Group and hide user-level application data

[kaffeeringe]

The problem:

Several apps in Nextcloud have their own attachment or data folder in the user's root folder. These folders clutter the users's root folder and unnecessary complicates the interface.

Proposed solution:

We think it's best to group all these folders into a hidden .appdata folder.

This solution removes the noise for non-advanced users who will primarily access this data from the apps it belongs to, while still make the data available in files for advanced users, by toggling the display of hidden folders on.

[kaffeeringe]

Moreover users aren't tempted to delete these files or use the folder like a regular one.

I created for myself the hidden .system-folder an configured all plugins to store their stuff there:

[kaffeeringe]

It is also really impractical that every user has to make this setting for themselves. It would be good if an admin could set centrally in which folder plugins should save their attachments.

It's a great feature of Nextcloud that every user can set this differently. But there simply has to be a really good default setting that doesn't confuse new users.

[vbelloir]

I totally agree with this issue.
For newbie user, they may delete folder they don't create themself.
Also, if many apps are used, and each of them create a specific folder at user root folder, It is a mess, and not readable.

I would prefer hidden folders, or a root folder apps, with sub-folders Deck, calendar, collectives, talk.....

[juliusknorr]

@nextcloud/designers for input

[szaimen]

I like the idea to put these files into a hidden folder by default 👍

[ornanovitch]

That would be a really great improvement, especially for servers with a lot of collaborative apps enabled (Deck, Calendar, Collective for eg.), and especially since all apps do not permit to change the app data folder. I have a lot of users confused about those folders.