The same happens in Ubuntu too. In my skel directory there are 3 hidden (dot) files: .bash_logout .bashrc and .profile. Non of this files are needed...
before they started messing with X you could simply edit the xorg.conf to get the resolution/refresh you needed . Given a chance they will "improve"...
while the choice of default apps does not affect me as long as alternatives are available , I think that there should be consistency between releases...