I have a shortcut on my KDE desktop that runs this command: "konqueror /" - which does exactly what I want it to, with one exception. By default, my "navigation panel" on the left edge of the window defaults to the services selection. I want the root file menu instead.

Is there a parameter I can pass to konqueror to preselect or preactivate a specific navigation pane?

I can't seem to find it in the documentation. It shows how to change your current navigation pane once its already visible (a mouse click), but I don't see parameter information.

I can change the defaults under this view profile, which works, but isn't exactly what I'm looking for. Is there a way to specify which view profile I want loaded via a konqueror parameter?

Okay... I found the --profile parameter, which is closer to what I wanted... but is there a way to specify the navigation pane directly?

I am in the same boat as you friend, except since I launched AmaroK I cannot get my navigation pane to leave, and i hate it. To answer you question, this can be done the same way I resolved my issue. Go into whatever you use to launch the kfmclient set it the way you want it by default. Then go to "settings" and choose "save view profile"

Load View Profile is also there and you may create a custom one too. These are also accessible in the Control Center.