Alternative Desktop Environments

Why do these alternative desktop environments exist? Why would you want to use them? And what does the "K" in KDE stand for?

The answer to the first question is that the world of Linux—unlike the world of Microsoft Windows—is a free and open environment. Alternative desktop environments exist because a person, or group of people, decided to create them. And they are maintained in a similar fashion.

For more information about KDE, you can visit the K Desktop Environment home page at http://www.kde.org.

You can decide for yourself after reading this chapter whether you are interested in using either KDE or Another Level. I think you'll find compelling reasons to try these alternatives, particularly after you learn about the KOffice suite.

Another reason for using KDE is that it is the shell that shipped with older versions of Linux, so some users may be used to it.

Of course, many things in life come down to the adage: "Because it's there."

As for the "K" in KDE, it stands for absolutely nothing. It would seem to have this in common with the stripped-down automobile made for a while by Chrysler Motors, the K-Car. So think of the KDE as a stripped-down—but very functional—desktop environment.