-Term Vision, Ongoing Myopia By Bruce Byfield | Article Published July 19, 2011 The problems in the 4.7 release reveal that KDE is making little movement toward solutions. Tags: Gnome, Linux, KDE Choosing the Best Linux Desktop: KDE, Unity, GNOME By Bruce Byfield | Article Published July 13, 2011 Pros and cons of the KDE, Unity, GNOME 2, and GNOME 3 Linux desktops. Tags: Unity, Ubuntu, Linux, Gnome, KDE Is Linux Mint a Better Choice than Ubuntu? By Matt Hartley | Article Published July 12, 2011 Could the rapidly growing, user-friendly Linux distro attract converts away from the mighty Ubuntu? Tags: Gnome, open source software, Linux Mint, Ubuntu 20 Linux Alternatives for Common Windows Applications By Matt Hartley | Article Published July 05, 2011 A Linux pundit spotlights his favorite Linux alternatives to popular Windows software. Tags: Linux, Gnome, KDE, LibreOffice GNOME vs. KDE Apps: Which Are Best For You? By Bruce Byfield | Article Published June 21, 2011 A comparison between KDE and GNOME apps for IM, document handling, email clients and more. Tags: Linux downloads, Linux, Gnome, KDE Fedora 15 Lovelock Linux Debuts GNOME 3 By Sean Michael Kerner | Article Published May 24, 2011 GNOME 3 desktop lands in Red Hat's community Linux distribution. Tags: Gnome, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, open source, Linux, Fedora Ubuntu Unity, GNOME 3: The Video Driver March of Folly By Bruce Byfield | Article Published May 24, 2011 Leading Linux desktops now require hardware acceleration, posing a potential problem for Linux’s continued growth. Tags: Ubuntu, Linux downloads, Gnome, Unity, video codecs Are Usability Studies Hurting the Free Desktop? By Bruce Byfield | Article Published May 10, 2011 Interface problems with KDE, GNOME and Ubuntu suggest that the Linux desktop may be headed in the wrong direction. Tags: Gnome, Ubuntu, Linux desktop, Linux downloads, KDE GNOME 3: Seven Pros and Cons By Bruce Byfield | Article Published April 26, 2011 The GNOME Linux desktop has major pluses and drawbacks, making the decision to adopt it a tough one. Tags: Gnome, open source, Linux, KDE, Linux downloads Why Is Ubuntu's Unity Squeezing out GNOME 3? By Matt Hartley | Article Published April 25, 2011 Given that Unity might be the Windows Vista of the Linux world, shouldn’t GNOME get more focus? Tags: Linux desktop, Ubuntu, open source, Canonical, Gnome Seven Alternatives to GNOME 3 By Bruce Byfield | Article Published April 19, 2011 If the Linux destkop’s new version isn’t right for you, your options are numerous. Tags: Linux desktop, Gnome, Linux downloads Ubuntu Unity vs. GNOME 3: Which is Better? By Bruce Byfield | Article Published April 12, 2011 Both Linux desktops were designed with usability in mind, yet one seems to have a slight edge. Tags: open source, Linux downloads, Linux desktop, Gnome, Ubuntu Best Browsers for Linux By Matt Hartley | Article Published April 11, 2011 A review of the leading open source browsers, with recommendations for various user groups. Tags: Gnome, Mozilla Firefox, open source, KDE, Linux GNOME vs. KDE: The Latest Round By Bruce Byfield | Article Published April 05, 2011 Both GNOME and KDE Linux desktops have versions that are radically different from those each had a few years ago. Tags: Gnome, Linux desktop, KDE, Linux downloads, open source Will GNOME 3.0 Repeat the User Revolt of KDE 4.0? By Bruce Byfield | Article Published March 22, 2011 GNOME 3.0 is a release that will please developers and frustrate many users. Tags: open source software, Linux desktop, KDE, Gnome, Linux downloads 15 Must-Have Linux Desktop Apps By Matt Hartley | Article Published March 07, 2011 Linux downloads for work and play, from document sharing to