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KDE On Windows Challenges Microsoft On Its Own Turf

linuxhaxor.net — KDE on windows is an audacious project aimed at porting all KDE applications on MS Windows natively.

Who dugg this? Made popular Feb 2, 2009

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  • KAMiKAZOW, on 02/02/2009, -5/+124I have to disagree with the conclusion. It says that KDE on Windows doesn't help Linux. Every single new developer helps KDE, no matter if (s)he helps to develop KDE on Windows, Solaris, FreeBSD, Mac OS X, Linux or something else.
  • inactive, on 02/02/2009, -13/+113You're still using Windows. I doubt Microsoft cares as long as you don't switch.
  • Langford, on 02/02/2009, -4/+66I for one would like to see a full blown package management system make it over to Windows, with more than just the KDE stuff. Every modern OS deserves to have such a thing. It is something excellent that really makes Linux shine.
  • k3rfuffl3, on 02/02/2009, -7/+56The more KDE apps get used on Windows the lower the barrier will be for users switching to Linux. It's a good idea, but Linux... is still Linux at the moment.
  • acetv, on 02/02/2009, -2/+47There are hundreds... HUNDREDS!
  • everett3, on 02/02/2009, -2/+43*****, think of how many people are running linux on a computer that came with a windows license.
  • Langford, on 02/02/2009, -3/+42If they did, its probably just going to be Microsoft made stuff. They have no motivation to make a repository of free opensource stuff easily accessible.
  • omarciddo, on 02/02/2009, -6/+39IT'S OVER NINE THOUSAND!!!
  • xptweakerntn, on 02/02/2009, -0/+33Why would they need to?
  • daftman, on 02/02/2009, -6/+37They care because if you are using KDE on windows, you will make the connection that you can do the same thing for free on Linux.
    We're talking about business users here, not some kid who pirate windows.
  • grungegbunny, on 02/02/2009, -16/+46Open Source > Proprietary software
  • Renton, on 02/02/2009, -3/+33And you'll have to enter your product code every time you use it.
  • lumpy211, on 02/02/2009, -7/+28I think it's a terrible way, at least in its current state. I've tried KDE 4 on my Windows box before and it's a buggy mess right now. Windows users will look at it and say "well if this is what Linux is like, I don't want it." It needs to improve a lot before Windows users will look at it in a positive light.
  • Anand999, on 02/02/2009, -2/+21The more customizable UI of KDE with the application support of Windows seems like a win/win for the end user to me.
  • SpeedSteamBoat, on 02/02/2009, -2/+20Amarok? Pidgin? Transmission? FIREFOX? Between these and VLC most all of the things I typically use my computer for, and they are quite a bit better than the proprietary alternatives, IMHO (and that of many others). Openoffice.org isn't half bad either.

    Really, for "normal" computer usage I don't find myself wanting when I'm using strictly open-source software. Now, if you want to do photo and video editing while building your own DVD projects and working in CAD the story might be a little different, but for most people open source can often be a better place than proprietary.
  • Giga, on 02/02/2009, -3/+21While I hate that meme, it actually is over 9000...
  • CrackyJSquirrel, on 02/02/2009, -4/+20KDE != Linux
  • bluechild, on 02/02/2009, -0/+16I doubt any casual windows user has installed it yet.
  • regeya, on 02/02/2009, -0/+15Well, it's been multiplatform for ages, it was just dependent upon X11 ;-)
  • Cl1mh4224rd, on 02/02/2009, -1/+15> "I wonder how/if they are getting around the M$ EULA"

    Uhhh... The same way GnuCash did? I don't know. I honestly have no idea what you think you're talking about...
  • Stonekeeper, on 02/02/2009, -0/+12Whilst i personally dislike KDE, i think the idea of getting kde on windows is an interesting one. If people are used to the "KDE desktop" then they wont care what kernel powers it.
  • Midnitte, on 02/02/2009, -1/+13Think of it as a middle-ground to getting people to switch to linux. Obviously if they get to like KDE then switching to linux isn't such a big deal as far as look/feel goes. along with wine to get their favorite apps working its like they didn't switch at all.
  • JudgeDredd, on 02/02/2009, -3/+15MS recently sent out a questionnaire to beta testers of 7 asking about just this. They are thinking about doing it for the release after 7.
  • SixOrSoPapers, on 02/02/2009, -0/+12You might try KDE 4.2 http://digg.com/linux_unix/KDE_4_2_0_released
  • grungegbunny, on 02/02/2009, -4/+15I'm a gnome person also, but this is an awesome way to show windows users what's up in the linux community.
  • ha3er0, on 06/16/2009, -6/+17***** Linux Fanboy
  • TurdZilla, on 02/02/2009, -0/+11No they are just saying that KDE on windows is the gateway drug...
  • mrBitch, on 02/02/2009, -0/+10@ Myztry RE: " Windows Update is the closest thing Microsoft has to a package manager. Unfortunately it's also used to 'backdoor' things that aren't even updates."


