openSUSE 10.2 Alpha 4 has been released and it includes the new Kickoff start menu for KDE:
As you can see we changed some things because of the usability tests performed with the prototype: some users didn't find the search functionality, so we made it appear more prominent. Users didn't use the built-in menu help, so we removed it completely. Users didn't discover "Lock Screen" on the main slab so we moved it into the "Leave" tab and decided to put additionally the lock/lockout applet by default into the right panel corner. The "All Applications" browser gained an all-columns back button for easier browsing.
The version in openSUSE 10.2 Alpha 4 has some known flaws which were already fixed in KDE's SVN, eg it doesn't switch to the "My Favorites" tab when the menu opens. If you don't like the new menu at all, right clicking on the panel menu button allows you to easily switch back to the standard (but SUSE improved) KDE menu style.
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Other SUSE's
Will this be available for other SUSE versions?
Re: Other SUSE's
For earlier than 10.2? No.
The door is unintuitive
Where are the lock screen and logout options here? The first time I looked at this it too me a long time to figure out that they are hidden behind the door that says "Leave". I assumed that just closed the menu.
I don't have an immediate suggestion for a better metaphor. Two possible options would be to 1) replace the door with a lock-slash-on/off icon which would look familiar, or 2) move these options to the top level; at least "lock session" is something that should be quickly accessible.
Username / "openSUSE" bar
It is interesting to find the bar with Username / "openSUSE" on the bottom. What is the reasoning for that?
It appears to just add extra space for the mouse to move over on its trip from "gecko button" to the entries. And.. it looks rather odd. in that place.
It looks more like it should be a "title bar." I would find positioning of it on top much more reasonable, despite the risk of being accused of copying Windows. Is it doing anything else besides just saying the user name and OS?
Alternatively, how about blending its colors more into the background of the tabs?
Almost forgot to say... regardless of the comment - this menu thing is awesome!
It is interesting to find
It is interesting to find the bar with Username / "openSUSE" on the bottom. What is the reasoning for that?
It lets you know what user you're logged in as, and on what machine, presumably.