Steam: Firefox Protocol Handler How-To

[fatbuttlarry]

*Note: This how-to requires wine, steam, and firefox.

http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=31800&stc=1&d=1178355502 (http://www.winehq.org/site/download) + http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=31801&stc=1&d=1178355750 (http://www.steampowered.com)+FIREFOX


Ever want those cool links like:
steam:"-applaunch 70 +connect vnny.dyndns.org:27015"
to work with Steam under Ubuntu?

It can be done. This is how I did it.


First, create the following script: /usr/bin/steam
(Type this in a console window)
sudo pico /usr/bin/steam
(Type this text)
#!/bin/sh
#
# Steam wrapper script
#
exec wine "c:\\program files\\steam\\steam.exe" "$@"


(Alternately, you can download it here: http://ubuntuforums.org/images/uf/attach/gz.gif steam.tar.gz (http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=31797&d=1178354817) (203 Bytes)
Ensure the new file is executable:

sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/steam


Firefox 3.5 and higher:

Navigate your firefox browser to about:config
Set up the following values in firefox's about:config page
Right Click >> New >> Boolean:
(Preference Name)
network.protocol-handler.expose.steam
(Boolean Value)
false
Click a Steam hyperlink: [sample link (steam://open/friends)]
When prompted for the application, Click "Browse" and paste the path to our executable:

/usr/bin/steam
Click the check box to remember this application for Steam links
You are finished. (http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=31798&d=1178354998)



Firefox 3.0 and older:

Navigate your firefox browser to about:config
Set up the following values in firefox's about:config (http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=31796&stc=1&d=1178355091) page
Right Click >> New >> Boolean:
(Preference Name)
network.protocol-handler.external.steam
(Boolean Value)
true
Right Click >> New >> String:
(Preference Name)
network.protocol-handler.app.steam
(String Value)
steam

Right Click >> New >> Boolean:
(Preference Name)
network.protocol-handler.warn-external.steam
(Boolean Value)
false
Test to see if it works: [sample link (steam://open/friends)] and enjoy (http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=31798&d=1178354998)!
You are finished.



-Tres

[Darko-TheRaven]

I just spotted a mistake.

network.protocol-handler.external.steam

is in the image but you do not specify to add that preference

[fatbuttlarry]

Thanks! Fixed! Cheers.

-Tres

[KillerKiwi]

Im pretty sure you could do this in gconf... then the links would work in all gnome apps

[fatbuttlarry]

Im pretty sure you could do this in gconf... then the links would work in all gnome apps
Good idea.

Does it matter if I don't run gnome lol?

I'll apt-get that and see what it does! :)

-Tres

[fatbuttlarry]

Currently running the following command to get gconf installed:


apt-get install gconf-editor


Then got CORBA errors. So I created a key thing, and it didn't show up.

I re-opened the program and some stuff was listed. Looks kind of like a registry. Cool. Lol I'm stopping that project right there. :)

-Tres

:popcorn:

[KillerKiwi]

gconf is like a registry (windows like *ugg* ) only in the fact that its centralised... you can delete it corrupt it etc any everything will still work as the settings are actually distributed xml files.

Just to clarify it is NOT like the windows regiestry

END RANT

anyway you can create gconf keys like this (NOTE: you are ment to create an XML fall back but this hack works fine)

gconftool-2 -t string -s /desktop/gnome/url-handlers/steam/command exec wine "c:\\program files\\steam\\steam.exe" "%s"
gconftool-2 -t bool -s /desktop/gnome/url-handlers/steam/enabled true
gconftool-2 -t bool -s /desktop/gnome/url-handlers/steam/needs_terminal false

for KDE you can do this



[Protocol]
exec=wine "c:\\program files\\steam\\steam.exe" '%u'
protocol=steam
input=none
output=none
helper=true
listing=false
reading=false
writing=false
makedir=false
deleting=false
icon=package
Description=steam

Save this code in ${KDEHOME}/share/services/steam.protocol

[fatbuttlarry]

gconf is like a registry (windows like *ugg* ) only in the fact that its centralised... you can delete it corrupt it etc any everything will still work as the settings are actually distributed xml files.

