GNOME vs KDE

[Spencer Caplan]

I am just wondering which one most people prefer, so let's hear it. Which do you think is better GNOME or KDE?

[wojox]

Gnome

[ubudog]

Gnome all the way.

[esalnoj]

Gnome: more intuitive dropdown menu bars than KDE

KDE seems too disorganized for my tastes.

[overdrank]

Moved to Recurring Discussions

[ibutho]

Your results will be more favourable to GNOME because this is a forum for a distro where GNOME is the default desktop environment (and I don't think most members change the default or bother to check out other environments). If you asked the same question in the Mandriva or openSUSE forums, the results would probably be more biased towards KDE.

Personally I prefer KDE. I like the features, its easy to customise and most advanced options are not hidden away in some configuration editor like GNOME. I also use GNOME, but its not my favourite DE.

[rajcan]

I really love the looks of KDE, but with 4.1 being the last release that I used I really prefer GNOME for it's stability.

[Spencer Caplan]

Your results will be more favourable to GNOME because this is a forum for a distro where GNOME is the default desktop environment (and I don't think most members change the default or bother to check out other environments). If you asked the same question in the Mandriva or openSUSE forums, the results would probably be more biased towards KDE.

Personally I prefer KDE. I like the features, its easy to customise and most advanced options are not hidden away in some configuration editor like GNOME. I also use GNOME, but its not my favourite DE.

That makes sense, I was just wondering if there were any avid KDE fans or its advantages.

[isotonik]

For me KDE = slightly faster than Gnome. :popcorn:

It was a closer call a few months ago but descovering how KDE runs gtk themes and conky

it's a no-brainer. ;)


I still would have Linux even if Gnome was the only enviroment available.

[cptrohn]

I like gnome on the desktop computer and I prefer KDE on the laptop because it's powersave function is much better imho.

[hoppipolla]

Dear god here we go again O.O lol

I was just involved in a massive 17 page argument about this lol

Although to be fair that was more down to what should Ubuntu focus on and why they currently choose Gnome, not which of the two people personally preferred :)

My personal preference is KDE, as particularly since 4.3 I find it to be fast, visually appealing, powerful, well laid-out and progressive :)

But that's just my opinion ^_^

[lykwydchykyn]

For some reason (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Duck_Syndrome), KDE gets a lot of abuse around here.

It's biggest advantage is that it's nothing like GNOME. That's not to say anything bad about GNOME, but if you don't like GNOME it's awesome to have another option that is very different.

[Tibuda]

Both have different focus and approachs. There is no 'best'. I prefer Gnome, but KDE is really good. Use what works for you.

[Bachstelze]

I prefer CDE (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4b/DECwindows-openvms-v7.3-1.png).

[Screwdriver0815]

I prefer CDE (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4b/DECwindows-openvms-v7.3-1.png).

is this the default DE of (for example) IBM UNIX CAD workstations? I know it from somewhere... I think I used it during study (Catia-CAD course). Its horribly ugly in my eyes :D but it has its own charme :D

I prefer KDE because it's new release 4.3 is fast, stable, nice looking, can be customised in nearly every detail, brings lots of programs which are in my opinion superior in their field of the software world... etc.

[Bachstelze]

is this the default DE of (for example) IBM UNIX CAD workstations? I know it from somewhere... I think I used it during study (Catia-CAD course). Its horribly ugly in my eyes :D but it has its own charme :D

It's used on many proprietary UNIXes (AIX, HP-UX, old versions of Solaris, etc.).

[TheNosh]

well i started with puppy linux using jwm. then i moved to Xfce. then i when i came to ubuntu i used Xfce and figured thats where i would stay. however my curiosity got the best of me and installed kubuntu-desktop to try out. i used it for perhaps a week, and i didn't like it to well. so i tried Gnome (already installed cause i had started with a default installation and added Xfce cause i wanted the gnome apps) and i liked it quite a bit. granted this is likely due to how similar it is to Xfce, but regardless of my reasons, i prefer gnome to KDE.

here are other things i prefer to KDE:
Xfce
jwm
e17
fluxbox
openbox
openbox with gnome

this is all just about personal taste though, and since i can't really tell why i don't like KDE, i go back and try it every now and then. so far i still don't like it, but i wouldn't be too horribly shocked if that were to change in the future

[Screwdriver0815]

It's used on many proprietary UNIXes (AIX, HP-UX, old versions of Solaris, etc.).

and why do you prefer it? Is it the looks, or the way it works? Or what is the reason?

