VASSAL 3.7.24 Does Not Run on Ubuntu Linux

Technical Support & Bugs
1

My first time posting on this forum: Anyone having an issue getting VASSAL 3.7.24 to work with Ubuntu Linux?

With version “.22” and “.23” I used the “integration.sh” to create a desktop icon that works perfectly- I can use it to run VASSAL and load the modules I want to play.

However, with version “.24”, when I use “integration.sh” to create the desktop icon, it does not work. Any thoughts on why I am having an issue with the latest version?

Some details: I am Running Ubuntu Linux version 24 on a Mac (M series silicon). I have JRE ver 11 on the system. When I use the VASSAL desktop icon, there is no error message and no warning. When clicking on the VASSAL desktop icon created with “integration.sh” 3.7.24, nothing happens (no response). I have checked to make sure the VASSAL desktop icon is allowed to run as “software.”

I can go back to 3.7.23 and use “integration.sh” to create a new VASSAL desktop icon and that version runs flawless. Is this something other users are experiencing?

2

It occurred to me just now that you might be seeing this problem.

Upgrade to Java 17 or newer—pick the newest you can—and then try running the integration script.

3

Thank you. I removed JRE 11 and loaded JRE 21. Thank you for the quick answer. Two more questions if that’s ok:

  1. Buttons are super spaced far apart. Is this a result of JRE21? Should I remove JRE 21 and replace it with JRE 17? It’s a slight issue when using the combined window version.
  2. Where can I find the QC menu? I would like to make a back and can’t find it anywhere.

Again, many thanks for the quick answer.

4

It’s hard to comment on this without a screenshot so we can see what you’re seeing.

No idea. That’s specific to VASL, so you’ll need to ask in VASL’s forum about that.

5

I will take the remaining questions to the the VASL group. Once again, many thanks for the quick response. As I play with version “.24” and JRE 21 I am finding that VASSAL runs a lot smoother.

6

Which release of Ubuntu are you using? If you don’t know, run

$ cat /etc/ubuntu_version

Did you install Java through the distribution, i.e.,

$ sudo apt install default-jre

That should automatically install a newer JRE (see also the installation instructions).

As you are running Ubuntu, you can also use the provided .deb package. Simply download the package, and then run

$ sudo install ./vassal_3.7.24-1_all.deb

and it will take care of downloading and installating needed third-party packages, as well as set up the desktop-integration (see also the installation instructions).

Vassal on Linux (and MacOS) will use the system look’n’feel (see also How to set the VASSAL Look’n’Feel). On Linux, this is GTK+, which will then use the current GTK theme. The spacing between (or rather margin of) elements is dictated by the used GTK theme. If you use the default GTK theme (Adwaita), then the margins around pictures on buttons, for example, is relatively big. One open is to change the theme used by GTK to a more compact one.

Remember to mark the post that solved your issue. That helps others find the solution to their problems. Only you, as OP, can do that.

Yours,
Christian