music-video to communications. Tags: Linux, audio, Linux desktop, Gnome, KDE Jono Bacon Defends Ubuntu: An Insider's Perspective By Bruce Byfield | Article Published February 28, 2011 Ubuntu's community manager responds to a recent Datamation article that sparked widespread discussion. Tags: FOSS, Gnome, Unity, KDE, Ubuntu Ubuntu: Where Did the Love Go? By Bruce Byfield | Article Published February 22, 2011 Once the darling of the open source crowd, Ubuntu is now increasingly criticized. Tags: Linux downloads, Ubuntu, Gnome, Shuttleworth, Debian Ubuntu Embraces QT Toolkit: Blurring Linux Development? By Matt Hartley | Article Published January 24, 2011 Ubuntu succeeded with lots of GTK applications. Do we really want QT being tossed into the mix? Tags: Canonical, Ubuntu, Linux, Qt, Gnome Forget GNOME and KDE, Xfce 4.8 Runs Simpler and Faster By Bruce Byfield | Article Published January 19, 2011 The latest version of Linux desktop Xfce 4.8 balances speed and convenience. Tags: open source, Linux desktop, KDE, Gnome, xfce Ubuntu's Unity Desktop: Tragically Ironic Product Name By Bruce Byfield | Article Published January 11, 2011 Ubuntu’s move to use Unity instead of the GNOME shell of previous releases is sparking discord. Tags: Linux desktop, Gnome, Ubuntu, Unity, open source software 9 Free and Open Source Software Stories to Watch in 2011 By Bruce Byfield | Article Published December 28, 2010 From Gnome 3.0 to Chrome OS to Wikileaks, the year ahead should prove interesting for Linux and open source. Tags: Ubuntu, Linux, Gnome, Wikileaks, open source Seven Improvements Needed in KDE By Bruce Byfield | Article Published November 29, 2010 The KDE desktop has come a long way in the last two years, yet still requires some fixes to be its best. Tags: Gnome, open source, Linux downloads, Linux desktop, KDE Ubuntu Aims for Linux Desktop Unity By Sean Michael Kerner | Article Published October 25, 2010 Mark Shuttleworth announces a major shift for Ubuntu as new Unity interface will be default for next release – just don't call it a fork of GNOME. Tags: Linux downloads, Gnome, Ubuntu, Shuttleworth, Linux desktop 20 Reasons Linux Will Boom in a Post-Recession World By Matt Hartley | Article Published October 04, 2010 Linux will benefit due to total cost of ownership, cross platform compatibility, security, and other issues. Tags: open source, operating systems, Linux, Gnome, KDE How will GNOME 3.0 be Received? By Bruce Byfield | Article Published September 28, 2010 Based on the preview of GNOME 3.0, the Linux desktop release may encounter some significant user resistance. Tags: KDE, Linux downloads, Gnome, Linux desktop, open source 20 Linux Apps That Make the Desktop Easier By Matt Hartley | Article Published September 22, 2010 Focusing on both KDE and GNOME, Linux desktop apps that make daily use faster and more efficient. Tags: KDE, Linux desktop, open source, Gnome, Linux downloads Ubuntu 10.10 Alpha: Slouching Toward Ubuntu GNOME By Bruce Byfield | Article Published August 25, 2010 The upcoming changes in Ubuntu GNOME inspire mixed feelings in many Linux users. Tags: Shuttleworth, Ubuntu, Gnome, open source, Linux Top 20 Apps for GNOME Fans By Matt Hartley | Article Published August 24, 2010 Leading Linux downloads to improve the GNOME desktop’s speed and efficiency. Tags: Linux downloads, Gnome, open source, Linux, Linux desktop Does Ubuntu Contribute its Share to Free Software Projects? By Bruce Byfield | Article Published August 03, 2010 The dispute about this issue reflects a clash of changing values about the future of open source. Tags: Shuttleworth, Linux, Ubuntu, open source, Gnome Forking KDE 3: Trinity KDE's Timothy Pearson By Bruce Byfield | Article Published July 26, 2010 