> I'm just wondering how this is going to affect KDE apps. I have several KDE
> apps installed on my current system, and really like them. It would be a
> pity if I couldn't use them in the future, though some of them could easily
> be replaced with non-KDE equivalents.

I don't think you need to worry. KDE apps are linked to KDE libraries rather
than systemd.

> I also have to wonder about Gnome
> apps, as I have several of those which are very useful.

Gnome already depends on systemd, but the apps do not. The problem is that
the Gnome desktop is that most packages files built for things like Debian
require that systemd be installed.