2013-04-12, 17:12
<Edit>
Basically to summarize my issue and resolution:
Running xbmcbuntu on a decently fast htpc and looking to replace a console with the rig. Steam add on, and Advanced Launcher both would not function correctly or stable, I could get it to launch eventually but it always ended in the system hanging.
As cool and light as Xbmcbuntu is there really is no way to run either of the addons right out of the box on the distro (read below).
To Quote Angelscry:
That's your problem. You are under a XBMC session (mean XBMC into standalone mode, without any desktop/windows manager). So any external applications (like Steam) that require advanced windows, display, command, input or control supports, (generally managed by a desktop/windows manager) cannot work properly.
People always made this mistake. They want to use a light linux based XBMC dedicated operating system (XBMCbuntu, OpenElec, etc...) for they HTPC... and then do not understand why they could not start anything else than XBMC on it. If it is light and dedicated, it's because a lot of things (necessary for other application) have been removed from the operating systems. They are good operating system if you want to only use XBMC, but if you plan to use other application it will become really more complicated.
If you want to start external application (aka Steam) on your system you need to have at least a desktop/windows manager running on it. To do this you have 3 solutions (from the worth to the best):
Create a script (.sh) that you will be started from XBMC that will start a light desktop/windows manager and then will automatically launch Steam.
Boot your system into a light desktop/windows manager (like openbox) and then automatically start XBMC.
Use a linux distribution with a desktop/windows manager.
I chose just to migrate to another distro, and would recommend anyone looking to do anything like this to read through this thread as its loaded with good info for two very helpful devs for there addons. Truly dedicated to helping a frustrating newb in need.
<Original Post>
I have searched quite a bit for people using advanced launcher and steam or steam games together. For the sake of possibly keeping it simple I would like to just launch steam and pick a game from there.
Here is a link to a thread discussing this in windows http://www.gwenael.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=209 I cannot seem to get this working on xbmcbuntu though. There is a bunch of threads where people essentially make a link to the game and use ie to launch said game. Right clicking on the steam icon on my desktop does not reveal a URL that I could use in chromium or Firefox.
I managed to track down where the launcher in the games menu on the ubuntu desktop that launches tf2. It was burred in the /etc folder, I have set up and advanced launcher for this file. It will open tf2 windowed almost covering the entire screen but my controls (mouse keyboard etc) are under it on the xmbc home screen and I have to restart the box using the power button.
I am essentially trying to make or find a walk through for beginners like myself specific to xbmcbuntu or Linux/Unix distros that can help launch one of the main gaming platforms for these builds.
Thanks in advance to anyone offering to help.
Basically to summarize my issue and resolution:
Running xbmcbuntu on a decently fast htpc and looking to replace a console with the rig. Steam add on, and Advanced Launcher both would not function correctly or stable, I could get it to launch eventually but it always ended in the system hanging.
As cool and light as Xbmcbuntu is there really is no way to run either of the addons right out of the box on the distro (read below).
To Quote Angelscry:
That's your problem. You are under a XBMC session (mean XBMC into standalone mode, without any desktop/windows manager). So any external applications (like Steam) that require advanced windows, display, command, input or control supports, (generally managed by a desktop/windows manager) cannot work properly.
People always made this mistake. They want to use a light linux based XBMC dedicated operating system (XBMCbuntu, OpenElec, etc...) for they HTPC... and then do not understand why they could not start anything else than XBMC on it. If it is light and dedicated, it's because a lot of things (necessary for other application) have been removed from the operating systems. They are good operating system if you want to only use XBMC, but if you plan to use other application it will become really more complicated.
If you want to start external application (aka Steam) on your system you need to have at least a desktop/windows manager running on it. To do this you have 3 solutions (from the worth to the best):
Create a script (.sh) that you will be started from XBMC that will start a light desktop/windows manager and then will automatically launch Steam.
Boot your system into a light desktop/windows manager (like openbox) and then automatically start XBMC.
Use a linux distribution with a desktop/windows manager.
I chose just to migrate to another distro, and would recommend anyone looking to do anything like this to read through this thread as its loaded with good info for two very helpful devs for there addons. Truly dedicated to helping a frustrating newb in need.
<Original Post>
I have searched quite a bit for people using advanced launcher and steam or steam games together. For the sake of possibly keeping it simple I would like to just launch steam and pick a game from there.
Here is a link to a thread discussing this in windows http://www.gwenael.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=209 I cannot seem to get this working on xbmcbuntu though. There is a bunch of threads where people essentially make a link to the game and use ie to launch said game. Right clicking on the steam icon on my desktop does not reveal a URL that I could use in chromium or Firefox.
I managed to track down where the launcher in the games menu on the ubuntu desktop that launches tf2. It was burred in the /etc folder, I have set up and advanced launcher for this file. It will open tf2 windowed almost covering the entire screen but my controls (mouse keyboard etc) are under it on the xmbc home screen and I have to restart the box using the power button.
I am essentially trying to make or find a walk through for beginners like myself specific to xbmcbuntu or Linux/Unix distros that can help launch one of the main gaming platforms for these builds.
Thanks in advance to anyone offering to help.