KDE 3 lives on, still used enthusiastically by plenty of KDE aficionados. Tags: Linux, Gnome, Linux desktop, KDE 4, KDE Linux Desktop: Command Line vs. User Interface By Bruce Byfield | Article Published July 21, 2010 In many instances, the Linux desktop’s command line is preferable to its graphical user interface. Tags: command line, Linux desktop, Gnome, KDE, Linux Debian vs. Ubuntu: Contrasting Philosophies By Bruce Byfield | Article Published June 28, 2010 Debian is more focused on software freedom and community development, while Ubuntu is more business-friendly and hierarchical. Tags: Gnome, Ubuntu, Debian, Linux desktop, Linux downloads KDE 3 vs. KDE 4: Which Linux Desktop Is Right for You? By Bruce Byfield | Article Published June 10, 2010 Two and a half years after the KDE 4 series was first released, many users are still using KDE 3 as their desktop Linux OS. Is comfort with the familiar holding your enterprise back? Tags: KDE 4, desktop linux, Linux desktop, Linux, Gnome Eight Ways GNOME Could be Improved By Matt Hartley | Article Published June 07, 2010 A longtime GNOME user suggests a number of improvements to the Linux desktop, some simple, some major. Tags: Gnome, open source tools, KDE, Linux desktop, Linux Ubuntu's Unity Desktop: Reality vs. Rationales By Bruce Byfield | Article Published May 25, 2010 Ubuntu’s Unity desktop will be the basis of its next Ubuntu Netbook Edition. But will its expectations match its reality? Tags: Gnome, Linux desktop, Ubuntu, netbook, Linux Is GNOME or KDE Better for New Users? By Matt Hartley | Article Published May 17, 2010 The generally accepted myth that migrating Windows or OS X users should choose KDE over GNOME doesn’t make much sense. Tags: Linux desktop, Gnome, KDE, open source tools, Linux Future GNOME: What to Expect in GNOME 3.0 By Bruce Byfield | Article Published May 12, 2010 While KDE's last major version release prompted a near user revolt, a GNOME leader expects a far smoother reception to the upcoming GNOME desktop. Tags: Linux desktop, Gnome, Linux downloads, open source tools, Linux KDE vs. GNOME: DVD Tools and Desktop Design By Bruce Byfield | Article Published May 04, 2010 Users must choose between GNOME simplicity and KDE completeness, and neither choice is completely satisfying. Tags: Gnome, Linux, DVD, KDE, Linux desktop GNOME 2.30: Waiting for the Big Release By Bruce Byfield | Article Published April 06, 2010 GNOME 2.30’s improvements in speed, inter-connectivity, and usability make the release worth having, even if it will become obsolete when the next release arrives in six months. Tags: KDE, Linux desktop, Linux, open source, Gnome GNOME and KDE: Seven Attractions in Each By Bruce Byfield | Article Published March 09, 2010 Both GNOME and KDE have caught up in features and narrowed the gap in usability with proprietary desktops. Tags: open source tools, Linux desktop, KDE, Gnome, open source tool KDE and GNOME: Seven Irritations in Each By Bruce Byfield | Article Published March 02, 2010 While the KDE and GNOME desktops have come a long way, each could still use some tweaking. Plus: suggest changes to KDE and GNOME. Tags: Linux downloads, Gnome, Linux desktop, KDE 4, KDE LXDE: Smaller, Faster than KDE or GNOME By Bruce Byfield | Article Published February 23, 2010 The Simplest Linux Netbook Interface (LXDE) offers a smaller, faster alternative to leading desktops like GNOME or KDE –- especially for netbooks. Tags: Gnome, KDE, Linux downloads, Linux desktop, LXDE The Advantage of the Xfce Linux Desktop By Juliet Kemp | Article Published February 12, 2010 As an alternative to KDE or GNOME, Xfce is a lightweight and fully-functional interface, providing a full Linux desktop environment. Tags: xfce, Linux