Songbird on linpus (with desktop icon)

[fredlan]

I might be asking for a miracle, but is there first a way to install Songbird when using linpus?

Most importantly, can there be some sort of a desktop icon in the basic linpus interface? For example my kid and wife won't be able to go in command mode to launch the application and this is why i like for them the basic linpus interface.

Your input and help is appreciated.

Cheers from a long time Windows user that is converting to the Linux religion.

[markh]

Well, I've just had it play a song to me on linpus, so it's possible. Now, just need to replicate my steps for you...

Okay, see if this works. I tried to copy a macles guide, but couldn't make it work, so you've got the slightly bodged up version:

In terminal enter (one at a time)

Code: Select all

wget "http://download.songbirdnest.com/installer/linux/i686/Songbird_1.0.0-860_linux-i686.tar.gz"
sudo tar -zvxf Songbird_1.0.0-860_linux-i686.tar.gz --directory /opt
sudo chown user -R /opt/Songbird

You now have songbird downloaded, and should launch via /opt/Songbird/songbird . I tried to make a link into /usr/bin at this point, but couldn't make it work for some reason.

To create a .desktop file (which contains the info necessary to have a desktop icon), enter one line at a time:

Code: Select all

sudo cp /usr/share/applications/pcmmvp.desktop /usr/share/applications/songbird.desktop
sudo mousepad /usr/share/applications/songbird.desktop

This copies the existing file from the media player, and brings it up for you to edit. If you've deleted it before now, you'll have to improvise. Replace the contents with:

Code: Select all

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=Songbird
Comment=Play songs
Icon=/opt/Songbird/songbird.png
Exec=/opt/Songbird/songbird
Terminal=false
StartupNotify=true
Categories=GTK;Application;Audio;

Hopefully you're now getting an idea of the innards of a desktop file by looking at that.

To add it (or anything else) to the desktop, enter:

Code: Select all

mousepad /home/user/.config/xfce4/desktop/group-app.xml

This file controls the desktop. Scroll down to the Fun section, and add a new entry like this:

Code: Select all

<app sequence="5">/usr/share/applications/songbird.desktop</app>

You'll need to change that 5 to something appropriate (it controls where it appears in the list; don't duplicate numbers in the same section, though!)

Save, and then restart. Cross your fingers that I retraced my steps properly, and go to see if it's worked. With any luck, you also now know how to alter your desktop.

[fredlan]

Thanks Mark, I will try this on the week-end and will comment on the results.
The help is much appreciated.

Well, I've just had it play a song to me on linpus, so it's possible. Now, just need to replicate my steps for you...

Okay, see if this works. I tried to copy a macles guide, but couldn't make it work, so you've got the slightly bodged up version:

In terminal enter (one at a time)

Code: Select all

wget "http://download.songbirdnest.com/installer/linux/i686/Songbird_1.0.0-860_linux-i686.tar.gz"
sudo tar -zvxf Songbird_1.0.0-860_linux-i686.tar.gz --directory /opt
sudo chown user -R /opt/Songbird

You now have songbird downloaded, and should launch via /opt/Songbird/songbird . I tried to make a link into /usr/bin at this point, but couldn't make it work for some reason.

To create a .desktop file (which contains the info necessary to have a desktop icon), enter one line at a time:

Code: Select all

sudo cp /usr/share/applications/pcmmvp.desktop /usr/share/applications/songbird.desktop
mousepad /usr/share/applications/songbird.desktop

This copies the existing file from the media player, and brings it up for you to edit. If you've deleted it before now, you'll have to improvise. Replace the contents with:

Code: Select all

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=Songbird
Comment=Play songs
Icon=/opt/Songbird/songbird.png
Exec=/opt/Songbird/songbird
Terminal=false
StartupNotify=true
Categories=GTK;Application;Audio;

Hopefully you're now getting an idea of the innards of a desktop file by looking at that.