[Bachstelze]

and why do you prefer it? Is it the looks, or the way it works? Or what is the reason?

/facepalm

[TheNosh]

/facepalm

thats a good reason, lol

[automaton26]

See "subjective (http://www.yourdictionary.com/subjective)" - because I use what I want, and you use what you want.

As with anything in life - review the evidence yourself, and decide for yourself.

8-)

[Screwdriver0815]

/facepalm

okay, yeah, this reason is really good :lolflag:

[Bachstelze]

okay, yeah, this reason is really good :lolflag:

Dude, I was just kidding because this topic has already been discussed so many times that it is starting to get pretty boring. But if you really want to know what I use, it's KDE (when I can afford it resources-wise).

[Screwdriver0815]

Dude, I was just kidding because this topic has already been discussed so many times that it is starting to get pretty boring. But if you really want to know what I use, it's KDE (when I can afford it resources-wise).
I know, to be honest I understood it not until you posted the facepalm thing. Anyway... never mind :D

[Spencer Caplan]

/facepalm

Good response.

[RiceMonster]

Good response.

How many people are going to post that?

[Grenage]

Too many!

OP:
Don't bother asking people which they prefer, the answers will be as worthless to you as the question. Make up your own mind.

[K.Y.A]

KDE4.2

Gnome crapped out twice on me. First time, nautilus would no longer launch and Compiz stopped working, yet my graphics drivers did not change and compositing in KDE works fine.

Now, if I log into Gnome... I have no window boarders, and if I launch "metacity --replace" I get window boarders but then the panel crashes. Then, after a few minutes, the screen will start to fill with odd symbols.


KDE feels much more professional, and it is faster, no doubt. If Plasma or Kwin crashes, I don't have to open a terminal. It automatically relaunches the crashed program and I lose nothing.
Sorry Gnome devs. KDE all the way!:lolflag:

[WinterMadness]

I like KDE, I find it has better organization and has so many interesting features that I always thought should be in a DE (such as a download more wallpapers/themes box right in your settings window)

KDE has its problems though. In the areas that it shines, boy is it bright. But its a pain to turn off those synaptic touch clicks that are horrible and installing new widgets can be difficult too.

KDE is really coming along though, its definitely the future of linux in general. I think the Kubuntu team could do a little bit of a better job implementing KDE into the os. This is a big reason why so many people dont like kde who use ubuntu, because too many times it just doesnt work and causes headaches.

[Raffles10]

I am just wondering which one most people prefer, so let's hear it. Which do you think is better GNOME or KDE?

Not again !

How many times for the same thing, can't people just read recurring discussions before they start the same thread umptymillion times. ](*,)

[praveesh]

It's just personal taste. Don't go after others. What they say is their own OPINION. Kde is more beautiful . You can make your desktop whatever you wish. I feel my kUbuntu(KDE) faster than my Ubuntu(Gnome). If you are coming from windows, you will like kde more. There are a lot of beautiful applications for KDE. But the drag and drop support of the Gnome is the best. More over, the searching within a folder is the best in Gnome. But the file management in kde is the best. Also, Gnome lacks many features that I need (mainly the ability to configure. Their design principle is to avoid as many number of options to reduce confusion . An experienced user may not appreciate it. May be grandmas' like it ). If you are new to a computer, you will find Gnome more easy to learn and use. But if you have used windows, you will find kde more easy to use.

[TheNosh]

Too many!

OP:
Don't bother asking people which they prefer, the answers will be as worthless to you as the question. Make up your own mind.

could not agree more

[ubudog]

Get KDE if you want a pretty desktop and Gnome if you want a stable one.

[Tibuda]

Get KDE if you want a pretty desktop and Gnome if you want a stable one.

It is not simple like that. Lastest KDE is stable, and Gnome can look pretty.

