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Thunderbird Indicator Applet  
Written by hyakov2 the 11 Nov 09 at 23:02. Global category: Internet & Networking. New
Thunderbird also should be unified with the indicator-applet, because not everyone uses the Evolution.
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Solution #1: Integrate Thunderbird with Indicator
Written by hyakov2 the 11 Nov 09 at 23:02.
Integrate Thunderbird with the Indicator like the Evolution is integrated with the applet in version 10.04.



80
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Solution #2: #1 + act as a tray icon
Written by manuelciosici the 13 Nov 09 at 14:04.
Solution #1 plus make it work as a tray icon as well, just as it works with Empathy right now.
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Solution #3: Indicator should be customisable
Written by spocky the 23 Nov 09 at 08:47.
A small programm should be elaborated where all the users should be able to add new indicators for programms (simply to start a programm -> e.g. Thunderbird) or to open webpages (Read an write emails von gmx.at)

cheers
Martin
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Solution #4: Use with alltray
Written by ActionParsnip the 24 Nov 09 at 18:12.
alltray thunderbird

Then configure thunderbird to display using message or sound on email.

See the 7 comments or propose a solution >>

Redesign the CD Boot Menue  
Written by anzeige the 20 Nov 09 at 17:59. Related project: Live CD. New
Redesign the Menue of the CD to something looking smoother and better for new Users
187
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Solution #1: Graphic Boot Menue
Written by anzeige the 20 Nov 09 at 17:59.
Example:

See the 15 comments or propose a solution >>

the Future nautilus  
Written by Shady3D the 30 Oct 09 at 18:53. Related project: Nautilus. New
nautilus sucks and something needs to be done, and now let me point to the key points that make it suck.

1. slow startup, comparing windows with nautilus explorer opens faster than nautilus
2. cluttered, too many buttons that hurts the eye and wasted space
3. library, a library feature can be very important in the near future as i will explain in the solution.
4. no eye-candy, the user should impressed by Ubuntu and the current nautilus don't accomplish that.
5. ease of use, by making mass renaming easy, opening as an administrator, set as background ...etc
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Solution #1: Speedy Startup
Written by Shady3D the 30 Oct 09 at 18:53.
there is nothing to explain here, just find what is making Nautilus slow and eliminate it
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Solution #2: MySimplified Nautilus
Written by Shady3D the 30 Oct 09 at 19:02.
this is my version of simplified Nautilus



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Solution #3: Libraries Feature + Solution #22
Written by Shady3D the 30 Oct 09 at 19:15.
i think libraries exceed the idea that Microsoft done, its more powerful than that, so let me explain uses of library

Case (1): i use Dropbox for file sharing and ubuntuOne and Document are located under ~/Documents so what is the solution to make this? every one will say links links is good but at some point this becomes very bad, if you want to share some docs on UbuntuOne and the other on Dropbox also if you have some documents spread out on other places like external HDD it would be problematic to update links manually.

Case (2): better suited for the cloud, imagine if you could just open your Facebook or Picasa images from nautilus how this would be done, this should work the same way with the availability of the API (and there is a project dedicated for that called "DataPortability Project")


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Solution #4: Eye-Candy using Gloobus
Written by Shady3D the 30 Oct 09 at 19:27.
gloobus is a pretty-good project and its progressing very well, so i think its the best candidate available.

gloobus project: https://launchpad.net/gloobus
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Solution #5: Eye-Candy by Grabbing Movie Posters and Album Cover
Written by Shady3D the 30 Oct 09 at 19:38.
this solution should be available but NOT enable by default, this can make Ubuntu looks very beautiful, by enabling this feature it will see if the folder is named Movies and then its grabs the poster, and if the folder is named Music it will change every folder with the album cover or if its a band it will be the band picture.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FJH0hYZmVtc/SsX9dlPsYiI/AAAAAAAADdg/lH-qnrRNjZU/s1600 /screenshot_030.png
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Solution #6: We should impress the users.
Written by azhar the 30 Oct 09 at 22:19.
Truth be told, for the majority of people, Linux distros is equal to CLI.
Now, we all know that's false... But, yet, the majority of people do think so...

You know, in my opinion.... I think when someone has a look at a Linux Distro(in that case Ubuntu), he should feel like he wants to embrace the free community at once. What I mean to say, is, that he should be soooo impressed by the background, the Toolbars' design, and the feel in general, that he wishes to go OpenSource almost instantly, and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, this discriminate view against Linux Distros should disappear immediately in his mind.

