What apps are you trying to install that don't have menu entries?

As was already stated, you can use the Alacarte menu editor in Gnome to add menu entries.

Also, some applications are not appropriate to include in the menu. Mostly, these are command-line applications.

In Linux, executables reside in one of several places: /bin (System apps), /sbin (System apps for only root to use), /usr/bin (most apps), /usr/sbin (other apps, for root only).

Try typing the name of the program you installed at the command line. Type some of the name, and press tab and see if your app is there.

When you apply updates in Ubuntu (I take it you use the notifier applet that tells you when you have updates), there should not be any new applications installed - only updates for already installed ones.

As for the codecs and the large command you had to copy and paste, it is generally easier for experienced members to post a single command that can be copied, rather than instructions like "click here, click there, look for this, click ....". I think the "proprietary codecs" are actually reverse engineered. Technically, they are not stolen, but they are also not "free" as defined by the Free Software Foundation. Therefore, many distros such as Debian and Ubuntu which value "freedom" as in liberty do not include any programs that breach this.

--Ian

Why is anyone bothering to try to help this ill-mannered and ungracious jerk?

Because we are nice people

[QUOTE=jbrush]

---------------------
Personally, I just use Alacarte Menu Editor (in the Applications->Accessories menu) to add the app to a menu.
----------------

Now I know something is awry, as there is no such thing in any of my menus :-) Is that something you added, or should it be there? Maybe my install was bad from the start?

--------------------------

I'm not sure what version you're using. I'm running 6.06, and Alacarte was automatically installed with the distro. If it's not on your system, you should be able to find and install it from the Accessories menu in Synaptic...

Exactly. Furthermore, this is a community-sponsored HELP forum, not a bitch-fest. Some people should stay on a Yahoo message board where they belong...

And just exactly where has he been ungracious to you?? He's expressed much appreciation for my efforts.

Well, believe it or not, I have learned a lot from what has been suggested here. Lots of things I didn't mean to learn, but figured out anyway :-)

Still not having a lot of success in getting packages to appear. I wonder if something is just not set up properly.... Its 6.10, no Alacarte, and its not under the Synaptic installer either.

However, random searching through my system, has revealed a whole lot of packages that I thought would have been installed automagically with the installer, but I opened the packages, and chose to install them again. I watched the output, searched for the files, and found no exectuables. For instance, Xvncviewer was chosen to be installed, the packages is on my system now, and there are alot of files called Xvnc*.*, but none of them execute. Same for XnView. I see a number of files, I see the package, but there is nothing that will execute.

I haven't done any popular installs, like AbiWord so I am gonna do that one, and see if it puts it in the menu. It may well be as was pointed out, that some apps are not ubuntu 'originals' and as such, just don't end up on the desktop or a menu, and those are the ones I have chosen, such as above.

I did make a mistake, by doing too many installs/updates at once, and ought to have been more meticulous about what I was getting, just to help track it. Live and learn <shrug>

On the plus side, as I said, I am getting a bit more of a feel for things, so your patience is appreciated. I know I got snitty, but I am working on repenting. <g> The goal never was to be a smartass, but to get some help, and to explain where I was coming from.

Is it possible that something is simply not set up correctly from my original install? I am considering starting over. Time I got, broadband makes updates fast, and its just not that difficult to redo it, since I haven't really done a lot of custom stuff, or major installs. Just a thought.

Much obliged for any assistance.

John

P.S. are there any really impressive file managers for Gnome. The basics are okay, but I would like to see some others if they are recommended. I like double pane setups.

Xvncviewer's executable is called "xvncviewer" (note no capital X, Linux is case-sensitive). Try typing in a terminal "xvn" (no quotes) and press tab and see what happens.

I don't know about any double-paned file managers for Gnome. There is the text based "mc" which I believe is excellent. Konqueror from KDE will also do a double-paned view.

I doubt anything has gone wrong with the initial install.

I suggest that you learn how to use aptitude. This is a command line package installer, that has the same function as Synaptic. It has more advanced features, and tends to give better error messages. You can search for a package like this (example):
which will give you an output like:
You can then install the package xvncviewer using:
I hope this helps
--Ian

I almost forgot, from the repositories, Install XMMS. It will automatically install MP3 support. Its kind of a Windows Media Player clone, and only plays mp3 files, but it works quite well(playlists, etc..)

I've never used Alacarte, but its in the repositories for me. Try this...

Open Synaptic Package Mgr
Click Settings/Repositories
On the "Ubuntu 6.10", check all those boxes.
Accept any changes.
Then Click "Reload" to reload the package manager, and it will load any of the repos you just added. Then search for alacarte again.

Most installs put a menu entry in(at least they always have for me, with a very few exceptions)

IGF

[QUOTE=IndyGunFreak...Its kind of a Windows Media Player clone, and only plays mp3 files, but it works quite well(playlists, etc..)[/QUOTE]
It's actually more of a Winamp clone, most people that have seen it on my PC mistook it for Winamp, but that's trivial.
Hope this thread doesn't go completely nuts yet, at least the worst "offenders" seem to have left, not that I have anything personal against them, it's just seems a waste of time and thread space to get mad at each other hear. Whatever.

You appear to be a well prepared and clever troll. you DO KNOW what you are talking about but at the end you are STILL only a troll.

May I ask at whom you are directing your post?

Can you not open Synaptic Package Mgr and do a search for what you want,and then load it from there?

Yes, but when the installation is done, I don't know where to find the file, to run it. I am gonna back it down, and spend some time on the weekend with specific installs, doing some of the more 'popular' ones, as well as perhaps the more mundane. I think I am guilty of doing too much, all at once, instead of taking it easy and keeping it simple.

Funny, I know better, been doing computers and OS's for decades, but I thought I would just take a shortcut, and it rather blew up. :-) I did install a vnc viewer, and it appeared on the menu (hooray!) but when I open it, it tries to open xnview picture viewer, and leaves me with the message that it cannot open the file <g> I am not looking to figure that one out, as like I said, I need to back up and keep it small, until I get more proficient.

Thanks a lot.

John

Just a note;

X Northern Captain is an excellent double-paned, multi-window file manager. While not specifically directed at Gnome or Ubuntu, it is in the Synaptic repo (listed as "XNC"). I find the current "build" version works quite well.

Bill