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I've been using KDE4 for some time now, after many years with KDE3. There are two related problems I see with the 4-series that day-to-day cause me aggravation:
- use of icons instead of words. I don't have a problem with offering an additional option by configuration, but WHY NOT have an 'Eject' (words) for USB devices (as an example) instead of that meaningless icon?
- Why can't I 'Delete' from the file manager without needing to know the 'secret' extra key to press? KDE3 functioned just fine with 2 removal options. I am tired of trying to delete copies of iso files after they are backed up off-line and being told 'Trash full', when I didn't want them in trash at all.

re: deletion:
1)in Dolphin -> setting -> configure Dolphin -> general -> context menu -> show 'Delete command'
2) you can add a deletion button on the toolbar
3) you can have/or not a confirmation for deletions popup

Furthermore, you can change the Delete shortcut to delete instead of moving to trash (Settings -> Configure Shortcuts... -> Delete).

This is not a valid idea since it consist of two separate ideas, and the second one is already Pre-Existing. You can repost the first idea, but please clarify:
1. Which Eject button (in Dolphin, Device Manager etc.)?
2. How should it look like? A mockup would be good.

You can also set it to automatically delete files when the trash is full.

You also need a really good reason why you don't want the icons. I guarantee that if you just say "I like it better that way" it is never going to happen. KDE developers are not going to add another configuration option without a really good reason, especially not for such a minor cosmetic change (and possibly a usability regression, since text takes a lot longer for the brain to process than images).

Hans, My comment about displaying words instead of an icon was about Device Notifier (for USB devices). An upward facing triangle doesn't mean 'Unmount and Eject' to me. I'd like the simply worded and readable option to eject the device.
google01103, thanks for pointing me to that configuration option.
TheBlackCat, This is the difference between symbol-based languages and alphabetic-based languages. And I've been reading alphabetic words since 1954. I process words better than symbols that are not representative, requiring me to see the symbol, then attach a meaning to it, before taking action.
Your responses are very much appreciated,
Alan

The rational for using the symbol is because it is a well-known (universally accepted?) symbol for eject as found on CD, DVD, BlueRay, VHS, Cassette, etc. players for many years, and will continue to be used as long as there is eject-able media. It applies well enough to USB devices where it has become accepted to run a software remove action before physically removing the device (particularly if there is write caching used which needs to be flushed to the device before removal).

Using words necessitates, among other things, finding a concise but descriptive word in each language that is as easily recognizable as the symbol.
Yes you (and most people) can figure out new words faster than new symbols because our brains have been trained to alphabet-based reading, but after you are familiar with the words and symbols, it becomes much faster to process symbols than words.

I suppose an alternative could be what Enlightenment does in their Places widget - that is they have the eject button in the entry that expands to say "Eject" when you move the mouse over it.