/usr/local/bin and launchers

[startx <startx plentyfact org>]

hello.

i think i asked this question a while ago but it was mailed with
other thoughts on gnome-shell so maybe overseen.

however, i was wondering how i am supposed to launch programs
installed in /usr/local/bin . i usually have several programs installed
there (such as firefox minefield and others) and in metacity i can
create a launcher to those executables on the desktop or in the panel.

the gnome-shell launcher appears not to find programs in /usr/local/
(is this on purpose?) and it is not possible to move or create launchers
to the panel.  cluttering the desktop with launchers is rather
inconvenient.

startx