This security-focused Linux distro is switching to KDE
The team behind Parrot OS (often abbreviated to Parrot) has announced the Parrot 7.0 beta. The update, currently in testing, brings several upgrades and improvements to the distribution that emphasize security, including the move to KDE Plasma as the default desktop.
In Parrot 6 and earlier editions, the default desktop was MATE, an environment designed to continue the legacy of GNOME 2 and its traditional Windows-like design. KDE Plasma is one of the most popular desktop environments in the world of open source operating systems, and it has a robust feature set while maintaining, in my opinion, a default layout not too different from the Windows motif.
Explaining the change in a blog post, Parrot developers wrote:
We’ve noticed and observed the continued improvements made by the KDE team, such as their approach to Wayland and Qt6, improvements to its major components, the new task switcher, KRunner, HiDPI/4K monitor improvements, system settings updates, and much more.
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The improvement is not only aesthetic, but also in terms of usability and greater consistency with our future goals.
I’m a big fan of the KDE Plasma environment, so I encourage changes like this. I particularly vouch for the usefulness of KRunner. Of course, nothing stops you from installing the environment you prefer if you’re not on board.
The default desktop isn’t the only one changing with Parrot OS 7.0. The overall design of the office is undergoing a “radical change” as the black and green colors of the terminals have now spread throughout the rest of the office. This creates a more distinct “hacker” look that is sure to impress.
In addition to the upgrade of Parrot’s core components, the base moves from Debian 12 to Debian 13 “Trixie”, released earlier this year. The update means those using Parrot will have access to a more up-to-date base of packages.
Additionally, the /tmp directory, which contains temporary files created by Linux applications every time you use them, has been moved from local storage to RAM. This move aims to improve performance and reduce wear and tear on SSDs.
If you want to install the beta version, you can find the latest ISO image in the official Parrot OS 7 beta files directory. Parrot is primarily aimed at those working in the cybersecurity field, but is also designed to be user-friendly for developers and system administrators.
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Want to try Parrot but don’t want to rely on a potentially unstable beta? Head over to the Parrot download page and follow the instructions to access the edition that suits your use case. The Parrot team also releases a handy conversion script for Debian releases that automatically turns your Debian device into a Parrot device.
Source: Parrot OS Blog via DistroWatch
