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There's an interesting pattern where particularly device applications that don't use one of the "big distros" end up picking KDE Plasma over the alternatives, e

by sho_hn 3y ago

There's an interesting pattern where particularly device applications that don't use one of the "big distros" end up picking KDE Plasma over the alternatives, e.g. - Steam Deck: Desktop mode is KDE Plasma - PinePhone and PinePhone Pro: KDE Plasma Mobile - Asahi: KDE Plasma One may speculate what distros would do if it wasn't for inertia and compatibility.

kwhitefoot 3y ago
No need to speculate. Every Linux distro I have looked at recently allows the user to install loads of different desktop environments. KDE and Gnome are just the big ones. I use Cinnamon (a fork of Gnome 3 that looks more like Gnome 2) on Linux Mint on my laptop, XFCE on an old netbook also with Mint. Just pick whatever DE you prefer.
- deaddodo 3y ago
  Sure, but their default is usually GNOME3 these days. And there's always a ton more effort towards making the default work seamlessly. Kubuntu is notorious for having issues trying to fit the "Ubuntu" way and not quite getting it right. (Font/theme issues, primarily) Fedora's KDE spin is pretty decent, but that's mostly because it is bog standard aside from the logo and RPM/dnf integration. Outside of those two, you're better off using a KDE-primary distro in most cases.
fgonzag 3y ago
Why compatibility? Or inertia for that matter? Switching DEs in Linux is generally as easy as installing a package and switching the DE at login, and you can use any app compiled for a certain toolkit in any other DE. The default choice is usually done for either pragmatic or preferential reasons (Developer preference, easy of upstream collaboration, flexibility, stability, bug fix schedule)
- sho_hn 3y ago
  Compatibility e.g. with user support docs they have, or installed bases. It's not easy for distros to decide to switch defaults. That's why what new systems choose is interesting.
- ChuckNorris89 3y ago
  >Or inertia for that matter? Humans, including devs and distro builders, are creatures of habit. They tend to stick to using whatever they already know.

by sho_hn 3y ago

kwhitefoot 3y ago

No need to speculate. Every Linux distro I have looked at recently allows the user to install loads of different desktop environments. KDE and Gnome are just the big ones. I use Cinnamon (a fork of Gnome 3 that looks more like Gnome 2) on Linux Mint on my laptop, XFCE on an old netbook also with Mint. Just pick whatever DE you prefer.

deaddodo 3y ago
Sure, but their default is usually GNOME3 these days. And there's always a ton more effort towards making the default work seamlessly. Kubuntu is notorious for having issues trying to fit the "Ubuntu" way and not quite getting it right. (Font/theme issues, primarily) Fedora's KDE spin is pretty decent, but that's mostly because it is bog standard aside from the logo and RPM/dnf integration. Outside of those two, you're better off using a KDE-primary distro in most cases.

fgonzag 3y ago

Why compatibility? Or inertia for that matter? Switching DEs in Linux is generally as easy as installing a package and switching the DE at login, and you can use any app compiled for a certain toolkit in any other DE. The default choice is usually done for either pragmatic or preferential reasons (Developer preference, easy of upstream collaboration, flexibility, stability, bug fix schedule)

sho_hn 3y ago
Compatibility e.g. with user support docs they have, or installed bases. It's not easy for distros to decide to switch defaults. That's why what new systems choose is interesting.
ChuckNorris89 3y ago
>Or inertia for that matter? Humans, including devs and distro builders, are creatures of habit. They tend to stick to using whatever they already know.