Qu'est-ce que KDE ?
So, you have installed Linux and have chosen a KDE workspace for the first time. Or maybe you're returning to KDE software after a long odyssey somewhere else. Or maybe you're planning to use a KDE workspace and applications but want to find out more about them first. What is this shiny thing that's staring at you from your computer?
An International Community
KDE is more than just software. It is a community made up of programmers, translators, contributors, artists, writers, distributors, and users from all over the world. Our international technology team is committed to creating the best free software for the desktop. And not only contributors, but users and fans of KDE software can be found throughout the entire globe, giving help to other users, spreading the news, or just simply enjoying the experience.
(Image courtesy of Wade Olson)
Un nouvel espace de travail brillant
La vie de KDE a commencé en tant qu'environnement de bureau. Ses activités se développant, KDE est devenu une équipe internationale qui crée des logiciels libres et open source.
En pratique, cela signifie que les nombreux programmes de la communauté KDE travaillent ensemble pour vous donner la meilleure expérience informatique possible. Est-ce que cela signifie que vous ne pouvez pas utiliser une application KDE si vous n'utilisez pas le bureau KDE ? Pas du tout. Avec l'aide d'une ou deux bibliothèques supplémentaires, les applications peuvent être utilisées sur à peu près sur n'importe quel bureau. Qui plus est, certains de ces logiciels ne tournent plus seulement sur Linux uniquement - certains de ces nouveaux petits appareils, smartphones et tablettes Internet, ont des applications KDE !
There are a variety of programs to suit any user's needs, from simple yet powerful text editors, to rocking audio and video players, to the most sophisticated integrated development environment. Plus, KDE applications follow a consistent look and feel across the desktop, giving you a comfortable and familiar experience when using any KDE program. Every six months a new, updated version of a huge number of applications is released - and that's known as the Software Compilation (SC). Some other applications don't update at the same time, but release new versions independently.
KDE software has several other features that makes it a top-class working environment, such as:
- A beautiful and modern desktop
- A flexible and configurable system, letting you customize applications without too much editing of text files
- Network transparency allows you to easily access files on other networks and computers as if they were on your own computer
- A software ecosystem of hundreds, even thousands, of programs
- Availability in over 60 languages
Free Software
KDE software isn't just any software. It is Free Software. As a user, this is an important fact, even without getting deep into technical or legal considerations. Why? Because as free software, you are free to use KDE wherever you want and in whatever manner you want, no activation keys and no installation limits. And you're free to share it with others as well! So not only do you have in your hands great and powerful software, but you can also give your family and friends the opportunity to enjoy it, too.
Components
KDE is a huge community of people who create software. We all have in common that we're building upon an infrastructure we have developed over the years: the KDE Platform.
- the Plasma workspace - the user interface element, customized for different devices such as PCs, notebooks, or mobile devices
- elements of the KDE Platform - exposes common functionality to applications
- KDE Applications - software programs that are written to utilize the platform
More information can be found on Techbase
There's more!
And it doesn't stop there! The KDE community has lots more to offer!
- Other Platforms - Some KDE applications are available for Windows, Mac OS X, and portable devices such as Nokia N810.
- Office and Productivity Suite - KDE is not only fun, it can help you get productive and organized as well.
- Application Development Framework - Dreaming of writing the next killer app? KDE software and community support can help you with that.
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