dropping KDE to stabilize -current
 

Newbie here, who had to go with -current in order to get the support for my graphics.

For the past 2 weeks, I've been having lots of fun running xfce and KDE. Though I think that the time and data downloads for keeping current with KDE are a burden, and, more importantly, (for me) that the magic-trick-box side of KDE is a distraction I can live without.

So, my questions:

1. Will synchronizing with -current repository with KDE blacklisted be the safest and most efficient way of contributing to the stability of my -current install, leading to less likelihood of my breaking anything?
(I ask because just last night I had a breakage in VLC pursuant to a feast at the SBOpkg trough, during which I downloaded some widgets of dubious value, then tweaked KDE desktop into a state less efficient than it was before the upgrade/feast)

2. I have no committment or fondness for any particular KDE software, so that is not a problem; however, am I courting any grief by ridding myself entirely of it? ie: dependencies issues. Or, another way of putting it: is it possible to happily revert to a totally non-KDE, non-Gnome setup and still have access to great software and a fully functional, modern Desktop?

thanks

In your post I could not find a reason why you want to drop KDE.
A huge amount of bandwidth spent on downloading packages after an update to slackware-current? Well that is how -current works.
The fact taht you feel that the "magic-trick-box side of KDE is a distraction" is highly subjective of course. And if you want "great software and a fully functional, modern Desktop" then you have to start by writing down what you think are the applications you can not do without, what you think is a fully functional, modern desktop. Once you have answers to that, you atuomatically find out whether you need KDE or not.

Eric

It really depends on what *you* need and want. We have no idea what makes you happy. Switch over to another DE/WM using # xwmconfig or the KDM log-in screen if you're in run level 4 and stay with it. Use pkgtool to remove the programs that you don't want to use. Slackware is yours to customize. If you don't like the DE/WM selection that ships with Slackware then look to the projects in slackbuilds.org and the MATE desktop.
KDE 4.x should remain in Slackware in my opinion.

Hi Eric, just to remind you of what I wrote in original post:
(fresh emphasis given)

The main burden of my post was to enquire if I will gain anything in stability by running -current without KDE. I have already made up my mind (that is, made a decision based on my subjective experience of KDE and xfce) to drop KDE. But it occurred to me that there might be some objective gain (again, to me, given my low-level of technical savvy and inclination) in stability by dropping KDE, while still enjoying the benefits of a more up-to-date version of kernel and other programs offered by -current.

It was about this that I posted: "any gain in stability with -current minus KDE?"

And as for your point about the loss of bandwidth, that is nothing compared to the saving to be made as months and years roll on without KDE, n'est-ce pas? :)

Besides which, I'm glad I had the chance to see what KDE can do: it is beautiful, and mesmerizing, but, as I said, IMO, overblown and intrinsically distracting: I'd rather keep my micro-computing more zen-like, then, when I have the need for special effects and eye candy, watch videos of appropriate genre. So, it was not wasted bandwidth at all, even if I do now revert to a KDE-less OS.

I guess xfce pretty much does it for my needs.
And this brings us back to the second question of my post, which was about my concern that I might run into difficutly by breaking from KDE software while trying to run xfce or flux? Are there any hidden issues here that the novice needs to consider before wiping KDE?

thanks for taking the time with this

Just remove KDE as ponce answered you here.

You will be able to (re)install something you'd miss afterwards as simply, so there is no risk doing that.

In less words: try.

Done!
 

Thanks for the reply.
All good!
best,