# Application Manager Tasks

## Running Applications

1. - StartApplicationAppMgr

   - HelpOnAppIcon

   - ToUpdateAppManager

## Making Applications Easier to Find on the Desktop

1. - CopyAppToFrontPanel

   - ToPutAppGroupInFrontPanel

   - CopyAppIconToDesktop

## Configuring the Application Manager

1. - CreatePersonalAppGroup

   - AddAppToPersonalGroup

   - AddApplications

## Advanced Application Manager Information

1. - AppManagerFileNames

   - AppManagerPaths

## Other General Tasks

1. The Application Manager window is used very much like a File Manager window. These topics in File Manager help might be useful.

   - To Select a Single File or Folder

   - To Drag and Drop a File or Folder

   - To Move a File or Folder

   - To Copy a File or Folder

   - To Change Basic Viewing Preferences

   - For additional information about using File Manager: File Manager Tasks .

## To Start an Application

1. Open Application Manager by clicking the Application Manager control in the Front Panel.

2. Open the application group containing the application by double-clicking its icon.

   Application group icons are special folders that behave just like folder icons in File Manager.

   The application group contains icons representing the application and things associated with the application, such as README files and templates.

   The icon that starts the application is called the application icon or action icon.

3. Double-click the application's action icon.

   In some cases, you may also be able to start the application by dropping a data file on the action icon.

## Starting Applications from Data Files

1. Some applications have been configured to open when you:

   - Double-click a data file icon in File Manager.

   - Or, select the data file in File Manager and choose Open from the Selected menu.

## To Get Help on an Application Icon

- Choose Help from the icon's pop-up menu. To display the pop-up menu, point to the icon and press mouse button 3.

- Or, choose On Item from the Help menu and then click the icon.

## To Put an Application Icon in the Front Panel

1. Display the application's action icon in Application Manager.

2. Display the subpanel to which you want to add the application.

3. Drag the action icon from Application Manager to the Install Ojbect control in the subpanel.

## To Put an Application Group in the Front Panel

1. Open Application Manager.

2. Display the subpanel to which you want to add the application group.

3. Drag an application group icon from Application Manager to the Install Icon control in the subpanel.

## To Put an Application Icon on the Workspace Backdrop

1. Display the application's icon in Application Manager.

2. Drag the application's icon to the desktop backdrop.

## To Update Application Manager

Application Manager is created the first time you log in, and is rebuilt each time you log in. Each time it is built, it searches certain system and network locations for applications and places them in Application Manager.

If your system administrator adds an application, you can update your Application Manager:

- Log out and back in.

- Or, open the Desktop_Tools application group and double-click Reload Applications.

## To Create a Personal Application Group

A personal application group is a group that you alone own. You create the group yourself and have permission to modify it.

1. Create a directory:

       HomeDirectory/.dt/appmanager/app_group_name

   where app_group_name is the name of the application group as it will appear in Application Manager.

2. Open the Desktop_Tools application group and double-click Reload Applications.

   You should now see your new application group at the top level of Application Manager.

You can treat your personal application group like any other directory to which you have write permission. You can move or copy files to it, create subdirectories, and delete unwanted files.

## Related Topics

1. - AddAppToPersonalGroup

## To Add an Application to a Personal Application Group

The following procedure:

- Creates an action for your application.

  An action is a desktop construct that behaves like a macro--it automates tasks usually done with command lines. The desktop uses actions to connect command lines with icons.

- Creates an action icon representing the application in the application group.

1. If necessary, create an application group to which you have write permission. See CreatePersonalAppGroup.

2. Determine the command line you would use to start the application from a terminal emulator window.

3. Use the desktop application Create Action to create the action. See To Create an Action With Create Action .

   Create Action requires you to enter an action name. The name you supply will become the label on the action.

   Create Action creates an action icon in your home folder. The icon consists of an executable file with the same name as the action.

4. Copy or move the action icon created by Create Action from your home folder to the personal application group.

## To Register Applications in Application Manager

When an application is registered in Application Manager, it has its own application group. This application group is available to all users on the system.

Registering applications is a system administration task. For instructions, see the Common Desktop Environment Advanced User's and System Administrator's Guide.