Link to a local file via web browser !?!

[davey_b_]

Hi,

I'm relatively new to Linux. I've just set up a kiosk using Firefox but want to give the ability for people to launch certain programs without having access to the desktop. I was hoping there was a way embed a link in the browser linking to required program (e.g. file:///root|usr/lib/opera/opera).

I know how to do this in a Windows system but don't know what it is on a Linux system.

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards,

Dave

[coopstah13]

file:// works, but this isn't valid /root|usr/lib/opera/opera

[davey_b_]

Yeah, I was just expressing that windows uses the file:///C|...

Also, you state that 2 '/' should work. I tried that and got nothing.

[coopstah13]

say I have a file test.txt in my home directory, I could link to it this way

file:///home/coopstah13/test.txt

[MaRk-I]

How about a plugin?

addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/search?q=application+launcher&cat=all

just add the h t t p s://

Not sure but that still sounds like a security issue, launching applications from the browser's address bar.

Regards;

MaRk-I

[davey_b_]

Hi mark-i

Don't really see how it would be a security issue as you'd still need root access to do an damage.

The app launcher that looks most promising is windows only. but it would be a good solution.

If I explain what I'm doing and my problem then maybe someone knows of a better solution.

I've created a kiosk using firefox in fullscreen mode (with the aid of an addon). One of the minor features I wanted was to give the user the ability to browse the web within the firefox kiosk so I created navigation/home buttons etc and put the page (eg google.com) in an iframe. This all worked extremely well untill you visit a site such as myspace the breaks out of the iframe thus taking the users abitilty to navigate away.
I thought if I could lauch another browser from within firefox, Opera for example, then all the problems would be solved.

Any ideas?

[hugortega]

AFAIK, for file:// urls, Firefox on linux will always ask *only* for save the file and will not give you an option for execute the program (no matter if the file is an executable binary) ... I didn't try any of the add-ons recommended by MaRk-I, but maybe someone will work on linux

Hugo

[davey_b_]

Many thanks for your help... maybe I should just bluetack a note on the screen saying "Hit Alt+Home to return to the homepage" !!

[D-cat]

Possibly set your homepage links to open a new in a new tab instead of the current window (and set the tab configuration to switch to a new tab immediately). This solves the problem by when they need to exit a site, they simply close the tab and they're right back to your local home page. Just an idea.

[davey_b_]

nice idea but in full screen maode the tabs are not visable.