lmms does not show in menus, launcher or dash; must launch from terminal or with run dialog

lmms.desktop is missing from /usr/share/applications/

so here is my version that fixes the problem.

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

Israel Dahl's .desktop file works great, except the lmms icon is low quality.
I used the icon from the lmms splash screen and it looks much nicer.

Icon=/usr/share/lmms/themes/default/splash.png

so mine looks like this:

[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=LMMS
Comment=Drum sequencer with multiple plugin and midi capabilities
Exec=lmms
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Application;AudioVideo;Audio
Icon=/usr/share/lmms/themes/default/splash.png

Sweet. I made my own svg for it... but that is brilliant!

12.04 Beta test. same as 11.10. LMMS doesn't show up in Unity Dash. the only way to run it is from Alt+F2 "lmms".
This is a SERIOUSLY HUGE bug as new users of this incredibly program will be discouraged and think It doesn't work at all (even though it is an amazing program) PLEASE add the appropriate Desktop file to the package, and fix whatever is wrong with the software center listing. This is Not good

Still an issue in 12.04 beta today.

This is an important bug. As said above, it is one of the most mature apps available in the software centre, and the best of its kind. The average user of Ubuntu won"t be able to understand what happened to the app after installing it (not showing in the launcher, not in the dash). Using the terminal is not an option for a lot of Ubuntu users.

It would be great if this could get some attention before 12.04 is released!

Cheers!

To add to the discussion, there is a AskUbuntu question with different workarounds:

http://askubuntu.com/questions/56901/cant-find-a-launcher-for-lmms

And I just wanted to point out that in Ubuntu Software Centre, every single one of the 7 reviews that appear for LMMS at the moment mention this problem, in particular two reviews giving a one star rating for this reason (can't find it anywhere).

Another workaround is to get the latest stable version of LMMS via the DNS Sound ppa:

https://launchpad.net/~dns/+archive/sound

Current version in Ubuntu is still 4.10 (released in February 2010 !!!); the PPA version is 4.13, released in February 2012.

I tested it:
- Uninstall LMMS
- Add ppa in a terminal with: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:dns/sound && sudo apt-get update
- Install the new LMMS version in USC

The Icon is now present in Dash, and can be locked to the launcher.

This bug could be fixed by simply pushing the latest stable version in the repositories.

Thanks Stéphane Guillou for adding to this discussion!!! I am glad to know the problem is resolved in the newest version (though, it may have been a problem in the packaging???) Does LMMS appear in the correct category in USC?
I have been on a quest to find the right person to fix this problem for quite some time now, and this person is now listed as the maintainer for LMMS
https://launchpad.net/~nitrofurano-3t
it used to be someone else (who never answered e-mails) I contacted them today and listed some of the bugs related to this issue (as well as linked them all together as duplicates) Hopefully this will be resolved soon.

I just had a look in USC, and it appears that LMMS doesn't appear in "Sound & Video" when this ppa is in use.
However, it is listed in the Dash in the "Media" filter.
Thanks for your help, Israel Dahl!

well... that is too bad. I sure hope this gets figured out. splendid
program that deserves to be found... though I guess it is a bit like a
buried treasure this way.

Update for Quantal:

The problem is the same on Quantal: repos version is still 4.10, and it is still impossible to find in launcher or dash.

The version on the sound PPA (https://launchpad.net/~dns/+archive/sound) has been updated yesterday, making 4.13 available for Quantal and Raring (thank you DNS).

Version 4.13from the PPA has the same result in Quantal as described in previous comments: it fixes the major 'discovery' problem (possible to find it in the dash, and possible to pin it to the launcher), but the minor problem is that it is not listed in "Sound & Video" in the USC - however, a global search lets one find it.

LMMS 4.13 seems to work flawlessly on Quantal (with my tests so far).

What is stopping us to push version 4.13 in the repos to fix this bug?