Now, how do we achieve this??
Its all about the UI.
We should have glassy, and glossy toolbars. And, it should be in very vibrant and lively, and cool colours. It shouldn't be some dull, dark black, or I don't know what colour. It should appeal to the user. It should feel fresh! :)

Moreover, the icons should be stylishly designed. Very beautifully designed. Very trendy, and cool. Again, something that appeals to the user. And not some 2-D clunky and dull-looking icons.

The time has come to show people that the open-communtiy has great resources and talents! Its time to show people that we have taste, not only for stability, or security, even though these are essential components of an OS, but that we also have exquisite taste when it comes to the UI.

From the moment the user log into his account, to the moment he logs out, he should feel he is in the best OS. He should be excited to explain to his other friends how cool and beautifully designed his OS is. Even the logon tone should be classy. In my opinion, of the best tones is the BOREALIS set.

Come'on guys! Lets show to teh world that the OpenSource community has some great talents!! And has exquisite taste!
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Solution #7: Add search button connected to console.
Written by Lachu the 31 Oct 09 at 08:26.
Add search button on top of Nautilus window. It will search in man for commands operates on files. The main problem is that man is not fully readable by computer, but text style in man pages are very semantically.

People needs similar thinks to Ubiquity Mozilla's project on file management. It would be great if I can input backup, select "cp -b " command and check all files in checkbox. In next step I can save some settings of this dialog, set name and put generated button on the panel. When this button is clicked similar dialog will been displayed, but option all files could be checked(if I decided that on dialog creating process).

Second cases: Mathew needs to backup files from current directory onto CD. He only input burn and he got option like brasero or CLI commands to burning files. He only select some cli command and drag files to burn or select all files checkbox.
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Solution #8: Ease of Use (Undo, Rename, Admin, Background)
Written by Shady3D the 31 Oct 09 at 12:42.
ease of use include having options available like "open as admin", "set as background", and the most important one "UNDO"

another important feature is Mass Renaming without using extra applications, and one of the ways to do that is by
1. selecting the files/folders
2. right-click to rename the first element
3. rename like you are renaming a regular file BUT include special characters like # for numbering, ex: # >> 0, 1, 2 but ## >> 00, 01, 02
4. click enter and nautilus will rename the other files

extra commands like converting to uppercase just type UPPERCASE and it will automatically convert them without renaming them, lowercase, switch between space to underscore, and all this cane be can be done the same way.
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Solution #9: Uniform icon size
Written by robinparriath the 1 Nov 09 at 14:25.
Uniform icon size would really improve the arrangement of icons on screen.

Say, you have 3 pdfs, 2 movies and 4 folders in a folder. The overall arrangement in Nautilus helps in identifying which is which, but at the cost of neatness.

I propose and upper limit for the icon size, that can be set through the options in shady3d's solution #2
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Solution #10: Integrating Gnome Do with Ubuntu
Written by foplat the 4 Nov 09 at 07:01.
I've read the solutions provided above and I also think that Nautilus's UI should be renewed, or creating a new way to browse through files and folders.

My solution includes solutions #1 and #6 but also this: how about also including Gnome Do (http://do.davebsd.com/) program along with the Ubuntu and #1 and #6? It is a powerful tool that provides easy access not only to files and folders but also to search results, microblogging, e-mail etc. It is inspired by Quicksilver from Macs. Here is a presentation video of the Quicksilver, since Gnome Do is very, very similar program. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8493378861634507068#
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Solution #11: Easier "paste into directory"
Written by Leopard2A5 the 5 Nov 09 at 07:23.
When i have files on the clipboard and i want to paste them into a folder that's too full (so that there's no unused space between the last file and the window border) i have to move one folder upwards and then right-click and click "paste into folder".

It's way more intuitive to just right-click anywhere in the target folder (as long as you don't right-click a contained folder) and hit "paste". (Windows does it that way).

I love linux, but i always thought this is a disadvantage compared to Windows.
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Solution #12: Navigation more similar to the Windows explorer
Written by Leopard2A5 the 5 Nov 09 at 08:17.
I know, nautilus is not the windows explorer, but even this bit of software has some nice features, i'm referring to the feature in the "path-bar" in which you can change the directory of any element in the path with a drop-down list.