[RabbitWho]

I can't decide! It's ruining my life!

There should be some kind of web quiz that asks you hundreds of questions and then tells you which is better for you. But then I'd probably end up exactly 50 50.

You people are tearing me appart!

I want to have a lot of options close at hand. - Kde
But I want something usable. - Gnome
I am familiar with windows. - Kde
But I want something completely different, that will make people go "What the heck is that?". - Gnome
I prefer the letter K to the letter G - Kde
But I like gnomes - Gnome
I like things to look nice, and unique. - Kde
But I'm very concerned about RAM - ??? Xubuntu (out of habit more than necessity, like someone who was poor all their life and wins the lottery but finds themselves unable to spend a penny)
I'm a teacher - Edubuntu... AHHHHhhh


I already have a live cd of ubuntu so it's clear I should also make one of kubuntu and give it a go. It won't be a waste of a cd because my parents can try it out, and for them the more like windows something is the better. Yes that is what I should do.

[OutOfReach]

I like KDE, because it's beautiful. And contrary to popular belief, It's also functional and stable.

[TheNosh]

I like KDE, because it's beautiful. And contrary to popular belief, It's also functional and stable.

I like Gnome, because it's functional and stable. And contrary to popular belief, it's also beautiful.

seems we've reached a stalemate:popcorn:

[lykwydchykyn]

Well it's all very exciting trading opinions, but in an attempt to redeem this thread allow me to try to take this conversation in a different direction.

For anyone curious about KDE, let me give a short list of things I think are really cool about KDE, that I appreciate. Some of these things are probably in GNOME. I don't really care, and I have nothing against GNOME; so before someone gets all bent out of shape and starts being snarky, TRY for once not to interpret praise of KDE as criticism of GNOME.

Without further ado:

- It can look really nice. I'm not a fan of the default look, but with some tweaking KDE 4 looks really cool and modern. Graphics are all SVG, ARGB so things scale nicely and can do transparency and so forth.

-Plasma is a great concept. Much maligned, oft misunderstood. Essentialy, whereas traditionally you had a desktop comprised of multiple totally separate pieces of software (panel, desktop icons, dock, etc), the idea of Plasma is that all things things are just different forms of the same basic thing. So, Plasma is a framework in which you write all these pieces of functionality as plugins. Which means a lot of cool things; for one, you don't have to live with the default panels/menus/desktop/etc. Developing alternate ones is as simple as developing a plugin for plasma (already there is a wide selection of menus, taskbars, and docks depending on what you like). Also, you don't need one pager/weather widget/clock/whatever for the panel and a different one for the dock and a different one to hover on your desktop. The same plugin can live anywhere you want it to.

- kio-slaves: KIO slaves give you transparent access to browsing network or filesystem protocols transparently in any KDE application. Kind of like you can browse file shares via UNC path in Windows, only it works for dozens of protocols, not just SMB/CIFS -- for example, ssh, ftp, sftp, or nfs. It also works with things like man pages, compressed files, audio CD's, cameras, media players, etc. I assume GNOME has something similar, but I think it's a cool the way KDE implements it.

- Krunner: Krunner is the "alt-f2" run menu in KDE like every desktop has. What makes it cool is that it's intelligent, like gnome-do (it searches tags/descriptions/file contents/etc rather than just literally running the contents of the box (though it can do that as well)). What makes it REALLY cool is that it's pluggable: ie, people can develop new search capabilities or functionalities for it as plugins, which you can enable or disable. It can be a calculator, or a spell check, or launch a google search. What puts the cherry on top is that the backend is a separate module, so all that cool functionality can be put into other plasma widgets (e.g., there's a search bar in Lancelot menu that uses Krunner).

Well, anyway, that's the big stuff for me. So, there you have it, all the negative folks out there can proceed to tear it apart and tell me how I either don't need these features, or how GNOME already has that too and they think it's better. OK. If it makes you happy.

[benmoran]

Well put lykwydchykyn. I think if people followed your example, we would get a lot more facts in this thread instead of opinion. That said, i'm a Gnome user. I have been thinking about trying KDE again though.

