Desktop files

[Lukas Sabota]

Hello!
I was taking a look at some of the latest changelogs of the GNOME
packages, and much work has been done to the desktop entries to make
them clear, concise, and consistent.  Very well done.  But then, I
looked at some of my universe desktop entries.  Some of them had poor
titles, and most of the had poor tooltips.  
Here are two examples of some universe entires (syntax   title:
tooltip):
planet-penguin racer: fast paced arcade game
Sudoku:  GNOME Sukoku; a logic puzzle

Now take a look at the default ones (syntax   title: tooltip)
Terminal:  Use the command line
Nibbles:  Guide a worm around a maze
GIMP Image Editor: Create and edit images or photographs

Now, first with ppracer.  It should be properly punctuated and spaced
"Planet Penguin Racer".  The tooltip should also begin with a verb, just
like all of the standard icons that are shipped stock.  A better entry
would be "Planet Penguin Racer" and the tooltip be "Race a penguin down
a mountain".
And the second one, GNOME Sudoku.  The title is nice, but the tooltip is
poor.  "GNOME Sudoku" need not be repeated in the tooltip.  The rest of
the tooltip should be a verb, like "Play a Japanese logic puzzle".

I have filed these bugs in their proper places and Stefan is beginning
to work on the ppracer one.  Perhaps a standard should arise for desktop
entries.  I believe there is a fd.o standard, perhaps that should be
used for the universe packages.  I haven't looked at the standard, but I
believe a Wiki page should be created for creating desktop files.  To
stay consistent, perhaps these basic points should be followed:
1)  Use proper spelling and capitalization, rather than the binary name
for title.
2)  Have the title explain the program.  Example:  instead of "Totem",
have "Totem Movie Player".  
3)  Have tooltips begin with verbs.

I am in no means an expert in this field, but I do realize that some
sort of consistency is needed in this area.  We should come up with a
standard (or perhaps enforce the fd.o one?) and enforce it in universe
and main.

What are your thoughts and ideas on this matter?

God bless,
Lukas