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Solution #13: Specific "Explorer" features
Written by ElliottCB the 5 Nov 09 at 11:42.
There is a lot of functionality buried in Windows Explorer, in particular in the area of Shell Extensions. I happen to have done some development in this area and would be interested to know if it could be done (or has been done!) in Ubuntu. I might suggest the following specific features:

1) Allow the customisation of a specific directory and/or its sub-directories by the inclusion of a format file. Explorer does this with an HTM file. We might prefer XML. At any rate, it would be a flexible way to specify a background image, fonts, icons, buttons to start actions and so forth. Just put a file with a specified name (e.g. "customise.xml") in the directory with some tags saying what colours, fonts and so on should be applied.

2) An extension type to modify the context menu on a file or directory on-the-fly. For instance, you could modify the behaviour of text files globally or in a directory by adding an option to the context menu which invokes a library function to XML-transform it then open it in Firefox. Or whatever. "Owner-draw" context menus would enable you to actually put pictures or formatted text in the menu itself.

3) Extensions to modify the pop-up tips on a file type - again, globally or by directory. (Perhaps in "customise.xml"...) A picture file could have a picture pop-up, for instance, or a summary of the EXIF data.

4) A namespace extension to allow one to drill down into files the way one can browse ZIP files in Explorer.

5) A namespace extension to allow one to add a panel to the files view in which file content or properties can be shown

6) Drag-Drop handler extensions to allow modification of the way files behave when dropped one on the other. Photoshop "Droplets" might be a good model - you can drop a batch of pictures on a little file and the operations it defines will be applied to the picture.

And a non-Explorer suggestion:

x) A reg-ex enabled filter to hide/show or select/unselect heterogeneous selections of files.

Excuse me if I'm re-inventing an old Ubuntu wheel. These are my first hours here!

This is a lot of work, but I think the various elements could be cleanly decoupled. The role of the XML file in applying extensions locally or conditionally might need some thought.
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Solution #14: Just sort out the bugs and issues
Written by nlao the 5 Nov 09 at 14:10.
Here is my tuppence worth of ideas, but I think fixing missing simple user enhancements and soem bugs would go a long way to making it better.

Here are a couple that really annoy me, I expect there are others.

Adding in features like "view as thumbnails" per folder would go a long way to helping make it better.

Icon placement on Desktop, this really really needs sorting. There is not a structured grid for icons, some end up close to others whilst others are miles away and dragging them around come to nothing they still end up looking like a jumble. Further to this is the placement of removable media icons. These really should not be over other icons on the desktop.
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Solution #15: Single window
Written by biffen the 5 Nov 09 at 15:46.
Opening a directory from anywhere outside of nautilus should open it in a new tab in an existing nautilus window (if there is one, otherwise open a new one, of course).

Opening multiple windows should of course still be possible. (Think Firefox.)

This behaviour would of course be optional (but default?) by settings.

How this would work when there is already more than one window open, is an other question.
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Solution #16: Switch to KDE and use real tools like Dolphin
Written by young the 6 Nov 09 at 14:03.
The title says it all. Nautilus has no future. It's a mess.
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Solution #17: tabs
Written by alkx4444 the 6 Nov 09 at 22:42.
there should be a new tab button ans-well as the right click open in new tab button, the new tab button (if added) should open the home folder as default. or, the home button could open in a new tab as default.
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Solution #18: Improved address bar
Written by Mirek2 the 7 Nov 09 at 11:42.
The address bar has an enormous amount of potential, and while browsers are experimenting with ways to get the most use out of them as possible, file managers are lagging behind.
We could use the address bar for (just brainstorming):
1. Search (like Google Chrome's omnibar)
2. Getting to locations quickly (like in Firefox and Chrome: when you type "X11", for instance, a drop-down would suggest "/usr/bin/X11")
3. Terminal commands
4. Custom commands (for example, "Search web ", "E-mail ", or "New ")
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Solution #19: Solution 8 + a few more things
Written by Mirek2 the 7 Nov 09 at 12:12.
In addition to the mass rename in solution 8, there should be:
1. An unintrusive balloon showing the different special characters (# or %n for number, %m for month, 0d for day in two digits, %r(text to replace, text replaced with) for replace, etc.)
2. A more-clearly-explained dialog window (perhaps similar to Total Commander's, which has done a really good job with mass renaming)
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Solution #20: Miller Columns
Written by Mirek2 the 7 Nov 09 at 12:23.
Simply implement a "Columns" view similar to that in KDE's Dolphin and Mac OS Finder.
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Solution #21: A clipboard section in the sidebar
Written by Mirek2 the 7 Nov 09 at 13:06.
All the files cut or copied from any application would appear in this section. It could hold multiple files, so if I dragged an image in, then a document, then an image, it would hold all of these.
(Paste would apply to only the last one cut/copied.)
Use cases:
1) Instead of cut/move, the user can drag-and-drop a file into the section.
2) Instead of paste, the user can drag-and-drop a file from the section to paste it to a folder.
3) To create a text file: I can copy text from anywhere, have that appear in this sidebar, and drag it to the place to create a text file.
4) Instead of save: I can copy an image from Firefox, have that appear in this sidebar, and drag it to the place I want to have it.
Kind of a variation on the Clipboard/Shelf, but maybe doesn't have too many advantages to require an implementation. If someone wants to brainstorm more on this, they're welcome.
Perhaps a better thing would be a system-wide revision of the Clipboard.
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Solution #22: Drop GNOME virtual FS libraries and extend FUSE.
Written by Lachu the 8 Nov 09 at 21:56.
There should be a standard to describe FS facilities, like additional actions to perform.

