Synaptic apps don't appear in Main Menu

fkasmani · 04-05-2010, 12:44 PM

I'm using Linux Mint 8 Helena, and from time to time keep installing apps from synaptic. However, many times the apps I install do not appear in the Main Menu. I've even tried going to the "Main Menu" options in the Control Center, but do not see the apps unchecked anywhere there - I've even tried restarting, but no luck.

spoovy · 04-05-2010, 12:46 PM

Menu auto-updating is never perfect, there will always be some cases where new programs don't appear for some reason. There is usually a way around it though.

Look in /usr/share/applications, is it full of .desktop files?

fkasmani · 04-06-2010, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoovy

Menu auto-updating is never perfect, there will always be some cases where new programs don't appear for some reason. There is usually a way around it though.

Look in /usr/share/applications, is it full of .desktop files?

Thanks.

there is nota single .desktop file in there. however, I see "shortcut's" to all apps that are there in the main menu, but those which are not in the main menu are not there.

spoovy · 04-06-2010, 08:06 AM

Shortcuts? What do you mean by that exactly?

I assume this means you are using a file manager (thunar?) to navigate around btw. Its best to use the shell (terminal) if you know how to.

So, open a terminal and navigate to the same directory. Like this -

Code:

cd /usr/share/applications

then

Code:

ls -lA

This should show you all files in that directory. Paste the contents here.

fkasmani · 04-07-2010, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoovy

Shortcuts? What do you mean by that exactly?

like we have in windows - where we can double-click on them to open the respective programs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoovy

I assume this means you are using a file manager (thunar?) to navigate around btw. Its best to use the shell (terminal) if you know how to.

yes, I was using the GUI filemanager (don't know what it's called, though).

So, open a terminal and navigate to the same directory. Like this -

Code:

cd /usr/share/applications

then

Code:

ls -lA

This should show you all files in that directory. Paste the contents here.[/QUOTE]
WOW!! here's the result:

Code:

