Case Study: KDE Versus GNOME

As recently as 1999 there were large differences between KDE and GNOME. GNOME was more customizable; KDE was more integrated. GNOME was Open Source through and through; the Qt license caused great debates over whether KDE could be considered Open Source. KDE had a very Microsoft Windows look and feel; GNOME was pushing the envelope on user interface with the Enlightenment window manager.

Today, with KDE 2.0 and Helix GNOME, there is less and less difference between the two environments. Which you use has become more a matter of taste. Here are some things to consider when making your choice:

  • KDE is still much more integrated than GNOME. Although GNOME is improving its interoperability with the Bonobo component framework ...

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