# What is KDE?

## What are we trying to achieve?

KDE aims to provide a consistent interface to X Window applications in both appearance and function. KDE will contain a base set of applications such as a window manager, filemanager, terminal emulator, help system, and display configuration. In addition many standard applications and utilities will be ported to the KDE system. This has already started, with ports of ghostview and xdvi already under way. KDE is not just a window manager which tries to look like another system.

## Why do I want KDE?

KDE is designed for the UNIX newbie, but is configurable, and powerful enough to satisfy seasoned UNIX users. It is not a replacement for the command line. There will still be occasions when it is better/easier to use a command line interface - many administration jobs can only be done from the command line, hence kvt is available :-) KDE will make UNIX easier to use, but you should still take the time to learn the basic UNIX commands.

These are just some of the reasons you might want to use KDE:

- You're a UNIX newbie and the amount you don't know is overwhelming.
- You're tired of editing configuration files.
- You want a consistent interface.
- You want an attractive desktop to make your friends with lesser OS's jealous.

## What does KDE provide?

KDE creates a consistent look and feel for applications by specifying a standard GUI toolkit and support libraries which all KDE applications use, and a Style Guide which KDE application authors are strongly encouraged to follow.

Every KDE application has on-line hypertext help available. Most KDE applications will be network aware, allowing transparent ftp and http access. All KDE applications are configurable using a graphical interface - no more text file editing.

This may not seem any different than several systems/OSs already available, but it's kinda new in the free UNIX world, where traditionally more time has been spent adding features than making it "User Friendly" (maybe rightly so). Well, now you can have your friendly applications and a stable OS to run them on, all for free - now that's a first!