Add a custom starter to unity

Unity has its starter shortcuts here:

/usr/share/applications

Copy one of these shortcuts and edit it by right clicking.

If you need multiple commands to start an application, put them in a textfile and save it in your home directory with an sh extention. Make the file executable (using nautilus: right click, properties, rights --> make executable)

For example, You need to make a starter for Skype using a preload for enabling the webcam.

The needed preloading of a video4l driver for skype video works as follows:

1)

as root make a textfile with this command in a terminal:

gksu gedit /usr/share/skype/skype-video.sh

enter as text:

LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype

save it and exit gedit.

(other possible preloadings are found here.)

2)

gksu nautilus

select the textfile, select properties, rights and make it executable

3)

Still in root-nautilus:

navigate to /usr/share/applications

and look for the skype shortcut. Copy and paste the shortcut. Rename the second one to skype-video.

Right click on it and select properties. Change the command to /usr/share/skype/skype-video.sh

4)

Drag and drop it to the unity bar and you should have a shortcut working.