The latest stable KDE plasma and applications version 4.8 are available to update/install through backport PPA provided by Kubuntu team  for 11.10 Oneiric Ocelot users. KDE 4.8 brings better performance, more stability and many new features to the plasma workspaces and KDE applications. So, let’s check KDE 4.8 highlights and some of the new features added recently to it.

Six possible layout for “Windows switcher” commonly used by “Alt+Tab” shortcut, it  becomes useful for systems that don’t use Desktop Effects.  You can configure the layout by opening “system settings” then go to “window behavior”, then “Task Switcher”, you will find beneath the main tab “Effect” configuration button to choose between layouts.

Simplified the power management user interface and brings support to never dim the screen while playing a movie or opening photos. Also all settings can be deactivated easily using battery desktop applet.

Several KDE applications improvements such as Dolphin file manager became more faster for dealing with large files and directories and icon name no longer get shortened. Gwenview image viewer brings some improvements to image transitions effects and translucent navigation area shows when the image is zoomed in.

Marble virtual globe and world atlas is integrated with KRunner KDE applications launcher, so it will help you to easily search through KRunner or check recently bookmarked coordinates to open it directly through KRunner.

For further information about KDE 4.8, please check KDE 4.8 announcements “ KDE Plasma Workspaces, Applications and Platform 4.8 Improve User Experience “.

[How To]: Update To KDE Plasma and KDE Applications 4.8 On k[Ubuntu] 11.10 Oneiric Ocelot Using PPA

Run Terminal, then type

[How To]: Install KDE Plasma and KDE Applications 4.8 On Ubuntu 11.10 Oneiric Ocelot Using PPA

Use the same PPA “Kubuntu backport”.

That’s it.

source “Kubuntu news“