Well as an interesting turn of events I was made the package maintainer because I kept asking people who maintained it. So now I just have to figure out how to upload the newest version and find out what is wrong with the USC category thing. Oh yeah and figure out how to package it. If you know anyone who can help please point me in the right direction. I have already contacted the LMMS devs for help. So I guess I am now the one in charge of this bug

@Stéphane Guillou
Ok, I have been doing a lot of researching, and looking in the source I find the desktop file is present, and the menu file is present. the Debian control file looks good, and so I have hit a bump. I am currently trying to fix the bug. I am also interested in getting the newest into the repos. I've been talking to the lmms developers and they will help me package 0.4.14 when it comes out.... but I just need to find out how to get a program submitted. Ok, so my question for you... when you used the ppa to install 0.4.13 did you do nothing to prior fix the missing .desktop file issue? Did installing via ppa fix this? I am trying to find out why 0.4.10 is broken, so I can at least submit a patch and get it working. Thanks for your interest!!

back when I had this issue I think it also affected the ppa, Not sure any more as I know I manual added the desktop ini file edited to properly point to the icon. With that said I have uninstalled to compile from source on master branch, (Which I managed to get up to 75%-80% before hanging.) and reinstalled it without any issue, not sure if the desktop ini file got removed when purging though. I currently use the ppa irie-lmms and works correctly to the exeunt of my knowledge.

Well, as of Kubuntu 12.10 with ppa:dns/sound, the entry is created in the menu.
Cannot tell anything about non-KDE menus, anyway ...

Uqbar, can you check in Software center to see if it is listed in the correct category (sound & video)?
CHEWS can you also check to see if the ppa you use displays it correctly in the software center?

The version is still the same as it has been since Natty (more or less.... it is 0.4.10). CHEWS do you remember if the bug began in Oneiric? Can anyone else recall if the bug began in Oneric?

The simple things that it should have been (i.e. missing lmms.desktop file) are not the problem. I am assuming the problem is with how it was packaged in Oneric... if that is where it began. If the ppas display lmms in the software-center then they must have the correct packaging and all the correct files. I haven't been able to pinpoint what the software-center actually reads to categorize the file.... I assume it is part of the debianization. Thanks for the quick responses. Hopefully we will get this to work, or at least get it fixed for the next release.....

made sure my destop ini was gone and installed after a unity restart my ppa has it both placed correctly and searchable in dash. it lmm 4.13 my first experience of the issue I think was either 11.10 or 12.04 I first reported it on 12.04 though, so earliest I can recal. It had something to do with the ini file or something. My ppa works haven't tried main package. recently.

Thank you CHEWS! To clarify something, did you open the Ubuntu Software Center so see if it is placed correctly? I appreciate your help!

lmms from the official repositories (0.4.10-2.3ubuntu1) is listed as belonging to "Section: universe/sound",
while the version (0.4.13-stable.git.2254-1.1~12.10) coming from the DNS PPA belongs to "Section: sound".

No does not apear to be under sound and video aplications section on
software center

On Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 6:53 AM, Uqbar <email address hidden> wrote:

> lmms from the official repositories (0.4.10-2.3ubuntu1) is listed as
> belonging to "Section: universe/sound",
> while the version (0.4.13-stable.git.2254-1.1~12.10) coming from the DNS
> PPA belongs to "Section: sound".
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/863366
>
> Title:
> lmms does not show in menus, launcher or dash; must launch from
> terminal or with run dialog
>
> Status in “lmms” package in Ubuntu:
> In Progress
>
> Bug description:
> Install lmms in ubuntu 11.10 64bit and it can only be launched via
> terminal and run dialog also locking the icon in the launcher does not
> allow relaunching with it.
>
> Also an issue in Ubuntu 12.04 beta.
>
> Apparently, the desktop file exists in the sources, but it is not
> added to /usr/share/applications/ when the package is installed.
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/lmms/+bug/863366/+subscriptions
>

Ok, well I am in the process of submitting 0.4.13 as an upstream merge. I hope that goes well, I am still trying to find someone who knows just exactly how the software center decides what categories things belong in. Thanks again for testing these things CHEWS and Uqbar! I will post anything when I find out if the upstream merger occurs, and also if I can discover how to fix the placement in the software center as well...

http://developer.ubuntu.com/publish/ hey if you follow this lmms should be properly listed and I think it may carry over to ppa's not sure. Good place to start at least.

