How To: Main Menu Icons NOT in a Submenu

[princethrash]

Some time ago I emailed the author of LXmed (LXmenu Editor).  He said he would include this technique in a future release:  the ability to simply add items to the Lxpanel main menu, NOT in a submenu!  I've also posted this/got help from LXDE's forums, but I wanted to spread it around for the species of reptilian ground-dweller who uses LXDE.

Here's a mini tutorial on how to get something like this for your main menu:



Doing this could not be easier, or handier for customization compulsives.

Step 1

Go to ~/.config/lxpanel/LXDE/panels and open the configuration file "panel"
Laugh at the suggestion at the top of the file advising you not to change it.

Step 2

Change the "plugins" section to refer DIRECTLY to your programs of choice.  Here is my full plugins section for ease:

Code: [Select]

Plugin {
    type = menu
    Config {
        image=/home/churly/Pictures/multi-start.png
        item {
            action=xfe
            image=/home/churly/Pictures/startmenu/mainmenu-stable-cyan2.png
            name=Files
        }
        item {
            action=chromium
            image=/home/churly/Pictures/startmenu/mainmenu-stable-cyan2.png
            name=Web
        }
        item {
            action=leafpad
            image=/home/churly/Pictures/startmenu/mainmenu-stable-cyan2.png
            name=Write
        }
        item {
            action=deluge
            image=/home/churly/Pictures/startmenu/mainmenu-stable-cyan2.png
            name=Torrent
        }
        item {
            action=lostirc
            image=/home/churly/Pictures/startmenu/mainmenu-stable-cyan2.png
            name=Chat
        }
        item {
            action=mtpaint
            image=/home/churly/Pictures/startmenu/mainmenu-stable-cyan2.png
            name=Draw
        }
        item {
            action=lxterminal
            image=/home/churly/Pictures/startmenu/mainmenu-stable-cyan2.png
            name=Terminal
        }
        system {
        }
    }
}


So if these are not obvious:

action = the command you want to run
image = path to a custom picture
name = the name you want to appear on the main menu

Please notice after the custom entries, there is a "system" entry.  I believe this allows new programs to show up on the main menu, but they will not be pretty, they will resurrect the submenus, and will in general destroy the beautiful plainness.  So if you don't want programs appearing AT ALL on the main menu after they are installed/upgraded, just remove the "system" entry, and you will have complete, manual control over your main menu.

Make your changes and save the file.  You may have wanted to back up that file first.  Too late now!

Step 3

Run the command:
lxpanelctl restart

This should be enough to refresh your new main menu.  There's also:
openbox --reconfigure
But neither that, nor a reset, should be necessary.

Step 4

Optional: Use LXmed to delete, or make invisible, entries/menus that you want to tweak, especially if you are choosing to keep "system". 

Step 5

Tell princethrash how to add a colored border around his main menu, because he obviously doesn't know.

[Archie]

Thumbs up, princethrash.

I'm not really an LXDE user but I'm certain your how to will be useful to other LXDE users.

I'm still wondering about the "thrash" before the prince. Is it in any way related to metal?

Peace and much respect,
Archie

[Rudge]

This is pretty awesome!

I personally think it should be in the "Advanced Users Section".

This stuff should not be in the hands of people that can't navigate to a .hidden folder. 

[princethrash]

Glad you guys like it, hopefully this will stop someone from scratching their eyeballs out, as the problem did for me. 

Archie, I do like metal, but when I came up with that name it was independent of metal, I just like the way it hurts the jaw when said aloud.

As all true names should.

[Archie]

Archie, I do like metal, but when I came up with that name it was independent of metal, I just like the way it hurts the jaw when said aloud.

As all true names should.

I know exactly what you mean. I've always thought of changing my forum nick to hash-bang-bin-bash but I'd just be shooting myself.