It could been described in .desktop file generated by VFS application. Nautilus and other file managers should read this information.
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Solution #23: Mousegesture Navigation
Written by paulinakrinke the 9 Nov 09 at 10:14.
Would like to have an possibility to navigate through nautilus, like gestikk http://gestikk.reichbier.de/downloads/
or the firegstures add on in firefox.

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Solution #24: Middle click closes tab
Written by Gusiluz the 9 Nov 09 at 12:15.
Middle click opens tab, middle click closes tab. Option not to show close button.
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Solution #25: Let users choose their file browser
Written by FiP the 9 Nov 09 at 15:05.
Find a way to make the switch from one file browser to another as simple as possible.

Casual users will be happy with Nautilus, advanced user will be able to use thunar/xfe/etc, and never see Nautilus again.
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Solution #26: Nautilus opens multiple windows of same directory
Written by sirish.gauni the 10 Nov 09 at 08:00.
When the user tries to open a directory which is already open, mautilus opens a new separate window for that directory. This causes too many windows being open and causes confusion to the user. Instead when the user tries to open a directory which is already open, Nautilus should highlight the already existing window of that directory instead of opening a new window. Add an option to nautilus so that the user can open multiple windows of the same directory if he/she wants to.
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Solution #27: Customize the Sidebar module-like
Written by Leopard2A5 the 11 Nov 09 at 13:19.
It'd be cool if you could have not only let's say "places" in your sidebar, but also let's say the "tree" view. The user should be able to put any combination of modules into his sidebar. Here's a mockup of how i think this could look:


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Solution #28: Add some useful features from other FMs
Written by Softwayer the 11 Nov 09 at 17:41.
There are a lot of good file managers. And it's good to add some features from them. For example: built-in FTP client with support of Active and Passive modes both; file info on hover (like in Win#ow$ Explorer); editable toolbars; two panels feature (feature of making a tab a panel); image previews on sidebar.
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Solution #29: Add open new virtual desktop button
Written by Lachu the 13 Nov 09 at 07:56.
I wish be able open new virtual desktop from file manager. After that, Nautilus window would been see on Nautilus desktop and just created virtual desktop. It was connected to my work - i organize my documents into directories contains specify project files. Opening new desktop from file manager could be a great feature!
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Solution #30: Make Nautilus (>K) more object oriented...
Written by r0g the 13 Nov 09 at 12:50.
Nautilus is not object oriented, neither is GTK really and it shows.

The same objects are represented multiple times in the UI but their context menus are inconsistent e.g. your drives are represented in the left pane AND on the desktop (which nautilus maintains) but only one of the has "properties" on its context menu. The default policy seems to be properties must be deliberately made available by developers rather than everything is available by default and developers can make exclusions.

Sadly this problem extends to the rest of GTK. Which columns of metadata are displayed in open/save dialog boxes is down to the developer not the user. What options are available when you right click an item in an open/save dialog are decided by hundreds of app developers, who more often than not just go with the GTK defaults. This just bakes in inflexibility and prevents useful options trickling down like they do in Windows... I know this might sound a little obscure so here's an example...

