It’s been a very long journey, from promises to reality. From potential to something we can really see. Qt decision on supporting other platform, in this case Windows, has been correct afterall. Enabling Qt to run on Windows, significantly has made many application become more portable. It was once before Qt 4 came, portabily is somewhat some people can only dream. Now, google earth runs in Windows, on Qt (need fact check). Marble, was really written in Linux, can now be enjoyed by Windows user.

That are not all. This year KDE came along as well. Having been built on top of Qt, KDE follows where Qt has gone. KDE 4.1, is now available as well in Windows. Not all bells and whistles are available, but still it’s a pretty awesome stuff not to be missed. Not only KDE 4.x has been a major architecture revamping effort within KDE history, KDE 4.x also brought new experiences to taste. Plasma has been the most discussed matter, as it is the frontline of KDE. The first thing user will see would be the desktop, as plasmoid.

Having KDE 4.x desktop has been refreshing (here is KDE in all its glory), though not all experiences are polished. However, Windows has been a lonesome OS without not many refreshment within short interval — Windows 7 still far on the horizon. On the other side users have been loving new fresh stuff in every seconds of their life. Desktop shell has been ranging from a openbox-like UI, without many user friendliness on configuration and usability aspect, into style enhancement (Windows Blind, StyleXP) or desktop enrichment like the once popular Object Desktop.

Now the time has come to enjoy new experience, a new concept of usabilty implementation, KDE style. Yes it means, configurable, DIY while still focusing on best user experience out of the box. Some may said the have been the not the less complicated desktop environment. Some other say it’s the most powerful jack of all trades (hint: KIO, KPart, DCOP/DBUS).

KDE 4.1 has been pretty. There are still more steps to go to give a solid usability. Hopefully it’ll be there by 4.3 or even 4.2. For Windows user, don’t let yourself left alone. Install kde-win-installer and taste the new juicy KDE yourself!