Cannot execute .desktop package

Jickler · 09-06-2011, 01:48 PM

Hey all,

Hope this in the right forum to (considered desktop forum), apologies if it has to be moved.

I'm running a Smeegol distribution (MeeGo on top of OpenSUSE), which prohibits me from using the typical right click to add launcher to program menu method. I've installed a piece of notetaking software (KeepNote), and I'd very much like it to show up in my distro's application menu. It was installed via downloading source and running an included setup.py file. It will run perfectly when I run "keepnote" in terminal.

I was originally trying to write my own .desktop file for it, but found a .desktop while poking around in the source folder. I moved it into /usr/share/applications and it shows up in the program bar but I can't get it to do anything either from the program bar or by doubleclicking it in the file browser. While trying to get it to work, I've also chowned it to root and made sure it's set to run as an executable.

I doubt that the issue is caused by the actual .desktop file because the one that I wrote will also not work, but I'll post the contents just in case. Thanks for any help!

Code:

#!/usr/bin/env xdg-open
[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Type=Application
Name=KeepNote
GenericName=Note-taking Application
Icon=/home/nfd/Files/Static Files/Icons/keepnote.png
Exec=keepnote %f
Categories=Office
#MimeType=
#Terminal=false
#StartupNotify=false

kasl33 · 09-06-2011, 02:46 PM

Right-click on the icon, click on Properties, and tell me what the command is?

If there isn't a command, you will need to put it in there ( /usr/bin/program_name usually ).

If you want to edit the menuitem, do this:

- Press Alt+F2
- type this: alacarte

Jickler · 09-06-2011, 03:19 PM

It's set to

Code:

keepnote %f

I whereis'd keepnote and put in /usr/local/bin/keepnote via alacarte, but that didn't work either. I navigated to that directory in the file browser, and it failed to open by doubleclicking it. Could that be the wrong directory? I'm also wondering if it could be related to using the python installer?

To reiterate, it runs fine by typing "keepnote" into a terminal prompt.

Thanks!

kasl33 · 09-06-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jickler

It's set to

Code:

keepnote %f

I whereis'd keepnote and put in /usr/local/bin/keepnote via alacarte, but that didn't work either. I navigated to that directory in the file browser, and it failed to open by doubleclicking it. Could that be the wrong directory? I'm also wondering if it could be related to using the python installer?

To reiterate, it runs fine by typing "keepnote" into a terminal prompt.

Thanks!

That's strange. I'm not familiar with the keepnote program or what the %f option is for, but what happens if you remove the %f from the command?

Jickler · 09-06-2011, 03:33 PM

I dropped the f via alacarte so it now just reads "keepnote" but still no luck

Just to test, I executed "keepnote %f" in terminal (not sure if those arguments translate), and it opened KeepNote, and KeepNote tried (and failed) to open "%f"

John VV · 09-06-2011, 05:05 PM

a few things
I take it the icon also dose not work

Quote:

Icon=/home/nfd/Files/Static Files/Icons/keepnote.png

see the space in the location -- remove that

also is this " keepnote " program installed in "/home/nfd/Files/Static Files" -- again a space in the location

also suse has a nice ( AND ALREADY IN THE SYSTEM $PATH) "/home/nfd/bin"

if you must install to your home folder and not to the system install there.