The KDE community proudly announced today, June 1st, the immediate availability of the first release candidate of KDE 4.3, the next-generation KDE desktop environment for Linux, Windows and Mac OS X platforms. However, the focus of this release is to fix the remaining issues before the final one comes out, at the end of July, 2009. When it will be
launched, KDE 4.3.0 will definitely be the most modern, beautiful and attractive desktop environment. The most important feature of KDE 4.3 RC1 is the new Air theme, which replaces the Oxygen one (still available via right-click -> Desktop Settings).
"KDE 4.3 focuses on polishing and completing the user experience by providing a modern and beautiful Free working environment. Compared to the Beta releases, this release candidate now contains the new Air theme, which will be the default for KDE 4.3.0. Air is a theme lighter than Oxygen, which is still available as an option through the "Desktop Settings" dialog." - the KDE developers said in the
official release announcement.
Highlights of KDE 4.3: · Integration of the Geolocation and PolicyKit services;
· New eye-candy effects;
· Revamped Run dialog;
· New Plasma addons;
· Lots of Plasma improvements;
· Updated applications;
...and many more bugfixes!
Currently the KDE 4 desktop environment ships with many packages, including web development applications, educational tools, administrative programs and more, all of which are available in over 50 languages.
About KDE KDE is a powerful Free Software graphical desktop environment for Linux and Unix workstations. It combines ease of use, contemporary functionality and outstanding graphical design with the technological superiority of the Unix operating system. KDE is a network transparent contemporary desktop environment for UNIX workstations that seeks to meet the need for an easy-to-use desktop for Unix workstations, similar to the desktop environments found under the Mac OS X or Microsoft Windows.
Download KDE 4.3 RC1 right now from
Softpedia.
Remember that this is a development release and it should NOT be installed on production machines. It is intended to be used for testing purposes only. The KDE 4.3 RC1 Live CD built on top of openSUSE 11 is also available for download from
Softpedia.
