Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

rmcellig · Posted: Sat 09 Mar 2013, 08:38 Post subject: Working with the menu.xml file

I'm running Precise Puppy 5.4.3 with Openbox. I would like to be able to modify the menu in the lower left hand corner of the panel as well as the menu that appears when I right mouse click. I opened the menu.xml and it looks pretty straight forward when it comes to adding items. but when I save and close the file nothing happens. The menus are not updated. I even tried selecting reconfigure from the Openbox menu.

I understand that there is a GUI way of modifying menus using obmenu. According to Puppy Package Manager, I have obmenu 1.0.2 installed. How do I launch it? I can't see it in any of the menu items. I'd like to try it out although I would much prefer mastering the menu.xml way of modifying the menu.

Semme · Joined: 07 Aug 2011 Posts: 2046 Location: World_Hub

Start with these Randy.. They should getcha goin..

"How to edit Openbox window manager menus" and "How to change Openbox static menu to dynamic pipe menu"

rmcellig · Posted: Sat 09 Mar 2013, 16:21 Post subject:

Thanks so much Semme!! I have to say this again that coming from the Mac world and growing up with the GUI, this new way (for me), is compelling so much so that for the most part, the GUI way of doing things feels cumbersome and slow and dare I say it, inflexible. Smile

rmcellig · Posted: Sat 09 Mar 2013, 19:45 Post subject:

I think I know why this is happening. Am I right or wrong? I think that you can't modify the menu.xml file and that you must work on a renamed copy of the file instead. Make sense? Just thinking out loud.

Something strange is happening when I modify the menu.xml file and I have verified this in both Puppy 5.2.8 and Precise Puppy 5.4.3. Here is what happens:

I oppen the menu.xml file in Geany. I add a new menu entry, save it, and then Refresh Menu from the Openbox menu. When I right mouse click on the menu, I see the change and then it disappears. When I reopened the menu.xml file, the change I made wasn't in the file. I am really confused as to why this would happen.

Any ideas?

Semme · Joined: 07 Aug 2011 Posts: 2046 Location: World_Hub

That's cause there's more to it than the files inside users $HOME.

Why don't you boot a live session and give Stu90's routine a go.

I'd have done it but haven't gotten there yet..

rmcellig · Posted: Sun 10 Mar 2013, 11:16 Post subject:

When I created menu2.xml, everything worked fine. Stu90's stuff is on my list of to do's as well. The big problem with all of this is that it is so much fun!! Smile

simargl · Joined: 11 Feb 2013 Posts: 373

rmcellig · Posted: Mon 11 Mar 2013, 05:44 Post subject:

Thanks I will do that and see what happens.

rmcellig · Posted: Mon 11 Mar 2013, 10:01 Post subject:

Didn't work. How do I copy/paste from the terminal into this thread so that I can post the result. Middle clicking doesn't seem to do it.

I'm using urxvt.

Semme · Joined: 07 Aug 2011 Posts: 2046 Location: World_Hub

I thought you opted for a new terminal? Is Python installed? Yeah? It lies. You need the devx loaded.

For c/p in urxvt >> text *must remain highlighted* while both buttons are simultaneously pressed.

rmcellig · Posted: Mon 11 Mar 2013, 10:53 Post subject:

I did opt got a new terminal but I still want to learn how to do things with the existing terminal.

Regarding Python, when I went to install it I see a list of Puthon related items. Which one to install?

Semme · Joined: 07 Aug 2011 Posts: 2046 Location: World_Hub

Existing terminal? Forget that! Here's another way c/p can happen.

For Python- go with the 135mb devx download in my previous post.

`f00 · Posted: Thu 14 Mar 2013, 19:01 Post subject: Subject description: 2¢ discounted

rmcellig wrote

rmcellig · Posted: Fri 15 Mar 2013, 05:53 Post subject:

Thanks for the obmenu tips! I will also take a look at the terminal GUI you mention.