Bug 185309

Version:            (using KDE 4.2.0)
OS:                Linux
Installed from:    SuSE RPMs

The name of the "file"-menu in the menubar does not reflect the contents or purpose of the menu at all. This problem is apparent in just about every GUI out there, not just KDE. But just because others make the same mistake, does not mean that KDE should do it as well.

Why should it be renamed to $appname and not something else? this approach offers several advantages when compared to other candidates:

a) MacOS uses naming-scheme like this, so it makes it easier for Mac-user to migrate to KDE

b) It makes the name of the app even more prominent to the user

c) It's "generic", so it avoids the problem if having unrelated menuentries in the menu (the problem file-menu suffers from

d) If the user uses MacOS-menubar, where the menubar is separated from the user, it helps the user determine which app is currently active by just glancing at the top-left corner of the screen

e) There is a precedent inside KDE for this behavior: Amarok uses naming-scheme like this.

The Amarok-devels blogged about this many moons ag: http://amarok.kde.org/blog/archives/140-KDE4-Improved-desktop-menubar.html

What are the reasons for continuing to use "File"-menu? Only thing I can think of is "this is the way it has been done in the past, so this is the way it will be done in the future as well!". That is, historical baggage. The actual purpose of the menu is not a good reason, since the function of the menu does not mirror the name of the menu at all. 

Some might be worried that this increases the learning-curvem, but I don't think so. Most people don't really look at the name of the "file"-menu when they want to access it, they just go for the first menu in the menubar.

Search your feelings and you know this to be true!