Distro for KDE4

[happysmileman]

I've been using Ubuntu since 6.06 and Kubuntu since 7.04 (or 6.10?) and I love them both...

But now that Kubuntu won't include KDE4 until 8.10 by default I want to know what distro do you recommend for me to switch to KDE4 with.

I've heard that Fedora 8 will include it, but have never usedit.

What distros will include it as default and what are the advantages of each.

I'd like something that I could learn easily after Ubuntu, I don't mind going into the terminal to fix problems, but I'd like to be able to use a GUI for most everyday things.

I'd like a LiveCD, though I don't mind too much about it as I assume all my hardware will work as well as under Ubuntu.

If possible I'd like a good package manager, though I don't mind compiling a lot of things from source, it's mainly for large packages or ones with many dependencies.

If I think of anything else I'd like I'll post again here.

Until then anyone have any ideas? Anyone use distros like that which will support KDE4?

EDIT: Yes I realise Kubuntu will have KDE4 in the repositories but would prefer it by default.

[LaRoza]

I used both Fedora and openSUSE, and I can say I like openSUSE.

It is a very nice distro.

I don't know anything about KDE4, so someone else will have to fill you in on that.

[happysmileman]

Ok just looked it up and Opensuse won't have KDE4 on it for a while... So now I need some more suggestions

[LaRoza]

Would you be able to install KDE4 on *buntu? I don't see why you wouldn't.

Might be useful:

http://home.kde.org/~binner/kde-four-live/

[happysmileman]

Would you be able to install KDE4 on *buntu? I don't see why you wouldn't.

Yes you would... but I want it by default... I don't want to have to have it run alongside 3.5 or anything... I'm low enough on HD space as it is and don't like having too much stuff... Especially different versions of same thing

[LaRoza]

See the live cd link I added ^

-EDIT Could you do a minimal install of Ubuntu then add KDE4?

[happysmileman]

Yeah I'm geting the LiveCD to try it out anyway...

And yeah I could do minimal install and put KDE4 on it probably... but if it was easier to get another distro and just install it by default I would...

[Steveway]

I tried the Official KDE4 Live-CD and it is still reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllyy yyyyyyyyyyy buggy.
Applications crashing at startup of the system, sometimes in the background, always.
I don't think any sensible Distribution will pick it as default in this year.

[happysmileman]

I tried the Official KDE4 Live-CD and it is still reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllyy yyyyyyyyyyy buggy.
Applications crashing at startup of the system, sometimes in the background, always.
I don't think any sensible Distribution will pick it as default in this year.

Well it's still Beta 1... There'll be 3 more public releases before it's actually released...

And I have it installed on Kubuntu now to try it out, it's not as buggy as I thought it would be... Though I only have 1 plasmoid...

Konqueror is slow, but not buggy... Dolphin is fine... And even Plasma crashes very little..

[igknighted]

I think Fedora 8 is your best choice. Not that that is a bad thing, Fedora is an awesome distro. Sometime in November 07 I think it is due.

EDIT: Release shedule, along with the release schedules for major projects that they want to get into Fedora 8. Note that the KDE4 release date is the same day as the Fedora 8 feature freeze. Hopefully that if (when) KDE 4 gets bumped back Fedora will adjust the release schedule to compensate.

[happysmileman]

Yeha I'll probably use Fedora, or at least try it.... If not I'll just have to make do with Kubuntu with two KDE versions, or try set it up with a minimal install of Ubuntu

[igknighted]

Yeha I'll probably use Fedora, or at least try it.... If not I'll just have to make do with Kubuntu with two KDE versions, or try set it up with a minimal install of Ubuntu

Just do a base install of Ubuntu from the server CD (no GUI at all) and then install KDE4 onto that. I would hope they would create a metapackage for it (kde4-base perhaps?), so it should be really easy.

[happysmileman]

Just do a base install of Ubuntu from the server CD (no GUI at all) and then install KDE4 onto that. I would hope they would create a metapackage for it (kde4-base perhaps?), so it should be really easy.

Well they already have a metapackage for it anyway, so I might do that, Ubuntu is the best Distro I've used so far anyway... I'm just saying if anyone know of a really good one that will have KDE4 by default

[vexorian]

My plan is to download ubuntu gutsy and then just get KDE4 to test, if it is good, I replace some apps and keep others...

