How to create desktop (or task bar) shortcut to some file on Debian LXDE, OpenBox?

vvladimir · 06-08-2014, 02:51 AM

Using Debian (Wheezy) with LXDE/OpenBox.

I would like to have shortcut to Eclipse IDE either on desktop or on the bottom panel.

I know how to add items(panel applets) to panel at the bottom - as shortcut to some application. But, with Eclipse IDE its different, because Eclipse comes as separate folder, inside which is executable "eclipse" file. Eclipse is not installed via repositories (using apt-get, or Synaptic manager) and therefore it is not integrated as other software under certain start menu application category.

So, simply put: "How can I add a shortcut (either on Desktop or bottom panel) that is shortcut to certain file"?

(There isn't any "Send to Desktop/Create a shortcut" option in LXDE)

jdkaye · 06-08-2014, 03:11 AM

I don't have LXDE installed (I use KDE) but when you right-click on the desktop doesn't a menu appear? If it does there may be an item "Create new" with an arrow pointing to a drop down menu. If so, then one of the items would be "Link to Application" which you could fill in to point to whatever you want.

Alternatively, you could look in your ~/Desktop folder and see if there are any .desktop files that you could model your new shortcut on. Here's one I created:

Code:

[Desktop Entry]
Comment[en_GB]=
Comment=
Comment[en_US]=
Encoding=UTF-8
Exec=/opt/libreoffice4.2/program/swriter
GenericName[en_GB]=OpenOffice4.0
GenericName=OpenOffice4.0
GenericName[en_US]=OpenOffice3.2
Icon=/home/jdkaye/Desktop_stuff/1387920687_soffice.png
MimeType=application/vnd.wordperfect;application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.text-template;application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.text;application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet-template;application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet;application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.presentation-template;application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.presentation;application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.image;application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.graphics-template;application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.graphics;application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.formula;application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.chart;application/vnd.ms-powerpoint;application/vnd.ms-excel;
Name[en_GB]=Libre4.2
Name=Libre4.2
Name[en_US]=OOo3.2
Path=
StartupNotify=true
Terminal=false
TerminalOptions=
Type=Application
X-DBUS-ServiceName=
X-DBUS-StartupType=
X-DCOP-ServiceType=none
X-KDE-SubstituteUID=false
X-KDE-Username=

jdk

vvladimir · 06-08-2014, 06:40 AM

@jdkaye - Thanks for reply

Right click on desktop does bring a menu, that has "Create new" item, and then there are only options for new "Folder" and "Blank file". There isn't an item for "Link to application". Currently, there are only couple folders and files on my Desktop - there isn't any application link/shortcut.

---------- Post added 06-08-14 at 01:41 PM ----------

@jdkaye - Thanks for reply

Right click on desktop does bring a menu, that has "Create new" item, and then there are only options for new "Folder" and "Blank file". There isn't an item for "Link to application". Currently, there are only couple folders and files on my Desktop - there isn't any application link/shortcut.