How to start programs when KDE starts
 

This seems like a common question, but I couldn't find anything on this board. I want to start a clock, gaim and other applications when KDE starts. I read that I had to edit the .xinitrc script, but when I edit it and do a startx, nothing different happens.

The last few lines of my .xinitrc file reads...

# Start the window manager:
startkde
# Starting a clock
oclock -fg red -bg blue &
# Opening a terminal
xterm -geometry 80x50+494+51

What am I doing wrong?

There's a directory called:

~/.kde/Autostart

Place a link there to all those applications you want to load when KDE starts and you're done =)

ok, great I will try that. But what about the .xinitrc file. Isn't that a better way to do it so that it isn't specific to any one window manager or desktop?

It would depend on the application, I suppose. I've got some dockapps loading with Fluxbox that are just an annoyance if I load them in KDE, so I keep them in a fluxbox startup script instead.

To answer your initial question, place the applications in xinitrc before startkde, and add a & after them.
Add if that still doesn't work, try
exec kde

Does that mean any file placed in ~/.kde/Autostart/ will be executed when KDE starts. Well, aslong as the file is executable?

yes