[razorboy5]

i'd have to say KDE looks MUCH nicer and cleaner. However GNOME isn't bad looking (although colour scheme is a bit weird) it's much easier to use and great for beginners like me :P briefly changed to Kubuntu for a day and got all messed up...

[MikeTheC]

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8364/kdelunarbuggy01.gif

[running_rabbit07]

^^^^^^^^^Lol @ Mike^^^^^^^^

I am all for GNOME and lykwydchykyn (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=603141) has me pegged with his Baby Duck Syndrome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Duck_Syndrome) theory.

[magneze]

Interestingly KDE will be the default for OpenSUSE in the next version.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/08/20/opensuse_top_default_to_kde/

[Screwdriver0815]

I can't decide! It's ruining my life!

There should be some kind of web quiz that asks you hundreds of questions and then tells you which is better for you. But then I'd probably end up exactly 50 50.

You people are tearing me appart!

I want to have a lot of options close at hand. - Kde
But I want something usable. - KDE
I am familiar with windows. - anything but Kde
But I want something completely different, that will make people go "What the heck is that?". - KDE
I prefer the letter K to the letter G - Kde
But I like gnomes - Gnome
I like things to look nice, and unique. - Kde
But I'm very concerned about RAM - ??? Xubuntu (out of habit more than necessity, like someone who was poor all their life and wins the lottery but finds themselves unable to spend a penny)
I'm a teacher - Edubuntu... AHHHHhhh


I already have a live cd of ubuntu so it's clear I should also make one of kubuntu and give it a go. It won't be a waste of a cd because my parents can try it out, and for them the more like windows something is the better. Yes that is what I should do.

fixed that for you ;)

the big mistake, all people are doing is: judging inner technical details based on the outer looks. KDE looks like some kind of Windows, when you say "Windows = one taskbar, KDE = one taskbar... so KDE = Windows". But the inner details and all the features and general approaches to reach a certain goal are much more different to Windows than it is in the comparison Gnome <> Windows.

anyway, you have decided to go the KDE way. Good decision! :guitar:

[Tibuda]

fixed that for you ;)
Not really. This is my version:

I want to have a lot of options close at hand. - Both Gnome and KDE
But I want something usable. - Both Gnome and KDE
I am familiar with windows. - Both Gnome and KDE
But I want something completely different, that will make people go "What the heck is that?". - Both Gnome and KDE
I prefer the letter K to the letter G - Kde
But I like gnomes - Gnome
I like things to look nice, and unique. - Both Gnome and KDE
But I'm very concerned about RAM - Crunchbang (out of habit more than necessity, like someone who was poor all their life and wins the lottery but finds themselves unable to spend a penny)
I'm a teacher - Edubuntu... AHHHHhhh

[ubudog]

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8364/kdelunarbuggy01.gif

:lolflag::lolflag::lolflag::lolflag::lolflag::lolf lag:

[hoppipolla]

Dude, I was just kidding because this topic has already been discussed so many times that it is starting to get pretty boring. But if you really want to know what I use, it's KDE (when I can afford it resources-wise).

Noooo no I wouldn't say it's been overly covered! I mean I can hardly remember the last... OH O.O lol

To be fair though this one is more focused on individual choice, whereas the last one I was involved in was why is ubuntu still on Gnome so it was more a "best choice for the distro" thread :)

[hoppipolla]

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8364/kdelunarbuggy01.gif

that is epic lol

and it is very true, until you see that Gnome has built a very, very robust unicycle that is in need of WD40! lol

*stops now O.O* hehe

[running_rabbit07]

For the record, I downloaded and install Kubuntu a few days ago on a VBox and all of the folder options popping up everywhere was a bit much for me.

I guess I just prefer something that works. KDE reminded of those web pages that every time you move the mouse you get a different pop-up getting in your way.

[hoppipolla]

For the record, I downloaded and install Kubuntu a few days ago on a VBox and all of the folder options popping up everywhere was a bit much for me.

I guess I just prefer something that works. KDE reminded of those web pages that every time you move the mouse you get a different pop-up getting in your way.