To add it (or anything else) to the desktop, enter:

Code: Select all

sudo mousepad /home/user/.config/xfce4/desktop/group-app.xml

This file controls the desktop. Scroll down to the Fun section, and add a new entry like this:

Code: Select all

<app sequence="5">/usr/share/applications/songbird.desktop</app>

You'll need to change that 5 to something appropriate (it controls where it appears in the list; don't duplicate numbers in the same section, though!)

Save, and then restart. Cross your fingers that I retraced my steps properly, and go to see if it's worked. With any luck, you also now know how to alter your desktop.

[fredlan]

Hi mark,
It worked up to a certain point. The songbird install and desktop icon works. The only bug is that I now have 3 page in the "Fun" menu and the songbird icon is in the third page.

Here is my XML file:

Code: Select all

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<xfdesktop>
   <upperbutton>/usr/share/desktop-directories/upperbutton.desktop</upperbutton>
        <setting exec="">/usr/share/desktop-directories/Settings.directory</setting>
        <help exec="">/usr/share/desktop-directories/help.directory</help>
<group>
       <id>1</id>
       <sequence>0</sequence>
       <!--<directory_file title="" icon="" tag_background="/usr/share/backgrounds/images/blue-bk-title.png">/usr/share/desktop-directories/Internet.directory</directory_file>-->
       <directory_file exec="" tag_background="/usr/share/backgrounds/images/home-blue-title.png">/usr/share/desktop-directories/Connect.directory</directory_file>
       <background_picture>/usr/share/backgrounds/images/blue-bk.png</background_picture>
       <app is_arrow="1" name="" sequence="-10">/usr/share/applications/blue-more.desktop</app>
</group>
  <group>
       <id>2</id>
       <sequence>1</sequence>
       <directory_file exec="" tag_background="/usr/share/backgrounds/images/home-orange-title.png">/usr/share/desktop-directories/Works.directory</directory_file>
       <background_picture>/usr/share/backgrounds/images/orange-bk.png</background_picture>
    <app is_arrow="1" name="" sequence="-10">/usr/share/applications/orange-more.desktop</app>
</group>
  <group>
       <id>3</id>
       <sequence>2</sequence>
       <directory_file exec="" tag_background="/usr/share/backgrounds/images/home-yellow-title.png">/usr/share/desktop-directories/Fun.directory</directory_file>
       <background_picture>/usr/share/backgrounds/images/yellow-bk.png</background_picture>
    <app is_arrow="1" name="" sequence="-10">/usr/share/applications/yellow-more.desktop</app>
       
</group> 

<group>
    <id>4</id>
    <sequence>3</sequence>
       <directory_file exec="" tag_background="/usr/share/backgrounds/images/home-green-title.png">/usr/share/desktop-directories/Files.directory</directory_file>
    <background_picture>/usr/share/backgrounds/images/green-bk.png</background_picture>
    <app is_arrow="1" name="" sequence="-10">/usr/share/applications/green-more.desktop</app>
</group>
<group>
       <id>5</id>
       <sequence>4</sequence>
       <directory_file exec="" tag_background="/usr/share/backgrounds/images/blue-bk-title.png">/usr/share/desktop-directories/Connect.directory</directory_file>
       <background_picture>/usr/share/backgrounds/images/blue-bk-large.png</background_picture>
    <app is_arrow="1" name="" sequence="-10">/usr/share/applications/blue-back.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="2" acs="email">/usr/share/applications/AME.desktop</app>
         <app sequence="1" acs="im">/usr/share/applications/acerim.desktop</app>
         <app sequence="0">/usr/share/applications/linpus-web.desktop</app>
       <!--app sequence="7">/usr/share/applications/skype.desktop</app-->
<!--         <app sequence="5">/usr/share/applications/luvcview.desktop</app>-->
<!--         <app icon="ftp.png" name="FTP" sequence="5">/usr/share/applications/net-gftp.desktop</app>-->
<!--    <app sequence="5" acs="rss">/usr/share/applications/acerrss.desktop</app> -->
    <app sequence="3">/usr/share/applications/acerrss.desktop</app>
          <app sequence="5">/usr/share/applications/edesktop/googlemap.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="4">/usr/share/applications/edesktop/wikipedia.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="6">/usr/share/applications/edesktop/webmail.desktop</app>
<app sequence="7">/usr/share/applications/skype.desktop</app></group>
  <group>
       <id>6</id>
       <sequence>5</sequence>
       <directory_file exec="" tag_background="/usr/share/backgrounds/images/orange-bk-title.png">/usr/share/desktop-directories/Works.directory</directory_file>
       <background_picture>/usr/share/backgrounds/images/orange-bk-large.png</background_picture>
         
