[LINUX/MAC/WINDOWS] Launch applications/games from XBMC "Programs" section
#31
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Ok, you are right about this. I'm sorry Blush
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#32
Question 
Is this not a very important new feature which should be in XBMC before 9.04?

Could code be copied from Launchy (a very popular open source C++ launcher for Windows and Linux) or get some ideas from it?
http://sourceforge.net/projects/launchy/
http://launchy.sourceforge.net/
Quote:Launchy is a free windows utility designed to help you forget about your start menu, your desktop icons, and your file manager. Launchy indexes and launches your applications, documents, project files, folders, and bookmarks with just a few keystrokes

I was thinking that could copy code from Launchy for functions to integrating application launching seamlessly into into XBMC for Linux, Mac, and Windows, such as:
  • Get XBMC display icons embedded into executable files.
  • Create a good right click->properties menu for individual executables. Here the user would be able to modify some settings for some applications (such as desktop resolution, sound output method, emulator settings, adding keywords to later search for / sort by), and whether that application should be able to make itself full screen or be forced into a particular window. Would be nice to have the same right click -> properties for Windows applications to get individual configuration available by right clicking their shortcuts in this programs
  • Be able to assign a keyboard shortcut (keyboard combination) to launch specific applications, (like for example the windows key and "w" to launch a web browser).
  • Make autorun work properly for Windows applications so when insert a CD with autorun.ini give a pop-up message to launch the executable that it points to (and display the thumbnail that is listed in autorun.ini).
  • Allow installation and uninstallation of applications through Gnome-App-Install on Linux, and though Add and Remove Programs on Windows. This way we can put all software removal in one nice, convenient place for those running XBMC as the only interface on their HTPC setup.
  • Command-line to launch anything via it, or use it to do a quick 'live search' in the indexed programs (and games / emulator roms).
  • Have a point and click system for mounting virtual CD Images right within XBMC programs launcher.
  • Look at Launchy's file-manager functionality.
  • File association with applications so that can launch third-party applications through XBMC's file-manager when try to open files like Word/PDF/Excel documents.

Also checkout PyLaunchy addon for the above mentioned Launchy application
http://sourceforge.net/projects/pylaunchy/
http://pylaunchy.sourceforge.net/docs/
Quote:PyLaunchy is an extension to Launchy‘s plugin system, that allows a user to develop Launchy plugins in the Python programming language.

GNOME Do and GNOME Launch Box (both for Linux) are otherwise alternative open source launcher to look at:
http://do.davebsd.com
https://launchpad.net/do
http://developer.imendio.com/projects/gnome-launch-box

Many of these launchers are insired by the Quicksilver application launcher for Mac OS X:
http://docs.blacktree.com/quicksilver/wh...uicksilver
http://docs.blacktree.com/quicksilver/de...evelopment
http://docs.blacktree.com/quicksilver/de...chitecture

PS! Plex have also added program launcher features to their Mac OS X port of XBMC.

What do you guys think? any volenteer(s) for Linux, Mac, and/or Windows? Huh

This is really a highly requested by many users, see the threads with this tag:
http://forum.xbmc.org/tags.php?tag=games+library

Is this not a very important new feature which should be in XBMC before 9.04?
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#33
Hey guys i'm new and was wondering how to create shortcuts for my pc games in XBMC instead of using Launcher plugin,is it possible to do that.:confused2:
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#34
The Launcher plugin is the only mechanism for this ATM.
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#35
Today, the only method to launch applications within XBMC is by using Launcher plugin.
This plugin is very limited due the normal limitations of python plugin in xbmc.
I suggest implementing a native programs launching method.

It should be coded in xbmc's "My Programs" section:
  • The user will be able to "Add Source" as usual, but for each folder he will be able to set the type of the folder.
    The type can one of the following:
    1. Normal Programs (executables) - the only files that will be shown under that folder are executables or shortcuts to executables, if the folder contains one executable it will be transparent. (the executable will launch when clicking on the folder)
    2. Files - the files that will be shown will be a files with a specific extension, when the user will choose a file it will be launched using a pre-configured launcher application (will be configured in "Settings" menu)

  • For each folder the user will be able to set a content (just like in "My Videos") to get information about the files or folders using scrapers (for example - http://www.gamespot.com/, http://appdb.winehq.org, etc...)

  • Just before launching a program, xbmc will shutdown itself (to prevent exclusive use of GPU or Sound card) and will be re-launched directly to the last folder after the program ended.

I can start working on it, but I need to know first, whether this is the right solution for this issue.
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#36
hey leo2!

imho your ideas sound very good so far.
maybe it would be good to have xbmc stopping/starting
only optionally, and as an other option only mini/maximzing.

It would simply rock if you would work on this!
Maybe you can also find some ideas in this thread
http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=40715

The topic starter Arwen also wrote some initial code
and placed it into this ticket:
http://trac.xbmc.org/ticket/5628

Unfortunately the last commit is 3 months back,
but it might help you anyway to get starting.
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#37
I would really like to see this implemented, the outlines that both Gamester17 and leo2 have presented sound almost exactly what I would want out of such a feature.

the only things that I would like to add are that programs should be able to maximise and minimize with in XBMC to a tool bar or system try or similar within the programs window. making the integration as seamless as possible

as for the overhead of running XBMC as well as another app or game perhaps when the game app is launched then xbmc could suspend all but Paplayer. alternatively it could just freeze gui until the app was minimised or closed and then go back rendering gui 90 FPS.

there could be an option to completely kill xbmc and then relaunch but this is really already possible with Leo2 plugin and I doubt that gaming aficionados would want launch games from a media centre any way.
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#38
very very early and small patch has been sent,
see http://trac.xbmc.org/ticket/6324 for details.
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#39
Very cool! This some exciting news. Great work leo2!
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#40
see http://xbmc.org/ticket/6434 for details.
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#41
Question 
Can anyone please tell me if its possible to launch a program from within the Mac version of XBMC please?? I know you can do it on the Windows and Linux versions, but I need to be able to do it on a Mac. Thanks in advance for any help.
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#42
It's been reported as possible, follow the linux procedure and find out.

There are plans to make this better but I'm busy with 9.04 release right now.
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#43
Question 
If download xmbc for Mac OS X, I can run games on my mac games via dashboard XMBC?

thx!Big Grin
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#44
curently no
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#45
So, There is no way to start them through the dashboard?
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[LINUX/MAC/WINDOWS] Launch applications/games from XBMC "Programs" section0