The folder options? what do you mean?

and yeah some of it is still a bit... lacking in polish, like it will probably get honed and refined with time :)

I put up with the little flaws, and I can't wait for the updates! :)

[RabbitWho]

I love KDE, I wish there was an idiot proof version though.

For example... a dialogue box that would pop up and say: What in gods name are you doing!? You can't edit the administrator account details and then not set a password! If you do that you're going to ruin your life!

So I've only had it a little over 24 hours, and I've reinstalled it I think 3 times, and it took about 12 hours to get the internet running, and I can't figure out how to do anything... but I love it.. but... well we'll see what happens. I'm not used to it at all yet, we'll see what happens.

[Dullstar]

Kde is more beautiful . You can make your desktop whatever you wish.

This is allowed in GNOME... uploading this post in progress to show it... note that you may not like this theme, but I like it better than the KDE themes... okay, so it IS a custom theme but no downloads were required. It's just a combination of elements from different themes. When I installed KDE, I found only one theme to come with it. I will also show my desktop. I have also downloaded Mac4Lin, but haven't bothered installing it. :lolflag:
I feel my kUbuntu(KDE) faster than my Ubuntu(Gnome).

I have three gigs of ram and a good graphics card. GNOME boots faster, and runs better on my machine.

If you are coming from windows, you will like kde more.

Nope. I came from Windows, and have tried Kde 3.x, 4.x, and... I don't know what version of GNOME... GNOME has been my favorite. If you want something that looks like Windows, you'll like KDE better.

There are a lot of beautiful applications for KDE.

Oh, but just because something is pretty doesn't mean it's good.

Also, Gnome lacks many features that I need (mainly the ability to configure. Their design principle is to avoid as many number of options to reduce confusion . An experienced user may not appreciate it. May be grandmas' like it ).

Hmmm? What kind of configuring? What are you talking about? Also, I have been able to do what I need with GNOME... more conveniently than in KDE.

If you are new to a computer, you will find Gnome more easy to learn and use. But if you have used windows, you will find kde more easy to use.

I've used Windoze for years and must say, the learning curve for GNOME is shorter than KDE even if you have used Windows.

[StephanG]

I've been using Kubuntu since the beginning. But recently installed Ubuntu on my mother's computer.

I have to say that I was really impressed with Ubuntu. Everything installed quickly, smoothly and automatically. By automatically I'm referring to her laptop's thingamagis. Now I also have to stress the fact that my own PC is a desktop PC, which doesn't have wireless cards, etc to be configured, so I can't really compare it. My own Kubuntu also installed flawlessly and runs smoothly.

But the impression I get is that at the end of the day, Ubuntu simply has more programmers than Kubuntu. Which results in a smoother overall desktop experience.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it. Its the desktop's job to provide as much features, stability, speed, etc to the various distributions as possible?

Then it is each distribution's job to utilize the features and tweak the settings that they have at their disposal to provide a, pleasant experience for the user. Whether its a focus on eye candy, speed, stability, security or any combination of any number of things.

What I'm trying to get at, is that my own humble impression is that gnome has, compared to KDE, fewer programmers which result in a more focussed desktop enviroment. But Ubuntu has a lot of resources to turn those features into a great user experience.

Whereas the situation with Kubuntu, seems to be that there's a lot of horsepower behind KDE, but relatively few programmers at Kubuntu's end of the equation, resulting in an end product that has a lot of features, but the user has to manually select most settings himself. I mean, it doesn't even seem like Kubuntu has enough resources to change the default KDE wallpaper.

That being said... I still use Kubuntu and am excited to see the enormous progress made with each new KDE release. They have some really cool features. I love the folderview, for example(especially since 4.3). But I would like it if Kubuntu got the same kind of TLC that seems to go into Ubuntu.

But at the end of the day, I'm sticking with Kubuntu. It serves all my needs, and I love watching it evolve with each new version of KDE. Admittedly I'm a huge fan of eye candy and generally 'cool' things.

P.S. I'll end this incredibly long post by saying "I'm just a kid. Don't flame me please"

[hoppipolla]

I've been using Kubuntu since the beginning. But recently installed Ubuntu on my mother's computer.

