William Case wrote: > Hi All; > > Just did some changes in my ~/.* ( dot files ) and started wondering why > Linux uses dot files for its 'user' data. Its a small annoyance to have > to specify .* each time I use them. The annoyance is primarily not > because it's difficult but because it is odd -- different from anything > else and data files get mixed (kinda) with my working documents. Why > not just have a standard additional directory for 'config', or whatever > name, to hold all the user application type data. Is the reason > historical or is there a pragmatic purpose? > This is the way Linux hides files and directories. You will notice that they do not show up in a normal ls listing, or in the file selection window of most programs. If you have your file manager set up not to show hidden files/directories, they will not show up there ether. Mikkel -- Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with Ketchup!