Interview with George Staikos (usalug.org) [LWN.net]

The USA Linux Users Group features an interview with George Staikos, KDE core developer and promoter. What can you expect in KDE 3.2? George says, "Speed -- We did some great optimizations in various areas of KDE. Some of note include major KJS performance enhancements (from Apple and us as well), faster loading Konqueror via the preloader, application launch time reductions, and general optimizations to the core libraries."

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Interview with George Staikos (usalug.org)

Posted Nov 11, 2003 15:35 UTC (Tue) by davidl (guest, #12156) [Link] (1 responses)

We also have a password manager with strong encryption called KWallet which is used to automatically fill in passwords where possible.

So, would someone please like to tell me why I need encrypted hardware to protect my privacy please?

It should be noted that Kontact may or may not make it into the 3.2 release as it still needs some work, particularly concerning the Kolab (groupware) client support, but it certainly should make it into subsequent versions. Maybe someone can comment on its exact status and correct me. This is my opinion, but Kontact looks absolutely awesome and will end up being the best PIM (Personal Information Manager) out there, bar none. Killer stuff.

As far as desktops in the near future, I don't think Linux will eliminate Windows, but I think it can be a solid competitor. Perhaps that's the most ideal situation in any case.

This is probably wishful thinking. Microsoft has the Highlander syndrome of "There can only be one". Microsoft does not want to compete with anyone or anything.

Cheers George. KDE 3.2 looks as if it's going to be pretty awesome!

Interview with George Staikos (usalug.org)

Posted Nov 11, 2003 16:42 UTC (Tue) by dkite (guest, #4577) [Link]

Kontact is a framework for the various PIM parts, KMail, Contacts, Notes, Appointments. It is
in 3.2. There will be a release in a few months that will include Kolab. The whole thing is coming
along very well. They need a few more months to bring it all together.

As for Microsoft not wanting competition, that is not their choice. Indeed, they will do
everything to stop the desktop linux from gaining a foothold. I can't see them being able to
stop it totally. There are too many compelling reasons to use the free desktop environments.
One by one the impediments are being fixed. Very soon, possibly with this fall's releases of the
kernel, KDE, and Gnome, the point of balance will be surpassed, and the adoption curve will
accelerate.

Derek