Thanks... I'm not sure that I can do that, as I don't own the app... I am just the current maintainer. I'm slowly figuring out bits and pieces, but no one has really given me any concrete answers as to what file the software center reads. Some progress is better than nothing I suppose.

yeah can't find the file yet maybe its on canonicals end? Currently have flew but will see what I can dig up on it, should be some way to do it.

Ok, so I found out that
"the software-center scans only the main archive packages (and the data from softwrae-center-agent.ubuntu.com), but not from PPAs"
And I finally found out for sure that it is indeed the lmms.desktop file that is the whole problem. Apparently it is not in the binary (as we know having dealt with this bug). So, as far as I understand, the upstream merge (moving 0.4.13 into precise) should fix this problem. So hopefully this problem is already fixed, and they will do whatever they need to to review my merger and say "OK!" and we can mark this as solved.
Thanks again for all your help!!
I will definetly keep checking on this and I will update when things happen, or I know something.

Ok, so... a bit of a hurdle... but fixing lmms Precise would require a SRU (Stable Release Update). This is a long process (which is fine as, an LTS is supported for 5 years, I hope to eventually fix it). However, I have successfully created a bzr branch for Raring Ringtail, and I have proposed merging lp:~israeldahl/ubuntu/raring/lmms/lmms_0.4.13 into lp:ubuntu/lmms. Which basically means the people in charge can now see that it is there, and decide if they want to include it. Since Raring Ringtail is not an LTS, I think that it is more likely they will accept it.
I will work on the patch to install the desktop file and try to get a bug fix in quantal and in precise. I don't think I can get 0.4.13 into Precise or Quantal.... (maybe I'm wrong?) I will at least try to get Precise fixed, as it is a stable release and new users will go after the stable LTS, and that is what this bug is all about... we need the new users to have a way to run lmms without the terminal or Alt+F2, manually creating a .desktop file, etc.... It should just work.
Thanks again for the help!! (I know I say that everytime... but really I do mean it it would be much to hard without other people)

Israel, if you succeed in pushing the new package in Debian, you'll succeed also in Ubuntu. Sooner or later.

well problem with that is at least a bit back doing that prevented lmms
package from letting you install vst support with newer versions of wine
though it works better with new version

On Sat, Dec 1, 2012 at 1:11 PM, Uqbar <email address hidden> wrote:

> Israel, if you succeed in pushing the new package in Debian, you'll
> succeed also in Ubuntu. Sooner or later.
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/863366
>
> Title:
> lmms does not show in menus, launcher or dash; must launch from
> terminal or with run dialog
>
> Status in “lmms” package in Ubuntu:
> In Progress
>
> Bug description:
> Install lmms in ubuntu 11.10 64bit and it can only be launched via
> terminal and run dialog also locking the icon in the launcher does not
> allow relaunching with it.
>
> Also an issue in Ubuntu 12.04 beta.
>
> Apparently, the desktop file exists in the sources, but it is not
> added to /usr/share/applications/ when the package is installed.
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/lmms/+bug/863366/+subscriptions
>

@CHEWS, your comment it a bit unclear. Are you saying the newest version makes VST plugins not work? Or are you saying 0.4.13 fixes problems with a different version (0.4.11 or 0.4.12)???

@Uqbar, I am proposing a merger into the Ubuntu repos, not Debian. I am not a Debian maintainer and lmms doesn't have an active maintainer in Debian anymore either(from what I've heard on the lmms developers mailing list...) So if you are interested, you might look into it :)

no I was saying, last I checked, unless changed when the ubuntu package is
taken straight from debian it force a dependency on a specific version of
wine though the dependency shouldn't be there. It would try and uninstall
lmms vst support every-time I updated wine, it had something to do with
debian that was fixed in ubuntu but not changed in the packaging. May have
already been fixed but it was annoying a while back lol

