May 18, 2012

openDesktop's Lost Little Gem: KDE-Files.org

KDE_Files.orgSomehow, someway, I clicked on a link...a harmless, little one out of 10,000 I probably clicked that day. But what I found was both awesome and shocking at the same time. You may be aware of some of the more popular openDesktop websites such as KDE-Look.org and KDE-Apps.org. But this particular link took me to a KDE-themed OpenDesktop website that I had not seen before. Apparently most other folks out there in the Interwebs had not seen it either. I'm talking specifiacally about KDE-Files.org. What? you say. Exactly. I was unaware of this resource until this innocent-looking link took me there. Many of you apparently were unaware as well. I say this because KDE-Files seems to be as dormant as the Mount St. Helens volcano.

Onthe surface, KDE-Files would seem to be a great idea. I don't know how many times people have asked in person, or via IRC, or various mailing lists for a template for a presentation, or for a template for a CD/DVD cover they wanted to make. Or maybe to grab a piece of clipart they need for a particular blog post or flyer. And it IS a great idea. The problem appears to be that this wonderful site is apparently not used at all. Or at least, not contributed to very much. I say this because there seems to be a dissapointing amount of submissions to this great resource library..

Many of us have used various openDesktop websites. It would be great to see KDE-Files get used some more and became a valuable resource for open source software. As it stands today, these themes, templates, datasets, and artworks are scattered all over the web in various WIKI's and svn repositories. Which is a shame. Whether you use OpenOffice, LibreOffice, Koffice, or Calligra, there's something for everyone that could be here. Not to mention other cool things like Kdenlive transitions and potentially cool (albeit perhaps woefully outdated) KStars data.

So check it out. It's a great way for non-programmers to contribute to KDE and Kubuntu! And while you're there, you can pick up an awesome Kubuntu 12.04 LTS DVD Case.

Were you aware of KDE-Files.org?

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