desktop, Gnome, KDE, Linux Anjal: GNOME's Evolution for Netbooks By Bruce Byfield | Article Published February 09, 2010 Anjal, a light interface for GNOME mail reader Evolution, demonstrates how netbooks are affecting open source software. Tags: Linux, netbooks, Gnome, netbook, Linux desktop KDE vs. GNOME: Email Readers By Bruce Byfield | Article Published January 19, 2010 A feature-by-feature comparison between the KDE and GNOME email readers, concluding with an opinion about which is best. Tags: KDE, kmail, email, evolution, Gnome KDE vs. GNOME: Photo and Music Management By Bruce Byfield | Article Published January 12, 2010 The differences between KDE and GNOME in photo and music apps reveals key trends in Linux desktop development. Tags: open source, Linux desktop, KDE, Gnome How Will Users React to GNOME 3.0? By Bruce Byfield | Article Published September 29, 2009 With KDE for comparison, GNOME now faces a serious challenge. Tags: KDE, search, Linux desktop, desktop, Gnome GNOME and KDE: In Search of the Perfect Menu By Bruce Byfield | Article Published September 21, 2009 GNOME and KDE both offer beginners a classic menu, yet the two desktops take different paths from there. Tags: Gnome, open source, Linux desktop, KDE Will Geolocation Find a Home on Linux Desktops? By Bruce Byfield | Article Published August 04, 2009 The capability to detect and record your location is already starting to arrive in GNOME and KDE. But these early implementations are just a hint of what geolocation will soon provide. Tags: geolocation, GNU/Linux desktop, Google, KDE, Gnome GNOME, KDE, and Xfce: Which Desktop is Right for You? By Bruce Byfield | Article Published July 28, 2009 Regardless of which of the most popular Linux desktops you settle on -- GNOME, KDE, and Xfce -- the choice is too personal to trust to endorsements. Tags: xfce, Gnome, KDE, Linux, Linux desktop GNOME Developer Talks About GNOME Do By Paul Ferrill | Article Published July 21, 2009 GNOME developer David Siegel launched GNOME Do as a senior thesis. Tags: Gnome, Linux, programming, open source Richard Stallman, Leadership, and Sexism By Bruce Byfield | Article Published July 20, 2009 What happened at a recent desktop conference points out unresolved issues in the free software community about leadership and sexism -- issues that many prefer to remain silent about rather than confront. Tags: KDE, Gnome, Stallman, software, FOSS Google Chrome OS and the Open Source Desktop By Bruce Byfield | Article Published July 13, 2009 Given the sharing between the major free desktops like KDE and GNOME, any promising ideas in Chrome OS will also be borrowed by the major desktops. Tags: Microsoft, KDE, Linux, Google, Gnome KDE's Kontact vs. GNOME's Evolution: Best Personal Info Manager? By Bruce Byfield | Article Published June 29, 2009 An expert Linux user compares two open source personal contact managers and decides on his personal favorite. Tags: desktop, Gnome, Linux desktop, Firefox Does the Linux Desktop Innovate Too Much? By Bruce Byfield | Article Published June 21, 2009 With KDE and GNOME innovating furiously, the open source desktop is still driven by developers working on what interests them – to the confusion of many users. Tags: Gnome, Ubuntu, Linux desktop, social networking, KDE Striking the Right Gnote By Bruce Byfield | Article Published May 27, 2009 Because the open source Gnote is coded in Mono, some see it as controversial. It this much ado about nothing? Tags: developer, Gnome, programming, Novell Why I Switched from GNOME to KDE By Bruce Byfield | Article Published May 14, 2009 The two desktops are remarkably similar, but for now KDE is closer to where more of the action is. Tags: Linux, desktop, KDE, Gnome |
