The XV image viewer does exactly what I need it to do except become the default image viewer. Since I compiled and installed it myself the system does not show it on any of the various graphics based methods of choosing it for the default viewer.

So, my question is: how to add a program Ubuntu (14.04) knows nothing about to the list of choices or what thouroughly hidden text file can I edit to change the default image viewer?

Thanks,

-Erik

I think the most straight forward way would be to open your file manager (nautilus, thunar, or whatever) and right click any file you want associated, be that jpg, png etc. Then select "Open With", put in xv and then choose to "always open with this program" or similar.

all desktops have a way to set the default program for a type of file

for images
r-click on the image
and from the properties window set the program to use to open it
-- this is also the SAME as on MS windows

also be aware that XV is very old
back in 1995 it was nice , but 19 years later ......
that rpm is for RH6 ( year 1999) and NOT RHEL6

Both those methods involve picking an application from a list that XV does not appear on and I see no way to add an application of my choice to that list.

Very frustrating!

-E

you should be able to "browse" to find the program

seeing as you built the source YOU know where you installed it

/usr
/usr/local
/????????????

Open a terminal and type this command to see the path of the program

I guess I'm not doing a good job of explaining my problem so lets try a different route.

If I right click on an image a menu opens with a number of options the second of which is "open with". Mousing over that option opens a list of image viewing applications.

How does Ubuntu know what to put on that list? That list must be kept somewhere in some form. With luck I can just edit that list.

----

Yes, I know XV is old, I know where it lives on my system. There is no way to browse for applications that have not been installed in some officially approved Ubuntu way. I just need to know the back door way of getting XV on that damn list of applications. _There is no way I can see of doing it from begining by clicking on the image._


I really feel like I'm dealing with MS Windows here. ugh.

I found these two links that deal with applications not listed when right-clicking on file to open with.

How do I set the default file association in Ubuntu 13.10 Nautilus/Files with Unity to something that is not listed in the Open With tab?


Applications missing in “other applications list” - How to change default application?

If these don't do it, then do a google search on ubuntu file association mimetypes as there are many howto's out there. Good Luck

Excellent! mimeopen -d did the trick!

Thanks much.

-Erik

Glad to see you got it working; as for this:
Depends on the application, but most will search for *.desktop files in either:
/usr/share/applications
~/.local/share/applications

I imagine if you create a *.desktop file under ~/.local/share/applications with the mimetype option set:
Which should list the application when you "open with" for a right clicked jpeg or png file.

You're Welcome!
I'm glad the link has helped your situation.