I just hate that generic page with a java icon on it icon. How do I get rid of it and place another? Can I? I just do not want to use .exe or make a shortcut. Is there no other way? And lastly on my long list of questions, why would they not let you?
I don’t think you change the icon of an individual JAR file. You’ll have to change the settings for that file type (*.jar) in your operating system and then all JAR files will be displayed with that icon.
To change the icon of an individual JAR I think you’ll need to create a shortcut.
At least that’s what I read after Googling “change jar file icon”…
Jars are just archived files, much like a zip. Executables can have independent icons because they’re defined in the bit specifications for them. Most other file formats have their icon assigned by the operating system.
You can create native binary executables for each platform and assign the icons within those, much like Eclipse has for itself.
No it doesn’t. You distribute your JAR for other platforms, and then wrap the JRE and the JAR in a cute little EXE for Windows. That’s how it’s done.
Mac has app files that can have a custom icon and Linux has .sh files which I believe can have a custom icon. JarSplicer can make all of these for you, including the .exe.
Since you expressed your interest for the game, I believe this is the way MineCraft does it. It still runs with the JVM, but it is opened (wrapped) through a .exe.
Macs use DMG files - they’re platform executable. Linux doesn’t exactly have one… We’re cool. 
.SH files are just shell files(scripts). Names don’t matter in linux really.
Yes, always create platform-specific executables for a wora language…sigh why can’t consumers be smarter
Linux users need no icon. We know how to execute your game with java -jar.
Linux does have .desktop files that let you specify an icon along with various other meta data about the application.
The .sh file for most Java applications is akin to a Windows .bat file. It sets up environment variables, and generally passes the full command line to the shell instead of making the user type "java -jar ". The .desktop file is more like the shortcut files for Windows. They contain the icon, the application name, and the file to run (usually the aforementioned .sh file). A complete package would contain both types of files.
I only specified shell script files because that’s what JarSplicer can generate. I’m with Rebirth. When I’m on Linux, I’m using the terminal.
Yeah, I suppose that’s right.
I like the terminal too, but your game’s distribution should cater to the lowest common denominator. There are people who are new to Linux who still have no clue about how to do everything/anything through the shell. Providing them with a means to use your application through the GUI without the need to learn about the CLI and java command line invocation isn’t a bad idea. Remember, if you’re writing games, your target audience most likely isn’t other developers, and the fewer barriers you create for the end user, the more likely they are to use/purchase your application. Even if you include a .sh and/or a .desktop file in your distribution, there is nothing to stop an advanced user from running the application from the CLI. The same possibility exists under Windows as well, though it’s certainly not geared for it.
If the Linux community wants to attract new users, we as developers have to make things as approachable as possible for end users of every level. 
I always thought the appeal of linux was using something that most people wouldn’t put up with 
Odd. I thought that was the point of using Windows. LOL Joking aside, I do understand the “mystique” of CLI incantations, and having a level of mastery over a system that is a mystery to many. Linux has made leaps and bounds in way of end user experience over the years, even if there are still plenty of rough edges to get cut on. While I don’t advocate removing all of those wonderful tricks and applications that endear Linux to power users, there’s nothing wrong with trying to add a little polish to the overall package. ;D
Yeah I think the point of Linux is to have things for more advanced users. But I guess as the world advances, people will too, and Linux will become more mainstream(as it has with Ubuntu). Onward to BSD!
For Linux ist more important to add a readme.txt than an icon.
Its hard enough for a casual user to run something on linux,
so you should include some small explanations.
even running a *.sh file can get complicated and requires enough knowledge to run it
(chaning the permissions)
Should be mentioned in the readme.txt for the casual user.
A person running Linux who doesn’t know Linux, is generally not going to continue using it. That being said, I don’t think anyone is going to install Linux for the purpose of trying out our Java games, when they don’t have enough experience even to figure out how to run them in the first place.
One thing I enjoy is making Windows games work on Linux. It can be challenging as hell, but for whatever reason, it’s pretty satisfying when you have the game up and running…and then close it because you don’t actually want to play it.
Try launch4j. Creates an universal exe for AFAIK all major plataforms.