LXDE Forums

I have been experimenting with LXDE. It would be my DE of choice, except for 1 1/2 problems.
The first issue is adding launch icons to the task bar. I can add launchers, but cannot figure out how to link them to applications. It is only half a problem, because putting links on the desktop is easy, but I prefer having launchers on the task bar so the desktop is not cluttered.
The big problem is placement of desktop icons. I like to put icons on the right side of the screen, and more importantly, I like to group related icons. For example, if I had a folder or document for Linux and another for Debian, I want them grouped together. I also like arranging by category: folders in one column, documents and images in another and launchers (if any) in a third. However, if there is way to enable desktop icons to be moved, I cannot figure it out. Icons are fixed on the left side of the screen with folders first in alphabetical order, then documents/images in alphabetical or numerical order, and launch icons last.
My guess is icons can be moved, but I am not computer literate enough to figure it out. It does not make sense that the task bar can be placed on the top, bottom, left or right, but desktop icons cannot be moved. I have tried every preference setting, but there are no relevant options.
Am I over-looking something that is not obvious or is it a strange deficiency with LXDE?


EDIT:
The half problem is solved. After more experimentation, I discovered that when a launch button is created, a link is made by using the Edit option. However, only an application can be added to the task bar. Folders cannot be added.
But I still have no idea how move desktop icons.

I received a tip on the Debian forum regarding adding task bar launchers for folders:
There's a plugin for lxpanel (built-in: you find in the panel preferences) that's a directory tree, IIRC. If you want a launcher for a specific folder you would have to create a desktop file for it and then add it to the panel (like with "Exec= pcmanfm /home/Randicus/Documents"). Try copying the pcmanfm.desktop file but put a path on the 'Exec' line (and change the 'Name' key too).

Unfortunately, the same person says that moving icons on the desktop is a function Lxde cannot do at the moment, but the current development version can. I shall wait for the new version to be added to the Stable packages, but if others want to install the testing version;
"You can install it from source. You would need to replace libmenu-cache, libfm and pcmanfm with the upstream versions)."