total 1068
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   429 2009-10-05 07:07 alacarte.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   455 2009-10-22 11:22 amsn.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  3197 2009-12-07 05:12 apport-gtk-mime.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   266 2009-09-28 07:16 aptoncd.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   253 2009-10-07 12:38 assistant-qt3.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  2559 2008-08-19 16:14 atomix.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   522 2009-10-20 01:03 at-properties.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  2029 2009-10-17 00:15 avant-window-navigator.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  2617 2009-10-17 00:15 awn-manager.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   435 2009-10-23 20:19 baobab.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   386 2009-09-22 04:26 blackjack.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   482 2009-10-14 13:23 bluetooth-properties.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  3160 2009-10-30 04:20 brasero-copy-medium.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  3859 2009-10-30 04:20 brasero.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   504 2009-10-30 04:20 brasero-nautilus.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  3062 2009-03-10 05:00 ccsm.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   269 2009-11-06 04:19 checkbox-gtk.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  3641 2009-10-19 18:10 cheese.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   392 2009-08-26 14:54 childsplay.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  1023 2009-10-20 06:34 compiz.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   374 2009-10-12 11:21 computer-janitor-gtk.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   503 2009-10-20 01:03 default-applications.desktop
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root    24 2010-03-09 08:07 defaults.list -> /etc/gnome/defaults.list
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  3311 2009-06-24 06:27 dia-common.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   443 2009-10-20 01:03 display-properties.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  4832 2009-04-03 15:05 edubuntu-about.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   173 2009-06-25 12:49 emesene.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  3372 2009-10-29 11:02 empathy.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   762 2009-10-20 00:46 eog.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   242 2009-03-22 14:49 escape-sdl.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   188 2008-10-10 10:03 etherape.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   283 2008-10-10 10:03 etherape-root.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   852 2009-11-11 03:04 evince.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   465 2009-11-03 16:45 evolution-2.2.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  4587 2009-11-03 16:43 evolution.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   451 2009-11-03 16:45 evolution-mail.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  1528 2009-10-19 18:51 file-roller.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  2932 2009-11-03 11:54 file-uploader.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   388 2009-10-13 18:36 filezilla.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  2401 2010-02-14 18:17 firefox.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   194 2009-10-19 23:02 flblocks.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   189 2009-10-19 23:02 flcheckers.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   247 2009-07-04 15:55 flegita.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   186 2009-10-19 23:02 flsudoku.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 10799 2009-11-06 04:20 f-spot.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  8182 2009-11-06 04:20 f-spot-import.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  6769 2009-11-06 04:20 f-spot-view.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   470 2010-02-22 12:05 gcalctool.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  9720 2009-06-09 13:11 gcompris.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  3623 2009-06-09 13:11 gcompris-edit.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   404 2009-09-21 08:08 gconf-editor.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   381 2009-09-23 08:27 gdebi.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   385 2009-05-29 08:35 gdesklets.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   316 2009-12-07 03:17 gdmsetup.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  2743 2009-10-19 23:05 gedit.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   450 2009-10-19 23:46 ggl-designer.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   493 2009-10-19 23:46 ggl-gtk.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   435 2009-03-22 14:49 ggzboard.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   434 2008-05-10 21:31 ggz-gnome.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   902 2010-01-05 10:31 gimp.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   289 2009-05-11 14:27 giver.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   338 2009-05-06 08:27 gksu.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   458 2009-09-22 04:26 glchess.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   401 2009-09-22 04:26 glines.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   270 2009-10-02 08:30 gmenu-simple-editor.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   180 2010-01-04 11:20 gnaughty.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   383 2009-09-22 04:26 gnect.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   375 2009-09-22 04:26 gnibbles.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   398 2009-09-22 04:27 gnobots2.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   394 2009-11-03 04:35 gnome-about.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   423 2009-10-20 01:03 gnome-about-me.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   454 2009-10-20 01:03 gnome-appearance-properties.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   226 2008-08-04 20:43 gnome-art.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   436 2009-10-20 01:03 gnomecc.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   485 2009-10-23 20:19 gnome-dictionary.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   483 2009-10-20 01:03 gnome-font-viewer.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  2318 2009-10-23 15:20 gnome-mplayer.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   382 2009-09-23 06:13 gnome-nettool.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   468 2009-10-20 01:03 gnome-network-properties.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   542 2009-10-19 08:59 gnome-panel.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   535 2010-01-28 04:06 gnome-power-preferences.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   419 2010-03-05 12:30 gnome-screensaver-preferences.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   455 2009-10-23 20:19 gnome-screenshot.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   461 2009-10-23 20:19 gnome-search-tool.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   416 2009-10-20 01:03 gnome-settings-mouse.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   439 2009-10-07 11:58 gnome-sound-recorder.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   232 2008-08-04 20:43 gnome-splashscreen-manager.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   410 2009-09-22 04:27 gnome-sudoku.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   457 2009-10-23 20:19 gnome-system-log.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   458 2009-09-21 06:54 gnome-system-monitor.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   452 2009-10-20 00:32 gnome-terminal.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   502 2009-10-20 01:03 gnome-theme-installer.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   380 2009-09-22 04:27 gnometris.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   430 2009-10-07 11:58 gnome-volume-control.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   361 2009-10-23 05:51 gnome-wm.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   377 2009-09-22 04:27 gnomine.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   396 2009-09-22 04:27 gnotravex.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   378 2009-09-22 04:27 gnotski.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   247 2009-09-08 04:05 gobby.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   248 2009-10-12 02:10 gpaint.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   277 2009-10-06 03:40 gparted.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   392 2009-06-03 03:42 gpilotd-control-applet.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   458 2009-10-07 11:58 gstreamer-properties.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   377 2009-09-22 04:27 gtali.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   286 2009-10-12 09:29 gtk-recordmydesktop.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   379 2009-09-21 16:41 gucharmap.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  1566 2009-10-25 15:53 gufw.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   334 2009-11-08 01:34 gyachi.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   236 2009-10-31 10:55 hardinfo.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   288 2009-10-09 12:03 hp-fab.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   311 2009-10-09 12:03 hplip.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   265 2009-10-09 12:03 hplip-kubuntu.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   426 2009-10-19 03:52 hplj1020.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   278 2009-10-09 12:03 hp-sendfax.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   390 2009-09-22 04:27 iagno.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   240 2009-11-05 07:07 ibus-setup.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   342 2009-10-14 17:56 inkscape.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   256 2009-11-10 03:19 jockey-gtk.desktop
