I don't know why the #MATEDesktop "clicks" so well for my brain and how much I enjoy it despite it being so quirky and much less easily/extensively customized vs. #KDE (I also loved #KDE4, despite so many people hating it; the key is to install the QtCurve Kwin and controls theme and the Diamond [something] Plasma theme and it will look amazing; glad there was a continuation like Trinity for #KDE3 last I checked, hope it's still going and I wonder if anyone will do one for #Plasma5).

#Linux

@DrewNaylor
Mate to me is an improved version of CDE the old Unix Common Desktop Environment that was available on all versions of Unix eg Solaris, HPUX, Silicone Graphics, I think even IBM and VAX Unix had versions of it. By todays standards it was primitive but compared to the early monochrome monitor days it was a huge advancement.