Just to clarify it is NOT like the windows regiestry

END RANT

anyway you can create gconf keys like this (NOTE: you are ment to create an XML fall back but this hack works fine)

gconftool-2 -t string -s /desktop/gnome/url-handlers/steam/command exec wine "c:\\program files\\steam\\steam.exe" "%s"
gconftool-2 -t bool -s /desktop/gnome/url-handlers/steam/enabled true
gconftool-2 -t bool -s /desktop/gnome/url-handlers/steam/needs_terminal false

for KDE you can do this



[Protocol]
exec=wine "c:\\program files\\steam\\steam.exe" '%u'
protocol=steam
input=none
output=none
helper=true
listing=false
reading=false
writing=false
makedir=false
deleting=false
icon=package
Description=steam

Save this code in ${KDEHOME}/share/services/steam.protocol
It's my guess, that if I'm using KDE w/ Firefox, Firefox will only know the gconf settings, where as Konqueror will only know the KDE settings?

This is really cool stuff. Perhaps it's a better solution around the Firefox hack that started this thread. I guess I make a false assumption that most people using steam run firefox, which may not be the case. :guitar:

If I can get these changes to take and work, I will update the how-to with the more abstract settings.

BTW - Does anyone know how to remove these settings from Firefox once they've been created? Lol, I might want to take them back out for testing!

-Tres

[Orffen]

I also had to do a


sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/steam

before Firefox would properly handle it. It gave error


"Firefox doesn't know how to open this address, because the protocol (steam) isn't associated with any program."

The message is confusing, but has been raised in the Mozilla Bugzilla (https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=312953).

[fatbuttlarry]

Thanks Orffen! Added to How-To!

-Tres

[fatbuttlarry]

I have decided not to update this with the gconf / kde keys for now. I am working on another project at this time, so I'll leave it be until people have problems, etc. :popcorn:

[Riboflavin]

Thanks! This worked great for me with the latest version of wine and ubuntu :)

[frodomir]

Dude Im not Einstein What the hell does this mean



# Create the following script: /usr/bin/steam (Type this in a console window) Code: sudo pico /usr/bin/steam (Type this text) Code: #!/bin/sh # # Steam wrapper script # exec wine "c:\\program files\\steam\\steam.exe" "$@" (Alternately, you can download it here: steam.tar.gz (203 Bytes) # Ensure the new file is executable: Code: sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/steam # Test to see if it works: [sample link] and enjoy!

[fatbuttlarry]

Einstein,

If you need help, you're going to have to be more specific on what part of the how-to you don't understand.

-Tres

[frodomir]

Einstein,

If you need help, you're going to have to be more specific on what part of the how-to you don't understand.

-Tres

Im not coding or whatsoever einstein and dont you see i said i dont understand from script creating and so on part... I do not know what usr/so on means what to do... Nothing...

Sorry for being like this, its just ive een trying to download it half of day... Both IE (6, 8) FF (2, 3), opera... None owrked

http://i41.tinypic.com/15wdzmg.jpg


Idk what to do after this part

[fatbuttlarry]

Einstein,

What are you trying to "download?"

This tutorial is for a script that launches Steam (Half-Life) in Ubuntu.

Your screenshot confuses me a little as I see the Windows version of Firefox running. The tutorial is for making a game launch from the Ubuntu version of Firefox. Is that what you are trying to do?

Please explain.

-Tres

[frodomir]

Einstein,

What are you trying to "download?"

This tutorial is for a script that launches Steam (Half-Life) in Ubuntu.

Your screenshot confuses me a little as I see the Windows version of Firefox running. The tutorial is for making a game launch from the Ubuntu version of Firefox. Is that what you are trying to do?

Please explain.

