> How do you put directories "on the desktop" with KDE 4 ?
You have two options: place one or more "Folder View" widgets on the normal desktop containment, or change the containment type to Desktop Folder (or similar) in the desktop settings dialog. The former approach lets you arrange views of as many directories as you want; the latter recreates the KDE 3.5 desktop style, with icons from one directory of your choice directly on the desktop background.