OpenLP 3.1.1 on macOS: App opens via command line but not via Finder

jlgtx

Things I have tried, that have not helped:

Ran "lsof | grep OpenLP" when opening OpenLP via Finder and via command line, and compared the outputs. The only user-level file differences were in ~/Library/Saved Application State/org.openlp.OpenLP.savedState so I deleted that directory.

Removed all OpenLP entries from the launch services database
Resetting the launch services database
(both per https://eclecticlight.co/2019/03/25/lsregister-a-valuable-undocumented-command-for-launchservices/)

So I'm at a loss. When double-clicked, OpenLP launches, no windows appear, but I get a spinning beachball on the display monitor (#2) and can't click on anything there, unless I use Mission Control to switch to another desktop on that display. Right-clicking on the OpenLP icon in the Dock shows "Application Not Responding" and gives me the "Force Quit" option.

jlgtx

It gets weirder. If I run "open /Applications/OpenLP.app" on the command line, it opens just fine. The only difference between that and double-clicking in the Finder is that double-clicking uses NSWorkspace.

I see this NSWorkspace entry in the Console when opening OpenLP via double-click, but not via the "open" command:

[NowPlayingTouchUI] Reloading available apps due to workspace activating an application: NSConcreteNotification 0x6000000ca720 {name = NSWorkspaceDidActivateApplicationNotification; object = <NSWorkspace: 0x6000002d4040>; userInfo = {
    NSWorkspaceApplicationKey = "<NSRunningApplication: 0x600002ec9180 (org.openlp.OpenLP - 2069) LSASN:{hi=0x0;lo=0xd10d1}>";
}}

jlgtx

Further troubleshooting. In the other user account, where OpenLP 3.1.2 launched successfully, I replaced that ~/Library/Application Support/openlp folder with the one from my user account, where OpenLP 3.1.2 hangs unless launched from the command line. First time I opened OpenLP after swapping out the folder, it notified me that it was going to upgrade the database (which shouldn't be the case, as everything was already at 3.1.2), opened Keynote, and then hung.

AND THEN...I quit OpenLP, deleted the copy of my openlp data folder, put the original back (that was working properly), and opened OpenLP...and it hung.

So, there seems to be something about my database that not only causes OpenLP to hang (unless started via command line) and makes the defect permanent in that user account.

jlgtx

I am now on macOS 15.0, and OpenLP 3.1.3 opens correctly for me from the Finder.

jlgtx

aaarrrrrgh! It was working, and now it isn't. I've had to revert to my shell script to open OpenLP.

macOS 15.0.1 and OpenLP 3.1.3 on M1

jlgtx

I may have found the issue. I have LibreOffice installed, not "vanilla" OpenOffice. OpenLP recognizes that Impress is available, but somehow isn't really compatible with the LibreOffice version. If I disable "Impress on macOS" in the Presentations tab, OpenLP opens by double-click as it should. I used AppCleaner to completely remove LibreOffice from my system, and the "Impress on macOS" option is greyed out as it should be.

jlgtx

I installed OpenOffice 4.1.15, and OpenLP doesn't recognize that Impress is available.

We need some feedback from others who are using LibreOffice and/or OpenOffice. Are you seeing these behaviors?

With LibreOffice installed, and "Impress on macOS" enabled, OpenLP hangs if launched by double-clicking but launches successfully using "/Applications/OpenLP.app/Contents/MacOS/OpenLP" from a terminal window.
OpenLP does not recognize the presence of Impress when OpenOffice is installed.

jlgtx

Verified this behavior with the latest version of LibreOffice (24.8.2). Having LO installed causes the "Impress on macOS" option to be available in OpenLP, but if that option is enabled, as soon as you click "OK" to save the preferences, OpenLP hangs with a beachball, and if OpenLP is launched via double-click, it beachballs. You have to launch OpenLP via command line, disable the "Impress on macOS" checkbox, and then OpenLP will launch correctly.

OpenLP doesn't even recognize the presence of the Apache version of OpenOffice. Which is OK, since LibreOffice is really the best version to use...but OLP definitely needs to work properly with LibreOffice.

jlgtx

@raoul could this have anything to do with it?

https://www.reddit.com/r/Openlp/comments/4s6kxk/if_libreoffice_impress_is_unavailable_in_openlp/

AndrewK

Just out of curiosity, have you tried your testing with the macOS-specific NeoOffice?

It has been a while since I used NeoOffice so I don't know where he is up to with his development. He sometimes used to get a bit behind with versions, so you might not always be testing with the latest and greatest.

But from one M1 (Pro) user to another, can I ask you an unrelated question, please? I have been away from projection for some time. Last time I used my M1 Mac with OLP, we had a complete disaster of a projection experience - especially when it came to showing any videos. Does that now work? Properly? And what version of OLP should I use? And do I need to install VLC separately? (That was more than one question, sorry!)

jlgtx

NeoOffice is abandoned; LibreOffice and “vanilla” OpenOffice are the only current choices. The workaround to the original issue, for me, is simply to make sure the “Impress on macOS” option is disabled.

To your other questions…you definitely need to install VLC separately. I haven’t used OpenLP for anything other than lyric presentation, so I can’t offer an informed review of that particular feature. I can say, though, that anything in the 3.x series prior to 3.1.2 was pretty bad on Apple Silicon, primarily because the devs didn’t have access to any M-series Macs for testing.

AndrewK

jlgtx

In one way, I am very shocked that NeoOffice is abandoned, yet in another, I'm not at all surprised. He was so committed to his project, yet at the same time, totally frustrated with the Mac community for not getting behind him.

I helped fund, along with one other user, the purchase of an M-series Mac mini for Raoul. But I can't remember exactly when that was. I got kicked off projecting by my church shortly after that, and I haven't made any effort to keep up with things since then. This week is my first week back to projection.

I'm doing my preparation on my M1 MacBook Pro, but I do have an Intel-powered 13-inch MacBook Pro with a broken keyboard sitting in the wings as a support computer, if I need it.

jlgtx

FWIW this issue remains with OpenLP 3.1.5 on macOS 15.1.1 on an M1 processor, with LibreOffice 24.8.2.1 installed.

If LibreOffice is installed, so that the "Impress on macOS" option is available, and that option is enabled, OpenLP will hang indefinitely (spinning beachball) when "OK" is clicked to save the preferences, and thereafter whenever OpenLP is double-clicked in the Finder to open it.

Starting OpenLP via command line ("open /Applications/OpenLP.app") allows it to open without hanging, and the "Impress on macOS" option can be disabled. OpenLP can then be opened by double-click in the Finder.