How to run program in Linux

[Jim Byrnes]

I am just learning Python and am new to Linux so I am probably doing 
something to trip myself up.  I am trying to run an example GUI program 
that fetches a record from a database.  All the files are in the same 
folder.

The program runs but its results vary depending on how I started it.  If 
I run it from the terminal or Idle, I enter a key and the program 
fetches the proper record.  If I run it from Nautilis or a panel 
launcher, I enter the proper key and I get an error message saying the 
key does not exist.

I am assuming that I am having path issues but don't know how to correct it.

Thamks,  Jim