I occasionally need to know the names of programs. I asked here about “Run as Administrator” being added to the context menu (like in Windows), and the response was basically “can’t be easily done”. an example is if I wish to edit a config file it cannot be done without accessing the terminal. Knowing the name “gedit” is the real name of “text editor” is useful information in this use-case.

I am not afraid of the terminal, but I would never prefer it over a GUI. is there a way to find a program name/install location from right-clicking-details (or something)? So then I could open a terminal and “sudo programname”?

(As an aside, I prefer Linux overall, but every distro I’ve tried has a strong sense that if you’re using the GUI you don’t need or deserve admin controls. Program names in the menus are almost always different from their names in the terminal, and many what I would consider normal system settings, like the ability to act as an administrator, find where a program is installed are terminal only.)

This is Ubuntu with all the default stuff


EDIT: I always expect a degree of hostility and talking-down from the desktop Linux community, but the number of people in this thread telling me I am using my own computer that I bought with my own money in a way they don’t prefer while ignoring my question is just absurd and frankly should be deeply embarrassing for all of us. I have strongly defended the desktop Linux community for decades, but this experience has left a sour taste in my mouth.

Thank you to the few of you who tried to assist without judgement or assumptions.

EDIT: As usual, it can be easily done.

  • @boredsquirrel
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    51 month ago

    GUIs are good for the sole reason of presenting you the available options. A CLI is empty.

    • JediwanOP
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      fedilink
      01 month ago

      Yes! Exactly why it bugs me when options are left out of the GUI out of what I can only assume is a sense of concern the user might use them “incorrectly”.

      • @boredsquirrel
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        21 month ago

        I mean in this case it is very reasonable. Dont run apps as root.

        See my konsole entry, the app runs as user, but a specific profile that launches a root shell.

        I am also currently updating my linux desktop entries help page