For Linux veterans who cut their teeth on desktop environments in the late 1990s, there’s a new project that’s bound to spark some serious nostalgia. MiDesktop, a modern fork of the original KDE 1 desktop environment, has just released its first public development preview, bringing the classic computing experience of over 25 years ago back to contemporary Linux systems.
A Blast from the Past
Previously known as MiDE, this ambitious project isn’t just about recreating the visual aesthetics of KDE 1. The development team is committed to preserving the original design philosophy that made early KDE popular: exceptional speed, straightforward simplicity, and a distraction-free workspace. In an era where desktop environments have grown increasingly complex and resource-intensive, MiDesktop offers a refreshing return to basics.
The project has been rebuilt using the Osiris toolkit, which itself derives from Qt 2, and has been carefully adapted to function on modern Linux distributions. This technical foundation allows users to experience genuine KDE 1 functionality without the extensive manual configuration that would typically be required to run such vintage software on today’s systems.
Ready to Try
The good news for curious users is that installation packages are now available for both Debian 13 and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. This means you can experience the lightweight, responsive desktop environment that characterized Linux’s early desktop years without diving into dependency hell or spending hours compiling from source.
The result is remarkably lightweight. Even on modest hardware, MiDesktop remains responsive and snappy, delivering the kind of performance that modern bloated desktops can only dream of.
Getting Involved
For those interested in exploring this piece of Linux history or contributing to its development, installation packages are available for Debian 13 and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. Additional information and community discussion can be found in the developer’s announcement post on Reddit.
Whether you’re a Linux old-timer looking to relive the glory days or a curious newcomer interested in desktop environment history, MiDesktop offers a unique opportunity to experience computing as it was when KDE first emerged onto the scene. Just remember to keep it on a test system for now—at least until those browser issues get sorted out.
