KDE Plasma 5.18 is the latest stable version of this framework made with QT technology. This environment offers a high level of customization as well as a modern look without neglecting the stability of the system.

The main novelty of KDE Plasma 5.18 is that it is LTS that is to say, it will have support for two years while the other versions only 4 months. So it’s a candidate to appear in Kubuntu 20.04 and so on.

However, there are many more new features and here we will introduce you to the most important ones.

KDE Plasma 5.18 LTS features

One of the features that users will enjoy most is the Emojis selector that comes with this version.

This can be displayed using the Meta key (windows logo) + . or from the main menu (Applications > Utilites).

In the version 5.17 the night mode was released, because in this version a new widget is incorporated to activate or deactivate it.

This way we do not have to open the system preferences.

Also in this version you can share usage information with the developers. This will help to improve the environment, but without compromising your data.

This feature is present in the system settings.

Notifications have been improved to be fluid and less intrusive. However, you can now see the battery level of Bluetooth devices.

Also, in this version, the integration of GTK applications promises to be the best seen. They do this because they automatically inherit desktop preferences on fonts, icons, cursors and so on.

This version improves the graphics section, i.e. the rebirth with many current GPUs. Also thanks to a technical work, you have decreased the graphic failures of the applications.

In summary, what has happened since KDE Plasma 5.12 LTS

KDE Plasma 5.12 was the last LTS in this desktop environment. If you come from that version, you will notice even more the following changes:

• Completely rewritten notification system
• Browser integration
• Redesigned system settings pages, either using a consistent grid view or an overhauled interface
• GTK applications now respect more settings, use KDE color schemes, have shadows on X11, and support the global menu
• Display management improvements, including new OSD and widget
• Flatpak portal support
• Night Color feature
• Thunderbolt device management

Final thoughts

Since the announcement we are told that this version is a safe bet to update projects that have to be stable as work or educational computers. Therefore, it is expected to be a stable and reliable version for everyone.

Finally, I leave you with a link to the video that the development team has published for this great desktop environment.

If you want to know all the news, I invite you to read the official announcement.

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However, for all the gloss and polish, KDE Plasma is a resource-heavy desktop environment. If your system is low on hardware resource, then running other desktop environments is strongly recommended.

Over time, you may feel like your KDE Plasma is becoming slower and slower. If you’re being annoyed of a slow KDE Plasma environment, consider the following tips for refreshing the environment and enjoy the full potential of your system!

Note that all the following steps were performed on my Kubuntu 18.10 system. However, these tricks should work perfectly on any other Linux distros using KDE Plasma.

KDE Plasma speed-up hacks

• Update the KDE Plasma

KDE Plasma is a fine and well-maintained project. It gets updated and tweaked on a regular basis for proving the freshest feel and features to the users. If you’ve been using your system for a quite long time, it’s highly likely that your KDE Plasma is out-of-date.

From the menu, type “Discover” (without quotes) –

Discover is the default software center of KDE Plasma desktop.

From the bottom-left corner, select the “Updates” tab.

Hit “Check for Updates” >> update all the software possible. In my case, all my software are up-to-date.

• Desktop effects

In the KDE Plasma, there are numerous desktop effects. All the effects force a heavy load on the hardware. If your system is low on hardware resource, turning down the effects is a good place to speed things up.

From the menu, type “effects” >> select “Desktop effects”.

As you can see, there are tons of effects ongoing in my system. In your case, the selections may be different.

Once you’re done, hit “Apply” >> “OK”.

• Remove Akonadi

Akonadi is a robust service of KDE Plasma that allows apps to directly interact data with the KDE Plasma. It doesn’t make a noticeable difference in the case of high-end computer systems but it can definitely hurt low-end machines.

Run the following command(s) according to your Linux distro –

• Ubuntu

sudo apt remove akonadi --purge

• Debian

sudo apt-get remove akonadi --purge

• Fedora

sudo dnf remove akonadi

• OpenSUSE

sudo zypper remove akonadi

• Arch Linux

sudo pacman -Rsc akonadi

Then, restart your computer.

• Changing window managers

By default, KDE uses its own window manager. The window manager is greatly responsible for putting all the loads on your CPU and GPU. In that case, you should switch to a lighter one like Openbox. Openbox is a great one that’s easily compatible with KDE Plasma without any tweaking!

Run the following command(s) according to your Linux distro –

• Ubuntu

sudo apt install openbox openbox-kde-session

• Debian

sudo apt-get install openbox openbox-kde-session

• Fedora

sudo dnf install openbox-kde

• OpenSUSE

sudo zypper install openbox-kde

• Arch Linux

sudo pacman -S openbox

Then, restart your system and login using the KDE/Openbox session.

Voila! Your system should perform like brand new again!

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KDE Plasma is also full of powerful and useful widgets. The huge collection offers even more customizability and other features. However, for new users, this huge collection is nothing like a big mess. It only makes it harder for them to find out the proper one. That’s why there are some of the best and essential ones to try out.

Note that you can customize as much as you want in the default setup to make it suitable for your needs as well.

• KDE Connect

This powerful widget allows you keep the track of all your things in one place. For example, you can see your smartphone notifications, battery warning, and all other kinds of stuff in just one place.

This widget enables KDE to stand out of all other choices. KDE Connect is available on Android. For KDE fans, this is a must-have.

Learn more how to install KDE Connect. After installing, you have to install KDE Connect Indicator. Get KDE Connect on Android.

• Win7 Volume Mixer

If anyone has ever used Windows 7, you’ve definitely noticed the volume section. It allowed you to control the sound of different apps differently. This feature isn’t commonly available on Linux desktops because all the sounds are played as one sound. You change the volume altogether, not separately.

Thanks to this superb widget, you can now get the feeling of Windows 7 volume mixer back on your KDE Plasma. Check out Win7 Volume Mixer!

• KSmoothDock

If you’re a fan of the elementary OS or the dock system, KSmoothDock is your most suitable choice. KDE offers this great widget to give you the best feel of macOS. It’s extremely customizable and simple to understand. Whenever you hover your cursor on the apps, they even zoom, just like macOS.

Despite acting like macOS, this widget also bears the inheritance of Linux apps and mimic the panel functionality. This is also refreshing to switch from the traditional to the new look. Get KSmoothDock now!

• Simple Menu

Minimalistic themes are the most powerful ones in the present days. They offer simpler interface and workflow, thus allowing more focus on the work. Moreover, simplistic & minimalistic designs consume less hardware resource, leaving plenty of room for other tasks.

If you’re a fan of the classic system, you will obviously love Simple Menu. This widget is very simplistic app launcher for the Plasma desktop.

I personally love this widget for its usability. Just try it out, you won’t regret. Get Simple Menu today!

Enjoy your time on Linux with KDE Plasma! LibreOffice is the best office suite as a free software. Learn how to update LibreOffice to the latest version.

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