Strangeness. I can run NetBeans from the command prompt

linux:/etc # cd /opt/NetBeans\ IDE\ 3.5.1/bin/
linux:/opt/NetBeans IDE 3.5.1/bin #./runide.sh

But it won't run from an icon I put on the desktop. The little sandtimer turns up in the panel, but then it goes away after a few seconds.

Another strange thing. Tab completion only gets me as far as /opt/NetBeans IDE 3.5.1/bin. Further tabbing usually presents a list of possible executables. I don't know what's going on here. Any help appreciated.

I'm using KDE.

Regards,
unholy

The program might require a terminal. Try something like this:

xterm -e <program>

slrn has the same problem as described by you, my 'shortcut' looks like this:

xterm +sb -fg black -bg gray -fn 8x13 -geometry 141x73-0+0 -e /usr/bin/slrn -f .jnewsrc --spool

I do a bit more, for details about all the options I use:

man xterm
When the tab gives you a list of executables (or even direcories and/or files), it's asking you to help pick one. You do this by typing the first letter and hit tab again. If there are more files beginning with the letter you typed you need to type 2 letters (and so on and so on). I usually type 2 letters before hitting tab.

Hope this helps.

Hey Drunna,
thanks, but that didn't work. I got it working by writing a script that cd's to the directory and runs the executable.

I think the executable has to be run from the directory it lives in. At least that's what I tell myself so I can sleep tonight

Thanks a lot!

Regards,
unholy