Solarpunk

Tl;Dr: it's complicated, and I like complicated.

I tried GNOME in highschool (so about ten years ago), and again when I installed Ubuntu onto my sister's computer. I just didn't like it. It didn't click with me, and it looked a lot better than it functioned. She liked it because she found it to be a simpler experience.

The next time I used Linux was on the Raspberry Pi. For that I just used the default, a modified LXDE if Wikipedia is correct. I tried installing SparkyLinux (a lightweight Debian derivative) onto a really shitty old laptop that has been slow since the day I got it. Didn't go well. It's using Xfce. Not the fault of the OS or Xfce; it's truly a disaster of a laptop. Xfce didn't stand out too much, but I'd keep it in mind for an older PC, possibly mine for more intensive tasks.

However, when I came to install a Linux on my home PC over the summer, I chose KDE because I hadn't tried it and I was told it's more customizable. Literally the second KDE booted up on the live image, I fell in love. It just immediately seemed easy to use. I tried the live image for a few days and I just kinda went about my day like nothing changed. It felt like Windows 10 but with all the things I was told I wasn't allowed to do on Windows, and without the enshittified corporate detritus.

For me, a Windows-like desktop is a plus. I've had about two decades of experience with Windows, so I'd like some of it to be useful in the future. However, there are a lot of changes I can make to KDE Plasma that would move it away from the Windows experience if I were so interested.

I took a look at the website and documentation for GNOME, Xfce, LXDE, and LxQt. I picked KDE for the live image based on its documentation and a few articles comparing desktop environments. Crucially, it looks like GNOME continued with their "less-is-more" direction. Not my cup of tea.

Also, KDE and their apps are really well-documented. For the first time in my life, I have not felt a need to replace any of the stock applications. Typically, you can download KDE apps and use them with any environment. Some people consider their apps bloatware, but I disagree. I have not felt the need to replace any of them. There's a whole bunch of features in all their apps. I love features, but they're not for everyone. Especially cool is KDE Connect, which allows all KDE computers (or anything with KDE Connect installed) to communicate, transfer files, control each other, and a bunch of other useful stuff.

Lastly, I've had zero trouble with drivers. I know this is probably more "Debian" than "KDE", but I was amazed that there was exactly zero configuration to use a network printer.

If you do decide to install Plasma, you might get something called KDE Wallet. It's a password service that has nothing to do with cryptocurrency. It just threw me for a loop when I saw it. It can be disabled in KDE System Settings, although I have it on.

I think it's worth trying Plasma if you have the space, but apparently people find GNOME simpler. I think that if you were previously an OS X users, GNOME would be more familiar. KDE and GNOME apps can generally be installed on both (practically any) desktop environments.

I guess the key with KDE is that you get to make it work for you, whereas GNOME encourages the user to adapt to their workflow. Practically m, GNOME is kinda limited out of the box. Which is fine. Nothing against GNOME, but it doesn't work for me.