openSUSE’s implementation of KDE 4.3 finally gives the Open Source and Linux community something to brag about from a UI technology perspective, and in many ways I feel it is superior to both Windows 7, in both the underpinning technology and from a usability standpoint. It is also at least at parity in terms of object oriented technology with Mac OS X, and Qt 4’s cross-platform nature may actually give KDE an edge over Mac’s Cocoa. KDE 4.3 is pretty and functional, proving that Open Source advocates that choose a Linux OS for their desktop can have their cake, eat it as well as flaunt it.

He also has a few comments about the security settings affecting use of Samba on first install, but overall — looks good.

He also has a screencast of openSUSE 11.2 with KDE 4.3, which is well worth a look if you haven’t already installed M8. (But of course you have, right?)

Discipline is needed, I think; but not just in the way most reluctant managers think of: it is actually quite difficult to stop working, or make a clear cut between work and personal spaces. The “just one more mail”-syndrome. And accommodating conference calls in the middle of the night is another downside of the deal.

Finding the balance can be hard, and there are those days where one can’t get into work or can’t seem to stop. I think it evens out in the end, with a tendency towards working more than intended.

Good stuff – take a few minutes to check it out if you have time.