[Release] Hulu Desktop Launcher (Windows only)

[Fuzzgtp]

************************************************** *******************************************
This app has been discontinued due to the release ofLauncher (http://forum.boxee.tv/showthread.php?p=87638)
************************************************** *******************************************

Well we'll see how this goes...

http://www.fuzzthed.com/repository/hdlauncher/thumb.png

Probably the simplest app I've ever created. Simply launches your installation of Hulu-desktop (as long as it's the default one).

Windows only at the moment. I don't own a linux or a mac box soooo if i got some path's to the default directories, should be able to add you to the app pretty easily.

Enjoy

[dot09]

Well, I just tried it. It works. It came to the foreground but then Boxee took back over the foreground and I could hear a video playing in the background. No worries. A simple ALT-TAB got me where I needed to be.

Great work.

Also, the Hulu Desktop app plays much more smoothly on my ION 330 system.

dot

[Fuzzgtp]

Well, I just tried it. It works. It came to the foreground but then Boxee took back over the foreground and I could hear a video playing in the background. No worries. A simple ALT-TAB got me where I needed to be.

Great work.

Also, the Hulu Desktop app plays much more smoothly on my ION 330 system.

dot

yeah, not the most graceful solution, and personally i don't need it, but it was simple and alot of people wanted it so here we are.

I want to make a more generic launcher now that I realized how easy it is.

basically
1 - pick a file
2 - pick a image for a thumbnail.
3 - Enter a title.
4 - Play mame. :O

[dot09]

4 - Play mame.

What chyou talkin' 'bout Willis?! I love MAME. I built a full-sized arcade cabinet to play MAME :)

dot

[Fuzzgtp]

What chyou talkin' 'bout Willis?! I love MAME. I built a full-sized arcade cabinet to play MAME :)

dot

always wanted to, havent had resources. Took me long enough to convince the fiance i needed a boxee box :)

[gregms]

I don't own a linux or a mac box soooo if i got some path's to the default directories, should be able to add you to the app pretty easily.

The location for Hulu Desktop on Linux is: /usr/bin/huludesktop
I know when I launch it from MythTV, I have to have EXEC in front of the path above, but I don't know what would be needed to launch it from Boxee.

[doctorpasty]

Would love to have this option for the Mac! The command line syntax is:

/Applications/Hulu\ Desktop.app/Contents/MacOS/Hulu\ Desktop

or, without space escapes:

"/Applications/Hulu Desktop.app/Contents/MacOS/Hulu Desktop"

Thanks!

[judgeschambers]

I assume it's like the Hulu plug in for Windows 7 MCE. Does the same thing, but with the Boxee environment on Windows.

I haven't tried it, but I can tell it's something slick. Nice work there Fuzz. :cool:

[cogadh]

Doesn't work for me. It briefly throws up some kind of splash screen for Hulu (not part of the desktop app, AFAIK), Boxee flashes for a second, then comes right back and Hulu Desktop never launches. This is on Win XP SP3 with a default install of Hulu Desktop. Any ideas?

[Fuzzgtp]

Doesn't work for me. It briefly throws up some kind of splash screen for Hulu (not part of the desktop app, AFAIK), Boxee flashes for a second, then comes right back and Hulu Desktop never launches. This is on Win XP SP3 with a default install of Hulu Desktop. Any ideas?

I probably need to set the path for xp.

[cogadh]

%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\HuluDesktop\HuluDesktop.exe

Why it installs there by default, I don't know. At first, I though it was a mistake on my part, but I did an uninstall/reinstall, made sure I didn't modify any install paths and that's where it is.

[rockatuie]

Don't want to be annoying but any word on when we will see this on Linux, def an awesome app!

[Chrisjokerx]

This doesn't work on Windows XP service Pack 3, i get a splash screen then it goes back to Boxee

[videomilk]

Same here, hopefully the beta will allow decent hulu anyway.

[josh208]

Sounds like a simple solution for all the woes about file paths / linux version / mac version / etc. would be to make this a generic launcher. If you're able to sort that out then it's just a matter of addressing the window focus on each platform. Sounds like you're off to a good start!

Josh

[gregms]

Sounds like a simple solution for all the woes about file paths / linux version / mac version / etc. would be to make this a generic launcher.

I believe he wants a generic launcher, but is just unsure of the commands to make it happen on each of them. I tried looking at the code to make it work in Linux, but when I looked at it, I was still unsure of Boxee's API. I'm a little more familiar with the API now so I'll take another shot at it this weekend. If any Linux pro's and API enthusiast would like to take a look, I'm sure Fuzzgtp would appreciate the help.

[Fuzzgtp]

sorry there havent' been any updates. Truthfully, my box is dead right now, and i cant stand working on my laptop so I havent developed anything.

[Chrisjokerx]

Someone remake this application with the proper paths!

[mdpauley]

I'm looking @ making this cross platform if no one else it first...

