Ideas on modernizing the open-source desktop
Scott Jenson urged KDE to modernize Linux desktop UX beyond the decades-old windows-and-icons model.
At KDE Akademy 2026, UX designer Scott Jenson argued that open-source desktops have barely changed in 20 years and should experiment beyond the windows, icons, menus, and pointer model. He cited Macintosh Finder details, including mid-name ellipses and raising windows on mouse-up rather than mouse-down, a drag behavior a KDE developer later implemented within hours. Jenson, formerly of Apple and Google and now working with Mastodon and Home Assistant, said understaffed projects still need more original UX research.
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