The Kubuntu edition of Ubuntu installs KDE as the primary desktop from the Kubuntu install disc. Kubuntu officially supports and installs KDE 4.4. You can download this disc from the Kubuntu site at: http://www.kubuntu.org/
You can also download the discs directly from http://releases.ubuntu.com. http://releases.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/maverick/
You can obtain the DVD disc for Kubuntu from http://cdimages.unbuntu.com http://cdimages.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/maverick/release/
You can also add Kubuntu as a desktop to an Ubuntu desktop (GNOME) installation. KDE includes numerous packages. Instead of trying to install each one, you should install KDE using its meta packages specified in the Synaptic Package Manager, Meta Packages. You will be prompted to keep the GDM (GNOME display manager) for logins, though you can change to KDM, the KDE Display Manager. Once installed, KDE will then become an option you can select from the Sessions menu on the Login screen.
kubuntu-desktop
If you are installing Kubuntu from the Kubuntu CD, you will follow the same steps as those used for the Ubuntu Desktop CD: language, time zone, keyboard, partition (Disk Setup), user and host name (User Info), and ready to install (Summary). The artwork will be different but the tasks will be the same. The Keyboard screen shows an actual image of the keyboard you choose. The “Prepare disk space” screen shows Before and After images of your hard disk partitions both at the bottom of the screen.
The initial install screen is similar to the Ubuntu Alternate CD, with options for “Try Kubuntu without installing”, “Install Kubuntu”, “Check disc for defects”, ” Test memory”, and “Boot from first hard disk.” The “Try Kubuntu without installing” option starts up a Live Kubuntu session from the CD. Function keys provide options for help, language, keymap, modes, accessibility, and other options. The modes menus allows use of a driver update disc or an OEM install. The “Other Options” menu displays the boot options, one of which is “Free software only” which installs open source software only.
Note: Kubuntu has its own restricted package, kubuntu-restricted-extras, for multimedia codecs.
