Here's an interesting note on the direction that the GNOME devs are
taking.  Looks to be another ME TO wanting to be more like Apple:

http://afaikblog.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/a-new-approach-to-gnome-application-design/

Another advantage of TDE/KDE3 over other newer DEs is that we are not
forced to use search(like the useless and depreciated beagle and
nepomuk/stringi)that can thrash a hard drive even if it's never used
and that KDE3/TDE is more modular, so if you don't want something you
can (generally) remove it.

One of my biggest peeves about distros/linux over the years has been
the ridiculous dependencies(some of which come from the programs).
WHY do I have to install avahi to play KDE3 games in openSUSE 11.0?
Why do I have to install Palmpilot utils to use a PIM?  I could cite a
books worth of crap like this that has been the bane of my experiences
with Linux over the years.

Modularity is important to me.  When I'm using an older laptop with
limited resources, I don't want to waste them on stuff to support
something I don't have or don't want.

Just my opinion.