I have to say that I was really impressed with Ubuntu. Everything installed quickly, smoothly and automatically. By automatically I'm referring to her laptop's thingamagis. Now I also have to stress the fact that my own PC is a desktop PC, which doesn't have wireless cards, etc to be configured, so I can't really compare it. My own Kubuntu also installed flawlessly and runs smoothly.

But the impression I get is that at the end of the day, Ubuntu simply has more programmers than Kubuntu. Which results in a smoother overall desktop experience.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it. Its the desktop's job to provide as much features, stability, speed, etc to the various distributions as possible?

Then it is each distribution's job to utilize the features and tweak the settings that they have at their disposal to provide a, pleasant experience for the user. Whether its a focus on eye candy, speed, stability, security or any combination of any number of things.

What I'm trying to get at, is that my own humble impression is that gnome has, compared to KDE, fewer programmers which result in a more focussed desktop enviroment. But Ubuntu has a lot of resources to turn those features into a great user experience.

Whereas the situation with Kubuntu, seems to be that there's a lot of horsepower behind KDE, but relatively few programmers at Kubuntu's end of the equation, resulting in an end product that has a lot of features, but the user has to manually select most settings himself. I mean, it doesn't even seem like Kubuntu has enough resources to change the default KDE wallpaper.

That being said... I still use Kubuntu and am excited to see the enormous progress made with each new KDE release. They have some really cool features. I love the folderview, for example(especially since 4.3). But I would like it if Kubuntu got the same kind of TLC that seems to go into Ubuntu.

But at the end of the day, I'm sticking with Kubuntu. It serves all my needs, and I love watching it evolve with each new version of KDE. Admittedly I'm a huge fan of eye candy and generally 'cool' things.

P.S. I'll end this incredibly long post by saying "I'm just a kid. Don't flame me please"

Very well said, particularly if you are just a kid heh, and that would be very, very difficult to flame anyway as I think you have it pretty well put there.

KDE is evolving fast, and it will be exciting to see what the future brings :)

[Dullstar]

GNOME eyecandy: Compiz fusion.

Use it all the time. Works 5,000 times better than KDE identical eye candy. Okay, so KDE has the stuff you need already installed, but is it that hard to do a Google (http://google.com) search on how to enable x desktop effect, find out you need that compiz-config settings mangager (something like that, it's been a while) then install it from Synaptic?

[AmyRose]

I have come to prefer GNOME after being a KDE fan for years. What happened? KDE 4 happened. Did they not learn from Netscape's mistake of doing a complete rewrite all at once (http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000069.html)? To make matters worse, KDE 3.5 seemed to get lost in the dust (site compatibility updates were only going toward Konqueror 4, for example, and Konqueror in 3.5 became useless pretty fast). They said KDE 3.0 sucked as bad as 4.0 did, but I used 3.0 and it did not suck at all--it had 2.x's features and thensome. I do not like the new desktop layout very much. The only thing they seemed to do right was building desktop effects right into the window manager (Compiz is just too beta for me, still.)

I hope KDE doesn't ever do this again, and I really hope GNOME doesn't either.

I have really come to like GNOME though. It has a very mature set of applications compared to the beta nature of a lot of KDE applications (like KOffice, especially). I have come to like the simplified nature of a lot of GNOME dialogs, and when I do need to tweak an advanced setting, the GConf editor has that setting in it.

Like I said, I hope GNOME does not make the same mistake Netscape and KDE made and throw (almost) everything away with GNOME 3.

[Tibuda]

What I'm trying to get at, is that my own humble impression is that gnome has, compared to KDE, fewer programmers which result in a more focussed desktop enviroment.
What make you think that Gnome has less programmers?

[Spencer Caplan]

What make you think that Gnome has less programmers?
Not to be a jerk, but.... "fewer programmers?"

[stanca]

Definitely Gnome;despite the fact I used for the first time KDE3.5.9 then 4 beta with Kubuntu 8.04 i686.:)

[Mulenmar]

Ask me in three years, and I'll say LXDE ftw. :) Still a little lacking at this point. :(

Limiting it to GNOME vs. and/or with KDE, I prefer either a sparse arrangement of GNOME and lighter-weight programs + K3b, KDE 3.5.x series with Rhythmbox, and mostly KDE apps, or whatever the KDE version in Ubuntu 9.04 is now + the more traditional application launcher + Openbox.

