What is KDE

So, you have finally installed KDE for the first time. Or maybe you're returning to KDE after a long odyssey somewhere else. Or maybe you're planning to use KDE but want to find out what it is first. What is this shiny thing that's staring at you from your computer?

Desktop Environment

KDE, or the K Desktop Environment, as the name used to say, started life as a desktop environment. As activities have grown, KDE is now an international team that creates Free and Open Source Software. What this means is that its many programs working together to give you the best possible computing experience. Does that mean you can't use a KDE application if you don't use the KDE desktop? Not at all. With the help of one or two extra libraries the applications can be used on almost any desktop.

KDE offers a variety of programs to suit any user's needs, from simple yet powerful text editors, to rocking audio and video players, to the most sophisticated integrated development environment. Plus, KDE applications follow a consistent look and feel across the desktop, giving you a comfortable and familiar experience when using any KDE program. KDE has several other features that makes it a top-class working environment, such as:

• A beautiful and modern desktop
• A flexible and configurable system, letting you customize applications without too much editing of text files
• Network transparency allows you to easily access files on other networks and computers as if they were on your own computer
• A software ecosystem of hundreds, even thousands, of programs
• Availability in over 60 languages

Information

You can read more about the KDE project, its goals, its history, and its development at the KDE website's "What is KDE" section.

An International Community

KDE is ours, courtesy of Wade Olson

KDE is more than just software. It is also a community made up of programmers, translators, contributors, artists, writers, distributors, and users from all over the world. KDE's international technology team is committed to creating the best free software for the desktop. And not only contributors, but KDE users and fans can be found throughout the entire globe, giving help to other users, spreading the news, or just simply enjoying the experience that is KDE.

(Image courtesy of Wade Olson)

Free Software

KDE isn't just any software. It is Free Software. As a user, this is an important fact, without getting deep into technical or legal considerations. Why? Because as free software, you are free to use KDE wherever you want and in whatever manner you want, no activation keys and no installation limits. And you're free to share it with others as well! So not only do you have in your hands great and powerful software, but you can also give your family and friends the opportunity to enjoy it, too.

Information

Curious about Free Software? Read more about it on the Free Software Foundation's website.

There's more!

And it doesn't stop there! KDE has lots more to offer! Here are other points users might be interested in:

• Other Platforms - Some KDE applications are available for Windows, Mac OS X, and portable devices such as Nokia N810.
• Office and Productivity Suite - KDE is not only fun, it can help you get productive and organized as well.
• Application Development Framework - Dreaming of writing the next killer app? KDE can help you with that.