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root  4096 2010-03-31 05:30 kde
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root  4096 2010-03-30 00:44 kde4
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   480 2009-10-20 01:03 keybinding.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   445 2009-10-20 01:03 keyboard.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   310 2009-10-23 19:48 language-selector.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  2621 2009-09-24 09:19 liferea.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   137 2009-10-24 20:53 LiVES.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   403 2009-09-22 04:27 mahjongg.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   325 2009-10-19 12:37 manage-print-jobs.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   127 2008-05-10 12:31 MathWar.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   519 2010-02-02 11:58 metacity.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  2974 2009-08-22 14:18 midori.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 22378 2010-03-31 05:30 mimeinfo.cache
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  3338 2009-11-05 10:09 mintBackup.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  3384 2009-11-05 10:09 mintBackup_mime.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  3397 2009-11-03 06:03 mintDesktop.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  3605 2009-11-19 12:34 mintInstall.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  3639 2009-11-19 12:34 mintInstall_mime.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  3848 2009-11-03 05:47 mintNanny.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  4597 2010-02-22 08:06 mintUpdate.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   260 2008-05-10 21:31 motd-editor.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   343 2009-11-23 05:20 mount-archive.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  1304 2009-12-08 23:32 mplayer.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   277 2009-10-19 12:37 my-default-printer.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   294 2009-06-15 16:51 nact.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   422 2009-11-23 05:20 nautilus-autorun-software.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   476 2009-11-23 05:20 nautilus-browser.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   459 2009-11-23 05:20 nautilus-computer.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   455 2009-11-23 05:20 nautilus.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   496 2009-11-23 05:20 nautilus-file-management-properties.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   474 2009-11-23 05:20 nautilus-folder-handler.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   371 2009-11-23 05:20 nautilus-home.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  2535 2008-10-07 17:19 ndisgtk.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  2546 2008-10-07 17:19 ndisgtk-kde.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   293 2009-11-23 05:20 network-scheme.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   437 2009-10-14 18:42 nm-connection-editor.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   338 2009-10-12 16:46 onboard.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   360 2009-10-12 16:46 onboard-settings.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  8935 2010-02-19 21:49 openoffice.org-base.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  9194 2010-02-19 21:49 openoffice.org-calc.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  6841 2010-02-19 21:49 openoffice.org-draw.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  9038 2010-02-19 21:49 openoffice.org-impress.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  7467 2010-02-19 21:49 openoffice.org-math.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 10130 2010-02-19 21:49 openoffice.org-writer.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  1061 2009-11-20 13:19 opera.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  4212 2009-10-19 22:33 orca.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   268 2009-04-18 13:47 padevchooser.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   271 2009-10-12 12:49 palimpsest.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   206 2009-04-03 17:34 paman.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  5983 2009-09-08 20:28 paprefs.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  5490 2009-08-05 14:13 pavucontrol.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   262 2008-01-13 13:42 pavumeter.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   268 2008-01-13 13:42 pavumeter-record.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  7885 2009-09-22 16:39 pessulus.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   306 2010-02-19 23:03 pidgin.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   187 2009-05-02 08:45 pixfrogger.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   248 2009-04-17 10:21 pyscrabble.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   220 2010-01-20 17:01 python2.5.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   220 2009-12-07 13:30 python2.6.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   209 2009-02-24 17:47 qcad.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  3933 2010-01-16 10:28 rhythmbox.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   406 2009-09-22 04:27 same-gnome.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   390 2008-06-04 07:31 screenlets-manager.desktop
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root  4096 2010-03-29 06:12 screensavers
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  2142 2009-05-18 01:47 scribus.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   423 2009-10-19 03:53 seahorse.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   476 2009-10-23 05:51 session-properties.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   483 2009-10-22 15:47 shares.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  1213 2009-03-09 15:02 simple-ccsm.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   161 2010-01-18 04:44 skype.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  4763 2009-11-02 11:02 software-properties-gtk.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   500 2009-09-22 04:26 sol.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   231 2009-08-11 08:38 sun-java6-controlpanel.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   276 2009-08-11 08:38 sun-java6-java.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   256 2009-08-11 08:38 sun-java6-javaws.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   211 2009-08-11 08:38 sun-java6-policytool.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   353 2009-10-15 12:15 synaptic.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  6554 2009-10-15 12:15 synaptic-kde.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   304 2009-10-19 12:37 system-config-printer.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   114 2009-07-24 13:34 tetzle.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  1107 2010-03-17 14:08 thunderbird.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   404 2009-10-22 15:47 time.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 10115 2009-10-06 02:31 tomboy.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   285 2009-06-15 12:42 torcs.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  2306 2009-11-11 03:09 totem.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   336 2010-01-13 14:22 transmission.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   374 2009-05-03 12:42 trigger-rally.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   272 2009-09-18 06:33 tsclient.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   173 2009-05-11 07:31 tuxmath.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  8131 2008-08-28 06:22 tuxpaint.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   249 2009-10-17 03:50 tuxtype.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   258 2009-10-19 08:59 ubuntu-about.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   280 2009-12-21 12:06 ubuntuone-client-applet.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   341 2010-01-16 10:22 ubuntu-software-center.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   256 2009-11-02 03:13 update-manager.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  2446 2009-11-03 11:54 upload-manager.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   315 2009-10-22 17:59 usb-creator-gtk.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   415 2009-10-22 15:47 users.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   287 2009-03-22 14:49 vibora.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   403 2009-10-19 07:36 vinagre.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   382 2009-10-19 07:36 vinagre-file.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   453 2009-10-20 04:41 vino-preferences.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   635 2010-02-12 13:34 virtualbox.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   446 2009-10-20 01:03 window-properties.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   559 2009-10-26 04:49 wine-browsedrive.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  1063 2009-10-26 04:49 wine.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   393 2009-03-16 09:21 wine-doors.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   452 2009-10-26 04:49 wine-notepad.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   675 2009-10-26 04:49 wine-uninstaller.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   689 2009-10-26 04:49 wine-winecfg.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   285 2009-10-04 02:18 winff.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   266 2009-03-22 14:49 xadrez-chines.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   219 2008-08-27 19:40 xaos.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   519 2009-11-18 04:37 xchat.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   233 2009-11-05 07:03 xsane.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   260 2009-12-10 11:04 xvidcap.desktop
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root   351 2009-10-15 10:34 yelp.desktop

