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-applicatio...
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.