        <app is_arrow="1" name="" sequence="-10">/usr/share/applications/orange-back.desktop</app>
   <app sequence="0">/usr/share/applications/openoffice.org-1.9-writer.desktop</app>
   <app sequence="1">/usr/share/applications/openoffice.org-1.9-calc.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="2">/usr/share/applications/openoffice.org-1.9-impress.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="3">/usr/share/applications/acercalendar.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="4">/usr/share/applications/acercontact.desktop</app>
    <!--app icon="burning.png" name="CD/DVD Burning" sequence="6">/usr/share/applications/gnome-gcalctool.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="6">/opt/Adobe/Reader8/Resource/Support/AdobeReader.desktop</app>-->
    <app sequence="5">/usr/share/applications/galculator.desktop</app>         
    <!--app sequence="8">/usr/share/applications/gnome-dictionary.desktop</app-->         
<!--    <app icon="snapshot.png" name="Snapshot" sequence="10">/usr/share/applications/gnome-screenshot.desktop</app>-->         
     <app sequence="6">/usr/share/applications/xpad.desktop</app>         
</group>
  <group>
       <id>7</id>
       <sequence>6</sequence>
       <directory_file exec="" tag_background="/usr/share/backgrounds/images/yellow-bk-title.png">/usr/share/desktop-directories/Fun.directory</directory_file>
       <background_picture>/usr/share/backgrounds/images/yellow-bk-large.png</background_picture>
    <app is_arrow="1" name="" sequence="-10">/usr/share/applications/yellow-back.desktop</app>
         <app sequence="0">/usr/share/applications/pcmmvp.desktop</app>
         <app sequence="1">/usr/share/applications/pcmphoto.desktop</app>
         <!--<app icon="games.png" name="Games" sequence="4">/usr/share/applications/tuxpuck.desktop</app>-->
    <dir sequence="2" dir_id="1">/usr/share/desktop-directories/Games.directory</dir>
    <app sequence="3">/usr/share/applications/ucview.desktop</app>
         <!--app icon="voice_recorder.png" name="Voice Recorder" sequence="9">/usr/share/applications/realplay.desktop</app-->
         <app sequence="4">/usr/share/applications/kolourpaint.desktop</app>
<!--         <app icon="internetradio.png" name="Internet Radio" sequence="11">/usr/share/applications/realplay.desktop</app>
         <app icon="picture.png" sequence="12">/usr/share/applications/gthumb.desktop</app>-->
    <app sequence="25">/usr/share/applications/songbird.desktop</app>
</group>

<group>
    <id>8</id>
    <sequence>7</sequence>
       <directory_file exec="" tag_background="/usr/share/backgrounds/images/green-bk-title.png">/usr/share/desktop-directories/Files.directory</directory_file>
    <background_picture>/usr/share/backgrounds/images/green-bk-large.png</background_picture>
   
    <app is_arrow="1" name="" sequence="-10">/usr/share/applications/green-back.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="0">/usr/share/applications/Document.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="2">/usr/share/applications/Picture.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="1">/usr/share/applications/Music.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="3">/usr/share/applications/Video.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="4">/usr/share/applications/Download.desktop</app>
         <app sequence="5">/usr/share/applications/Thunar.desktop</app>
<app sequence="6">/usr/share/applications/fedora-gnomebaker.desktop</app></group>

