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