GNOME vs. KDE vs. Unity: Performing Seven Basic Tasks

[ Thanks to James
Maguire for this link. ]

“Launching an Application

“GNOME 2 and KDE are the easiest desktops from which to start an
application. Both support icons on the desktop, which are launched
with one or two clicks, depending on your configuration choices. If
an application is not on the desktop, then both average three
clicks to open it from the menu. GNOME 2 edges out KDE because the
default KDE menu may require some scrolling, which slows the
launching.

“By contrast, the effort to launch an application in GNOME 3
varies considerably. If the application is on the dash, launching
requires two clicks and a change of screen to the overview.
Otherwise, you have to click Applications. With a fourth click, you
can open some popular applications, but otherwise, you’ll need a
filtered search and another click to start the application. As the
application starts, you return to the main screen, which may be
confusing for new users.

“In Unity, you need one click if the application is on the dash,
plus some scrolling if the icon is collapsed. If you’ve created
folders on the desktop, you can start an application in two clicks
using a document launcher. Otherwise, you need to click the Dash
Home, and either click a common task or select another category,
where you need another click and possibly some scrolling.
Alternatively, you can search if you know what’s likely to be
available.

“Verdict: If you only consider defaults, GNOME 2 is the winner,
followed by KDE. GNOME 3 and Unity can match the performance of the
others, but only if you’re lucky, so they are tied for third.”

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