Say I wanted to save a file "bananas.jpg" but I had already created a file called "bananas.jpg" earlier and rather than overwrite it I wanted to rename it "bananas.old" before saving the new copy as "bananas.jpg"...

In Windows I can rename the file there and then in the save box. In Gnome I'd have to fire up a copy of Nautilus, navigate to the exact same location, Rename the file and then close Nautilus.

[...]
This is VERY frustrating and I can think of many MANY similar cases. At the end of the day GTK should have far better default open/save dialogs which offer the same functionality as Nautilus, this leads naturally to the idea that GTK should make the standard open/save dialogs plugins so Nautilus or Thunar or whatever can take responsibility for them.

Nautilus should also be made more consistent. If you see an icon representing a disk you should, by default, have access to all it's properties. It ought to remain possible to exclude context items appearing but this should be the exception rather than the rule, the user is best placed to decide which properties are important.

As to the issue of UI clutter, that cannot justify such restrictions. If clutter is liable to become an issue (and I do see it on peoples Windows Explorer context menus) then developers should find a better solution to that... how about you can right click on any context leaf and set it to:
a) Never display ever again
b) Never display for this object
c) Never display for this object in this location

Surely that would be better than preventing people from displaying the "size" column in an open box should they want it.
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Solution #31: Leave Nautilus as it is now
Written by nillbug the 16 Nov 09 at 01:46.
So far, 30 solutions for Nautilus... and counting. What for? To clutter it of no sense? My Nautilus is not slow. In fact it's instantaneous.
Leave it as it is. Don't spoil the good work done so far.
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Solution #32: Enabling the icons to turn translucent for 'Cut' function
Written by sirish.gauni the 17 Nov 09 at 15:44.
By allowing the icons to turn translucent when the file is cut will help the user to differentiate between copying and cutting the file/folder.
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Solution #33: 2 panel file management
Written by tenchi39 the 17 Nov 09 at 17:34.
Tabs are great, they made nautilus usable, but total commander and dolphin are still way better because of only one thing: 2 panels

It should be default in my opinion, but I don't care about that as long as it is avaliable...
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Solution #34: Middle button and moving mouse
Written by luislobo the 18 Nov 09 at 12:14.
I like to scroll windows this way:
- Click middle button
- while clicked, scroll bars follow my mouse movement
- It respects the length moved: if just moved a little, scrolls a little, if moved longer, it scrolls longer.

I hope to be clear enough (not a native english talker
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Solution #35: Single click to highlight file name
Written by owenduffy the 19 Nov 09 at 19:46.
A small thing, but why not have the file name highlighted for editing when its icon is single clicked, like Mac OS?
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Solution #36: enable nautilus open terminal extension by default
Written by mahdif62 the 22 Nov 09 at 10:37.
The extension nautilus-open-terminal should be enabled by default and a n F4 keyboard shortcut should open a terminal in current directory (like KDE).
There should also be an option to attach the terminal to the window.
And also enable dual-pane nautilus. http://berndth.blogspot.com/2009/06/nautilus-split-view-update.html
7
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Solution #37: Nautilus drag items
Written by alexsun the 23 Nov 09 at 22:24.
open (pass) the folder when you hover on it with an element or group of elements during drug & drop

on release mouse1 ask user, what to do: copy\move\ln
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Solution #38: separate view
Written by alexsun the 23 Nov 09 at 22:51.
I do not know how to anyone but for me some time will be convenient to compare the date \ size and copy \ move files via split view (horizontal \ vertical). think second @Locatio view nice in use not just for file manipulation.
user can drag tab to some place to activate split view or drag @Location back to "classical" tabs view ...
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Solution #39: FTP file permissions management
Written by obi22 the 24 Nov 09 at 08:41.
Nautilus for ages can't handle managing of file permissions on remote file systems, even like standard ftp. It's a shame that so network-oriented system's default file manager cannot change chmod rights. Solution is bring permissions management for files on remote file systems.
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Solution #40: Improve nautilus file saerch!
Written by heru.htl the 24 Nov 09 at 10:04.
Nautilus should be able to find any word or something inside the file contents, but, such feature do not seem added yet!

The ability to find something inside a file is one of most of the administrator system needs. But it is not present yet with Nautilus (but it just present with Konqueror's and Dolphin's - Kfind, the question is "should someone install both GNOME with KDE just for it?" where he/she uses GNOME by default, perhaps this idea can make a simple choice -> just install GNOME (with of course Nautilus as the only file manager) and we have all we needs!).
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Solution #41: Ease of use: do clever things with"illegal character" / \ ...
Written by v1nce the 24 Nov 09 at 18:32.
If I create a new directory called "foo/fee/faa/fuu" then Nautilus should ask if I want to create a tree of dir.

