KDE 3.3 Alpha 1 released

Chicago (IL) - The KDE developer team has released the download of its next Linux GUI. This version carries most of the new feature set of the final version which is expected to become available in August.

The new version includes fewer feature additions than the previous 3.2 version which was launched last February. As predecessor of KDE 4, which apparently will be based will be based on Qt4, the software focuses on detail enhancements rather than introducing revolutionary new functions.

Ne features include the option to generate and save SSL keys, a module to manage Themes, a login which can be changed with Themes, a JavaScript debugger as well as a sidebar for RSS feeds for KHTML. The email client Kmail can now search emails in full-text. New applications are Kallery, which allows users to create slide shows, and the drawing software Kolour Paint.

The first beta of KDE 3.3 is scheduled for June 26. The final version is planned to be relesed just days before aKademy, the KDE Community World Summit (August 21-23).

KDE 3.3 Alpha 1 source can be downloaded here .