KDE Vs GNOME

[adi_das]

Which one is better?

[Istonian]

There is really no better. It's more of a personal preference. I happen to like gnome because it suits my needs for a desktop better than KDE.

[-random]

Personally i like Gnome better just because synaptic package manager gave me some problems #-o

Really doesn't matter which you use, because you can install a KDE/Gnome app on Gnome/KDE.

I've heard that you can have different backgrounds for different desktops in KDE.. ?

[empthollow]

I think it is true you can have different desktop pics for different desktops. Overall KDE has more options than gnome does but what it comes down to for me is that i don't like the KDE interface as much and find the options unnecessary. I like gnome over KDE because it just keeps it simple while still giving you the ease of use options that you need.

[tirade]

I used to swear by KDE and considered GNOME very limited, clunky and slow. But nowadays most distros use GNOME by default and I just went with it.

I've grown to like it. KDE can feel more slick and efficient, but the huge number of options had me wasting time customizing my desktop for hours (for fun) instead of getting any work done.

Nowadays I find the GNOME interface very pleasing, and the default Ubuntu theme very easy on the eyes, especially after installing MS TrueType fonts.

Definitely a matter of preference, though I'll say this: in my highly subjective opinion, KDE always felt like a highly customizable take on the Windows interface, while GNOME always felt like its own animal.

GNOME feels (to me) more like the face of Linux than KDE does.

Argue about THAT! :)

[Snakob808]

This is Linus Torvald's view on it...

http://www.osnews.com/story/12956

I think his comments about Gnome are hilarious.

I've used them both, and I like KDE better. I don't know why. It's just the feel of it.

You can install both and change between them at login. You will eventually develop a taste for one.

[tirade]

My goodness I think Linus is right.

I have to rethink my entire set of preferences now.

When GNOME switched to a file browser that had no nav bar, no nav buttons, just window after window of icons, I thought they were insane. The current file browser is vaguely reminiscent of Finder so I don't mind it. But I'm starting to remember how fun KDE was to use; how slick and complete the whole thing felt.

GNOME's lack of options helps me focus on things besides customizing my UI, but if I don't want to tinker why the hell am I using Linux?

[EXCiD3]

its all personal preference

[Istonian]

I used to use KDE a lot, but then KDE 4 came out. I absolutely despise KDE4. It's like built on widgets. I hate it. I know I could use KDE3.5.9 right now, but I just don't like the way KDE is going.

[NightwishFan]

I like KDE. Take about the size of 2 gnome bars, and merge them into one slick looking bar. :)

Well really it just is more to my taste, although I could get GNOME to work much like kde with tweaking, but theres no way im gonna get bored enough to do that.

[deepclutch]

am a die-hard Gnome fan.but archlinux+kdemod is changing my ideas now :D !superfast modular kde or say CTC or KISS idea ;)
kde4-yet to try-will try it when 4.1 release.
Gnome-easy and not confusing.works perfectly.less buggy(IMHO) :D
no eyecandy though in Gnome although it is very much possible.
gconf -is a superior idea of centralized configuration option.gconf contails only xml files unlike binary used in winblow$ registry.
dont call win registry and gconf the same.may be u shud read:
polishlinux.org » GConf — GNOME under the hood (http://polishlinux.org/gnome/gconf-gnome-under-the-hood/)

[Istonian]

I just switched back to KDE 3.5. Had it looking like GNOME in seconds. Wow, I forgot had customizable KDE was.

[Hallvor]

Same here. My KDE desktop layout is almost identical to Ubuntu`s Gnome.

[Dropbear]

I find GNOME to be more intuitive than KDE. I think using Gnome was a very wise move for Ubuntu.

[tirade]

Instead of "light and fast" like KDE, I think the feel of Gnome is "sure and deliberate." To someone accustomed to Gnome, KDE can probably feel schizophrenic. My last experience with KDE included enormous menus and moments of instability.

With Gnome that almost never happens.

[hakimaki]

Just going back to that whole Linus telling everyone gnome sucks and to use kde. The Gnome vs KDE battle is one that has been around forever, and with no end in sight. This topic has been discussed enough times on these forums to make anyone sick. Is one man's opinion really that important to everyone?

Linus says gnome is a disease, however I think its his statement that is the disease. Any poor sap who doesnt have the balls to think for himself will quickly convert to KDE because Linus said so. Honestly, he just sounds like a typical arrogant european.(and yes, im an european) Its sickening to see how many people change their minds after reading his opinion. Really, if you couldnt figure out why one is better than the other yourself, then obviously its not that big of a deal. I've dabbled in both KDE, Gnome, and countless others, always coming back to gnome. Why? Well, I guess maybe I like being that "idiot" who likes things simple and to just "work". Dont get me wrong, im not bashing KDE, I like KDE and use it quite often. However, I prefer gnome, and one mans opinion is not going to change my mind. The competition is probably good for us anyways, it keeps development moving forwards.

I guess what im saying is, to think for yourself, and use what makes you happy in life. Whether it be a choice between KDE vs Gnome or Coke vs Pepsi,

PS - Just cuz Michael Jordan endorsed Nike, it didnt mean I got rid of my Reeboks.

[Rhapsody]

I prefer KDE myself, and I'm probably going to love KDE 4. I have a tendency to go on huge sprees of customising with everything on my PC, so KDE tends to get very tweaked indeed. The most unique feature I have is my "Midnight Green 3.0" colour scheme (white text, dark grey background, green highlights), though some apps and web pages don't play nice with it (#1 offender: Opera).

For when my parents use this PC though, it'll probably be on GNOME. It seems simpler and more business-like, which is exactly what's needed. The fact that Synaptic can make application upgrades 'just happen' will be a nice bonus (I know Adept can do that too, I just prefer to authorise everything myself on my own install).

[happysmileman]

KDE for me, I use KDE3.5 for now, will switch to KDE4, but right now it's not as easily customisable and the applications crash more than I'd like (It works fine when you use KDE3.5 programs, but I'll just stick to KDE3.5 until the default programs on 4 work well enough).

I find it a lot easier to program for KDE and QT, and I tend to prefer the KDE programs, such as Amarok and K3b and stuff. And to me KDE always seems more "open" to developers and they seem to be a lot more encouraging towards people who want to get involved.

That said, nothing in the above two paragraphs imply that KDE is better, just that I like customising it more, I like the applications more, and it seems better for developers (easier to develop for, but as for the "more open to developers" statement, I can't be sure because I haven't submitted patches to either KDE or GNOME, and it'll be a long time before I'm that good.)
Some people won't mind GNOME being slightly harder to customise, and they might not like the KDE programs any more than GNOME ones, and KDE is definitely focused on C++ developers, whereas GNOME is probably a lot better for C developers.

[samwyse]

Metacity and Nautilus lack some features and that makes me not want to use Gnome.

[deepclutch]

^not any more.nautilus is much stable with latest releases.nautilus-actions scripts allow custom options.
knowing or unknowingly Gnome is going away from KISS ideology ,inorder to compete with kde4 .dump that HIG of Gnome!:p

as someone in this thread(?) said-Linux is for customizability.we all come from window$-where stardock or some $$ware is needed to customize something.
gnome does the same by hiding configuration options.
Hey,I am a Gnome user BTW :p