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this post was submitted on 11 Sep 2023
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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I was always a GNOME guy. Not sure why really, maybe it was the state of KDE3 vs GNOME2. Never really looked at KDE again and assumed there is a reason all the popular distros pick GNOME. then 3 years ago I tried KED, and was blown away. Now I’ve completely flipped my position on it.
Well kde4 was also a trash fire
And it look until like 5.14/5.15/5.16 for Plasma 5 to finally be stable enough IMO.
The memes of Plasma being unstable and buggy were very real.
Comparing the first Plasma 5 release to 5.27 would be night and day, it went from being straight up unusable trash to a competent, powerful, mostly stable experience. Such a massive improvement.
I'm glad they've postponed Plasma 6 again so they can get things right. Plasma being buggy for so long is what caused Gnome to supplant them in the first place, they're right to try to shake that image.
i jumped ship around i wanna say 5.8? i was tired of gnome at that time.
What would you describe as the main difference?
Gnome provides a more consistent user experience because Gnome apps usually have fewer features and don't offer many customization options by default. KDE apps usually have a lot of settings and customization options, but the user interface might be a little less intuitive or you may have to search in a settings menu to find what you're looking for.
In my experience Gnome is pretty, intuitive, and well integrated, but I tend to settle on KDE Plasma because KDE apps often have more advanced functionality and more options for configuration. If you're the type who likes to explore device/app settings to configure things exactly how you want, then consider KDE Plasma. If you'd rather have a minimal but consistent experience out-of-the-box without any tinkering then Gnome is probably the better choice for you.
For me, Plasma is awesome but I can usually find some bugs in a few days of using it. Gnome is usually rock solid, although there has been times when it also has been buggy.
I switch back and forth a lot and it adds to the fun I think.
I use KDE on a RHEL system via epel and it’s been pretty rock solid. I’m not the type to update very often, but it’s been stable for the year I’ve been running it.
Honestly for me it’s very subjective. With GNOME, I need to install and configure a lot of extensions to get it to work the way I like. I was surprised how many of these small tweaks and features are already part of KDE. Out of the box it’s a lot closer to what I want and the rest of the small customizations I want are just right there in KDE as options.
With GNOME extensions I always have to wonder “which crappy extension broke now, and what is the new one everyone is moving to/how to fix it”.
Just generally a lot less headache for me. I also could swear it’s more performant and generally feels snappier, but it’s so hard to tell on modern fast hardware anyway.
GNOME = iOS where they make decisions for you
KDE = Android where it's completely customizable
Based on my (limited) experience, Gnome is especially well suited for people new to Linux or inundated with too much to worry about customizing a DE.
Personally, my desktop runs KDE and I've spent hours researching/customizing it, while my laptop which is a glorified web browser, runs GNOME