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Stability and usability are the keys to the new KDE Plasma 5.22 release that's officially available today.

I am always in awe of what Plasma can do. It's probably one of the most versatile Linux desktop environments available. It has options for everything, options within options and it manages to somehow look good while doing everything you could possibly want it to.

Plasma 5.22 works even better with Wayland as of this release, which is becoming increasingly important. KDE say it now works with variable refresh rate/FreeSync, marking off another big piece from the list, especially with different refresh rates possible across different screens.

Other Wayland improvements include the ability to set a screen's overscan value, the Present Windows effect is hooked up exactly as it is on X11, you can maximise windows both vertically and horizontally, external graphics cards will work without a Plasma restart, performance improvements for Plasma, notifications won't bother you when you're screen sharing and much more.

There's plenty that isn't related to Wayland too including:

  • Adaptive Transparency for panels
  • System Settings gained a speed dial feature for common settings
  • You can disable offline upgrades
  • The System Tray Widgets should look a lot more consistent, along with Widgets like the Digital Clock gaining more ways to customize the date. You can now select an audio devices' profile directly in the Audio Volume Widget too/
  • KRunner can also now show multiple lines of text.
  • The modern Plasma System Monitor replaces the old KSysguard
  • On both Wayland and X11, windows open on the screen where your cursor is.

A lot more on top of that, those are just some of the more noticeable improvements to be expected.

Check out the flashy release page for more or see the main changelog.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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25 comments
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Pikolo Jun 8, 2021
QuoteThe modern Plasma System Monitor replaces the old KSysguard
What are they drinking??? This is a completely backwards decision. KSysGuard is the only answer Linux has to TaskManager. Plasma System Monitor is on the same level of usefulness as gnome-system-monitor - better than nothing but insufficient for power users.
DamonLinuxPL Jun 8, 2021
Quoting: Pikolo
QuoteThe modern Plasma System Monitor replaces the old KSysguard
What are they drinking??? This is a completely backwards decision. KSysGuard is the only answer Linux has to TaskManager. Plasma System Monitor is on the same level of usefulness as gnome-system-monitor - better than nothing but insufficient for power users.

They not remove it. It is only replaced as suggested app in Plasma flavor. This mean, ksysguard is still available to download and should be still maintained out of Plasma.
But yes, I agree that Plasma-systemmonitor is not a best choice...
rustybroomhandle Jun 8, 2021
Quoting: Pikolo
QuoteThe modern Plasma System Monitor replaces the old KSysguard
What are they drinking??? This is a completely backwards decision. KSysGuard is the only answer Linux has to TaskManager. Plasma System Monitor is on the same level of usefulness as gnome-system-monitor - better than nothing but insufficient for power users.

Relax, it has all the same features.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVoSeU455po
starfarer Jun 8, 2021
People harp on about how great Wayland is. Unfortunately I am not willing to move away from KDE and it doesn't look like KDE will work with Wayland very well very soon. :/
slaapliedje Jun 8, 2021
Quoting: starfarerPeople harp on about how great Wayland is. Unfortunately I am not willing to move away from KDE and it doesn't look like KDE will work with Wayland very well very soon. :/
There is still not really a reason to move to Wayland. Like sure maybe architecturally it's better. But as a user and needing my things to actually work correctly, then why would I move to Wayland?
CatKiller Jun 8, 2021
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Quoting: slaapliedjeThere is still not really a reason to move to Wayland. Like sure maybe architecturally it's better. But as a user and needing my things to actually work correctly, then why would I move to Wayland?
The people who used to work on X11 don't want to any more. They only work on Wayland now. No one else has taken over the X11 work. Wayland will become adequate or it won't, but, either way, there's no viable alternative.
Termy Jun 8, 2021
Quoting: Pikolo
QuoteThe modern Plasma System Monitor replaces the old KSysguard
What are they drinking??? This is a completely backwards decision. KSysGuard is the only answer Linux has to TaskManager. Plasma System Monitor is on the same level of usefulness as gnome-system-monitor - better than nothing but insufficient for power users.

What TF are you talking about? The new System Monitor is awesome for a detailed look.
I still have KSysGuard on CTRL+ESC though because it's better for a quick look and maybe some killing ^^


BTT: YAY, looking forward to it hitting manjaro testing :D
Love KDE and Kudos to all you contributors! <3
Shmerl Jun 8, 2021
With adaptive sync baked in, I'll definitely try it out and will switch to Wayland session if it works well!
slaapliedje Jun 8, 2021
Quoting: Termy
Quoting: Pikolo
QuoteThe modern Plasma System Monitor replaces the old KSysguard
What are they drinking??? This is a completely backwards decision. KSysGuard is the only answer Linux has to TaskManager. Plasma System Monitor is on the same level of usefulness as gnome-system-monitor - better than nothing but insufficient for power users.

What TF are you talking about? The new System Monitor is awesome for a detailed look.
I still have KSysGuard on CTRL+ESC though because it's better for a quick look and maybe some killing ^^


BTT: YAY, looking forward to it hitting manjaro testing :D
Love KDE and Kudos to all you contributors! <3
Nothing beats 'slay $user' :P
Dorrit Jun 8, 2021
QuoteThe modern Plasma System Monitor replaces the old KSysguard
They usually use modern to give the impression of better, and old to mean outdated. Unfortunately, in the last two decades or so, it's been the opposite more than often. And not only in software.
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