How to install KDE4 on debian based distro
Before I knew how, I was avoiding Gnome distros. I don’t like Gnome, I really don’t like it, however, I would recommend it to new linux users with all my heart, because it is more windows-like and there is far milder learning curve.
But, KDE4 is a lightyear in front of Gnome on technological aspect and totally configurable, which I like very much.
There are very good distros that use Gnome as default desktop. Ubuntu is one (which I also don’t like), and there are my favorites: Mint and Mint Debian Edition. Mint does have community edition that is KDE4-based, but it is usualy one version behind.
So, on debian/ubuntu based distros, that comes with Gnome, there is a way to install KDE4:
ebeli@laptux ~$ sudo apt-get install kde-full
Be prepared to download ~430 MB of files. Then setup will ask you for window manager (kdm or gdm – kdm should be set) and one more question I forgot. After installation is done, reboot computer. On login screen, select KDE session from login menu.
Voila!
However, there is a little tweak that must be done:
1. Since it is Gnome based distro, GTK for KDE and qtcurve for GTK hasn’t been installed by default. It can be installed from Synaptic package manager.
2. Restart graphics server (ctrl+alt+backspace).
3. Go to system settings, Application Appearence, come to GTK icon, and there, select QtCurve
That would be it. Enjoy full power of KDE4 on Gnome – Debian/Ubuntu based distro