-Tres

IDK what you are talknig about :lolflag: Like I said IM kinda new to all this stuff...

I have WIN Vista, And firefox is my main browser...

Is there any way to make it work? I tried to edit reg keys like said on steam forums but Im having ownership problems, even I have only 1 account... I cant just take rights, idk why, so that trick fails for me...

[fatbuttlarry]

IDK what you are talknig about :lolflag: Like I said IM kinda new to all this stuff...

I have WIN Vista, And firefox is my main browser...

Is there any way to make it work? I tried to edit reg keys like said on steam forums but Im having ownership problems, even I have only 1 account... I cant just take rights, idk why, so that trick fails for me...

Well that would explain why the thread reads foreign to you. This is not a Windows forum (nor Vista for that matter).

This forum is for Ubuntu Linux. The tutorial you are reading is for Linux, not Windows, so many of the steps will not work. If you are having difficulties with Steam in Vista I suggest first visiting: http://store.steampowered.com/forums/ and asking there.

Firefox on Windows should automatically process your steam links. If you are having problems getting steam running, search a bit more on Google, there's quite a few instructions on it.

I can try to help you outside of this thread via IM if you'd like. FatButtLarry on AIM, MSN, Yahoo or Google chat.

Good luck.

-Tres

[frodomir]

Well that would explain why the thread reads foreign to you. This is not a Windows forum (nor Vista for that matter).

This forum is for Ubuntu Linux. The tutorial you are reading is for Linux, not Windows, so many of the steps will not work. If you are having difficulties with Steam in Vista I suggest first visiting: http://store.steampowered.com/forums/ and asking there.

Firefox on Windows should automatically process your steam links. If you are having problems getting steam running, search a bit more on Google, there's quite a few instructions on it.

I can try to help you outside of this thread via IM if you'd like. FatButtLarry on AIM, MSN, Yahoo or Google chat.

Good luck.

-Tres


awww... Pity... I browsed steam forums for error but nothing helped me with getting it clear...

[harry71194]

I followed the instructions exactly, and yet I still get

Firefox doesn't know how to open this address, because the protocol (steam) isn't associated with any program.

[fatbuttlarry]

Harry,

This tutorial was written a long time ago. What version of Ubuntu are you running? I can attempt to recreate the error.

-Tres

[8Kuula]

steam://run/33190 (http://store.steampowered.com/app/33190/)

"Firefox doesn't know how to open this address, because the protocol (steam) isn't associated with any program."

Firefox config:

network.protocol-handler.app.steam;steam
network.protocol-handler.external.steam;true
network.protocol-handler.warn-external.steam;false

Firefox 3.5.5, Ubuntu 9.10 64bit

*scratching head*

[fatbuttlarry]

Ok, I've tried this with Firefox 3.5.5 on Kubuntu 9.10 32-bit and I get the same error.

It appears the format has changed with Firefox 3.5 (http://kb.mozillazine.org/Register_protocol#Firefox_3.5_specific__.28works_w ithout_installed_Gnome_libraries.29). I will investigate further.

If anyone else figures it out, please post!

-Tres

[8Kuula]

$ gconftool-2 -s /desktop/gnome/url-handlers/steam/command 'wine "D:\Steam\steam.exe" "%s"' --type String
$ gconftool-2 -s /desktop/gnome/url-handlers/steam/enabled --type Boolean true

Works?

How I can delete those firefox configurations? :P right click menu do not have delete :D
nvm, edited prefs.js file in firefox profile, clered them out.

[fatbuttlarry]

Figured it out. Tutorial appended for Firefox 3.5+ users (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=433548). Feedback welcome.

[8Kuula]

Seems to work :)

[fatbuttlarry]

Thanks for testing. :popcorn:

[theBishop]

This isn't working for me. Ubuntu 9.10. Firefox version 3.5.8

[theBishop]

Any help with this? I am unable to download Steam demos on Ubuntu.

[fettuohi]

Works also in Firefox 3.6.3 on Arch Linux. Manty thanks for this guide :).

