HI there.
First question:
I want to be able to make a certain type of folder, that when clicked on, runs a script to handle it. I don't really care how, but having a .gz file and extracting it to a temp directory every time the folder is run seems a bit wasteful to me. is there a way i could trick nautilus into thinking a folder is a file (maybe if i renamed the folder .spt for example), or making it diferentiate between folders?

My second question:
When gnome is fun for the first time by a user, it sets up a heap of defaults and a desktop etc for the user. where does it store these defaults and how can i alter them?

Thanks guys

dont understand the folder running question at all - surely you only have to extract a .gz once when you download it??

All i do is create a folder , move the .gz to it , then right click 'extract here'.

As for customisation change the desktop background by right clicking it (as in Windows).

To customise the icons on the bottom toolbar(the one thats like the Windows quick lauch) right click an existing one to remove, or right click an empty space to add one.

sorry, i wanted to change the DEFAULT settings, like in redhat if i start a new user it sets up certain settings, but in mandrake or gentoo it sets up different ones. where are these defaults stored?

They are hidden files in the home directory. Open your browser and check the "show hidden files" option.