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List:       kde-usability
Subject:    Re: Desktop being $HOME
From:       Uno Engborg <uno () webworks ! se>
Date:       2002-12-02 3:29:22
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On Monday 02 December 2002 00:02, Gav Wood wrote:
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> > The home directory in unix is used for a lot of stuff, e.g. configuration
> > files and folders for various programs and they are not always dot-files.
> > (e.g the Mail folder of kmail or the mbox file). This means that the
> > desktop would be cluttered with a lot off stuff that the user isn't
> > supposed to touch.
>
> _i_ _use_ my system with Desktop = $HOME:
> what you mention here is not a problem.
>
> the only (very slight) annoyance is the Mail folder as you point out. this
> could be solved fairly easily (e.g. making it do something in konqueror? or
> allowing it to be a hidden file?).
>
> there is certainly not "a lot off stuff that the user isn't supposed to
> touch" on my desktop.


I gather that you are the sysadmin of your system, and that you can install 
programs at their standard locations at all times. But in many places you are 
not allowed to do that. Then you may end up with $HOME/bin, $HOME/lib 
$HOME/include, $HOME/var, ... none of wich you are likely to interact with by 
using the mouse.  Actually this situation might happen even if you have root
priviledges or can persuade root to install things in standard places for you. 
Imagine you use software libraries that are not licensed to be shared by the 
other users of the system? Where do you put these files? And where do I hide 
the games I don't like my boss to see when he passes by?

The need for some place to hide away things are not uncommon. 
I could use hidden folders but then, how do they stand out from various 
preferences files. Another option would be to have some way in konqueror to
hide files and folder other than having them start with a dot. But in my 
oppinion this would be a cludge.


>
> > I really can't see how  the change makes it easier to find things.
>
> one path for the user's "my main place" as opposed to two.
>
> > Besides most othter systems have their desktop arrangement the same way.
> > Changing it would make it harder to administrate systems where users can
> > chose between different desktop environments e.g. KDE and Gnome.
>
> i hate to say this after all the questionable stuff i've ranted on about in
> this list, but administration issues when choosing between kde and gnome
> are hardly a kde usability issue.



Sorry, but if your sysadmin happens to say that he will only support one 
desktop environment due to the differences in foldeer structure, and he 
decides that the only desktop enviroment  is going to be  Gnome you have a 
problem. We need more interoperability not less. One of the reasons Unix 
isn't the most common desktop is that various Unix vendors couldn't stop
fighting each other.  And while they were fighting MS-Windows emerged as a 
market leader. Let's not repeat that mistake.  


Regards
Uno Engborg

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