André

[johnathanamber]

Hey everyone!

I realize that this is for FF but, is there a way to make this work for Google Chrome?

I do have FF installed, but I don't normally use it.

Thank you and God bless,
Johnathan

[fatbuttlarry]

Johnathan,

Great question. Here's a quote from a Chrome bug report (http://code.google.com/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=18113) that has some insight into it. It's in reference to the Ubuntu "apt" protocol, but may apply to all protocols in the KDE and Gnome desktops.

Unfortunately I'm having a hard time getting the suggestions to work, so if you or someone else can offer some insight, I'd be happy to re-write a cross-browser version of this tutorial.


Once http://code.google.com/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=20731 is taken care of,
unknown protocol schemes like apt: will cause a warning dialog and then use xdg-open
to invoke the desktop environment's handler for the URL. GNOME and KDE both come with
broken support for apturl (at least on Ubuntu 8.04) but are easily fixed.


In GNOME, run:
gconftool-2 --set --type string /desktop/gnome/url-handlers/apt/command "apturl %s"

In KDE, create a file ~/.kde/share/services/apt.protocol containing this:
[Protocol]
exec=apturl "%u"
protocol=apt
input=none
output=none
helper=true
listing=false
reading=false
writing=false
makedir=false
deleting=false
URIMode=rawuri


I don't recommend anyone copies and pastes any of the above code verbatim. This is here as a starting point. Also important is that the "/home/... .../services" folder in KDE has moved to a KDE4 folder. Still no luck on my end getting it working though in either location.

-Tres

[BadboyXD]

I prettymuch got stuck after the part where I put in the:
]#!/bin/sh
#
# Steam wrapper script
#
exec wine "c:\\program files\\steam\\steam.exe" "$@"

Cause now Im stuck with a bunch of text donno if Im supposed to save it somehow. Or if I am don't know how to save it. Just stuck with the terminal atm with no idea how to move forward.
*Note: This how-to requires wine, steam, and firefox.

http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=31800&stc=1&d=1178355502 (http://www.winehq.org/site/download) + http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=31801&stc=1&d=1178355750 (http://www.steampowered.com)+FIREFOX


Ever want those cool links like:
steam:"-applaunch 70 +connect vnny.dyndns.org:27015"to work with Steam under Ubuntu?

It can be done. This is how I did it.


First, create the following script: /usr/bin/steam
(Type this in a console window)
sudo pico /usr/bin/steam(Type this text)
#!/bin/sh
#
# Steam wrapper script
#
exec wine "c:\\program files\\steam\\steam.exe" "$@"
(Alternately, you can download it here: http://ubuntuforums.org/images/uf/attach/gz.gif steam.tar.gz (http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=31797&d=1178354817) (203 Bytes)
Ensure the new file is executable:

sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/steam


Firefox 3.5 and higher:

Navigate your firefox browser to about:config
Set up the following values in firefox's about:config page
Right Click >> New >> Boolean:
(Preference Name)
network.protocol-handler.expose.steam(Boolean Value)
false
Click a Steam hyperlink: [sample link (steam://open/friends)]
When prompted for the application, Click "Browse" and paste the path to our executable:

/usr/bin/steam
Click the check box to remember this application for Steam links
You are finished. (http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=31798&d=1178354998)



Firefox 3.0 and older:

Navigate your firefox browser to about:config
Set up the following values in firefox's about:config (http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=31796&stc=1&d=1178355091) page
Right Click >> New >> Boolean:
(Preference Name)
network.protocol-handler.external.steam(Boolean Value)
trueRight Click >> New >> String:
(Preference Name)
network.protocol-handler.app.steam(String Value)
steamRight Click >> New >> Boolean:
(Preference Name)
network.protocol-handler.warn-external.steam(Boolean Value)
false
Test to see if it works: [sample link (steam://open/friends)] and enjoy (http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=31798&d=1178354998)!
You are finished.



-Tres