Gnome Do Application Launcher
Gnome Do is an application launcher for the Gnome Desktop that works quite well. In addition to being an application launcher, Gnome Do is capable of performing many other actions including quick online searching, quick music access, etc. I managed to install and try it on my Ubuntu Gutsy Desktop, and wanted to introduce it to Killer Tech Tips readers.
Gnome Do Installation
Like installing many other applications on Ubuntu, installing Gnome Do was also easy. I’ll only talk about installing it on Ubuntu. If you’re on some other Linux Distro, you could try the methods mentioned here.
Ubuntu Users: Go to your terminal and type:
gksu gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
Add the line below to the file that opens on gedit:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/do-core/ubuntu gutsy main
Once that is done, save the file and close gedit. Return back to the terminal. Type in the following to update the repository list:
sudo apt-get update
Then give the following command to install Gnome Do:
sudo apt-get install gnome-do
Using Gnome Do
Now that Gnome Do is installed, you can find an option to launch it in the Applications > Accessories menu.
Gnome Do is not added to the start up programs list. You may want to go to System > Preferences > Sessions and add gnome-do –quiet to make Gnome Do start up automatically when Ubuntu boots up.
By default, the Win Key + Space shortcut is used to bring Gnome Do into focus. Type in something, and Gnome Do will offer possible options. For example, as I type in ’sud’, I get the following suggestions:
Since I want to run the Sudoku game, I press Enter.
If you’re offered multiple options, you can use the arrow keys to cycle through them, one by one.
Gnome Do – Customization and Plugins
You can customize the Gnome Do shortcut (default is Win key + Space). To do that, you’ll have to start the gconf-editor by typing in Configuration Editor on Gnome Do. go to /apps/gnome-do/preferences/ and change the value.
Like many other open source applicatinos, Gnome Do also supports plugins which can be used to add, or enhance built-in functions. A handful of plugins are available currently. Expect more to arrive as Gnome Do develops.
One that I’ve just began to use is the Tweet Plugin that posts status updates to Twitter. Many other plugins can be found in the official wiki
How to install Plugins
To install a plugin, drop the downloaded .dll file in the ~/.local/share/gnome-do/plugins/ where ~ is your home directory path.
If you’ve got any questions, or willing to participate in the project, go to the LaunchPad site.
Have your Say in the comments.
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Looks like widgets to me. Am I right?
Syahid A.
24 Mar 08 at 1:30 am
Wow, the graphics look snazzy. I’ll try it out as soon as I can hack my stupid modem to work with Ubuntu.
Sumesh
24 Mar 08 at 1:52 am
@Syahid: Nopes, it’s not a widget. It’s a program launcher. You press a shortcut key combo – it pops up – you type in something like ‘fire’ – it suggests Firefox – you press enter – it opens up. Saves you time.
@Sumesh: Yep, the UI is really very well polished. Good luck with your Ubuntu journey
Shankar Ganesh
24 Mar 08 at 4:58 am
Ah! looks like quicksilver of mac or my fav. program Key Launch in windows.
Reviewsaurus
26 Mar 08 at 2:02 am
@ReviewSaurus: Yup, it’s a clone of QuickSilver
Shankar Ganesh
26 Mar 08 at 3:54 am
[...] a keyboard junkie and I use Launchy on Windows and Gnome Do on Ubuntu to start programs. The instant appearance of the Launchy window never fails to amuse [...]
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27 Mar 08 at 6:51 am
Very Cool! I’ve been looking for a launchy alternitive for linux being I dont run windows on any of my pc’s anymore. This is MUCH more what I was looking for then having to use the deskbar applet.
Many Thanks!
Daniel
17 Apr 08 at 3:54 am
is there not a way to set this up for someone from commandline. most steps here depend on the GUI. and win key may not always be present…esp. on laptops. and other launchers all default to using Alt-Space… why does gnome do have to remind us of Windows!! with using the Win key?
Diabolic Preacher
28 May 08 at 1:04 pm
Diabolic Preacher – yes there is a way. I can’t remember how to do it off the top of my head, but google “Gnome Do” and you should be able to find the Gnome Do web site. I recall seeing instructions on how to set it up from the command line on the site.
Joey Cagle
11 Jun 08 at 3:19 pm
just change the hotkey to launch it if you dont have a super key
holto
25 Feb 09 at 4:14 pm