KDE Plasma 6.6 isn't forcing systemd but the arguments rage on
The Register
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The latest release of KDE Plasma 6.6 marks a significant update without enforcing the use of systemd, addressing ongoing debates within the open-source community. Despite these efforts, concerns about system initialization persist. The update enhances compatibility with BSD systems, particularly OpenBSD, which now sees improved stability and functionality. Additionally, FreeBSD is making strides in integrating KDE Plasma into its desktop offerings, though it remains unclear if and when this will be finalized. These developments highlight the evolving landscape of desktop environments on BSD-based systems.
KDE Plasma 6.6 introduces over 2,500 lines of updates, showcasing substantial improvements since the previous release. Notably, Rafael Sadowski's contributions to OpenBSD support have been pivotal, with promising signs that Plasma will be included in upcoming OpenBSD and FreeBSD versions. The focus on cross-platform compatibility underscores KDE's commitment to remaining accessible across various operating systems.
The debate over systemd continues to rage, particularly regarding the new Plasma Login Manager's dependency on it. While KDE emphasizes that this is an isolated component, some users and projects remain dissatisfied. For instance, KaOS Linux has shifted away from KDE in favor of a custom desktop based on alternative tools like Niri and Noctalia, driven by their move to Dinit. This underscores the broader tensions between system initialization choices and desktop environments, reflecting deeper philosophical differences within the tech community.
These developments matter to readers interested in tech freedom and customization. The interplay between KDE's platform-agnostic approach and systemd's role highlights the ongoing "init wars." As Plasma evolves toward a Wayland-only future, its compatibility with diverse systems and init managers will remain a critical point of discussion for developers and users alike.
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Originally published on The Register on 2/24/2026