from:
http://askubuntu.com/questions/13758/how-can-i-edit-create-new-launcher-items-in-unity-by-hand
Updated: 2015-Dec
For Ubuntu 15.10 or 14.04 LTS (11.10 or later, with Unity (3D))
NOTE: This can replace the function of an existing icon, or (once created) can be searched for (from Dash icon) to add to current button-bar.
First make your OWN copy of any of the .desktop files you want to modify. It is MUCH safer, and then you can always delete and start over.
(list all files)
ls /usr/share/applications/*.desktop
Example: Mozilla Firefox, firefox.desktop
(do this once, or after deleting any failed attempt)
cp /usr/share/applications/firefox.desktop ~/.local/share/applications
Then carefully change any wording, or add additional options.
(edit the file)
gedit ~/.local/share/applications/firefox.desktop &
Note: The ampersand '&' releases the command line immediately.
--
For 11.04 and earlier:
Unity does support custom launchers from .desktop files. To create custom launcher from a .desktop file you need to create a *.desktop file for your program.
gedit ~/.local/share/applications/name.desktop
--
monodevelop startup with error message
Could not save solution: /usr/lib/monodevelop/bin/MonoDevelop.sln.
example
** fix ubuntu launcher icon in Unity
Q. How can I edit/create new launcher items in Unity by hand?
A. from -- to ++ modify
-- ~/.local/share/applications
#+TITLE: monodevelop.desktop
#+begin_src
[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Version=1.0
Type=Application
Name=MonoDevelop
Icon=monodevelop
Path=/data/qesdes/tmp
Exec=monodevelop /usr/lib/monodevelop/bin/MonoDevelop.exe <---- change this
StartupNotify=false
StartupWMClass=MonoDevelop
OnlyShowIn=Unity;
X-UnityGenerated=true
Comment=
Terminal=false
#+end_src
++ ~/.local/share/applications
#+begin_src
[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Version=1.0
Type=Application
Name=MonoDevelop
Icon=monodevelop
Path=/data/qesdes/tmp
Exec=monodevelop %F
StartupNotify=false
StartupWMClass=MonoDevelop
OnlyShowIn=Unity;
X-UnityGenerated=true
Comment=
Terminal=false
#+end_src