[Ronm6667]

Any success on getting this to work on a Mac? I tried copying over the Windows version of the Hulu Desktop app, but I never got it to show up in my App Box. I tried putting it in: UserData/plugins/Applications, UserData/plugins/Video, UserData/Apps, etc. Nothing worked. I am totally new to this, so I am sure I am doing something wrong... I just don't know what (I did change the platform to 'all' in the descriptor file). Any help on how to properly get an app to show up would be appreciated. :)

BTW, when I get back to my Mac tonight, I can post the full default path to Hulu Desktop in OSX.

Thanks.

[gregms]

I just don't know what (I did change the platform to 'all' in the descriptor file).

I believe changing the platform to "all" was all I did to get it to show up in Boxee-Linux. Although, I may have manually added it to the sources.xml file. That for sure should get it there.

I personally did not have any luck changing the settings to get HuluDesktop to launch in Boxee on WindowsXP. I got it to work to use the exact location:
c:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\HuluDesktop\HuluDesktop.exe

But when I changed it to %USERPROFILE% instead, it couldn't ever find it to launch HuluDesktop:
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\HuluDesktop\HuluDesktop.exe

I tried just putting in the direct path in for Linux as well and that didn't work either. I also tried different Python launch commands, but couldn't find anything that would work. Hopefully others will have better luck than me.

[Trey]

I have the same issue with XP SP2. I click Hulu Desktop App, a Hulu window pops up then a CMD window and then nothing.

Looking at the above post, where do I manually add the following:

C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\HuluDesktop\HuluDesktop.exe


Does it go in the descriptor.xml and if so, what is the correct syntax?

Thanks!

[gregms]

Looking at the above post, where do I manually add the following:
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\HuluDesktop\HuluDesktop.exe

Does it go in the descriptor.xml and if so, what is the correct syntax?
Thanks!

No it does not go in the descriptor file, it goes in the main.xml file. The username on my XP machine is gregms, so the main.xml file that needs to be changed is located at: C:\Documents and Settings\gregms\Application Data\BOXEE\userdata\apps\com.fuzzthed.hdlauncher\s kin\Boxee Skin NG\720p\main.xml

I edit the file so that it now says the following:


ACRORD = r"C:\Documents and Settings\gregms\Local Settings\Application Data\HuluDesktop\HuluDesktop.exe"


Just change gregms to your local XP username.
Though I will warn you, you will probably have to press ALT+Tab to get the focus of Hulu Desktop. I don't know why, but I've pretty well gave up on this app for now. Hopefully Fuzz will get a chance to do more work on it.

FYI: I"ve only tested this on the Alpha, no idea if it works on the Beta or not.
-GregMS

[Trey]

Thanks for the reply.

I added my path and it still does the same thing.



<?xml version="1.0"?>
<window type="window" id="14000">
<defaultcontrol>120</defaultcontrol>
<allowoverlay>no</allowoverlay>
<onload lang="python"><![CDATA[
import os
ACRORD = r"C:\Documents and Settings\Telecom\Local Settings\Application Data\HuluDesktop\HuluDesktop.exe"
os.system ('"%s"' % (ACRORD))
mc.CloseWindow()
]]></onload>
<controls>
<control type="group">
<control type="image">
<width>1280</width>
<height>720</height>
<texture>white.png</texture>
</control>
<control type="image">
<posx>180</posx>
<posy>176</posy>
<width>920</width>
<height>368</height>
<texture>hd_back.jpg</texture>
</control>
</control>

</controls>
</window>

[gregms]

I added my path and it still does the same thing.


I reloaded the code before I posted my previous response so that was all I changed. Make sure you can do CTRL+R and then type in your direct link to Hulu Desktop and that it runs. (ie: C:\Documents and Settings\Telecom\Local Settings\Application Data\HuluDesktop\HuluDesktop.exe)

If that doesn't work, then you will need to check your installation of HuluDesktop.
-GregMS

[Fuzzgtp]

This app has been discontinued due to the release of Launcher (http://forum.boxee.tv/showthread.php?p=87638)

[xmcnuggetx]

well that stinks.. i use the launcher because i can have it as part of my shortcuts.. nice and simple. maybe if the launcher could create these shortcuts :))

[kstefanec]

Totally agree! Is there some way to get launcher to create shortcuts on either the shortcut list or on the app list? That would be great!!

[Fuzzgtp]

Ill look onto it

[Fuzzgtp]

well that stinks.. i use the launcher because i can have it as part of my shortcuts.. nice and simple. maybe if the launcher could create these shortcuts :))

Okay. Did a little research and it seems that I can support this functionality as soon as I figure out how to actually add them to the shortcuts.

Right now I have a version that if you manually add the shortcut it works, but a pain right now.

