The new KDE Plasma release eases pain for Linux desktop users, but is it enough to make Linux a mainstream desktop OS?
Only a week after introducing KDE Plasma 5.25, the KDE developers have released version 5.25.1. This release fixes a number of bugs, including improved support for multiple monitors.
What’s New in KDE Plasma 5.25.1?
Given that a week has passed since a major version of KDE Plasma 5.25 was released on June 14, 2022, most of the changes are incremental. Most of the changes are bug fixes and other small improvements. Laptop users who found their brightness stuck at 30 percent (as in a KDE bug report) should be grateful that this bug is fixed.
Other fixes include those to crashes, problems displaying wallpapers across multiple monitors, flickering when tiling windows, problems with USB-C monitors, and issues with the search bar. Those interested can see the changelog on KDE’s website.
When Will Users Get the Updated KDE Plasma 5.25.1?
Now that the KDE developers have fixed bugs in Plasma, the work will fall to Linux distribution maintainers to incorporate the changes into their system. Given that this release fixes a number of bugs, they could be eager to do so. Still, the various distributions out there release changes at their own pace.
KDE Plasma 5.25.1 Shows Fast Pace of Linux Development
The KDE developers getting Plasma 5.25.1 out the door just a week after a major release shows how quickly open-source developers can push out updates to their software compared to the bureaucratic structure of large proprietary software development teams.
There are a lot of inevitable bugs that will creep into a major release, and doubly so on Linux given the diversity of hardware out there. As seen earlier, laptops seem to be a major pain point for Linux adoption. Screen and wireless connectivity issues seem to be the most common on these machines. If Linux is to find a home as a mainstream consumer operating system, desktop developers will have to keep up the pace of development seen in the Linux world.
KDE Plasma 5.25.1 Touches Up Linux Desktop Experience
KDE Plasma 5.25.1 will improve the experience of the desktop for its users, but users don’t use the desktop by itself. Linux is made up of distributions, many of which make KDE the default desktop. The choice may seem intimidating at first, but users can find a distro that makes sense for them.