On Sat, Dec 1, 2012 at 8:04 PM, Israel Dahl <email address hidden>wrote:

> @CHEWS, your comment it a bit unclear. Are you saying the newest
> version makes VST plugins not work? Or are you saying 0.4.13 fixes
> problems with a different version (0.4.11 or 0.4.12)???
>
> @Uqbar, I am proposing a merger into the Ubuntu repos, not Debian. I am
> not a Debian maintainer and lmms doesn't have an active maintainer in
> Debian anymore either(from what I've heard on the lmms developers
> mailing list...) So if you are interested, you might look into it :)
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/863366
>
> Title:
> lmms does not show in menus, launcher or dash; must launch from
> terminal or with run dialog
>
> Status in “lmms” package in Ubuntu:
> In Progress
>
> Bug description:
> Install lmms in ubuntu 11.10 64bit and it can only be launched via
> terminal and run dialog also locking the icon in the launcher does not
> allow relaunching with it.
>
> Also an issue in Ubuntu 12.04 beta.
>
> Apparently, the desktop file exists in the sources, but it is not
> added to /usr/share/applications/ when the package is installed.
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/lmms/+bug/863366/+subscriptions
>

CHEWS I am not sure on that one... I will check into that one next...

I have successfully built and installed working fixed versions, so I know the upstream will not have the bug, IF they accept my proposed merge.
the whole problem was in the lmms-common.install file. it was simply missing the line /usr/share/applications/
so, the desktop file was not getting installed.

I have found out more about fixing lmms in precise/quantal.... it seems that a backport from raring will likely be the easiest way to 'fix' the bug. So, hopefully they will accept the package into raring, and backport it to precise and quantal. if that doesn't happen, I will try to get them to upload this fix.

Oh, CHEWS... I updated the description in preparation for a SRU
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/StableReleaseUpdates

So, don't be offended that I edited it... I was trying to include all the info they needed, so it can be backported when the time comes

Not offended I forgot this bug existed and it was back when i was new to
reporting bug :D

On Mon, Dec 3, 2012 at 7:14 AM, Israel Dahl <email address hidden>wrote:

> Oh, CHEWS... I updated the description in preparation for a SRU
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/StableReleaseUpdates
>
> So, don't be offended that I edited it... I was trying to include all
> the info they needed, so it can be backported when the time comes
>
> ** Description changed:
>
> Install lmms in ubuntu 11.10 64bit and it can only be launched via
> terminal and run dialog also locking the icon in the launcher does not
> allow relaunching with it.
>
> - Also an issue in Ubuntu 12.04 beta.
> + Also an issue in Ubuntu 12.04 and 12.10
>
> Apparently, the desktop file exists in the sources, but it is not added
> to /usr/share/applications/ when the package is installed.
> +
> + The justification for wanting a backport is simple, no new users can
> + easily discern that they have even installed a program. There is no
> + menu listing, and no clear way to run the program. The program becomes
> + totally unusable without a workaround (such as adding a desktop file, or
> + manually running the program each time)
> +
> + [Test Case]To reproduce the bug simply install lmms, it has no desktop
> + file and cannot be found. one has run it from CLI or Alt+F2
> +
> + [Regression Potential]the possibility of regression in small, as the bug
> + is a severe regression from the previous versions. The upstream has
> + been tested in various PPA's and has no sign of the bug.
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/863366
>
> Title:
> lmms does not show in menus, launcher or dash; must launch from
> terminal or with run dialog
>
> Status in “lmms” package in Ubuntu:
> In Progress
>
> Bug description:
> Install lmms in ubuntu 11.10 64bit and it can only be launched via
> terminal and run dialog also locking the icon in the launcher does not
> allow relaunching with it.
>
> Also an issue in Ubuntu 12.04 and 12.10
>
> Apparently, the desktop file exists in the sources, but it is not
> added to /usr/share/applications/ when the package is installed.
>
> The justification for wanting a backport is simple, no new users can
> easily discern that they have even installed a program. There is no
> menu listing, and no clear way to run the program. The program
> becomes totally unusable without a workaround (such as adding a
> desktop file, or manually running the program each time)
>
> [Test Case]To reproduce the bug simply install lmms, it has no desktop
> file and cannot be found. one has run it from CLI or Alt+F2
>
> [Regression Potential]the possibility of regression in small, as the
> bug is a severe regression from the previous versions. The upstream
> has been tested in various PPA's and has no sign of the bug.
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/lmms/+bug/863366/+subscriptions
>

