"Run" is a difficult concept to describe in an icon.

Literally, on could use a picture of a program (i.e., a window), which
is basically what we have now. That has serious issues with themeing,
and even then isn't too clear.

Metaphorically or symbolicly, everything I can think of (a power
switch, the power symbol, car keys, a windup key, etc) are all either
unclear or  are too easily confused with actions on the computer (like
turning it off).

How about gtk's stock "execute" icon ?

Jakub: any chance you can help us out here ?

I'm sort of thinking the stock_execute would work best here. If you
have better metaphore suggestions, I'm willing to pixelize your ideas.

sorry jakub. I should have explained better :-) 

stock_exec is fine except I can't find a 48x48 version ...

Created attachment 18273 [details]
48x48 stock_exec.png

I think the old stock icons (+these big ones) should go to the
gnome-icon-theme. I'll look into this.

Thanks much Jakub :-) I've just replaced the "run" icon with it for now.

2003-07-14  Mark McLoughlin  <mark@skynet.ie>
                                                                     
                                                       
        * icons/gnome-run.png: Replace the old icon with a 48x48
        version of GTK_STOCK_EXECUTE. Icon from Jakub Steiner
        in bug #98907.

                                                                     
                                                       2003-07-14 
Mark McLoughlin  <mark@skynet.ie>
                                                                     
                                                       
        * panel-run-dialog.c:
        (set_window_icon_from_stock): impl.
        (panel_run_dialog_set_icon),
        (panel_run_dialog_setup_pixmap): use PANEL_STOCK_RUN
        instead of GTK_STOCK_EXECUTE.
        (panel_run_dialog_new): set the window icon appropriately.
                                                                     
                                                       
        * panel-run-dialog.glade: don't set the stock icon here.