An APP for Quickly creating App Links

[mow9902]

Like a “small, fast 'Favourites' Manager for Apps/Programs ….and much more”

The App allows the user to quickly create a set of named directories and sub-directories containing rox apps, and/or system symlinks, which launch the linked program, or file.

Creating a symlink is easy and takes very little effort, so why use this App to do that?
Well, if that’s all you’re thinking about, then I agree that it is debatable whether or not it would be faster using this App than simply opening a rox filer instance and creating the symlink where needed.

BUT – it takes a little more effort to create a Rox App because, for each Rox App required, you need to create:
• a file named AppRun containing the executable command
• an icon file named .DirIcon

This App does that very quickly – and because this is not something I would do every day, it means I don’t have to remember the requirements to create a valid Rox App.

This application:
• Relies on the functionality of rox-filer. It will not work as designed without rox-filer
• Uses gtkdialog to present GUIs which are used to issue the underlying system commands

Last Update:
16 Nov 2022 :v1.40 Moved some content between 'help' screen and 'about' screen
13 Nov 2022 : v1.30 Fixed bad coding in main form which caused unexpected error and possible system freeze/crash when a Favourites entry was removed. Previous versions should not be used.
11 Nov 2022 : v1.20 FIxed coding error in App delete script (incorrect use of Capitals)
04 Nov 2022 : v1.10 (a) added parameters to optionally add program to desktop menu and auto startup and (b) allow resizing of window
25 Oct 2022 : v1.00 (original)

You may download from my MediaFire repository. Simply download and unpack to your preferred location.
https://www.mediafire.com/file/qrzbwfdw ... ar.gz/file

After unpacking click on AQL.sh to launch the main menu.

[one]

Hi @mow9902,

there is something wrong with your link (permissions?) - mediafire shows no file to download.

peace

[Keef]

I'm just getting a blank page, regardless of browser used (FF, PM and SM).

[mow9902]

Sorry about that - not sure why - it must be working for someone because there has already been a download from somewhere.

Try this link: https://www.mediafire.com/file/9uhdnby5 ... ar.gz/file

[mow9902]

Made some very minor improvements - now v1.10

Last Update:
04 Nov 2022 : v1.10 (a) added parameters to optionally add program to desktop menu and auto startup and (b) allow resizing of window

Original post updated with link to current version.

[mow9902]

Fixed minor coding error

posted corrected version 1.20 (see original post)

[mow9902]

Last Update:
13 Nov 2022 : v1.30 (a) Fixed bad coding in AQL.sh (main form) which caused unexpected error and possible system freeze/crash when a Favourites entry was removed. Previous versions should not be used.

Original post updated with link to current version.

I apologize for the updates. I am an amateur 'weekend coder' and although I try to test as much as I can before sharing, it is not always possible to realize my mistakes until after a period of actual usage. It is a constant learning exercise for me. Thanks for understanding.

[Jasper]

@mow9902

Looks very slick. I ran the script as instructed but when I close the terminal window the application shuts down. Is that meant to be like this?

[mikewalsh]

@mow9902 :-

Initial impressions? Nicely put together, mate. Well thought-out GUIs, too. You've nothing to apologise for, either; we're all amateurs here, and I doubt anyone would claim to be a "professional".

One suggestion? You've made a brilliant job with that PDF document, so.....why don't you link THAT to your "Help" button instead? Usually, the GNU licencing 'waffle' is part of the About/credits stuff, so that's where I would have put it. Took ME a little while to realise the 'standard' layout for all these items myself...

(I know there's no real need for 'splash' screens, fancy 'About' windows and all the rest of it, but I've started adding some of this stuff to my apps in recent years for the simple reason that it just gives the impression of a more complete, 'finished' product. It helps to give the user the impression you've actually put some thought into what you put together..!)

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

@Jasper :-

That's normal behaviour for anything that's run from the terminal. Since the process is created from the terminal shell when you launch it, stands to reason that shutting the terminal down again is going to "kill it".......because you're closing the environment from where it was created.

(I'm not very good with the concepts of how shells, etc, are created and used, so I may not have explained the above very well; I know how to use 'em OK, just not really up with the technical aspects of how they actually work! I'm sure others can probably add further detail/context, etc, to my rather 'basic' summary.)

Mike.

[mow9902]

@mow9902

Looks very slick. I ran the script as instructed but when I close the terminal window the application shuts down. Is that meant to be like this?

Yes Jasper - this is normal behaviour when a script is launched from a terminal window. Actually my instructions were a little misleading ...because the application is intended to be run by simply clicking on the script; and then the App will stay open or minimize to tray if you wish. I will make a minor update to instructions.

[mow9902]

Thanks for the feedback Mike
I will take your advice and move some of the 'help' and 'about' content around.

[mow9902]

Made a minor update incorporating feedback - thanks for those who commented.
Moved some content between 'help' screen and 'about' screen

Posted New version v1.40. See original post for download link