Netrunner
Netrunner is a Debian based distribution featuring a highly customized KDE desktop with extra applications, multimedia codecs, Flash, Java plugins and a unique look and feel. The modifications are designed to enhance the user friendliness of the desktop environment while still preserving the freedom to tweak.
It has moved away from the rigid architecture of the KDE desktop.
Using it is a whole new experience.
Having not used KDE for long time, it was bit of a pain. Nevertheless, I went ahead and installed it in my NUC.
It is certainly, trying to stay away from new Plasma tweaks. However, it had 373 new updates at install time and installing them was pretty slow.
Getting the Standard user installed, instead of the Root was unusually circuitous. Login for a user space was not obvious. I had to click the login icon of the Root to find the user icon to type in a user name.
Additionally, I did not know how to install new applications. When I clicked Updates icon, it opened up a File Manager type of utility, incorporated within the Updates. The Graphical set up for Installation was merged within the Updates which was strange.
It lacked a standard Package Manager or Installer for the limited KDE applications it supported. I had to look and search for the applications I needed individually. Thankfully, the applications were organised in an alphabetical order. When installing an application, “No Query” for dependencies was requested as in the case of Synaptic Package Manager. It goes on downloading and installing applications “Clicked On” in an ad hoc manner, all at the same time.
Not one application at a time.
This was the reason for inordinate delay in installing required Updates as stated above.
All these nuances made it a clumsy experience, for an experienced Linux Guy..
Having said that,Netrunner is one of the best KDE Desktops with a modern look.
It gives a pleasing desktop experience.
It supports Synaptic Package Manager and that is an accolade by itself.
What it means is, I can test Gnome applications on top of KDE Desktop. All these days, I have been testing KDE applications on top of Gnome.
I am having the best of both Desktop Worlds in one instance.
Using Synaptic, I installed Variety desktop effects to make the rigid KDE desktop looks dynamic at the user level. I have no hesitation in recommending it to a KDE lover who loves to have a completely new experience.
The right hand side of the desktop looks like the cellphone interface, however without the icons to select. The names of the various applications are arranged in an alphabetical order on the right side of the desktop.
That itself is a beautiful, feature.
I wasn’t satisfied with that and decided to install Gnome on top of the KDE desktop, using Synaptic Package Manager. It went into a frenzy mode not knowing which desktop to choose Gnome or KDE at boot time. I did not bother to check the Debian version and I ultimately ended up installing Debian 11 as the core.
It appears as, the KDE kernel belongs to the older version of Debian 11.
Who says,I do not make mistakes but it was a happy mistake.
I generally have two Debian, Gnome versions installed in my PC.
The older version and the latest version, just to compare the look and feel of both.I really liked the Debian 11 desktop which was my favorite with tiny dots to click, select and activate, an application. It is a matter of picking and choosing the current application, I am working on.
With only 320GB space available in the SATA disk, I do not fancy installing Debian 11, in addition. Instead,I have three instances of the latest Debian Installed in my NUC. Each Gnome instances is used for a different purpose. If for some reason, trouble emerges, which never happens, I can fall back to one of the other two instances to get my days work done. When free time is found, I reinstall the Gnome without erasing the /home partition and all three instances are available for use with the working data intact.
With the new version of Gnome, the KDE version is mounted separately without conflicts but only the “Desktop Look” appear different. By the way, I installed Netrunneras the fourth distribution installed in my NUC.
I begin to like it.
I had problem of installing Abiword on Debian 10.
That problem is negated now since, I can install Abiword using Synaptic Package Manager.
Netrunner even though, KDE based uses Synaptic Package Manager to install new applications.
By shear stroke of luck, when Gnome was activated, I activated the SNAP Software tool along with it and now, all the missing applications are on top of the KDE desktop.
A happy accident.
