The KDE Project is proud to announce the first beta release of KDE 4.1. Beta 1 is aimed at testers, community members and enthusiasts in order to identify bugs and regressions, so that 4.1 can fully replace KDE 3 for end users.

KDE 4.1 Beta 1 Highlights

> Greatly expanded desktop shell functionality and configurability
> KDE Personal Information Management suite ported to KDE 4
> Many new and newly ported applications

Plasma Grows Up

Plasma, the innovative new system that creates the menus, panels and desktop that make up a desktop, is maturing rapidly. It now supports multiple and resizeable panels allowing users to compose their desktop as flexibly as before. The application launcher menu, Kickoff, has been comprehensively polished with a clean new look and many optimisations. An overhauled Run Command dialog allows power users to quickly launch applications, open documents and visit sites. Performance gains in composited window management provide better ergonomics and eye candy, including a Cover Switch alt-tab feature and the mandatory wobbly windows effect.

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