If the name contains "\" then it should ask if I really want the \ char (does someone really use the \ in a file name ?) or if I want a tree

Plus it could ask to replace character the file system can't handle with their utf-8 equivalent
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Solution #42: Make "Open With" menu remember things
Written by antaveiv the 24 Nov 09 at 20:36.
The "Open With" context menu offers a list of known applications to open the selected file. However, it does not give options to save the selection for later default use. The program-filetype association could be saved and applied later.

See the 29 comments or propose a solution >>

show download rate and add pause option in software center  
Written by sirish.gauni the 1 Nov 09 at 18:00. Related project: Add/Remove program dialog. New
With slow download rates and not so good internet network in developing countries like india, its would be very useful to have a pause option in software center so that we can pause the download when there is too much of traffic congestion. Also same reason to have the software center show download rates while downloading the software.
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Solution #1: Show download rate and add pause option
Written by sirish.gauni the 1 Nov 09 at 18:00.
You could just add a pause option to the software center and also show the download rates. Further more if the software center can be made such a way that when the network/internet goes off the download doesn't stop completely and starts from where it left of when the internet is back.

This idea can also be applied to Update manager.
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Solution #2: Showing the Download Rate will surely help...
Written by azhar the 3 Nov 09 at 00:32.
I'd propose more or less the same solution as SIRISH.GAUNI. In fact, in the Updater, we have the download rate being displayed. So, why not extend it to the Software Centre too. And, BTW, the implementation of a download manager, capable of resuming downloads would surely help.

Besides, it would be great if we had to enter our password only once when we start using the Software Centre, for it's really very annoying to have to enter the password several times when downloading several items. Or else, we could be asked to enter the password just before all the downloads start.
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Solution #3: #1 + an option to limit the download rate
Written by gohilurvish the 5 Nov 09 at 11:13.
While downloading software, mostly system uses whole bandwidth. This may create some issues if you are sharing your connection with other over network. While downloading, its difficult for others to even surf regular sites.

Keeping a torrent like option to limit bandwidth will surely help apart from download rates and pause option. Moreover if system goes down by any change (power failure for desktops), downloading should start from the same point (I don't know if it is already there).
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Solution #4: Suggestion for solution No3
Written by azhar the 5 Nov 09 at 14:31.
There could be an option where we tell the Software Centre to download the applications only when our connection is idle.
I'm not sure.... But I think Adobe lets you do this during an update, whereby you can check a box to specify that the download should take place only when the connection is idle.
Anyway, it would be great to have such an option...
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Solution #5: Allow multiple Downloads
Written by Sebin Benjamin the 5 Nov 09 at 16:47.
Allow multiple downloads to take place using all of the bandwidth Or limit usage. Sometimes some files/servers have very low speed. So simultaneous downloads would be helpful

Anyway why would anyone waste time for each file to get downloaded, whereas you could let it download 2 or 3 files depending on the bandwidth and finish the updates faster.
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Solution #6: Solution summary ..
Written by infoteksec the 10 Nov 09 at 08:44.
Some good ideas here. Propose that software is downloaded under a QoS policy such that http/https traffic prempts software downloads so, if a user wants fast downloads, they should leave the PC to get on with it.

Software should be downloaded from whereever it is available - suggest using a p2p protocol such that others that are downloading are an automatic source of uploads for others. This will ease the load on mirror sites and allow gracefull recovery in the event of interuptions.

Serialising downloads makes little sence.

An estimation of how long the downloads should take is a given.
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Solution #8: support download by torrent
Written by _sebastian_ the 24 Nov 09 at 12:12.
why not support downloads by torrents to ease load on the servers...

