how do i do this bright light source effect that seems so prevalent on many kde icons here. (that looks suspiciously like an actual kde icon now i think about it).

I guess you can use GIMP for icons, but I find it easier to use a vector graphics program like Inkscape (www.inkscape.org). That way you can resize the icon later.

Either way, you just add a radial gradient (white -> transparent) on top of whatever you are drawing.

it can also be done with |Filters|Light effects|Lighting effects.

Dunno, don't use Gimp, but you could use a semi-transparent soft edged brush and click on it once to create a circle with gradient edges.

Did anyone understand any of that?