[Fuzzgtp]

OK since it is not current possible to add these in Boxee until the API is updated, here is the way to make shortcuts to your apps:
Step 1. you have navigate to your boxee\userdata\com.fuzzthed.launcher\skin\Boxee Skin NG\720p directory and open up main.xml

Right at the top will read:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<window id="14000">
<defaultcontrol always="true">500</defaultcontrol>
<onload lang="python"><![CDATA[
import os
import platform

After this line drop in


#check to see if we should load an app.
params = mc.GetApp().GetLaunchedWindowParameters()
try:
link = params['launch']
if (platform.system() == 'Windows'):
os.system ('"%s"' % (link))
elif (platform.system() == 'Linux'):
os.system ('"%s"' % (link))
elif (platform.system() == 'Darwin'):
os.system ('open "%s"' % (link))
mc.CloseWindow()
except:
print "No Launch Parameters. Continue with load..."


Future version of the app will not require this step.
[U]Step 2.[/U you need to make a shortcut.
open up the XML file : BOXEE\userdata\profiles\{username}\shortcuts.xml

In there you will see coding for all off your files.


<shortcut index="6">
<name>Winamp</name>
<thumbnail>special://masterprofile/profiles/fuzzgtp/Thumbnails/Pictures/9/919adc50.tbn</thumbnail>
<adult>false</adult>
<path>app://com.fuzzthed.launcher/14000?launch=C:\\Program Files\Winamp\\winamp.exe</path>
<is-folder>false</is-folder>
<country>all</country>
<country-allow>true</country-allow>
<readonly>false</readonly>
</shortcut>

Basically, the important thing is the path.
app://com.fuzzthed.launcher/14000?launch=C:\\Program Files\Winamp\\winamp.exe - just change after the launch= to whatever you want to launch.

You can check your BOXEE\userdata\profiles\fuzzgtp\apps\com.fuzzthed. launcher\registry.xml
if you'd like to know what path to put in or the link to the thumbnail that Boxee has saved.

Save these files and restart Boxee and it should show up.

I know these instructions are not for the basic user, but until I can add this functionality, I hope it will suffice.

[whiteshores]

Fuzzthed,

The main.xml has been changed since you last posted.
It now is located in:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Boxee\skin\boxee\720p\boxee_main_menu.xml

Also, the 1st section from <control>...</control>, now read like this:
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<window id="10467">
<defaultcontrol always="true">3010</defaultcontrol>
<allowoverlay>no</allowoverlay>
<controls>
<include>Dialog_Background</include>
<control type="group">
<include>Dialog_Popup_Animation</include>
<posx>30</posx>
<posy>152</posy>
<width>1220</width>
<height>460</height>
<control type="image">
<posx>0</posx>
<posy>0</posy>
<width>1220</width>
<height>460</height>
<texture border="64">action_menu_bg.png</texture>
</control>

I would still like to add Hulu Desktop and OnLive games as shortcuts but the changes have me unsure as to how to proceed. Can you help?

p.s. I am using the launcher app for my PC Games and only want game in there. I made a home row menu called "Games" preceding "Photos" and know how to edit the .xml to launch an program on my system, but do you know how to point it to launch the Launcher App? I am sort of trying to create a "games" menu like "tv shows, movies, photos" etc. Except, when you click on my newly added "games" it will launch your Launcher App with my game .exe's in it. Any ideas on this too? Guess i just need to know how to point that .xml string towards Launcher app.

[whiteshores]

Figured it out. Thanks for doing the initial work.

[hopoker]

I'm having trouble figuring it out with the new xml configuration. I'm trying to add a shortcut to launch Windows Media Player.

Fuzz, can you (or anybody else) help point me in the right direction?

Thank you!

[SomeDanGuy]

whiteshores - mind posting your solution with the new file structure? I am looking to do the same thing and it would probably save me a lot of time fiddling around if you post your solution.

[hopoker]

Guess we're on our own Dan...

[lartomar2002]

the last i heard from fuzzy was he was becoming bored with e boxee or at least that what he said about updating his repository.

[whiteshores]

whiteshores - mind posting your solution with the new file structure? I am looking to do the same thing and it would probably save me a lot of time fiddling around if you post your solution.

Sorry guys for responding so late. I need to figure out how to make post replies send me an email. I have not checked this post in months. Funny thing is, I actaully just made a new thread on how to do this with the edited .xml files:
http://forums.boxee.tv/showthread.php?t=39922&highlight=hulu+desktop+app

This thread shows how to add a "Launch" menu item to homescreen that launches the launcher app that in turn allows you to launch your external programs. However, if you wanted to add a menu item to launch individual specific external programs, there is a post somewhere on forums about that called something like "how to: add application shortcuts to menu bar." So if you wanted to have a "Hulu" menu item that only launches "Hulu", that would be the solution. My solution is to have a "Launch" menu item that luanches mlauncher app to launch Hulu, etc. Why? I had so many apps I wanted to launch and just was not enough room on homescreen for all of them.

[Guttercat]

Is there a chance to still get it anywhere?