[RELEASE] Launcher - application launcher plugin for Linux, Mac, Windows, and Xbox

Hello,

This (open source) plugin is able to launch (start) Linux, Mac, Windows, and Xbox applications from within the XBMC GUI.

Help to debug and troubleshoot it under Mac OS X would be appreciated as I do not own a Mac myself.

The plugin has been tested and working under XBMC 8.10 (Atlantis).

Download Link:
http://code.google.com/p/xbmc-launcher/downloads/list





SVN Access:
svn checkout http://xbmc-launcher.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/ xbmc-launcher-read-only

Wiki:
http://code.google.com/p/xbmc-launcher/wiki/Main

Plugin Features:
- Run an application with arguments.
- Run a file from directory using given application.
- Search & Download images for applications and files using Yahoo search engine.
- Full work with the GUI with. (add application, remove, add files, etc..)

Installation:
1. unzip the file into Plugins/Program directory.
2. (linux users only): create a symlink for /usr/lib/libcurl.so.4 named /usr/lib/libcurl.so (run: "sudo ln -sf /usr/lib/libcurl.so.4 /usr/lib/libcurl.so" in terminal)
3. Run XBMC:
3.1. Switch to MC360 Skin (or some other skin that has "Programs" Section)
3.2. Go to Games -> Applications -> Add Source -> Browse -> Program Plugins
3.3. Select Launcher and Click "OK"
3.4. Click OK Again.
3.5. Right Click on "Launcher" Icon
3.6. Choose "Add to Favorites"
3.7. Switch back to PMIII Skin.
3.8. Click on the Arrow in the bottom right corner
3.9. Choose "Launcher"

Known Bugs:
1. Got stuck if no images were found on Yahoo service.
2. (Windows Only) Minimizing and not maximizing back the XBMC after program finished.
3. Need to exit & re-enter directory to see changes (like adding & removing files)

I'll be happy to get feedback about it, you may also open bugs in :
http://code.google.com/p/xbmc-launcher/issues/list


Enjoy!

Regards / leo

thanks for creating this plugin its much appreciated this version seems to work well very polished

for any one trying to get this to work on a newer build of XBMC that is fresh installed as opposed to upgraded. You will need manually create the programs folder in C:\Program Files\XBMC\plugins

ps dose this build work on xbox and will it be going in the plugin svn

marlboroman1 Wrote:ps dose this build work on xbox

maybe, I didn't have an xbox to try it on.
it should.

marlboroman1 Wrote:and will it be going in the plugin svn

depends on the xbmc team.

leo2 Wrote:I've working last few weeks on a plugin that is able to run windows or linux applications within the XBMC GUI.
The plugin has been tested and working under:
Windows XP - XBMC Rev14676
Ubuntu 8.04 - XBMC Rev14725

is it backwards compatible with XBMC for Xbox as well?

Gamester17 Wrote:is it backwards compatible with XBMC for Xbox as well?

don't know, don't have an xbox so I can't test it.

is it possible to use this to launch movies from the main interface? I would love to be able to use xbmc as a front end, but currently I'm not too happy with xbmc for playing back HD content. Ideally, I'd like to be able to browse through media as I normally would, but have the option to launch movies in an alternate application (like media player classic).

I have set up the beta of launcher and it works great, but I can only use it to launch a preset file. Any ideas on how I could pass the file path and name to the launcher on the fly?

btw I think this feature should be a standard element of xbmc (as it is for media portal)and I don't understand why more people aren't interested in it!

I know you never intended for it to work on Xbox, just reporting it that it indeed for me at least does not work. Reports a network error. Great plugin however, I'm sure it will be extremely easy to use.

Thanks a lot for this, excellent work! I'm surprised more people haven't jumped on this.

I Probably don't get this..Tried to add a firefox script once and did it wrong.. Now when I try to add a launcher, I can't redo the firefox script..

browse -> Program Plugins -> Launcher -> Firefox Folder() -> Import Files From Path? ->

Yes -> Hangs on dialog "Loading Directory"
No -> Empty Directory

How can I make a new launcher and erase the "old" firefox settings? And another question, can I make multiple launchers?

us1111 Wrote:I Probably don't get this..Tried to add a firefox script once and did it wrong.. Now when I try to add a launcher, I can't redo the firefox script..

browse -> Program Plugins -> Launcher -> Firefox Folder() -> Import Files From Path? ->

Yes -> Hangs on dialog "Loading Directory"
No -> Empty Directory

How can I make a new launcher and erase the "old" firefox settings? And another question, can I make multiple launchers?

just delete it, and recreate it.