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Executing appimage files
Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2024 10:34 pm
by cdugan
I have a community supported KDE version of MX18 and am trying to get an appimage of Firefox to run to allow me to watch streaming video services (which no longer work with the version of Firefox included in MX18). However, after setting the appimage file to "execute" - left clicking does not execute the file - it provides me with options to "open" the file. What am I missing to allow it to run?
Alternatively, are there any backport sites that will allow me to install a more recent version of Firefox (or other browser that I can use for streaming services)?
Re: Executing appimage files
Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2024 11:51 pm
by xaol
i've not used an appimage in a while so don't know about the first part, but can you download a newer version from mozilla here?
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/a ... p-release/
affter downloading and extracting that, there is an excutable named firefox that opens the browser.
Re: Executing appimage files
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 12:21 am
by cdugan
Thanks. It actually installed - something I have not been able to do until now.
I will have to test it with my streaming services.
I would still like to know how to get appimages to work
Re: Executing appimage files
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 12:28 am
by Stevo
It might need libraries that are too recent to be in that Debian 9 "Stretch" based release...as always, trying to start it in a terminal can provide clues.
The "mozillabinaries" MX Firefox packages basically do the same thing with the "Mozilla Binaries", though I'm sure Debian purists blanche and look for the nearest fainting couch at the thought of us not building the thing from source.
Re: Executing appimage files
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 12:53 am
by DukeComposed
cdugan wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 12:21 am
I would still like to know how to get appimages to work
I was pretty unclear on AppImages until I gave
AppImageLauncher a try. It's helpful to have a utility that does the installation process for you.
Re: Executing appimage files
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 3:59 am
by wdscharff
You must boot in systemd mode to use appimagelauncher
Re: Executing appimage files
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 5:47 am
by fehlix
cdugan wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 12:21 am
I would still like to know how to get appimages to work
First you would make the file executable. IIRC, rightclick and permissions, or right-click and properties->permissions to select be executable or "Allow this file to run".
Next you can try to run it. If still not.
Right click on the folder the AppImage is localted on open terminal here.
run the Appimage like
If that works, you can create a "Launcher" by adding the command line similar to the one above, but maybe with adjusted
path instead of relative pathe "./" to current directory the full absolute path to the file.
Thats it- just simple.
In case of error messages, the may provide a clue, why they won't run -moste recent AppImage my simply not work b/c they may require newer C-libs or other libs.
Also note, as AppImage-launcher mentioned : The tool AppImage-launcher is not needed to run an AppImage. It was meant to make
it simpler for the user to create a "launcher" and put that launcher into the menu.
Re: Executing appimage files
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 7:12 am
by cdugan
Thanks - I did make the file executable, as that was the first step on the instructions that I originally read. I may have even tried the command line, but I will try it again to see what happens.
Re: Executing appimage files
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 7:22 am
by cdugan
Thanks. I thought that the launcher was just to set things up in your window environment. I did not that it would help getting it running. Thanks for the recommendation.
Re: Executing appimage files
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 7:23 am
by cdugan
wdscharff wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 3:59 am
You must boot in systemd mode to use appimagelauncher
Thanks - I do not use systemd, so that could be a problem with trying the launcher.
Re: Executing appimage files
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 8:06 am
by fehlix
cdugan wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 7:23 am
wdscharff wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 3:59 am
You must boot in systemd mode to use appimagelauncher
Thanks - I do not use systemd, so that could be a problem with trying the launcher.
You are not talking about AppimageLauncher tool, which you don't need to run an AppImage file.
Confused?
Re: Executing appimage files
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 10:28 am
by wdscharff
cdugan wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 7:23 am
wdscharff wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 3:59 am
You must boot in systemd mode to use appimagelauncher
Thanks - I do not use systemd, so that could be a problem with trying the launcher.
The launcher is only there for convenience. It generates a desktop file for the appimage in the designated directory (~.local/applications .... ) and that's it. The appimagelauncher is not required for execution, so you can boot normally again (booting with systemd is an option in MX's grub)
You can also write desktop files yourself, that's how I used to do it and now I edit them myself again because I have enough templates for the required *.desktop files
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Re: Executing appimage files
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 11:08 am
by DukeComposed
wdscharff wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 10:28 am
cdugan wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 7:23 am
Thanks - I do not use systemd, so that could be a problem with trying the launcher.
The launcher is only there for convenience. It generates a desktop file for the appimage in the designated directory (~.local/applications .... ) and that's it. The appimagelauncher is not required for execution
I'll second this: AppImages are standalone files and you can run them independently of anything kind of launcher utility. I mentioned the project as a way-of-life improvement, not as a prerequisite.
Re: Executing appimage files
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 11:12 am
by BitterTruth
I use the following method for libreoffice:
1) download the appimage
2) make it executable
3) create a .desktop file for it in /home/user/.local/share/applications so that it shows up in the menu
use this template:
Code: Select all
[Desktop Entry]
Version=1.0
Type=Application
Terminal=false
Exec=/path/to/appimage
Name=LibreOffice
Comment=Notes
Categories=Office
Icon=/usr/share/icons/Faenza/apps/24/libreoffice34-writer.png
MimeType=application/office
4) create a launcher pointing to the appimage if you want
5) you may need to create all the file type associations (MIME info) for it so you can just click on a .doc file for example (html in your case) and the os will know to open it with the appimage automatically. Sometimes you can do that by right clicking on the said file you want top open and choose 'open with ..... followed by always for this file type' etc but I remember I had to actually go into a config file and add the info there
6) for upgrading, rename the old appimage, download a new version to the same location and give it the same name as the previous version. If everything works, delete the old appimage