Howto install KDE 4.2 on openSUSE

Over on news.opensuse.org Zonker is pushing the Build Service KDE 4.2.0 packages in a major way. While I share the enthusiasm for KDE 4.2, I think that it’s a bit dangerous to push an unsupported upgrade to untested, under development packages of an entire desktop environment on the general public. At least I think that not all openSUSE users are geeks and experts, hopefully some of them are regular people who like their GNU/Linux operating system to be reliable and functional, and don’t just use it for play. So here’s what I think you should know about upgrading openSUSE to KDE 4.2.

1) Before installing 4.2

Before you decide to install the KDE 4.2 packages you should know that:

• The 4.2 packages for openSUSE 10.3, 11.0 and 11.1 on the /KDE4:/Factory:/Desktop/ repository are actually packages under active development for openSUSE 11.2 (Indicated by the word “Factory” in the URL). There can be (minor or major) breakage at any time if you update – or install at the wrong time.
• Installation is not 100% simple and convenient
• If you decide that you want to install despite the above, first make sure you remove any build service KDE repositories, that you may have added before at some time.

2) Installing 4.2

2.1 Adding the repository

Start YaST -> Software -> Software Repositories -> Add -> Specify URL… -> Paste this URL: http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/KDE:/KDE4:/Factory:/Desktop/openSUSE_11.1/ (replace “11.1″ with “11.0″ or “10.3″ depending on your distro version.)

EDIT: The above factory repo moves to KDE 4.3 beta in early May. For KDE 4.2 use this repository instead:
http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/KDE:/42/openSUSE_11.1/

2.2a Upgrading (you already have KDE 4.1/4.0)

Start YaST Software management -> Filter by Repositories -> Select the KDE4:/Factory/Desktop/ repository -> Right click a random package -> Select “All in this list” -> Update unconditionally

When you press “Accept” you’ll be met with a conflict dialog. A lot of people panic at the sight of it, but it’s perfectly simple, you just have to uninstall a few packages to resolve the conflicts. As you can see in the picture YaST offers you 3 different solutions – it should be obvious that our preferred solution will be to uninstall compiz-kde4.

Press “Ok, try again” until you’re done.

2.2b Installing KDE 4.2 (you don’t have any version of KDE4 previously installed)

If you wish to install KDE 4.2, and have previously been using a different desktop like KDE3, Xfce, IceWM or GNOME, you can do this easily – alongside your existing desktop, your display manager (kdm, gdm, xdm) will let you choose which session to start.

Start YaST Software Management -> Filter by patterns -> Check “KDE4 Base System” and “KDE4 Desktop Environment”

3) After installation of KDE 4.2

After the packages have finished installing, log out and log back in. If you come from a different desktop you can select to log into KDE 4.2 under “Session Type” at your display manager.

If your KDE4 desktop looks strange after the upgrade you can reset it with this command:

kquitapp plasma && rm ~/.kde4/share/config/plasma* && plasma &

And the last thing. Now that you’re using the KDE4:/Factory/Desktop/ repository, you have to follow planetsuse or join the opensuse-kde mailinglist. This way you’ll be notified about future repository changes – in about 3-4 months Factory is expected to move to KDE 4.3 beta – and this will cause you serious problems if you don’t pay attention.