Feature Name
KDE 4.2
Summary
Rebase to KDE 4.2 and KOffice 2, and offer new features such as PolicyKit-KDE, NetworkManager plasma applet etc.
Owner
- KDE SIG (jreznik AT redhat DOT com)
- IRC: #fedora-kde
Current status
- Targeted release: Fedora 11
- Last updated: 2009-02-26
- Percentage of completion: 75%
Status for Feature Freeze
- KDE 4.2 is complete (100%) - only a few open issues
- PolicyKit-kde is ready for live CD but some packages are dragging PolicyKit-gnome
- Network Manager Plasma applet still under review
- KOffice 2 - we are not sure it's ready to ship now, under discussion
- Faster startup
- Branding depends on artwork - targetting (post?) beta
KDE 4.2.0 and KOffice-1.9.98.6 (beta 6) already imported to Rawhide.
Detailed Description
We are going to rebase KDE to 4.2 version. The aim of upstream KDE team is to bring feature rich release comparable to old KDE 3.5 one. PolicyKit-KDE is KDE frontend for PolicyKit, which is extensively used all around the whole Fedora distribution. Same for the Network Manager - plasma applet is next step in its support in KDE and Fedora. PowerDevil will help with power management - very important part of this feature especially for laptop users. We'd also like to include KOffice 2 - new version of KDE's office suite.
New features overview
- KDE 4.2
- PolicyKit-KDE
- Network Manager Plasma applet
- PowerDevil
- KOffice 2
- Make KDE startup faster
- Continue work on Fedora branding effort
Benefit to Fedora
KDE is popular desktop environment among Fedora users and KDE 4.2 brings to users missing features from previous releases of 4th generation KDE. It's already comparable to the old 3.5 one.
Scope
Requires rebasing to the latest upstream version and preparing distribution specific patches. Packages depending on KDE have to be updated (Plasma packages already prepared for KDE 4.2).
How To Test
- yum groupinstall "KDE (K Desktop Environment)"
- set KDE as default environment + KDM
- login to KDE desktop
What should be checked (KDE):
- integration of PolicyKit-KDE
- Network Manager plasma applet
- power management
- startup time
- distribution integration - (Policy/Console)Kit, DBUS
- custom branding changes (KDM theme, KSplash theme, artwork)
What should be checked (KOffice):
- compatibility with KOffice 1.x documents
Note: This "How To Test" section will be updated to match the current progress of this feature based on already founded or predictable issues.
User Experience
Modern, feature rich and stable desktop environment. Users should notice faster startup.
Dependencies
Depends on upstream KDE 4.2 release, see schedule. Currently KDE 4.2.0 has been released for packagers. Final version has been released on January 27th, 2009.
For KOffice 2, see schedule. Currently KOffice 2 beta 6 was tagged.
Custom Fedora branding depends on Fedora Artwork team! Expected for Preview Release.
Contingency Plan
Given how the KDE 4.2 and Fedora 11 schedules align, there should be plenty of buffer time between the KDE 4.2 and Fedora 11 releases. We are already working on importing and polishing beta version of KDE. In case of problems with upstream release we can revert to older release or we can omit individual problematic modules of this feature. KDE 4.2 could be later shipped as an update.
Documentation
The Fedora KDE Destop User Guide is very important part of this feature for users. It guides users how-to use the new KDE 4 Desktop and it's targeted to both former KDE 3.5 user and first time KDE 4 users.
Fedora KDE Desktop User Guide (draft)
Upstream documentation sites:
Release Notes
This release features KDE 4.2.
KDE 4.2 is the latest release of KDE 4 and provides many new features, usability improvements, and bugfixes over KDE 4.1 release. KDE 4.2 can be considered as a full, feature rich replacement for older KDE 3.5 series. This new release includes improved Plasma Desktop with new NetworkManager Plasma applet, extended power management capabilities, better integration with Fedora and faster startup.
The new KOffice 2 is now part of Fedora. This release features improved user interface with unified look and feel, native support for OpenDocument format and better integration among its components.
Comments and Discussion