Take control of the ASUS Eee Linux PC launcher

David M Williams
Monday, 28 January 2008 18:58

Opinion and Analysis

For each tab you can see there are several entries; at the top of the config file is a series of simplecat tags; these define the icon, background image and the tab text for each tab. Note that the simpleui.rc is multilingual and specifies alternatives for 13 different languages including English, two dialects of Chinese and other Asian and European languages.

Following these are a series of folder tags; these represent each collection of program icons – namely all the tab pages themselves but also all the icons on tabs that bring up subcategories of programs, for instance the WebMail folder on the Internet tab and the Accessories folder on the Work tab.

Next in line are the individual programs themselves; a long list of parcel tags supplies definitions for each app presented on the launcher, including the display text in a variety of languages, the program icon when displayed selected and unselected, and the actual underlying command to execute. These are interesting in themselves; you can see that when you run the Settings applet the command being invoked is /usr/bin/display-settings, Typing is /usr/bin/tuxtype, the Wireless Network tool is /usr/bin/sudo /usr/bin/xandrosncs-proxy –launch-wireless-tool, and so on.

Let's begin by convincing you that the local config file really will let you make changes; using Kate or the OpenOffice Writer or any other text editor make a simple change. For instance, find the line that reads

<name lang=”en”>Internet</name>

and change it to read

<name lang=”en”>My Internet</name>

Be sure to save any open files and restart your Eee. Behold, when it reboots, the first tab on your workspace is now labelled “My Internet.” The modification worked.

Edit the simpleui.rc file again to change “My Internet” back to “Internet” - unless you particularly like it, the choice is now yours. You now have all the power to fully customise your Eee interface to suit yourself. The only limiting factor is what you can imagine. Here are some thoughts.

You can re-order the tabs. Indeed, you can make new tabs – or remove tabs, and consolidate programs. Just like the Eee already provides a tab with your web bookmarks, you could make a tab that appears first and holds your favourite programs giving quick access with minimal clicks.

You can change the icons and background pictures; the config file tells you the icon files presently used. These are stored in /opt/xandros/share/AsusLauncher but you can use any image file anywhere provided you specify the full path.

If you find other Linux programs you like, you now have all the info and ability to add extra icons to your desktop. You might add the ever-popular Gimp photo editor, or perhaps the immortal classic Nethack game. Whatever the program, you can make an icon for it by merely editing simpleui.rc and adding a new parcel entry, replete with icons and command-line instruction.Check out the original simpleui.rc if ever yours is damaged or lost.

CONTINUED