See the 5 comments or propose a solution >>

Synchronize desktop wallpaper with xsplash background  
Written by phrizek the 17 Nov 09 at 17:51. Global category: Look and Feel. New
Once you change your wallpaper on on your desktop, the overall look and feel of ubuntu becomes inconsistent when it concerns the xsplash background and the user's desktop. This leaves the user to find hacks and workarounds to make their desktop theme consistent.
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Solution #1: Make a checkbox to easily synchronize desktop wallpaper with xsplash background
Written by phrizek the 17 Nov 09 at 17:51.
Take a look at this script here:
http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/desktop+background+as+xsplash+%2B+gd m?content=114984&PHPSESSID=183f5f0adfa276aa6310278b4caa0979

It enables you to change the xsplash background to automatically match your current desktop wallpaper. It would be fantastic if Lucid Lynx had a similar feature installed by default. There could be a checkbox in Appearance Preferences under the background tab that allows you to quickly enable or disable this feature. Having such a feature would not only make ubuntu feel more personal, but would give a more consistent desktop appearance as well, from splash to desktop.

This feature could be disabled by default and left up to the user to enable.
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Solution #2: Make another tab where the user can select a xsplash background
Written by Peter-Alexander the 24 Nov 09 at 01:20.
The comments are good and I like the idea of changing the splash screen so the easiest would be a new feature:
The user can customize the splash screen.

Benefits:
- the user would know the image he has set.
- the contents of the tab can be greyed out and need to be unlocked which is only possible via permissions and can be locked by root for multiuser systems.
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Solution #3: default setup review
Written by Cypher2 the 24 Nov 09 at 04:30.
..or at least make the initial default load of xsplash and default background the same as in Xubuntu 9.10...

that's a major plus in terms of uniformity...

BUT... if we are to reach the 10 second boot.. xsplash really needs to go! (I have disabled it to speed up the X startup process)

AND MAKE THE USPLASH THROB DAMMIT!!!
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Solution #4: Perhaps xsplash do not waste to much memory...
Written by heru.htl the 24 Nov 09 at 09:40.
Some users just annoyed when xsplash just load to heavy and sometime just crash with some incompatible VGA drivers... perhaps there is a solution to make it faster and lightweight... no more memory exhausted and no more conflicting with hardware...

See the 8 comments or propose a solution >>

Can't preview .xcf files without GIMP  
Written by timnwells the 5 Nov 09 at 09:16. Related project: Image Viewer (EoG). New
In nautilus I can see a thumbnail preview of .xcf files but I cannot seem to preview them in Image Viewer. Sometimes it would be good to be able to preview a .xcf file that is still being worked on without having to open it it gimp or export it to another format.
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Solution #1: Add .xcf support to Image Viewer
Written by timnwells the 5 Nov 09 at 09:16.
Add support for previewing GIMPs .xcf files in Image Viewer.
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Solution #2: use gloobus
Written by BadChoice the 6 Nov 09 at 10:22.
Gloobus can preview xcf files in less than a second. Its really fast and without having to open gimp
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Solution #3: Make a nautilus thumb viewer like dolphin
Written by faelbluhm the 8 Nov 09 at 12:55.
If nautilus make huge thumbs and have a lateral panel, you shold viwer the .xcf file on side bar, like dolphin.
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Solution #4: If not gloobus, ristretto is capable viewing xcf files.
Written by yaknowwat the 16 Nov 09 at 20:26.
Ristretto which I prefer over eye of gnome in their default designs can preview xcf files.

See the 3 comments or propose a solution >>

The places drop down menu is difficult to customize  
Written by bbordwell the 15 Nov 09 at 21:58. Related project: Gnome. New
Customized drop down menus such as "places" would greatly enhance usability.
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Solution #1: Preferences GUI
Written by bbordwell the 15 Nov 09 at 21:58.
One of the options that comes up when you click on "places" should be "places preferences". It would be a simple GUI that allows you to add/remove things from the list, as well as change recent documents settings (i.e. disable, the number of documents it remembers).
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Solution #2: Use Alacarte
Written by biffen the 15 Nov 09 at 22:45.
Alacarte is used to edit Applications and System menus, it should be extended to edit the Places menu as well.

Adding a "Places preferences" item to the Places menu (as proposed in solution #1) would crowd the menu itself. Editing the menu is a rare task and should be accessible by right click, rather than via a menu item, as with most other parts of Gnome and many other environments.

On a side note, the ability to choose whether the bookmarks go into a sub menu should be part of the customisation.
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Solution #3: Drag 'n' Drop to add things to Places
Written by Warbo the 20 Nov 09 at 09:59.
If a folder or bookmark is dragged on to the Places menu it should drop down to allow the user to drop it somewhere in the list. There could also be an item such as "New Folder" which appears in the list when in the process of dragging, allowing a hierarchy, which would prompt the user to rename it once they've dropped their item.