I *do* hate the extra step needed to move around widgets in the KDE 4 panels, but it really isn't that big a deal overall.

*sets computer to apt-build konqueror 32-bit for athlon64 processor*

[Ekeluo]

I like and use KDE more than Gnome on my setup even though Gnome tends to be a little more responsive (Compiz is much faster than Kwin's effects - for now). For me though the killer feature for Gnome is tracker + deskbar. It works and always finds what I want. Strigi by comparison is completely hopeless in it's current state. Doesn't find anything except by name (if I knew the name I 'd just go click on it!) and full word searches only are allowed. So typing 'kany' gives nothing but 'kanye' get you - wait for it - the folder with the albums in it. Deskbar gives me ALL the songs, possible saved documents, a google and wikipedia search (right there in the bar). Wonderful Combination, really.

[Spencer Caplan]

To me, it seems that Gnome has more substance and is very responsive. KDE seems more about pizazz and is sort of bloated with it (if you have an old computer, maybe more so.)

So, overall I prefer Gnome, but as far as being visually impressive KDE wins.

[mdsmedia]

To me, it seems that Gnome has more substance and is very responsive. KDE seems more about pizazz and is sort of bloated with it (if you have an old computer, maybe more so.)

So, overall I prefer Gnome, but as far as being visually impressive KDE wins.
I think you'd have a few followers there.

I don't like KDE. I don't like how it looks, but for a lot of people, KDE "looks better" and is the only reason they'll consider Linux (and I have one Windows fanboy I can use as an example of that). If you are simply into aesthetics, standard KDE may look better than standard Gnome, in some respects. In most respects, I much prefer Gnome.

I must admit, I haven't yet tried KDE 4.x.

[Arup]

I recommend KDE to long term Windows users switching to Linux, the KDE interface makes them feel right at home, after that when they have attained familiarity with Linux I make then try out Gnome, 95% of them stick to Gnome and don't go back to KDE.

[Crunchy the Headcrab]

Interestingly KDE will be the default for OpenSUSE in the next version.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/08/20/opensuse_top_default_to_kde/
Having used both Gnome and KDE on Suse, I can positively say that it's not even worth using gnome with OpenSuse. It is complete garbage. KDE, on the other hand, is great on OpenSuse.

I prefer Gnome I think, but KDE 4.3 has a lot of features that have got me interested again. For now I'll stick with gnome because I use more gtk apps than the other way around and I just don't quite like how thy turn out under KDE. However, the I give the edge of appearance in general to kde. The reason for this is because Gnome's default icons look ridiculous for a modern OS and I haven't found any replacements that offer sufficient detail for my taste.

P.S. I'm writing this from a KDE 4.3 machine. I'm switching back to Gnome either this evening or tomorrow afternoon. I tend to waffle back and forth every month or so.

[hoppipolla]

KDE is my favourite :)

[starcannon]

I like and use KDE more than Gnome on my setup even though Gnome tends to be a little more responsive (Compiz is much faster than Kwin's effects - for now). For me though the killer feature for Gnome is tracker + deskbar. It works and always finds what I want. Strigi by comparison is completely hopeless in it's current state. Doesn't find anything except by name (if I knew the name I 'd just go click on it!) and full word searches only are allowed. So typing 'kany' gives nothing but 'kanye' get you - wait for it - the folder with the albums in it. Deskbar gives me ALL the songs, possible saved documents, a google and wikipedia search (right there in the bar). Wonderful Combination, really.
The winner of THE BEST Window Manager Award is!!!

THE ONE YOUR USING!!!

Wooot, go You, you really know how to pick em'.

For me its Gnome.

[FunkyRes]

I prefer GNOME.

