[SOLVED] How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

Hey guys,

I’ve been trying to do something with my N900 for a while now, without success. I want to create shortcuts to “Notes” files on one of my N900’s desktops, just the way it’s done on any Windows OS on desktops.

The reason is: I need to make each file a to-do list for work and home tasks, things I want to buy, things I want to accomplish, etc. I can’t manage my time or make any achievements without notes and lists everywhere in my life. I want shortcuts on desktop to quickly open and edit them.

I tried apps other than notes (all that is available, literally) and didn’t like anything other than Nokia’s own “Notes”.
I tried searching for “Notes” specific commands, then xterminal’s commands, then busybox’s commands, then queen beecon’s scripts, at no avail (I’m a windows user, so my knowledge of Linux’s commands was minimal to start with, and I couldn’t figure out making scripts to be honest).

I consulted a friend of mine (a Linux guru), so he tried a few tricks, but nothing worked. Then he tried to switch me to vim. Of course I found that N900’s vim is without GUI, not to mention that I want my files to open with N900’s “Notes” anyways, as I love it.

I have spent over a month trying to figure it out, without results.

So once again, if anybody knows how to create a shortcut for N900’s “Notes” files, please let me know how.

Thank you very much.

Re: How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

Use QBW to create a widget for each of your files you want to open in "Notes". Edit the widget and click the "Edit Cmd" button and enter

Code:

---

osso_notes /full/path/to/file.note.html

---

Save the widget click on it and "Notes" will open with you chosen file.

Edit: The above solution doesn't work! :( Please ignore.
My working solution below, which uses a variation of m750 code

Re: How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

Or you can add a new "phantom" application:
create a new .desktop file in /usr/share/applications/hildon
For example: mydocument.desktop
The file must contain these lines

blue text must be personalized.

note:
Exec=dbus-send --print-reply --dest=com.nokia.osso_notes/com/nokia/osso_notes com.nokia.osso_notes.mime_open string:/path_to_your_file
is all in one line

Now you can see a new application (mydocument) and you can add it on your desktop.

Re: How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

What you want to do is not possible in maemo.
But that was the reason why i asked for some help to create a program to do it, which later got the name deskypplet...

With deskypplet you have the whole filesystem aviable to your disposal, and can create folders and notes or anything else, and put it in these folders just like on a real desktop.

However, because of the complete lack of feedback, we have put the updates in the repos on hold, the version there is 0.46 i think, while the version we have is 0.9 and soon 1.0
There is a great difference between these in functionality since our version can handle desktop files, folder customizations and a lot of other stuff that the repository version cant do.

But we may update the repository if we get enough requests to do so...

Re: How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

OK, my first solution, I should have checked properly as it doesn't work. :(
I have written a Queen Beacon Widget that does what you want. I hope you know how to import one.
In Advanced settings enter in the full path to the file you want. It will also place the file name on the widget to differentiate files on the home screen.

Re: How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

Also, you can simply use Conboy ;) Not exactly w$ndoze way of taking notes, but that isn't con - it's *much* more efficient. Try it, and you'll forget about messing Your desktop with shortcuts for individual notes.

Not to mention that with Conboy (Maemo), you can synchronize notes - for example, with it's mainstream desktop equivalent, Tomboy.

/Estel

Re: How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

I can second Estel, the best solution for taking notes probably is conboy.
But people sometimes have old (&stupid) habits. Like using a Desktop. And wanting this on a smartphone too. Me included :)
so @ electroaudio:
please update deskypplet, ideally in the repos.

Re: How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

I use Multilist for this, & it works well for me. You can create several lists within it, for shopping, work tasks, etc., & view & maintain them.

Re: How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

Amazing!

Amazing indeed is your willingness to help guys. Thank you very much. I now regret not participating in the forum as much as I could.

@JonWW
I already know that osso_notes doesn't accept any switches, but you beat me to mentioning it. It doesn't care about the file you want to open using cli commands; it always opens the last opened file. I have yet to try your second post.

@ m750
Sounds really interesting. Unfortunately, I tried it yesterday but it didn't work. I'll have to repeat the process again carefully to roll out mistakes on my part. By the way, is this procedure dependent on the presence/installation of specific apps (like d-sub switchboard - if I remember the name correctly)?

To all
Many thanks guys for all your support. Unfortunately I have a deadline at work this Saturday, and my teammates are running late. So most likely I won't have the time to test your suggestions for a few days. But I sincerely thank you. I'll try all that you've mentioned (especially deskypplet, which sounds really interesting), and report back.

Re: How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

No, others apps are not necessary.
Befor posting, i have tested my solution.

Re: How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

you should try installing & use "Yellow Notes Applet" from repo....

Re: How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

If you need any help to understand deskypplet, just ask...

