Tag: KDE

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How KDE Plasma Can Save Your PC from Obsolescence

October 14, 2025, is a big day if you’re a Microsoft Windows user. That’s the day that support for Windows 10 ends. But what if you’re happy with the computer you have now and don’t feel like spending more money to stay with the guys from Redmond? Is there a choice for you? You bet. The KDE Community has precisely what you need. It’s KDE for Windows 10 Exiles. You now have a choice, and all you need to do is upgrade your operating system.

That might seem like a tall order to someone who has never done that sort of thing but it’s not that difficult. The KDE Project has a website dedicated to helping you do precisely that. KDE recommends trying the Plasma desktop. You’ll be glad you did too. That means you get to keep the computer you already have, and it means that from here on out, you’ll be in the driver’s seat, along with the rest of us, using free and open-source software. KDE’s Plasma desktop ensures that “you get all the advantages of the safety, stability, and hi-tech of Linux, with all the features of a beautiful, modern, and powerful graphic environment.”

There are several good reasons to choose Plasma, and one of them is that it’s easy. The Plasma desktop doesn’t look that different from the one you have been using. The launch menu is in the bottom left-hand corner, just like it is on Windows 10. Plasma is powerful and lets you move things around so that your workflow could be precisely what you need it to be. The best thing about Plasma is that it’s free. It can be on your computer or everyone in your department could upgrade to Plasma for free. Plasma is powerful. You’ll discover that Plasma lets you have up to four desktops. You’re no longer constrained to just one.

Organizing your files and folders requires some planning, but it’s an easy task. Get a USB-compatible external hard drive and store all the data you want to keep on it. Later, Plasma will have no trouble reading it. Most of the hardware you’ll use, whether it’s WiFi or Bluetooth, will be configured by the operating system. If you’re a Microsoft Office user, your documents can be read by LibreOffice, which is included in most standard Linux distributions.

Moving to Linux means that you’ll be giving up viruses and virus-related scams. You won’t be getting any advertisements from the folks in Redmond. There won’t be telemetry built into your operating system and its software. You will begin to enjoy absolute privacy, and you won’t be forced to upgrade. Your computer will last much longer. There are no hidden costs with Linux.

I am a long-time Linux user, but I’ve recently converted to KDE Plasma on Fedora 42. Many Linux distributions feature the Plasma desktop. There are many other desktop options for Linux, so if you don’t care for Plasma, be sure to check these other desktop environments: Gnome, XFCE, MATE, Cinnamon, and LXQT. Use this do-it-yourself guide from the End of 10 website to guide your upgrade.

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An Introduction to Krita: A Powerful Tool for Digital Artists

Welcome to the exciting world of digital art! Whether you are an experienced artist or a curious beginner, Krita is a name you should know. Developed by the KDE community, Krita is free and open-source digital painting software that has gained immense popularity in art. It has powerful features and is easy to use, with a user-friendly interface and extensive customization options.

What is Krita?

Krita is digital painting software designed for artists of all skill levels. Although I wouldn’t consider myself a well-known digital artist, Krita allows me to easily create high-quality graphics for my presentations. It is available for download and installation on Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

Key Features

Customizable brushes: One of Krita’s standout features is its extensive collection of brushes. With over 100 preloaded brushes and the ability to customize and create your own, you have endless possibilities.
Layers and masks: Krita features a powerful layer system that enables non-destructive editing, allowing artists to experiment and refine their artwork easily. Additionally, masks let you apply effects or adjustments to specific areas without changing the original layer. This level of flexibility is a significant advantage for artists who enjoy fine-tuning their work.
Intuitive Interface: Krita’s user interface is designed with artists in mind. It’s clean, intuitive, and highly customizable. You can arrange your workspace to suit your preferences, ensuring all your essential tools are within easy reach.
Advanced color management: Krita offers a variety of color spaces and profiles for artists who need precise color accuracy. Whether you’re working on a project for print or digital display, Krita’s advanced color management tools ensure your colors appear exactly as intended.
Animation capabilities: Krita provides animation features along with its powerful painting tools. Users can create traditional hand-drawn animations utilizing the timeline and onion-skinning tools.

Screen picture by Don Watkins CC by SA 4.0

Community and Resources

One of Krita’s best aspects is its vibrant and supportive community and excellent documentation. Numerous tutorials, forums, and resources are available to help you get started and enhance your skills. The Krita website is a valuable source of information, providing user guides, tutorials, and galleries that showcase stunning artwork created with Krita.

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Fedora 41 KDE Plasma: A Fusion of Performance and Elegance

It has been some time since I last enjoyed a Fedora spin. I began my journey with Fedora when it was first introduced in 2003, having previously used Red Hat Linux versions 7, 8, and 9. In my work for the Franklinville, New York school district, I utilized Fedora to develop content filters, data storage systems, and various other devices. Interestingly, during a trip to Portland, Oregon, I visited a school district that had adopted a Fedora-based Linux terminal server project.

During that trip, we were invited to the Portland Linux User Group, and that night they distributed CD-ROMs with Ubuntu 5.04, Hoary Hedgehog. At the time, I purchased a white-box laptop from a nearby custom builder, and I was having trouble getting its wireless card to work smoothly with Fedora. That particular version of Ubuntu just worked right out of the box. My workflow then revolved around Fedora, but I decided to make this Ubuntu distribution work—and I did.

Recently, after listening to Linux Unplugged and the rave reviews, Fedora 41 was getting along with positive reviews of KDE Plasma from Felim Whitley on Linux After Dark that I decided to download and try Fedora 41 KDE Plasma.

I downloaded the ISO onto my Linux Mint Cinnamon daily driver and created the live USB drive with Fedora. I took a spare Dell Latitude 5410 that I had, and in about ten minutes, I had a Fedora KDE Plasma installed. I have used Kubuntu, and long before that, I had experienced the K-Desktop and decided I liked Gnome better. You could say I was prejudiced. But that prejudice was overcome by the design and layout of this particular Fedora spin.

I have used many Linux distributions since installing Red Hat 6.1 in the late 1990s. I’ve consistently been a Linux Mint Cinnamon user since 2020. Mint Cinnamon is still running on my main machine. Nonetheless, I found this version of Fedora compelling. The workflow is very similar to Mint Cinnamon—the location of the main menu and the panel where I can launch frequently used applications. I have complained about the mirrors supporting Fedora in the past and found mirrors for Ubuntu more responsive. That situation seems to have changed for Fedora.

I have found Fedora’s software center helpful and have installed applications from there. I have also used ‘dnf’ to install applications from the command line. The installation times have been great. I love Fedora’s implementation of Wayland and PipeWire. I also installed Cronopete, which is my go-to backup utility for Linux. I don’t know whether it is the Dell or Fedora, but I have found using my Soundcore Bluetooth headphones easier. I added my Brother multifunction color laser quickly with no additional software installation necessary. I enjoy this version of Fedora.

I’m still kicking the tires. I’m familiar with many software choices and learning to use new KDE software like Gwenview and Spectacle. The beauty of Linux and open source is that so many choices and options don’t exist in proprietary software.