select custom icons-gnome2 faq

["Gregory L. Magnusson" <glm cyborgspiders com>]

re:  possible addition to the page http://art.gnome.org/faq.php
subsection 4. How do I install icon themes?

I believe that it would be good to have a command line reference 
instruction reprinted at faq question 4. I have documented the procedure 
that worked for me to create custom desktop icons using gnome2 on 
FreeBSD 5.3.

released under the MIT license 2005

Sincerely,
Greg Magnusson
glm cyborgspiders com

Installing Custom Icons

This method works well for me and my choice of custom icons for desktop launchers.

Download the icon package of your choice. Open a terminal window.

As root, move the icon package into the icon directory

mv icons.tar.gz /usr/X11R6/share/gnome/pixmaps

change into the icon directory

cd /usr/X11R6/share/gnome/pixmaps
gunzip icons.tar.gz
tar -xvf icons.tar
rm icons.tar


Now, to change an icon on your desktop use mouse to highlight icon.
Right-mouse-click ---------->left-mouse click properties
Select-custom-icon
Browse
graphically navigate to the new folder you just unpacked
/usr/X11R6/share/gnome/pixmaps/icons

choose the image you want to appear to represent your desktop launcher.
..the same applies to creating custom desktop launchers.

May the source be with you.