The new Plasma 5 desktop is a big step forward

Jan 23, 2015 09:16 GMT  ·  By

Kubuntu 15.04 Alpha 2 (Vivid Vervet), a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu and the KDE desktop environment, is now available for download and testing. The developers have made quite a few substantial improvements, including to the Plasma desktop.

The second batch of testing images for Kubuntu 15.04 is out and it looks like the developers are definitely on the right track. This is the first Kubuntu edition that integrates the new Plasma 5 desktop and the rest of the components from the former KDE SC. This latest edition of Kubuntu is quite exciting and none of the flavors for the Vivid launch has such a big change in the desktop paradigm.

Usually, Ubuntu-based desktops evolve in small steps and only from time to time we get to see major differences from one version to another. We had such a jump from GNOME 2 to Unity, and a couple of others, but now we get to switch from Plasma 4 to Plasma 5 and it's a quite a ride.

Kubuntu 15.04 will prove most interesting

It's hard not to notice the new KDE Plasma desktop, even if some of the other components have been upgraded as well. The first thing people will likely notice is the new look of the distribution and they won't be disappointed.

"Plasma 5, the next generation of KDE Software is still a work in progress, but is stable enough for everyday use and it keeps getting better as new versions drop frequently," is written in the released notes.

The developers have also explained that KDE Applications 14.12.0 has been implemented by default and there are still quite a few issues that haven't been fixed just yet.

You can find more details about Kubuntu 15.04 Alpha 2 (Vivid Vervet) in the official announcement and you can download the latest image from Softpedia. The distribution is under development and it still has some bugs and other issues. It's possible to run it as a Live CD.

Kubuntu 15.04 Alpha 2 (10 Images)

Kubuntu 15.04 Alpha 2
Kubuntu 15.04 Alpha 2 launcherKubuntu 15.04 Alpha 2 apps
+7more