Hello everyone,

I tried to add a new launcher to a xfce panel on an Ubuntu 9.04. The problem is that I want to create a launcher for a .txt file - and the launcher does not give me the option of choosing "type". I read the following:

"Launcher Properties

When you create or edit a launcher, the following properties can be set:
Type Use the drop-down list to specify whether this launcher starts an application or opens a document:
Application The launcher starts an application.
Application in Terminal The launcher starts an application in a terminal.
File The launcher opens a file."


Problem is: I don't have this drop down menu from where I can choose the type. Is this because of the Ubuntu version/Panel version?

Any ideas how to solve this?

Thanks!

Linux.Girl

A launcher "for a text file"? Very easy, just right click the file and Send To Desktop, it will create a shortcut link you can double click at the Desktop; or you may use 'ln' command. Go the folder of that "text file" you said, open terminal here, ...

linuxGirl@host--$ ln -s ./name-of-your-textfile /home/yourhome/Desktop/name-of-link

Ah... so you mean you wanted to create a launcher button on the panel for your text editor? Under Xfce that's very easy. Ubuntu has simple ways of doing that, I am using Slackware Xfce. Just try this if it will work under Ubuntu:

1) Right click the panel where you want to put the launcher button.
2) Click Add New Item, then click Launcher, then click Add, a configuration button should open before you. What is important is the Command entry, into the slot, enter the following: /usr/bin/mousepad. Having this in order you can proceed to choose an icon click the ^ button for choices. Write anything you wish under Name say "Text Editor" will do, then under Description you can write anything "Linux:GirlsEditor" or anything. Click close. Check and try your new launcher.
3) If by mistake you miss the configuration window you can find the newly created empty launcher button at the panel, right click it, choose Properties, then you will configure it the same way above.

Hope it helps. Good luck and enjoy.

1 members found this post helpful.

Hi my friend, thank you so much for your answer, but I guess I didn't explain myself as well as I should have:

I do NOT want to make a launcher in the Desktop and I do NOT want to make a launcher for a text editor. What I want is to make a launcher for a SPECIFIC text file and put this launcher in the panel. So when I click on that launcher, it will open that specific file (as opposed to just the text editor).

I read that: "To choose which TYPE of launcher you want, Use the drop-down list to specify whether this launcher starts an application or opens a document:
If on the drop-down list you choose "File", then the launcher opens a file."

Problem is I do not have that drop-down list, so I cannot choose the TYPE option FILE (which is the one I need) - so I was wondering:

a) Why dont I have the drop-down list with the TYPE options?
b) Is there a work around that?

Thanks!

Linux.Girl

Maybe ubuntu-xfce has a different implementation from that of gnome. But the nice thing with Xfce is that it is a hacking DE, it is easily hack-able by the user than either gnome or kde and that's why it leave the user to do it in many ways.

Quote:

b) Is there a work around that?

Yes. Just follow exactly the three steps I gave you above. I have tried it in my slackware and the launcher ran the text file in one click. This time, under second step <(b) above> you need to enter the file.txt as default target of the mousepad, this way:

Command: "/usr/bin/mousepad /home/girl/mytextfile"
<Note the space after mousepad.>

As I have said I tried it and it ran, there is greater possibility that it will under ubuntu.

Good luck.

1 members found this post helpful.

It worked, million thanks for the helpful post!!!!

Am happy to know that.

Enjoy Gnu/Linux.

Just another possible option - works on Ubuntu/Gnome - should (might?) work on XFCE. I have a text file which I use to keep notes of phone conversations. I created a launcher to it on the panel as follows:

Right click on panel - Add to panel; Custom application launcher
Select the Type as Location
Enter the path to the file in Location preceded by file:// (file:///data/phone.log in my case)

The launcher opens the file in my preferred editor, gedit. If I change my default editor for text files I would expect the launcher to respect the change without having to modify it. Guess I need to test my theory some day

Ken

1 members found this post helpful.

Thanks, unfortunately, I can't do "select type" as I don't have this option. But I already solved the problem following malekmustaq's advice.

It's not possible to launch a text file, unless it's an executable script.

It's also possible to launch a text editor with the text file as an argument.