<group>
    <id>9</id>
    <sequence>8</sequence>
    <directory_file exec="" icon="" tag_background="/usr/share/backgrounds/images/gray-bk-title.png">/usr/share/desktop-directories/Settings.directory</directory_file>
    <background_picture>/usr/share/backgrounds/images/gray-bk-large.png</background_picture>
    <app is_arrow="1" name="" sequence="-10">/usr/share/applications/settings-back.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="6">/usr/share/applications/gsynaptics.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="5">/usr/share/applications/system-config-date.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="8">/usr/share/applications/linpus-printconf-gui.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="0">/usr/share/applications/xfce-display-settings.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="4">/usr/share/applications/sysinfo.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="7">/usr/share/applications/onlineupdate.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="10">/usr/share/applications/redhat-userpasswd.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="11">/usr/share/applications/keyboard_layout.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="2">/usr/share/applications/networkcenter.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="3">/usr/share/applications/audio.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="1">/usr/share/applications/powercenter.desktop</app>
    <app sequence="9">/usr/share/applications/linpus-scim-setup.desktop</app>
  </group>
<dir id="1" parent_dir_id="0">
   <directory_file exec="" tag_background="/usr/share/backgrounds/images/yellow-bk-title.png">/usr/share/desktop-directories/FunGames.directory</directory_file>
       <background_picture>/usr/share/backgrounds/images/yellow-bk-large-games.png</background_picture>
<!-->         <app sequence="0">/usr/share/applications/linpus-circuslinux.desktop</app><-->
         <app is_arrow="1" name="" sequence="-10">/usr/share/applications/yellow-back.desktop</app>

         <app sequence="0">/usr/share/applications/ltris.desktop</app>
   <app sequence="1">/usr/share/applications/linpus-frozen-bubble.desktop</app>
   <app sequence="2">/usr/share/applications/tuxpuck.desktop</app>
   <app sequence="3">/usr/share/applications/llk_linux.desktop</app>
   <app sequence="4">/usr/share/applications/supertux.desktop</app>
   <app sequence="5">/usr/share/applications/bubbleshooter.desktop</app>
   <app sequence="6">/usr/share/applications/ButterFlight.desktop</app>
   <app sequence="7">/usr/share/applications/snooker.desktop</app>
   <app sequence="8">/usr/share/applications/checkers.desktop</app>
   <app sequence="9">/usr/share/applications/mahjong.desktop</app>
   <app sequence="10">/usr/share/applications/volleyballey.desktop</app>
</dir>
</xfdesktop>


Can you help me with this?

Thanks in advance
Fred

[markh]

Find the line

Code: Select all

<app sequence="25">/usr/share/applications/songbird.desktop</app>

The sequence="25" is what determines what position in the desktop menu the icon will appear in. As there's only space for 12 per page, I'm guessing that's why position 25 is on the 3rd page. You have apps in positions 0 to 4, so change that 25 to 5, and you ought to be fine.

[fredlan]

Hurray!
Victory is mine (and yours Mark)

Thanks so much for the help.

[mlawrenson]

This copies the existing file from the media player, and brings it up for you to edit. If you've deleted it before now, you'll have to improvise. Replace the contents with:

<snipped contents>

I'm the newest Linux newbie there is. I can't figure out how to do this. I try and save the modified songbird.desktop file, but it won't write the file.

[fredlan]

Hi,

instead of just entering

mousepad /usr/share/applications/songbird.desktop

try addind sudo in front:

Code: Select all

sudo mousepad /usr/share/applications/songbird.desktop

[mlawrenson]

Hi,

instead of just entering

mousepad /usr/share/applications/songbird.desktop

try addind sudo in front:

Code: Select all

sudo mousepad /usr/share/applications/songbird.desktop

Works a treat. Thanks.

[markh]

I've edited my original post to make the correction. Anyhow, how do you like Songbird? I'm quite excited by the idea of a player with plugins etc, but the current build hasn't tempted me away from Amarok.