Can`t edit desktop icons preferences.

Rademes · 2016-08-24 15:21

When bin mentioned, that desktop icons are owned by root, I have noticed, that they truly are owned by root even if were created by normal user.
http://storage2.static.itmages.ru/i/16/ … 0cdad6.png
When I choose Edit by root option, it shows window with some unreadable characters.
http://storage8.static.itmages.ru/i/16/ … 75b0f2.png
After I enter password, it just shows blank page in KWrite... Seems like unworkable option.
Finally, I can not edit icon preferences because I don`t have write privileges. So desktop icons are uneditable?
http://storage5.static.itmages.ru/i/16/ … 1ece72.png

q4osteam · 2016-08-24 21:47

Rademes wrote:

When bin mentioned, that desktop icons are owned by root, I have noticed, that they truly are owned by root even if were created by normal user.

Which way exactly did you create the desktop icon ? Please specify for us to be able to reproduce. We have tested to create an icon as a user, it's properly owned by user and editable.

Rademes wrote:

When I choose Edit by root option, it shows window with some unreadable characters ... After I enter password, it just shows blank page in KWrite

We are not able to reproduce, all characters are displayed correctly.

Rademes wrote:

So desktop icons are uneditable?

All icons created by ordinary user should be editable by the user.

bin · 2016-08-25 06:13

I'll just step in here if I may. What I was referring to is specifically the desktop icons of applications installed through the software installer tool via Welcome screen. So if - for example - I have installed Thunderbird and I want to change the desktop icon to read My Email, anywhere else I just would go to the properties of the launcher, edit and save it - job done.

With Q4 that appears to work until logout whereupon the name reverts to Thunderbird. The icons are owned by root and that is why the change doesn't stick. To make it work you have to go into /opt/trinity/....drill down to apps/Desktop - sorry, not on Q4 right now - and then as root you can edit the name in the relevant .desktop file.

I use midnight commander for all this type of work, it doesn't then leave a .bak file lurking on the desktop as well. Kwrite may not be the correct tool depending on language prefs, encoding etc. That may be a red herring here for this issue.

I think the important words in the team response are

All icons created by ordinary user should be editable by the user.

The issue to which I refer involves icons which have been set via the installer script which has to be running with root privileges.

The easiest option is probably to just chown the desktop .desktop files to the user and then they can be modified as required. OK it then allows the user to mess up. That's the beauty of linux, if you break it you get to keep the bits............and you learn what not to do next time.

q4osteam · 2016-08-25 09:30

bin wrote:

What I was referring to is specifically the desktop icons of applications installed through the software installer tool via Welcome screen.

Yes, installers create global desktop icons for all users. There are 2 easy ways to make them editable.
1. Right mouse click on that icon and select 'Edit as root ...', you can then directly edit '.desktop' file.
2. Simply delete the global icon from the Desktop, and Drag&drop -> Copy icon from Start menu. It will be owned by the user and editable as usual, use Right mouse click -> Properties.

bin wrote:

To make it work you have to go into /opt/trinity/....drill down to apps/Desktop ... and then as root you can edit the name in the relevant .desktop file.

You don't need to look for the '.desktop' file, simply use Right mouse click on the Desktop icon and select 'Edit as root ...', you can then easily edit global '.desktop' file.

bin wrote:

The easiest option is probably to just chown the desktop .desktop files to the user and then they can be modified as required.

We don't recommend that, the best and recommended option is to delete the icon from the Desktop, and Drag&drop -> Copy icon from Start menu. It will be owned by the user and editable as usual, use Right mouse click -> Properties.

Rademes · 2016-08-25 11:09

2. Simply delete the global icon from your Desktop, and drag&drop - copy icon from Start menu. It's owned by the user and editable as usual, use Right mouse click -> Properties.

When you choose [Create link] desktop icons become uneditable...
https://yadi.sk/i/axVXJTB3uUc3Y
https://files.inbox.lv/ticket/424ae0541 … /Icons.mp4
Please tell, could you download video from both sources?

guidol · 2017-07-10 11:22

q4osteam wrote:

There are 2 easy ways to make them editable.
1. Right mouse click on that icon and select 'Edit as root ...', you can then directly edit '.desktop' file.
2. Simply delete the global icon from the Desktop, and Drag&drop -> Copy icon from Start menu. It will be owned by the user and editable as usual, use Right mouse click -> Properties.

A short question:
If I create a Icon on the Desktop via drag&drop from the start-menu I can rename it via right-click nd enetering a new name - BUT
after the next login it has the old (longer) name which was initial after the drag&drop.

Is there a easy way to rename the Icon so it will get the name how I want it?

BTW: before logout the new name of my desktop-icon is OK (here on Q4OS - Pinebook)

q4osteam · 2017-07-10 12:12

guidol wrote:

If I create a Icon on the Desktop via drag&drop from the start-menu I can rename it via right-click nd enetering a new name - BUT
after the next login it has the old (longer) name which was initial after the drag&drop.

Please specify the procedure as exact as possible for us to be able to reproduce. Which icon do you try to drop to desktop and what start menu type are you using ?

Q4OS Forum

#1 2016-08-24 15:21

Can`t edit desktop icons preferences.

#2 2016-08-24 21:47

Re: Can`t edit desktop icons preferences.

#3 2016-08-25 06:13

Re: Can`t edit desktop icons preferences.

#4 2016-08-25 09:30

Re: Can`t edit desktop icons preferences.

#5 2016-08-25 11:09

Re: Can`t edit desktop icons preferences.

#6 2017-07-10 11:22

Re: Can`t edit desktop icons preferences.

#7 2017-07-10 12:12

Re: Can`t edit desktop icons preferences.

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