How to create Desktop link (shortcut) for software in Ubuntu

If you are new to Ubuntu, You may have to face, that you have to use terminal to browse and run .sh files. When I was new to Ubuntu I had to face this. I’ve to type path of Intellij IDEA’s idea.sh file to run the IDE. Using terminal is nice but shortcut would be nice right?

Let’s Figure how to do it. Here I configure Intellij IDEA 14 (in 15 they ask if you want desktop entries or not.)

First we have to create the desktop link file with .desktop extension. You can use arbitrary valid name but after that .desktop extension should be there. Type below command in terminal.(Replace with Intellij.desktop your_Software_name.desktop)

gksudo gedit /usr/share/applications/Intellij.desktop

Below code you must Enter to the file and save it. (You might not install gksu in your Ubuntu, You can install it by sudo apt-get install gksu  Reason is not to use normal sudo is https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo#Graphical_sudo)

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Intellij 14
Type=Application
Exec=/home/dreamer/idea-IU-141.3056.4/bin/idea.sh
Terminal=false
Icon=/home/dreamer/idea-IU-141.3056.4/bin/idea.png
Comment=Integrated Development Environment
NoDisplay=false
Categories=Development;IDE;
Name[en]=Intellij

As you can Understand you Must change “Name” fields as your Application and “Exec” field with respective executable file (Normally in Linux software executable resides in bin folder as .sh file). If you want to give Icon you can use “Icon” field. Now you can type the name of software in Dash run it. If you use it frequently you can use very easy setup for it. Right click on running application’s icon on sidebar select Lock to Launcher. Now you can see it in side bar

Paid Product you can get as Student

Some software companies provides free access to their paid software and services for Students. If your University provide you a University email you are lucky if not you aren't that unlucky :D Let see some of them

Microsoft Dreamspark.

Well it Comes to free products for Students Microsoft is the king. It provides Lots of useful product for students Some of them are these

• Windows 8
• Microsoft Azure (Windows cloud service)
• Plural sight ( Free access for paid site which provide latest technology tutorials)
• Xamarin 

These are few of them. To register in the Dreamspark you will need Both side scanned image of your University Id. (If your University has bought the premium package of Dreamspark you can get lot more products including the Windows 10)

Jetbrain Ultimate IDEs

I believe Jetbrains provide most coolest Ides known to man such as Intellij IDEA. They provide community editions but they are lack of some features like web development (JSP). But as a student you can get the Ultimate keys. (Also if you have contributed to an open source project). You will have to provide documentation of proof such as Scanned image of your university id.

Github Student Developer Pack

Github developer pack is another thing you can get. Well I'm not aware of all of it's contains but I can create private repositories using the student pack. Standard version allow only to create public repos. You have to paid in standard version for private repositaries.

Autodesk Student Packages

Autodesk provides lot of Students packages including 3d Max, AUTOCAD etc. You not need a University email of Scanned image of University id. If you faced the problem finding the Your University they provide the facility to add your University.

These are few of student products I found. I'm sure there are many. Comment please if you know any. I'll add it to the blog.