Hi, I've downloaded and compiled an instant messenger program (amsn). It works wonderfully, however, I have to open a terminal, find the targeted directory and compile the program each time I want to use it. Is there a way I can make this take easier...such as creating link (icon) on the desktop?

It seems odd that you should have to compile the program every time you want to use it. Usually compiling creates an executable file, so that you only have to compile once (this is the part of the point of compiling). Are you sure this isn't the case? Assuming you have this executable file, how to create a link/shortcut to it depends on which window manager you are using: If you are using KDE you should right-click the desktop and choose to create a link to a program. A window pops up with several tabs. Fill in the name of the link and the command to execute (the name of the program, presumably). Check that the permission-settings are ok, and you're done. If you are using Enlightenment, go to ~/.enlightenment and open a file called file.menu. This file configures a menu that pops up when you press the left mouse button. The first line should be the name of the menu, etc. Aquaview The following lines constitute one menu-item each and could have the form "entry-name" NULL exec "program" The first "entry-name" is the title of the menu item. You would probably choose the name of the program. The last "program" is the executable to start. My file.menu looks like this: Bon "aterm" NULL exec "aterm -tr -fg white -bg black" "Mozilla" NULL exec "mozilla" "KMail" NULL exec "kmail" "Gaim" NULL exec "gaim" "Gftp" NULL exec "gftp" "xPDF" NULL exec "xpdf" "GhostView" NULL exec "ghostview" "xine" NULL exec "xine" "xmms" NULL exec "xmms" I'm no expert, so I don't know how to create links if you are using say WindowMaker. Hope this helps, -Rune

To create a link/shortcut on your desktop; KDE: # ln -s /path/to/bin ~/Desktop Gnome: # ln -s /path/to/bin ~/.gnome-desktop

Many thanks to Rune and 3Dave. Using Rune's directives I was finally able to create a link of amsn on KDE desktop. But since my understanding of linux is extremely limited, I am still trying to figure out what Rune said about using Enlightenment. Hopefully, I will figure it out sometime soon. One more thing to trouble you, where would I find helpful information regarding this problem (installation & icon) ? Thanks. :) 3Dave, when should I issue the command you suggested? Should I issue that command when I am at the directory that contains Amsn? Agains, thanks.

The command can be run from any location as they are absolute paths (as opposed to relative). The "/path/to/bin" has a leading "/" which means it starts in the root of your filesystem, a little like writing the drive letter "c:\path\to\bin" in windoze. The "~" refers to your home directory, a little like %HOME% in windoze. If you are in the directory containing Amsn, you could write the command as follows: # ln -s amsn ~/Desktop providing that "amsn" is the executable you want to run.