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After 17 years, a developer has finally revived the dream of Hannah Montana Linux, an open source operating system…
Developer Noah Cagle has revived Hannah Montana Linux, an open-source operating system based on Debian and KDE Plasma. The updated OS features a pink and purple theme, custom icons, and a remastered wallpaper, aiming to be a fully functional daily driver. While capable of running games through compatibility layers like Proton, gaming on Linux is noted to be better with AMD GPUs due to Nvidia's driver support.
KDE turns 30 this year - and they want your support
KDE is celebrating its 30th anniversary this October with a funding drive to increase regular donations and support its open-source projects like KDE Plasma. Plasma is notably used in SteamOS for devices like the Steam Deck. The organization, which also developed the original engine powering most web browsers, aims to grow its supporting member base and is planning global anniversary events.
KDE Plasma waves goodbye to X11 for Plasma 6.8
KDE is officially removing X11 support from its Plasma desktop environment, with the change set to arrive in Plasma 6.8 around October 14th. This move will make Wayland the sole session login option for users, allowing the KDE team to focus development efforts on improving the Wayland experience. While most applications will continue to function via XWayland, this transition will primarily affect a small minority of users still relying on X11.
KDE Plasma 6.7 Beta arrives with Plasma Bigscreen, new Union theme system
The KDE Plasma 6.7 Beta has been released, introducing Plasma Bigscreen for improved TV and HTPC experiences, and a new Union theme system to address fragmentation. This release is a stress-test for the upcoming full version, scheduled for June 16th. Plasma Bigscreen is expected to enhance docked Steam Deck and potential Steam Machine/Frame usage.
Germany cuts Steam Deck desktop devs a $1.5 million cheque, they declare an end to 'insecure spyware-riddled software imposed by the likes of Microsoft'
Germany's Sovereign Tech Agency has awarded €1.3 million (approximately $1.5 million) to the KDE community to support its free and open-source software development, including the Plasma desktop environment used on the Steam Deck. KDE expressed that this funding signifies a global shift away from proprietary software from companies like Microsoft and Google towards more secure and user-controlled alternatives.
KDE gets over €1 million in funding from the Sovereign Tech Fund
Germany's Sovereign Tech Fund has awarded over €1.2 million to KDE for the development of its Plasma desktop and Linux-related projects. This funding, spanning 2026 and 2027, aims to bolster open-source technology and digital infrastructure resilience. Fiona Krakenbürger of the Sovereign Tech Agency highlighted KDE's crucial role in providing access to digital services for millions.
KDE Plasma 6.7 gets per-screen virtual desktops and Wayland session management
KDE Plasma 6.7 is set to release on June 16th, introducing significant new features including per-screen virtual desktops and support for the Wayland session management protocol. The update also brings improvements to the Discover software center and application menu widgets.
Framework becomes a KDE Patron helping to fund open source
Hardware vendor Framework has become a KDE Patron, providing financial support to the open-source Plasma desktop environment. Framework founder Nirav Patel expressed excitement about supporting KDE's efforts, while KDE President Aleix Pol highlighted the alignment of Framework's commitment to repairability with KDE's values for a sustainable industry.
Bazzite gets a big update with KDE Plasma 6.6, Mesa 26.0.1 and more
Bazzite has released a significant update for its PC gaming handhelds and desktops, featuring KDE Plasma 6.6 and Mesa 26.0.1. The update addresses an earlier bug causing 100% disk usage and includes smaller image sizes, the return of Konsole, and the introduction of Kontainer. Future updates will focus on the 'OGC' kernel and support for input devices and capture cards.
KDE Plasma 6.6.1 rolls out with lots of fixes for KWin
KDE has released Plasma 6.6.1, a bug-fix update for its desktop environment. This release addresses numerous issues found in the recent 6.6 version, with a significant focus on improvements to the KWin window manager, Discover software center, and Bluetooth functionality. The update aims to resolve problems reported by users and improve overall stability.