Use Linux desktop effects without Compiz with KDE4

Sure Windows Vista and Mac OS X have some pretty desktop effects that let you see through transparent windows or preview all open windows at the same time. But while Linux was once known as a utilitarian operating system for people who like staring at terminal windows, we've seen some amazing developments in Linux desktop effects over the last few years with Compiz.

While some popular Linux distributions like Ubuntu have begun integrating Compiz effects, the newest version of the KDE desktop interface is going another route. KDE4 users will be able to implement many effects without installing Compiz at all. There are a few benefits to this approach. For example, Compiz might not run as well on older, slower systems (although you could probably say the same for KDE4), and more importantly, integrated effects means less tinkering beneath the hood for KDE4 users. You'll be able to adjust your effects settings from the same menus you use to make other system adjustments.

So what kind of effects are we talking about? Window transparency, transition effects (windows can zoom open or closed, or explode as you minimize them, etc), a robust application switcher with Exposé clone, and so on. Francis Giannaros put together a video demonstrating just a few of the effects you can play with.

Tags: compiz, desktop-effects, kde4, osupdates, windows-effects