KDE:

Microsoft has blatantly copied us in Windows 11, and as a result, people are starting to see Plasma as a cheap clone of Windows again. (...) Making the panel float by default provides an immediate visual differentiation from Windows 11 and we hope this will help jolt users’ brains out of “ew, it’s slightly different from Windows 11” mode and into “wow, this is new and cool and I wonder what’s in it” mode.

https://pointieststick.com/2023/05/11/plasma-6-better-defaults/

Microsoft:

Microsoft is preparing to launch Windows 12 (...) with several new design ideas, including a new desktop experience with a ‘floating’ taskbar. Microsoft wants to create a floating effect for the taskbar by separating it from the desktop and rounding off the edges.

https://www.windowslatest.com/2023/07/02/windows-12-microsoft-quietly-hints-at-next-gen-windows/

💀

Plasma 6: “Better defaults”

The 2023 Plasma sprint is now finished! KDE Patron Tuxedo Computers were kind enough to open their offices to us for a full week to do the sprint. We had some great conversations with Tuxedo employ…

Adventures in Linux and KDE
@tendstofortytwo I don't understand why UI designers constantly feel the need to rework stuff that works, the taskbar is fine as is, it doesn't need to be floating. It needs to be visually non disturbing and make me see at a glance what is open and allow me to switch there.

Go and actually fix the broken stuff please, leave the good things alone 🙃