[W2IBC]

I prefer KDE3. i dont like the KDE4 look (to vista'ish to me, ditch the plasma garbage)

when KDE3 finally dies out ill prob switch to gnome permanently.

however i have both gnome and kde3 installed gnome as a fallback in case something breaks with kde

[hoppipolla]

I prefer KDE3. i dont like the KDE4 look (to vista'ish to me, ditch the plasma garbage)

when KDE3 finally dies out ill prob switch to gnome permanently.

however i have both gnome and kde3 installed gnome as a fallback in case something breaks with kde

You really can get KDE 4 looking a lot like 3, just smoother and more polished with fantastic UI effects! Additionally, it is VERY themeable, so if you don't like the default look you can transform it into almost anything you want!

Lastly, Kwin is amazing and is getting better fast - it means you never have to use anything like Compiz if you don't want to, and it still looks amazing :)

[Spencer Caplan]

The winner of THE BEST Window Manager Award is!!!

THE ONE YOUR USING!!!

Wooot, go You, you really know how to pick em'.

For me its Gnome.

Well said. I never understood the vehement arguments which I have heard about Gnome and KDE. It is all a personal preference. I also agree, as I personally prefer Gnome. (But really, any desktop environment for Linux beats Windows by a lot!)

[NormanFLinux]

Kubuntu Netbook Edition has a GNOME style interface. The bar is at the top rather than the bottom but its still KDE.

[lykwydchykyn]

Kubuntu Netbook Edition has a GNOME style interface. The bar is at the top rather than the bottom but its still KDE.

You can put your panel on any side of the screen in the normal edition of KDE -- or in most desktop environments I've ever seen (Including Windows explorer). I think there's more to the argument than panel placement.

Though, sometimes I think most people's assessment of the two DE's don't go much beyond default colors and panel placement, sadly.

[timestandstill]

GNOME > KDE. GNOME is used as default in Ubuntu, Ubuntu is my favourite distro inside the whole internet. Thus, I like GNOME. It's familiar (to me, thanks to Ubuntu), easy to use, has many nice applications, and I bet if it had a distinct smell it would smell like honey suckles. It's just that amazing. KDE 4? Yuck.

[stanca]

Definitely Gnome.KDE reminds me too much of Window$.
That's why I'm still using Linux. ;)

[hoppipolla]

GNOME > KDE. GNOME is used as default in Ubuntu, Ubuntu is my favourite distro inside the whole internet. Thus, I like GNOME. It's familiar (to me, thanks to Ubuntu), easy to use, has many nice applications, and I bet if it had a distinct smell it would smell like honey suckles. It's just that amazing. KDE 4? Yuck.

lol when was the last time you actually used it? :)

[Exodist]

Gnome without the Gnome-shell, KDE otherwise.

[knepig91]

Definitely Gnome.KDE reminds me too much of Window$.
That's why I'm still using Linux. ;)
Same here bro :P

[HomoGleek]

The beauty off Linux is when can have this argument in the 1st place :)

GNOME because I like that it 'feels and looks' very different from what I'm used too (M$)

But each too their own.

[fela]

It's a bit like Windows vs. Mac.

Both have their advantages. Both have their disadvantages.

However, I prefer KDE for its customizability. I also prefer Gnome for its stability and lack of bloat.

[doorknob60]

I like KDE better, because I like the widgets, Oxygen and Plasma look nice, and Kwin works well (Compiz on the other hand causes some problems for me). Gnome is good too though, and if I still used *buntu, I'd probably use Gnome.

[hoppipolla]

I like KDE better, because I like the widgets, Oxygen and Plasma look nice, and Kwin works well (Compiz on the other hand causes some problems for me). Gnome is good too though, and if I still used *buntu, I'd probably use Gnome.

hehe yeah same here!

I prefer KDE, but I use Gnome! lol

I think it's just because at the moment Gnome does provide me with better tools and better integration, as it is more supported.

Also, I do really like the Gnome drop-down menus.

However, I believe (as I have said many times before, sorry to repeat myself) that KDE will be the best desktop to win over new users to Ubuntu/Linux, at least from say version 4.4 or 4.5 onwards.

[RichardLinx]

I prefer KDE, but I use Gnome!
Same here! Only because I did a recent install of Ubuntu though because I felt like giving it another spin. As soon as openSUSE 11.2 is released though, it's back to KDE. I already ended up installing a bunch of KDE applications on my GNOME install.