Following rapidly in the footsteps of Linux Mint 14's Xfce release, the Mint developers have now released the KDE edition of the latest version of their distribution. Based on the same Ubuntu foundation as the other Linux Mint 14 releases (with Cinnamon and MATE desktops), the KDE edition uses the KDE Software Collection 4.9, specifically 4.9.2, to provide its desktop. All four versions are available from the project's download page as 32-bit and 64-bit variants. Among the Mint enhancements is an improved Software Manager which no longer uses aptdaemon and has its own apt client. It also has debconf support, eliminating the need for using Synaptic package manager for certain packages and it runs as root so users do not have to enter their password to install packages every time. Other changes include the addition of MintStick, replacing USB-ImageWriter, for a better UI experience when creating memory sticks, automatic fallback to OpenDNS when no DNS server is found, new artwork and an improved KDM theme. Although Linux Mint 14 is now available with the almost very latest KDE desktop, this will only hold true for a month or so as the release of KDE SC 4.10 is currently scheduled for the end of January. via The-H