yeah the script runs fine from xterminal both maku, gpodder and then the date output. the situation is similar to the vnc link you sent me first about init.d that is, script runs fine but fails to run at start.

i was reading another forum where someone on the n810 created a dummy applet that ran and then executed all of the apps when this was executed at boot. its another way around this issue but i am trying to avoid going down this avenue.

failing that i have fcron installed but cannot remember if i can get the cron to execute a program at boot once when the n900 starts.

my aim from this is to put the n900 on a daily reboot then execute the apps i want as soon as it has started.

i am doing this as have found its peformance degrades over time and that a reboot just refreshes. i know this is not resolving any potential memory leak issues or whatever is causing it but it should be simple to do. fcron will do the reboot in the night then this script will restart the apps.

thanks