Going from A to B in KDE, GNOME, and Windows

As a Linux user, I've learned to appreciate the differences of doing things using the different desktops available.

I started thinking of how one can see going from point A to point B in KDE and GNOME and I could not help to find some amusement in this metaphor.

Ready for the ride?  "How do I go to B?  Let me count the ways:"

KDE: 
Wanna go to B?  Take this path...or maybe the one less traveled by.

The KDE way(s)

KDE is famous for having multiple paths for traveling.  Do you want to turn off the computer?  Well, you can use the menu, or you can right clic and select LEAVE, or use the widgets that are normally placed next to the clock on the bottom panel.  Hey, even the cashew gives you an option to turn your computer off!  KDE developers want to keep choices for users.  I personally like that approach because, despite what some people say, it does not reduce my productivity.  Actually, it keeps my brain sharp.

However, I must admit that, when you first travel the KDE path, it can look remarkably like this:

GNOME: 
Wonderland?  Simply go down the rabbit hole, Alice.

Simplicity is Gnome's motto.  To travel from A to B in Gnome is like taking a pleasant walk inside a cool, futuristic tunnel: only one path, shielded from outer interference, conveniently signaled and illuminated for you.  You cannot get lost!

There is a downside to it, though.  In fact, some experienced users find Gnome's approach over-restrictive, almost claustrophobic.

Follow the path.. You cannot miss B!

I am not writing this as a complaint, for I am sure both approaches appeal and satisfy different users.

How could I complain about choice?

Wait, I do have a complaint!

I used it for over 13 years, but I still resent the Windows way!

Windows: 
Thou shalt not go to B (unless you disobey the rules) 
Windows would tell me that going from A to B was either impossible or forbidden.  Want your computer to wake you up to a song?  To have a wallpaper?  Or more recently, to have a menu?  No way!!

But you could always circumvent the prohibition with third party, often cracked software.  Then, why blocking the road in the first place?

Microsoft, you might not want it, but users want to go to B!

That's the plan!

Well, the end of this semester will mark the end of an extremely busy year that kept me away from this blog.  So, I wrote this quick post to remind me to come back once the craziness has subsided.

As soon as I get some time for myself, I plan to:

1.  Read-- and write some articles!

2.  Watch some Asian films or TV programs

3.  Try out some Linux distros.  The priority list includes Pardus Debian, Pardus Anka, Moondrake (unnamed loser or whatever Mandriva 2012 gets to be called), Parsix (the return of Gloria, hahaha), MiniNo,and Mint "Nadia"-- I lost count of the version already!

4.  Migrate my desktop from Mandriva 2010.2 to ... I haven't decided yet.  It is going to be wise to decide on an OS BEFORE migrating :P
One thing I know for sure, it won't be Windows 8 ;-)

Although I tried to see the second alpha of Mandriva, success has eluded me so far.  I managed to get it installed on a 64b VM, but  I could not see much of it without an X server.  It's too bad I presently do not have real hardware to test the distro.

I already tried the second alpha of Mageia 3 and it's looking good.  Sadly, I couldn't post anything about it because of... yes, lack of time thanks to the reports I have to prepare for the end of the semester.

But Megatotoro and I will try another experiment involving free software during the International Congress at the university where we work.  That might be a little daring, but it will be interesting.

Let's see how everything goes.