Then, by using XDG variables, the user can get precisely what they want, but only from those programs which follow the XDG spec which is designed specifically t

Then, by using XDG variables, the user can get precisely what they want, but only from those programs which follow the XDG spec which is designed specifically to enable user control of the locations where files go. Some here complain about a convention (not using XDG vars) which removes user choice. Others here recognize that the convention to use XDG allows for user-defined configuration. If a user's wish is different from the XDG default convention, they can change its configuration. If a user's preference is different from the $HOME/.$program convention and the maintainers don't use XDG vars, the user is SOL.