Configuring apps on single user machines: /etc/ vs $HOME

Hi all,
As you know, many applications, such as Xpdf, can be configured via RC files stored either globally (usually in /etc) or locally (in /home/<user>/.*rc). Naturally, on multi-user machines, a user-specific configurations go in that user's home directory. But what about on single user machines? I'm just wondering whether there are any advantages or disadvantages to configuring your application preferences in /etc as opposed to in /home/<user>. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Personally, I always make changes to my own copy of the configuration in $HOME as opposed to /etc, that way if a new update comes out, I can first compare what changed between versions (example /etc/nanorc vs. /etc/nanorc.pacnew) and then see what I'd need to apply to my copy of the config, if anything.  I think it comes down to a matter of personal preference, but I like leaving the system-wide configuration found untouched so I can see what the defaults are.

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