I tested what David reported. My "document" path was set to $HOME. I changed the
document path in KControl to $HOME/Documents. Kate/kwrite correctly used that new
location.
I restored the setting in KControl to $HOME. After the change to $HOME/Documents
kate/kwrite/kedit seemed stuck on insisting I use $HOME/Documents, just as David
described.
I deleted the $HOME/Documents directory and then kate/kwrite honored my selection in
KControl of $HOME.
When I next changed the path to something outside of $HOME, in KControl, kate/kwrite/kedit
would not use that new location.
The apps seemed stuck on using either $HOME/Documents or $HOME.
Using KControl sometimes updated user-dirs.dirs. Sometimes.
Changing the path in the "My Documents" URL tab never updated
$HOME/.config/user-dirs.dirs. To add to the frustration, trying to change the path in
"My Documents" using the little folder icon is busted. Using that method always
results in a dialog asking me to select a file. Basically a pretty good WTF? moment. :) I
could change the path in "My Documents" only by typing the path.
KControl would read changes I made manually to user-dirs.dirs but typically would not
change the file. "My Documents" never read or updated user-dirs.dirs.
Something is broken. In several places. Yet another example why we need serious sweat
equity before releasing R14. :)
Darrell