[Pidgin] #4911: Pidgin does not adhere to the freedesktop.org XDG Base Directory Specification

[Pidgin]

#4911: Pidgin does not adhere to the freedesktop.org XDG Base Directory
Specification
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  Reporter:  timnik        |       Owner:  lschiere
      Type:  enhancement   |      Status:  closed  
  Priority:  minor         |   Milestone:          
 Component:  unclassified  |     Version:  2.3.1   
Resolution:  wontfix       |    Keywords:          
   Pending:  0             |  
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Comment (by timnik):

 Every few months when I upgrade to the next version of my OS, I get the
 newest pidgin. I would like to have all my application settings reset so
 that I can take advantage of the latest sane defaults, should they have
 changed, and also to undo all the experimental mess of the last several
 months. Essentially, I would like to start with a clean install - but it's
 very important to me to not loose my account information like usernames,
 passwords and especially any history. This applies equally to all other
 programs. The specification, from what I understood, aims to separate this
 data, so all I would have to do is delete the $XDG_CONFIG_DIR and I would
 be safe, as all the personal information that should never be lost is kept
 in $KDG_DATA_DIR.

 You're right about the home folder, it's a big mess. If it were to be
 separated into the two categories of user data and general config, then it
 would most certainly be much tidier than before and help me and all the
 other users to be able to keep the important non-replaceable data safe. I
 would like to be able to revert my settings back to the default without
 worrying about loosing anything.

 Another blogger explains the issues from his own perspective and gives
 reasons for following the specification here:
 http://ploum.frimouvy.org/?184-cleaning-user-preferences-keeping-user-data

 Don't you think there is a very real problem here?

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Ticket URL: <http://developer.pidgin.im/ticket/4911#comment:2>
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