Most settings applications (GNOME Settings, KDE Control Center) give very limited access to managing lower level components in the system. For example, kernel management, managing groups, etc.
If they did though, in your opinion, what would be the most effective way to offer a simple experience for some users, and more control for those who need it? How would most desktops implement this “hybrid” approach?
Or should users not be able to control those things graphically at all?
Yes, it calles yast2 and it is very good imo. It is one of the reasons I’m keen to recommend OpenSUSE to beginners.