Note:
- xplanet is rather old software. It doesn't work properly when desktop effects are enabled. To test this, first disable desktop effects via System → Appearance:
If you can't get it to work with desktop effects, but it works without them, consider asking another question about it.
Now, onto the problem:
From xplanet's package description:
In order to run xplanet, you'll need at least one map file. Some maps are included in the xplanet-images package
- You need to install xplanet-images as well. Click this link to install it.
The images used by xplanet are stored in ~/.xplanet/images/
(where ~
is short-hand for your Home Directory; files and folders that start with a .
are hidden, you can make Nautilus show them by pressing Ctrl+H, again that's Your home directory → .xplanet → images)
To see if it worked, type*
xplanet -window
into a terminal. (I've tested this, but if you get any errors, add them to your - question).
Now, to show xplanet on your desktop, open* gconf-editor
and navigate to Apps → Nautilus → Preferences:
There, disable show_desktop and start xplanet
normally. It should now be on your desktop.
I've gone through all this, and it seems to work fine. But, as I said, only without desktop effects (but maybe that's just me).
*: to open an application, you can either hit Alt+F2, and type the command there or you can open a Terminal via Applications → Accessories → Terminal.