Configure KeepNote Helper Applications In Backtrack Linux

I use KeepNote for taking notes in Backtrack. It is important to document progress on projects or simple notes about file locations, specific command switches, or other information that could get lost in the shuffle during a work session. KeepNote provides the functionality necessary to organize notes and search note content as necessary. On Backtrack it is beneficial to configure KeepNote’s Spell Check as well as KeepNote Helper Applications so you can benefit from the full potential of KeepNote. Below we describe some errors you may see when attempting to use certain KeepNote functionality and how to resolve them.

There are numerous choices for each of the KeepNote Helper Applications that can be configured but the list below are the ones I personally use.

KeepNote Helper Applications:

• File Launcher: xdg-open
• Web Browser: firefox
• File Explorer: nautilus
• Text Editor: leafpad
• Image Editor: gimp
• Image Viewer: display
• Screen Shot: import

A couple of the above KeepNote Helper Applications are configured by default including File Launcher, Image Viewer, and Screen Shot but the others are blank. The Helper Applications for KeepNote are configured via the KeepNote Preferences window which can be launched by clicking on Edit in the KeepNote top navigation menu and by selecting Preferences from the drop down. Next click on Helper Applications in the KeepNote Preferences window left navigation menu to display the KeepNote Helper Applications configuration window as shown in the example below.

KeepNote Helper Applications Configuration Windows:

The above example image shows what Helper Applications are configured by default in KeepNote on Backtrack 5 R3. Below we describe the error that may be triggered when attempting to use a Helper Application that is not configured and how to resolve that error.

Must Specify File Explorer In Helper Applications:

Error Text: Must specify ‘File Explorer’ program in Helper Applications

As you can see in the Helper Applications configuration window shown above the File Explorer field is blank. You can add nautilus in that field to resolve this error as nautilus is installed by default on Backtrack.

Must Specify File Explorer In Helper Applications:

Error Text: Must specify ‘Text Editor’ program in Helper Applications

As you can see in the Helper Applications configuration window shown above the Text Editor field is blank. I prefer leafpad however this application is not installed by default on Backtrack so you will need to install it using the command displayed in the below example output.

Install leafpad On Backtrack Linux:

Once leafpad is installed you can now type leafpad into the Text Editor field in the KeepNote Helper Applications configuration window.

Must Specify Web Browser In Helper Applications:

Error Text: Must specify ‘Web Browser’ program in Helper Applications

As you can see in the Helper Applications configuration window shown above the Web Browser field is blank by default. You can add firefox in that field to resolve this error as Firefox is installed by default on Backtrack.

KeepNote Image Edit: No Error

When attempting to edit an image that has been inserted into a KeepNote not you won’t receive an error but you also won’t be editing the image as nothing happens at all. I prefer gimp as an image editor though you could select any image editor that you prefer. To install Gimp and use it as the Image Editor Helper Application issue the gimp installation command noted below.

Install Gimp On Backtrack Linux:

Once Gimp is installed enter it into the Image Editor field on the KeepNote Helper Applications configuration screen and click Apply followed by OK to save all of the new settings. Once you have added each of the applications you prefer your KeepNote Helper Applications configuration window should look similar to the below example image.

KeepNote: All Helper Applications Configured

You can now use a lot more of the KeepNote functionality without issue.