KDE in Ubuntu

To be able to load KDE in Ubuntu, is it as simple as downloading the KDE interface from the Synaptic Package Manager and then loading it up on startup? I'm somewhat interested in giving KDE a try, since everybody's talking about it nowadays...

 

use synaptic to point at kde-desktop, then restart the pc.

 

Actually, you could just type in:

Code:

sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop

That may be a huge download though. I just went with:

Code:

sudo apt-get install kdebase

And installed other programs on top of it.

 

With older versions of Ubuntu I just typed

Code:

sudo apt-get install kde

but that doesn't work with Feisty. I had to install it via

Code:

sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop

Be aware that this completely (well, not really, but basically...) transforms your Ubuntu install into a Kubuntu install, including the Kubuntu startup screen, splash screen, etc.

 

This thread on ubuntuforums will tell you how to select the various installed usplash artwork. You can actually select between either splash screen.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=363519&highlight=remove+kubuntu+splash

 

So, other than KDE/GNOME, is the real difference in K & Ubuntu the programs that are installed by default (some, not all)?

 

That's exactly right. They usually use the ones that come with their respective DE.

 

Cool, thanks Lysander.

 

well, the underlying graphical toolkits (basically how stuff like buttons are drawn) are different, KDE using Qt, and GNOME using GTK2. Loading both toolkits takes more RAM, so usually they stick with one. So, Kubuntu will use applications intended for KDE, and Ubuntu will use apps intended for GNOME by default.

Of course, you can install and run apps for either from within either, it just takes more memory.

 

I was answering the question asked, which referred to synaptic =P

 

And I just provided a faster alternative. It's all good.