title: Ubuntu .desktop links and absolute referencing
body: <p>In /usr/share/applications/ there are many desktop files. Here is an example:</p>
  
  <pre><code>[Desktop Entry]
  Type=Application
  Name=Eclipse
  Comment=Eclipse Integrated Development Environment
  Icon=eclipse
  Exec=eclipse
  Terminal=false
  Categories=Development;IDE;Java;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I don't understand why it doesn't have something like:</p>
  
  <pre><code>Location=/usr/lib/eclipseEE/eclipse
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>As without this, how does the Ubuntu know which eclipse to run if there are more than one?
  Tutorials keep pointing to these .Desktop files, which don't seem to point to specific executables.</p>
  
  <p><em><strong>veterans please stop reading</em></strong></p>
  
  <p>For the glorious benefit of complete beginners: To view a list of your .Desktop files, press ctrl+alt+T to open a terminal. Type "cd /" to change directory to root, type "cd usr/share/applications" to change directory to where the links (shortcuts) are apparently located (They are also located in "/home/<em>yourusername</em>/.local/share/applications", the unity menu will display links from both, it depends if you want to have the link for just your login, in case you put programs in your home folder, or whether you want to make the link available for other users. If you're the only user it doesn't matter). Type "ls" (LS) to list all files. To edit, say, "eclipse.Desktop" type "sudo nano eclipse.Desktop", give password if asked, then you can edit. "^" means the control key, there is a list of commands at the bottom for save etc. To create an entry, "sudo nano newname.Desktop" and it will make one.</p>