    That's the best summary of what 'Windows Update' actually _is_ that I have seen so far.
  • Narishma, on 02/02/2009, -1/+11KDE is working fine on my netbook, with all the visual effects on. It must be something with your system.
  • SpeedSteamBoat, on 02/02/2009, -0/+10Spoilers: It moves.
  • meghalc, on 02/02/2009, -2/+12This might be one of the things to replace Windows XP shell!!
  • inactive, on 02/02/2009, -6/+15erm, the backbone is still windows. most inhouse business software only runs on Windows.
  • bsweeney1977, on 02/02/2009, -3/+12Actually, it seems to me that by doing this you actually provide other Windows users with the ability to sample one of the main Linux interfaces without having to do away with Windows. If you don't like the shell then you can switch back to the original, but if you DO like it then maybe you have a more compelling reason to do away with Windows entirely. After all, one of the biggest reasons I've encountered for users not wanting to try Linux is that they have been using Windows for years and don't have time or inclination to learn something new. If you want to convert more users to Windows then this is a step in the right direction.
  • leamanc, on 02/02/2009, -4/+13It's not really a "challenge" to Microsoft if you already have a fully licensed copy of their OS. They've got their money from you. Yes, they'd like you to use IE and Media Player, but really they've profited from you already, so go ahead and use KDE.
    Now, if you were to use KDE on Linux...
  • MacEnvy, on 02/02/2009, -12/+21KDE is fine, whether it is your personal favorite or not. Shut up, fanboy.
  • radu79, on 02/02/2009, -14/+23Really?
    I am an open source (and closed source) developer. I use both Open Source and proprietary programs, and most of the time, in my experience, the proprietary stuff is better in terms of interface, stability and functionality.
    There are some exceptions (VLC for example), but not many.
  • mhelal2, on 02/02/2009, -5/+14Why are they calling challenge, KDE is not an operating system. In fact it will give windows one more advantage.
  • Rantipole, on 02/02/2009, -2/+11Nice use of toolbar/taskbar real estate with that centered clock. Briliant!
  • bluechild, on 02/02/2009, -1/+9Of course they care, I don't know why people are digging you up ... If the visual differences between Windows and Linux come to nothing then there is no point in paying to use Windows. And yes, Windows-only proprietary software exists but this is still a flow out of MS and into Linux, which can give higher market share to the latter and eventually motivation to 3rd parties to develop their software for Linux too.
  • NavS, on 02/02/2009, -3/+11That would be so cool, it'd be unbelievable.
  • ieee, on 02/02/2009, -0/+8Wasn't the KDE supposed to be multiplatform at the get go?
  • regeya, on 02/02/2009, -0/+7I think you're missing the point of this, which is to get the full suite of KDE apps on the platform, including KOffice.
  • Myztry, on 02/02/2009, -0/+7Assuming there are terms that interfere than you must remember that contract terms are governed by law, as opposed to being law.
    Those very terms can be thrown out as unenforceable and indeed become evidence in anti-trust or similar proceedings.
    Just because it's written doesn't make it so. That's for the Court to decide, and until that time they are meaningless. Little more than whims.
    My younger brother used to write his name on all my stuff because he thought it meant something. It didn't.
  • GeckoSlayer, on 02/02/2009, -1/+8I guess there's always the toilet for that..
  • mobling, on 02/02/2009, -0/+7Smart move as I believe. KDE does have some good aps that showcase what is available to the public. I am constantly amazed by the quality of the application K3B. If I have to use a WIndows machine at work, I would replace Nero Burning with K3B in a heartbeat. How about some other aps that some of Linux users enjoys freely on a daily basis. If KDE does catch on, then perhaps some of the newly developed software developed under the Microsoft platform might just bounce back to the nix world users.
  • Myztry, on 02/02/2009, -1/+7Pyrates - Just read a few pages of your comments as it was obvious you're full of it.
    Did someone from Apple kill your parents or something? It's ten times worse than your Linux bashing.
    You don't seem to do anything except attack Apple and Linux. Nothing else appears to interest you.
    You need to see a shrink about your OS anger, and do something about the Tourette's like spouting of the word 'fanboi'.
    Now go away - you contribute nothing!


  • CeruleanRed, on 02/02/2009, -1/+7But what about ***** outhouse business software?
  • Myztry, on 02/02/2009, -2/+8You're spinning *****. On the rare cases where a dependency can't be automagically installed then the package just gracefully fails until a short time later when they correct the sources list.
    If you have a Windows installer that isn't bloated by every dll it could possibly require (regardless or whether they are on the system or not) then you're up ***** creek.
    You can't even legally fetch the dll manually because it's not licensed. So instead you end up installing other applications that you don't even intend to use just to get the dll on your system in a legal manner.

  • Annibal, on 02/02/2009, -3/+9which KDE's apps windows users are missing so badly?
  • KAMiKAZOW, on 02/02/2009, -0/+6How about a unified PIM suite (Kontact) and an instant messenger that does almost every that protocol out there (Kopete) and connects to the PIM suite's address book?
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