spoovy · 04-07-2010, 03:59 AM

You get quite a different picture of what's going on when using the shell don't you!

So these files are in fact ".desktop" files, as I suspected. This is good!

So if you now want to create a new menu entry, in the same category as Empathy for example, you could open that file in a text editor (gedit in this case) -

Code:

sudo gedit empathy.desktop

Then save it (in the same folder) as something else "newprog.desktop"

then edit the various fields to make it reflect your new program. Basically everywhere you see empathy written down, substitute in the name of your new program.

This is a rough way to to it, but the whole process is explained much better on the freedesktop.org website. Have a look at this for starters -

http://standards.freedesktop.org/men...t/ar01s08.html

fkasmani · 04-09-2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoovy

So if you now want to create a new menu entry, in the same category as Empathy for example, you could open that file in a text editor (gedit in this case) -

Code:

sudo gedit empathy.desktop

Then save it (in the same folder) as something else "newprog.desktop"

but I can't actually see all the programs I've installed from Synaptic in here - adesklets, for example....

spoovy · 04-10-2010, 04:54 AM

Yes I know that, read my posts again. You need to create a new file in this directory for each of the new programs you want to appear in the menu.

For example if one of your new programs is Sylpheed, and you want to create a menu entry for it, and you want that menu entry to be in the same category as Empathy (ie you want it listed under 'Internet' in your main menu), open empathy.desktop as I described, then edit it accordingly, then save it as a file named 'sylpheed.desktop'. You will now have .desktop files for both Empathy and Sylpheed, and entries in the menu under 'Internet' for both programs as well.

As another example, if you wanted to add an 'Adesklets' entry to the 'Others' category in your menu, then open a .desktop file that relates to any program that is listed under the 'Others' category in the main menu (eg perhaps Gnaughty is listed under 'Others' in your main menu - if so open gnaughty.desktop). Edit it, and save it under the new name - adesklets.desktop. Assuming you have edited it properly, you will now have an entry for Adesklets, listed under the 'Others' category in your main menu.