> lifeless

This is a feature

I imagine that it is by design. For me, I prefer a more "lifelike" experience, with shadows, curves, etc. But I was wondering if there was a way (theme) to make it so for KDE, as I really like the tech.

There are lots of themes for KDE, but installing them can be a little messy. Unlike Gnome where it’s all handled through the dconf program, there’s some manual setup involved with KDE - config files, replacing icons in different directories, etc. For example, here’s a step-by-step guide to installing a beautiful KDE Nord theme, which turns into a bit of a PITA:

https://youtu.be/2GYT7BK41zk?si=INGkzL9sF5tkvm1q

Thanks, will try it once I have some time.

Seems easier to just buy the real thing and get a Mac.

Personally, I just want a desktop environment to get out of my way as much as possible, which is why I liked XFCE. If I notice it, then it's usually doing something annoying like a file manager checking if some remote mounted directory is working, despite me not wanting to use that directory.

Thanks, but I meant graphically. It is too "plastic" not "natural". It is a sensation, so it is very difficult to express on words.

I use KDE now but I agree. It very blandly utilitarian. Bland gradients of bland greys and bland blues. Even Windows 95 had more personality with its saturated red-grey and bold colours.

KDE does not spark joy, but then again, most devs and most users have no real artistic sensibility to speak of. Have you ever looked at a random person's desktop? So I don't give weight to anybody that says "it looks good to me."

That said, I am now on KDE after a decade of GNOME because I need some of its configurability, and GNOME is starting to become too opinionated even for me, even though they have a slightly better design team not afraid of colours with more than 20% saturation.

It is not about joy. It looks dead. Too artificial. I don't know how to explain it. I will try it again (I do it at least once a year).