Install KDE 4.2 packages from the Debian testing or unstable branchInstall KDE 4 Debian packages in your hard disk

Enabling the sid repository

KDE 4.2 requires some software that is not available in the Debian 5.0 "lenny" release. Therefore, it can only be installed on systems using the testing branches.

deb http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian/ testing main
deb-src http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian/ testing main

You should replace ftp.de.debian.org by a mirror near you.

KDE 4 packages

For a basic KDE 4 desktop, install the kde-minimal package, which includes

kdebase-runtime Essential runtime components
kdebase-workspace Desktop environment
kdebase Core applications

For all of KDE 4, install the kde-full package, which also includes

kde-minimal The basic KDE 4 desktop
kdeplasma-addons Additional Plasma applets
kdegraphics Graphics applications, including the Okular document viewer
kdegames Assortment of fun games
kdemultimedia Multimedia players and utilities
kdenetwork networking-related applications, such as the Kopete IM client
kdepim Personal Information Management apps, such as Kontact or KMail
kdeutils General-purpose utilities
kdeedu Educational applications
kdeadmin System administration tools
kdeartwork Additional artwork and sound themes

For what a random user would expect in a desktop environment, install the kde-standard package.
Note: this package will be the same as installing kde-minimal until we decide excatly what to ship here :-)

kde-minimal The basic KDE 4 desktop

Most users will also want to install kdm. There are still a couple of packages more:

kdetoys Desktop amusements
kdesdk Software development tools

Translations packages are kde-l10n-XX where XX is your language code

Co-installable packages

You can co-install along your KDE 3 packages the following KDE 4 packages: kdelibs5, kdepimlibs5, kdebase-runtime

This is useful if you want to keep your KDE 3 enviroment but want to use a KDE 4 application like okular or even konsole. But remember KDE 4 apps will not integrate in your KDE 3 desktop so well as the current KDE 3 do.


Notes for KDE 4.2 packages

If you run into a problem and need help, you can send a mail to the Debian KDE support list. The list is not moderated, so you can post without subscribing.


If you want to help us get KDE 4 to Debian users, you're welcome to join the team!