First, are you sure that a package from thekompany will install in pdaXrom?
Does the filename look like this? packagename_x.x.x_armv5tel.ipk
The most important thing is armv5tel
If it doesn't have armv5tel, the package is a Sharp/Cacko package or an OZ package, but not for pdaXrom.
The x.x.x is for the version number.
Next if the above is satisfied, there are several reasons why a package doesn't show up in the menu or desktop.
1. It is a console only package. In other words, you need to type the executable into a console to launch it.
2. It has a GUI, but is doesn't have a .desktop file and/or icon.
3. Some packages install into /usr/local/bin/ The menu doesn't "pick up" a lot of these packages.
The menu works best when packages are installed into /usr/bin/
4. The .desktop file or icon are not error-free.
Solutions:
1. First place to look at is the executable filename. It should be in /user/bin/ or /usr/local/bin/
2. In Windows, I use winrar and "examine" the contents of the package. I can find out 3 things this way. The executable filename, the .desktop filename, and the icon filename.
3. Once you have the filename of the executable, you can type it into a console. Your package should run now, unless there are errors, such as missing dependencies (libs mostly), or other errors.
4. If your package launches from the console and appears to be working fine, (there may still be some errors in the console, but some can be ignored), then it is time to look for problems in the .desktop file and/or icon.
Below is an example of a .desktop file from GQview (I removed the non-english stuff). They are located here: /usr/share/applications/[Desktop Entry]
Name=GQview
GenericName=Image Viewer
Comment=View and manage images
Exec=gqview
Icon=gqview.png
Type=Application
Terminal=false
StartupNotify=True
StartupWMClass=gqview
Encoding=UTF-8
Categories=Application;Graphics;In Rox filer, right click on a .desktop file and select "Open as text" to edit it.
If not using Rox filer, use a text editor and navigate to the .desktop file and open it.
What you want to pay attention to are these areas:
Exec=gqview (This does the same thing as typing gqview in a console, it launches the program)
Icon=gqview.png (This points to the icon. In pdaXrom, the icons work best when they are in /usr/share/pixmaps/ )
Categories=Application;Graphics; (This tells the menu system, where to place the icon onto the start menu)
Check for spelling errors, uppercase/lowercase. Find the icon and make sure you can open it in an image viewer/editor. It should be in PNG format, although some are XPM. These should work also.
If no .desktop file exists, you can make a copy of another .desktop file and edit it to point to your newly installed package.
Pick a simple one, like leafpad or gqview. If you don't need languages other than English, delete all the non-English stuff. This makes the .desktop file easier to read.
Then change these lines to point to your executable and icon.
Exec=
Icon=
Now to try to make your new package appear in the most appropriate spot on the menu, open a different .desktop file, (which is already located in an appropriate spot on the menu) and copy its "Categories=" section to your new .desktop file.
When you are satisfied with your editing, make sure to select "Save as", and save the desktop file to the exact name as the executable, but with ".desktop" as its extension.
Example:
executable.desktop
Now close all folders and close your text editor and restart 'X' (use ctrl-alt-backspace) then restart 'X' by typing startx
You need to restart 'X' to enable the menu system to "pick up" your new menu item.
Your new item should now appear on the menu, (and on the desktop if using matchbox/openbox without ROX desktop), if everything is set up properly
