Version: 3.3.91 (using KDE 3.3.91 (beta1), compiled sources) Compiler: gcc version 3.3.4 OS: Linux (i686) release 2.6.10 There is a problem with the way Konqueror handles file names containing non-Latin or unicode (UTF-8) chars on system with LANG NOT set to that locale or .utf8 EXAMPLE: My Specs: Slackware 10, KDE 3.3.91 LANG is set to en_US (by default, on install) MS TTF (Unicode) fonts installed. (The "free" webfonts package) KDE (And Konqueror) is set to use "Arial" and "Courier New" throughout - both contain Unicode chars) I can type/view Unicode chars throughout the system (except file names in Konqueror) with no problem. My (initial) problem: While creating a new file (right-click > new > text file) I type a name containing both, english and russian (cyrillic) chars. While typing the name, all characters are displayed correctly. Upon pressing Enter, the new file name is saved, but displayed with all Cyrillic chars converted to question marks. My discussion/understanding of the problem: I read all the bugs/discussions on related issues and understand that to display the file name in a correct way requires a correct setting of LANG var prior to starting of KDE. Unfortunately, most of the comments suggests to set the LANG var to the actual locale. Very few posts mention that similar results (at least for non-double-byte chars) can be achieved by keeping the LANG in default, but UTF-8 enabled setting (i.e. en_US.utf8) Switching to LANG=ru_RU (in my case) would solve the problem with filenames, but screws up the system in many other ways (fonts/console/etc). The problem lies in the difficulty it took for me to arrive to this particular solution. At first, it just looked like a KDE bug. I could also bug Pat (Slackware "overlord") about switching from LANG=en_US to LANG=en_US.utf8 as default setting, but here is his answer to that: [quote] # There is also support for UTF-8 locales, but be aware that # some programs are not yet able to handle UTF-8 and will fail to # run properly. In those cases, you can set LANG=C before # starting them. Still, I'd avoid UTF unless you actually need it. [/quote] It is possible there are other distros that don't set .utf8 by default. So... My proposed solution: I suggest to notify the KDE user when he enters a name that might not display correctly. When to notify: 1. When file name is entered, Konqueror can try to check the string for chars that don't correspond to LANG value (i.e. if LANG is NEITHER *.utf8 NOR locale specific (ru_RU in my case)) The message may warn of the potential problem, offer suggestion (add .utf8 or switch to particular locale specific), and provide "Don't show this again" check box. 2. On setting of new keyboard layout, KDE can check if LANG setting will support viewing of the filenames typed in that language and warn in manner similar to #1. I understand that the proposed solutions will not cover all the cases when a potentially "incompatible" file name is introduced to the file system, but when/if user is met with the problem and is trying to solve it, s/he will surely be bumping against either #1 or #2. PS. It took me somewhat like 2 months (and 4+ intermediate linux experience) to solve this problem. Plz! Save other users the hassle.
I agree with you. If you don't mind, I'm changing the summary to better reflect your wish.