• Intro
• Downloads
• Community
• Development
• News
• TALK

Application Menu

Latest revision as of 02:48, 22 November 2011

[edit] Menu structure

Different OS versions have different menu structure.

[edit] Menu file

A Menu file describes how shortcuts are shown in the menu.

[edit] .desktop files

The application entries in the Application menu are generated from .desktop files that are added when an application is installed.

The syntax for .desktop -files can be found in article Desktop file format

[edit] Maemo 5

Folder rearrangment can be done by editing the file found in:

/etc/xdg/menus/hildon.menu

The <Filename> tags in the <Include> section set the menu items, editing them will result in the menu being changed. Adding more Menu sections will add additional folders.

[edit] Releases before PR1.2

In releases of Maemo 5 prior to PR1.2, note that the "Applications" menu is the "More..." folder, and it is set to contain every application that is not shown by other menus, therefore it is recommended to keep it for using recently installed apps.

[edit] Apmefo

Apmefo presently in extras-devel. Automates the process of creating folders in the application menu by editing hildon.menu. Apmefo utilises similar icons found on Microsoft Windows folder icon.

Discussion thread can be found here.

Please note that sometimes when switching from Catorise Plus/ Catorise / Catorise GUI to Apmefo and/or vice-versa, you may encounter instance where applications in application menu is no longer group and cannot be grouped even if set manually. This is the result of currupted hildon.menu file and maybe fixable via here.

[edit] Catorise Plus/ Catorise / Catorise GUI

Catorise Plus is an alternative to Apmefo, also currently available in extras-devel. Catorise Plus utilises the same set of group icons found in Hildon application manager (also known as "ham" for abbreviated variant) when one installs applications to personalise their device. It will also automatically group applications according to the section noted within individual application packages but preferences to which group can be changed by the user. Changes to a new group only applies on catorise level, it does not change individual application packages.

Catorise Plus is currently recommendend over using Catorise and Catorise GUI as not only does it combine both applications together, it merges any potential conflicts with running either seperately into one (thus eradicating conflicts altogether) as well as allowing the end user to place literally any installed applications (only the ones that have icons within application menu) into whichever group of their choice unlike its predecessors (Catorise and Catorise GUI).

Discussion thread can be found here.

[edit] OS 2008 and older

The Application menu is Maemo's version of the Windows Start menu. It is made up of folders which contain all of your installed applications.

[edit] Menu structure

By default, the menu is made up of 6 folders which contain all of your installed applications: My selection, Internet, Communication, Utilities, Settings, and Extras. You can rearrange these applications, and create, rename and delete folders in the "Panels" control panel.

Advanced users can also edit the XML menu file directly. This is not recommended, as careless editing can damage the menu to the point where it no longer works. The XML file name is:

~/.osso/menus/applications.menu

[edit] Alternatives

There are a number of alternatives to the Application menu for launching applications. They are all available in Extras.

[edit] Personal Launcher

Personal Launcher is a desktop applet that is visible from your home screen. You can add application (and command) shortcuts to it for one-tap access to your favorite programs.

[edit] Personal Menu

Personal Menu is very similar to Personal Launcher, except it's a menu instead of a desktop applet. This makes it a more direct replacement for the Application menu.

[edit] See also

• A tutorial for Maemo 5 by Jebba