[enriquto]

> Only on Linux do you find yourself in the situation where one application copied to the Unix clipboard, and another tries to paste from the "secondary"

This never happens if you only use the unix clipboard. I agree that both methods should point to the same clipboard, but this is an implementation detail. The important thing is the interface: selecting text copies it to the clipboard, middle-clicking pastes it.

[anentropic]

So... selecting some text by accident clears what you previously had in the clipboard?

[enriquto]

Well, of course; why would you want to keep the initial clipboard forever? This is exactly the same behavior as for ^C/^V. I don't understand the purpose of your question.

[rovolo]

> by accident

Imagine you install a 'clapper' in your bedroom to control the lights. You say "works great for me, let's install this everywhere". Someone responsible for an auditorium then says "so clapping turns the lights on and off?"

That said, I frequently use text selection as a highlighter. I will highlight lines as I'm reading text to help me keep track of which line I'm on. I also need to select text to apply formatting such as bold or add link.