This bug was fixed in the package lmms - 0.4.13-0ubuntu1

---------------
lmms (0.4.13-0ubuntu1) raring; urgency=low

  * New Upstream release.
    - Minor tweaking to ZynAddSubFX, CALF, SWH plugins and Stefan Fendt's RC
      filters.
    - Added UI fixes: Magnentic effect of knobs and Piano-roll fixes
    - Updated German localization and copyright year
  * debian/lmms-common.install:
    - added /usr/share/applications so the lmms.desktop file will correctly
      install (LP: #863366)
    - This should also fix the Software Center not displaying lmms in sound
      and video (LP: #824231)
 -- Israel Dahl <email address hidden> Tue, 04 Dec 2012 06:36:06 -0600

Not only 64 bits - description updated.
SRU would be great - it's sad LMMS got so many negative reviews in USC just for this glitch.

Hello C.H.E.W.S., or anyone else affected,

Accepted lmms into precise-proposed. The package will build now and be available at http://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/lmms/0.4.10-2ubuntu1.1 in a few hours, and then in the -proposed repository.

Please help us by testing this new package. See https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Testing/EnableProposed for documentation how to enable and use -proposed. Your feedback will aid us getting this update out to other Ubuntu users.

If this package fixes the bug for you, please add a comment to this bug, mentioning the version of the package you tested, and change the tag from verification-needed to verification-done. If it does not fix the bug for you, please add a comment stating that, and change the tag to verification-failed. In either case, details of your testing will help us make a better decision.

Further information regarding the verification process can be found at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/QATeam/PerformingSRUVerification . Thank you in advance!

Works in 32 Bit Ubuntu12.04 and 64 bit Lubuntu12.04!! Hurray!!

Hi,

can you please include the small patch at

http://sourceforge.net/p/lmms/code/ci/e29de773b3982aa6ec26eadaafe0747846e9b7df/tree/src/tracks/InstrumentTrack.cpp?diff=26625b137f5c6fd9c500d89473fbc58a853ea35d

it fixes a serious regression which makes LMMS freeze when using MIDI devices.

Best regards

Toby

On Friday, May 10, 2013 01:44:55 PM you wrote:
> Hi,
>
> can you please include the small patch at
>
> http://sourceforge.net/p/lmms/code/ci/e29de773b3982aa6ec26eadaafe0747846e9b7
> df/tree/src/tracks/InstrumentTrack.cpp?diff=26625b137f5c6fd9c500d89473fbc58a
> 853ea35d
>
> it fixes a serious regression which makes LMMS freeze when using MIDI
> devices.
>
> Best regards
>
> Toby

You'll need to file a new bug for that (or find the existing one specific to that
issue) as this bug is now focused on verifying if the fix for this bug works
correctly or not.

Marking verification done per this comment: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/lmms/+bug/863366/comments/39

This bug was fixed in the package lmms - 0.4.10-2ubuntu1.1

---------------
lmms (0.4.10-2ubuntu1.1) precise-proposed; urgency=low

  * Backported changes from 13.04's packaging:
    - installed desktop file so that the program is noticeable to users
      (LP: #863366);
    - adjusted versioned dependency on -common so that package upgrades
      can succeed (LP: #1152807).
 -- Daniel T Chen <email address hidden> Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:16:48 -0400

The verification of the Stable Release Update for lmms has completed successfully and the package has now been released to -updates. Subsequently, the Ubuntu Stable Release Updates Team is being unsubscribed and will not receive messages about this bug report. In the event that you encounter a regression using the package from -updates please report a new bug using ubuntu-bug and tag the bug report regression-update so we can easily find any regresssions.