KDE Plasma 6.7 Brings Back Oxygen Themes and Virtual Desktops, Sparks Debate Over Usability
KDE Plasma 6.7 reintroduces the Oxygen and Air themes from KDE 4, adds per-screen virtual desktops, and improves features like microphone testing and push-to-talk shortcuts, marking a significant update for users. The release has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising the return of classic themes and new productivity tools, while others criticize the usability of the new virtual desktop switching method and the experimental Union theming engine. Users like rozodru and thingsiplay highlight the improvements as making Plasma a viable daily driver, while others like 1984 joke about the release confusing Microsoft. The discussion also touches on Plasma Bigscreen for TV boxes, a feature not widely discussed but noted by user sol6_vi.
Commenters are divided on the usability of the new virtual desktop switching method, with some preferring direct shortcuts over Page Down/Page Up. The experimental Union theming engine has drawn frustration due to the lack of default settings and the need for additional installation. Meanwhile, the press-and-hold special characters feature is praised for its impact on workflow, though some compare it to Windows' Alt + Numpad method and request similar Unicode input features. The community is also split on the potential of Plasma Bigscreen, with asudox noting its availability in testing on Arch.
The consensus is that KDE Plasma 6.7 represents a significant improvement with the return of beloved themes and new productivity features. However, the community remains divided on usability aspects like virtual desktop switching and the Union theming engine. The release has generated both enthusiasm and criticism, highlighting the ongoing debate over how to balance innovation with user experience in open-source software.
Key Points
#1The return of Oxygen and Air themes from KDE 4 is widely praised as a major improvement.
User rozodru called it a key factor in making Plasma a viable daily driver.
#2Per-screen virtual desktops are seen as a major enhancement for multi-monitor setups.
User thingsiplay highlighted its impact on workflow efficiency.
#3The new virtual desktop switching method using Page Down/Page Up is controversial.
Commenters split on whether it's intuitive or confusing compared to direct shortcuts.
#4The experimental Union theming engine has drawn criticism for its lack of default settings.
Users expressed frustration over the need for additional installation and configuration.
#5Plasma Bigscreen for TV boxes is noted as a potential new direction for the project.
User sol6_vi highlighted its availability in testing on Arch.
#6The press-and-hold special characters feature is compared to Windows' Alt + Numpad method.
User 0_o7 requested a similar Unicode input feature.
Source Discussions (3)
This report was synthesized from the following Lemmy discussions, ranked by community score.