I am sure that provided KDE4 is as cool as they say someone will make a *buntu remix that will come with KDE4

[happysmileman]

I am sure that provided KDE4 is as cool as they say someone will make a *buntu remix that will come with KDE4

That's what I was thinking... Maybe in 8.04 there could be a release for LTS and an unofficial release with KDE4... Then by 8.10 Kubuntu will have it by default anyway so they can stop

[tehkain]

That's what I was thinking... Maybe in 8.04 there could be a release for LTS and an unofficial release with KDE4... Then by 8.10 Kubuntu will have it by default anyway so they can stop

People have already mentioned that there will be an alternative install CDs using kde4 as default(from the kubuntu team i think). Hopefully by 8.04 a Kubuntu4-Desktop packages will be created and maintained with all the replacements for things like Ark. Without that It might be worth it to use another distro, until 8.10 has a fairly stable alpha, just so you can get the expected functionality from kde4. All in all i think it is a smart choice for 8.04 not to use kde4 as their default DE. Even if it was not LTS I would still consider it a fair choice.

PS, I will be amazed by fedora 8 if they can have a fully functioning KDE4 release so soon. I prefer a debian/apt based distro but RH, KDE, and Fedora were a big part in my introduction to gnu/linux so I might have to try it out just for fun. I doubt I will jump ship(no thanks yum/rpm), it will be more of a visit.

[igknighted]

Well they already have a metapackage for it anyway, so I might do that, Ubuntu is the best Distro I've used so far anyway... I'm just saying if anyone know of a really good one that will have KDE4 by default

Well, Fedora 8 then. Its a really good distro (and yes I'm a little biased here) that will have KDE4 as default.

PS, I will be amazed by fedora 8 if they can have a fully functioning KDE4 release so soon. I prefer a debian/apt based distro but RH, KDE, and Fedora were a big part in my introduction to gnu/linux so I might have to try it out just for fun. I doubt I will jump ship(no thanks yum/rpm), it will be more of a visit.

Well, the release is right at the feature freeze, so they have two or three weeks to bug-fix what SHOULD be a usable release. Again, it'll certainly be a bit buggy, but Fedora is good with updates, so it should shape up very quickly.

[SunnyRabbiera]

To me i will steer clear from KDE 4 until it hits the more stable mark

[Frak]

As I believe, Gentoo would have it, so if you had the time to install it (a long time, or use a precompiled one, such as Sabayon), you could just emerge it. They might have an eBuild too though.
(Emerging=Compiling, i.e. very long and very big, eBuilds are pre compiled binaries)

[igknighted]

As I believe, Gentoo would have it, so if you had the time to install it (a long time, or use a precompiled one, such as Sabayon), you could just emerge it. They might have an eBuild too though.
(Emerging=Compiling, i.e. very long and very big, eBuilds are pre compiled binaries)

Usually big stuff like KDE/Gnome/OO.o they have a binary package as well, for those who don't want to wait. Not sure how quickly those get updated, compared to the source ebuilds.

[Erunno]

There's been an interview with an openSUSE developer and, assuming I understood it correctly, 10.3 will allow you to choose the latest KDE4 Beta / RC version during installation. In theory you should be able then to upgrade to the final 4.0 release after the installation is complete.

And again my usual disclaimer: KDE 4.0 is bound to be unstable and some more prominent features and applications won't make it into the 4.0 release (Kopete, Plasma will still be in its infancy, etc). Plus, even if applications get into the 4.0 release I doubt they will be heavily integrated with the new frameworks yet.

[vexorian]

Too bad using "Open"Suse is harmful for everyone of us.

[igknighted]

Too bad using "Open"Suse is harmful for everyone of us.

Explain? If this is another FUD spreader post about the Novell/MS deal, you really need to read up.

[Frak]

Usually big stuff like KDE/Gnome/OO.o they have a binary package as well, for those who don't want to wait. Not sure how quickly those get updated, compared to the source ebuilds.

I agree, I remember emerging the source for KDE3.5, it took 5 hours and 5GB of HD Space.