We probably will put the new version in the repos too, later... but there is a lot of work to do before that, like to write a new updated helpfile and such stuff.
I would also like to write some helperprograms (unless someone else wants to help with those, please ;) like a .desktop creator , and a copy from template handler.

Re: How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

Hey guys. I had a busy week, but I finally got the chance last night to try your solutions...

@ m750
Thank you very much. Unfortunately, it didn't work. The first time I tried your solution, I placed the .desktop file in the "applications" folder instead of the "hildon" folder by mistake. I corrected my mistake, and the shortcut appeared. but whenever I press it, an empty window with a title appears, with a busy/loading indicator, and then it disappears after a few seconds, as if it was broken or forced to shutdown. I followed your instructions to the letter (by copying and pasting everything you wrote as is), and fiddled with it a little bit, at no avail. I still thank you however, as I learned form the commands you wrote, and corrected a few issues with my other shortcuts (naming and other stuff). So thank you anyways.

@ electroaudio
Thank you man. Unfortunately, the widget caused instability issues with the other widgets, as they randomly disappeared or froze, and I had to restart the device several times. Furthermore, it wasn't customizable enough to my taste. I can see that it has a great potential, but it wasn't what I had in mind. I suppose I should try the newest version. If you need testers or support/voting, I'd be more than happy to do it; just please point me to where I should get the relevant info. Again, thank you very much.

@ JonWW
Thank you, thank you, thank you....
Your second post did exactly what I needed. It worked like a charm. Not at first anyways, as I was unfamiliar with QBW's advanced mode. I kept trying on a trial and error basis until I figured it out. It still needs a bit of customization (size of icon, display of name with file extension, font size and color), but I suppose I should do that myself, and honestly it doesn't seem hard after looking at the file contents through editor.
Thanks to you, my life will be better with more organization (seriously). You've given me a great gift.

@ Estel & longuist
Thanks for your suggestion. I'd already tried it before. It was still on my N900. I opened it again, I still came out unimpressed. I still prefer Notes. Thank you anyways.

@ rotoflex & pusak gaoq
As I mentioned earlier, I tried many things, and I still prefer Notes. Thank you though for your suggestions guys.

To all,
Many thanks guys. I'm not new to forums, but I never stepped into a forum like this. Not only is everybody trying to help; but actually everyone is knowledgeable enough to propose a solution. Thanks guys.

Re: How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

The widgetsystem in hildon is very unstable...
It lacks multitasking so instead all widgets are run as a single program.
(So if one widget waits for something , then hildon will wait too... )
But usually it works fine for me, the same problem is also present for another popular program called queen beecon widget and it needs some adaption to learn the limits of what can and cant be done before hildon gets upset, but when used within the limits of the hildonsystem then it works fine.
-BUT hildon definately needs to be rewritten... a work for CSSU.

But what type of customization did you have in mind that you were missing? You know that you need to edit the configfiles manually?
-However, to acess a single static file then deskypplet would be overkill ;)
Personally i have created a desktopfolder as a base, and inside of that folder i create folders for each customer, and then create/put all documents related to those customers in their respective folder :)

Re: [SOLVED] How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

hi guys i need help.
i want to create a shorcut on the desktop with two commads can this created.

thanks

Re: How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

Hey man,

Sorry man, I read your post a long time ago, but I fell asleep before replying back then, and forgot the whole thing. Just remembered it yesterday.

As for the customization that might make Deskypplet more useful for me, I think it's pointless to explain features I might need, or bugs I saw, since the version I tried was outdated, as you pointed out.

As you said, all I wanted actually was to access static files. Still, If you need testers, or voting support, or recommendations (I work in quality assurance, a beginner, but still might prove useful) I'd be glad to get involved. Send/point me to where I can find the relevant details, and I'll start checking it out.

By the way, on an irrelevant topic, I bought a Samsung Galaxy Note, mainly to be used as a mini tablet for reading and watching movies (excellent resolution, and my eyes don't have problems with its size as a tablet), but not to replace my dear N900. Android and its applications made me appreciate Maemo and all the community apps over here even more than I did before. Nothing compares to the N900 experience!

Re: How to create desktop shortcuts for “Notes” files on N900?
 

No problem ;)
I have a very demanding dayjob so time flies anyway.

I am preparing the new version for release now and is quite close to that, there is some stuff left in the helpfiles and a bug and some quirks to fix before it gets released.
-I dont think there is an idea to share it before those problems gets sorted out first ;)

In the new version there is the possibility to make it show a static icon or several, without the unecessary screenestate for that usage used by the current one.
It is probably possible to use it as a toolbar/static dock too by tweaking the configs, but i havent tried out such a setup yet.

Yes i know ;) i had a android for a week, and it was very limited in my eyes.
But then, i have only had the communicator line of phones for the last decade, and those were also very advanced compared to the stuff that is aviable today.