The GNOME launcher is a convenient way to access applications and manage your desktop. It also features an attractive interface that you’ll want to use all the time.
Launchers are found in various locations throughout your desktop, including your panel menubar and the system tray. Each one represents a shortcut that performs a specific action when clicked. A launcher’s properties can be changed to customize its look and functionality. Some of these features include an icon and the class of application it launches.
There are many other types of application launchers available for Linux. Some of them are more keyboard-centric. These include the GNOME Do and the Ulauncher. They offer a variety of functions, including a search bar, music playback, and more.
Creating a new launcher requires a few basic steps. First, you need to name it. You can find this in the Applications menu. After you’ve done this, you’ll need to assign it a category. If the categories are not set, the launcher won’t show up in the Application menu.
Next, you need to create a launcher class. This is a more technical term than it sounds. To do this, open a launcher in the Applications menu and right-click the icon. An options menu should appear. Click the Advanced tab to view some advanced options. Here, you’ll be able to specify the scaling factor for your applications. For example, if you’re using GIMP, you might want to configure the scaling factor to be a quarter of a centimeter.
While there are more complicated methods for creating a launcher, it isn’t as complex as you might think. One simple method is to write a custom application launcher. However, this requires some knowledge of programming.
Other options are the Arc Menu and Lynx Launcher. Both of these offer some unique user interfaces that you may not have tried. In the case of the Arc Menu, the menu is located on the corner of your screen. This is a great option for keyboard users, since you don’t need to take your hands off the keyboard to launch an application.
In addition to the Arc Menu, Lynx offers a dark mode and several other features that you’re likely to enjoy. This launcher also supports Widget Screens. And it’s designed to work with Ubuntu Software.
If you’re just looking for an app launcher that’s easy to use, check out Lighthouse. It offers a clean interface, which means you won’t have to worry about your fingers wandering to the wrong places. As an added bonus, you’ll be able to preview what you’re searching for, which is a great benefit of any search tool.
If you prefer a text-based user interface, you might want to try Gnome-Pie. The first version was released over ten years ago, but it’s still a useful productivity app. Plus, you can access it in other desktop environments, too.
Another option for a simple application launcher is the TaskBar extension. Similar to KDE Plasma’s extension, the TaskBar provides an alternative icon taskbar. Rather than a tray applet, the TaskBar can be positioned at either the top or bottom of the screen.