Dragging a Nautilus window should do the same, with the window's current location being added to the menu. Browser windows and hyperlinks should also have the same behaviour (there should be no distinction between local and online). Basically treat Places as a bookmarks system (which preferably would give the same lists in every application)

See the 3 comments or propose a solution >>

GIMP is out from Lucid Lynx.  
Written by hellmet the 20 Nov 09 at 18:49. Related project: GIMP Image Editor. New
GIMP is being taken off the default install due to "CD space" problems. However, it should remain easily accessible/installable.
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Solution #1: Replace GIMP in the menu, with icon to install.
Written by hellmet the 20 Nov 09 at 18:49.
Remove GIMP from the default install, but, replace the menu item with an item that will display information about GIMP and then ask if the user wants to go ahead and (fetch &) install it from the repos.

This way, GIMP is still visible, yet not on the CD, and is easily installable.
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Solution #2: not remove gimp
Written by Wilmer Toledo the 20 Nov 09 at 19:21.
easy, do not remove gimp from live CD, some users, like me, can't connect to Internet so easily
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Solution #3: Remove the help files
Written by Glennz the 20 Nov 09 at 20:46.
Removing the help files from gimp will already make the cd smaller.
I have heard from various people it would make the cd about 20 mb smaller just by removing gimp help files.
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Solution #4: Remove GIMP and let users install it as needed
Written by pwnedd the 21 Nov 09 at 10:41.
It's a great application and I use it a lot, but it's not for everyone. A simple photo-editor with things like rescaling and "remove red-eye" is probably enough for many people. Also, it's not too difficult to install GIMP once your system in installed :)
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Solution #5: give a simple paint app
Written by yzarc the 21 Nov 09 at 14:37.
Very often I just wanna draw an arrow over a map and write "the party is here!". Or just crop a picture.

And it's a pain to do it in gimp. It's like operate war tank to kill an ant. Please give us a simple image editor, no layers, no vectors, no Filters, etc. Try to remember the first time you opened the gimp. What do I do with all these windows and tools?



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Solution #6: Add an applications section to the installer
Written by tehalynn the 21 Nov 09 at 23:31.
When someone installs Ubuntu, they are shown an applications page with the following options:


1. Install all default applications. Some will need to be downloaded.
2. Install only default applications that do not need to be downloaded.
3. Select which applications to install.


Option 1 will install applications that are not on the CD, such as GIMP, by downloading and installing them when an internet connection is made.

Option 2 will install only applications on the CD. It should tell the user how to get them later if they change their mind.

Option 3 shows a page listing applications that will be installed. The user can exclude applications they do not want, and include ones they do. Here's a mockup of the general idea:



Only major applications need to be mentioned here. This is not a replacement for Ubuntu Software Center/Synaptic.
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Solution #7: Remove less useful stuff.
Written by Uncle TK the 22 Nov 09 at 12:11.
As for me GIMP is much more useful for common user than f.e. Bluez or Transmission and many other stuff. Maybe it's a good idea to reserve GIMP instead of them?
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Solution #8: first run
Written by nloewen the 23 Nov 09 at 05:02.
At the first boot of the system after install, a dialog box could pop up asking if the user would like some help setting up there system. It could go through users and what not as well as ask what the user would like to use there computer for. if they select something like photo editing or replacement for photo-shop, the program would select GIMP for install with a button to let them select a different program from the repository.
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Solution #9: Move from CD to DVD (USB) release
Written by Bobik-s the 23 Nov 09 at 11:36.
Lucid Lynx will be ready at 2010. Who cares about ancient CDs? Ubuntu distro should be DVD- or USB-based. Even if you remove GIMP the problem of 700Mb capacity is still unresolved.
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Solution #10: Offer Multiple ISO downloads
Written by fix98-win the 24 Nov 09 at 09:58.
CD-Rs come in packs more often than not.

Offer for download in ISO format a two disc system with just Ubuntu on the first disc and extra applications on the second disc. This would possibly be in addition to the standard one disc system.

This way, users can save both discs for when they need to reinstall software that came with the system, but are offline.

Besides, using two discs frees up space for more software to be included with ubuntu by default.

ps: Don't forget to give users a choice of which applications to install from the second disc.
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Solution #11: Use better compression algorithm for packages
Written by 10110111 the 25 Nov 09 at 13:53.
There should exist some better compression algorithms. Just use some of them instead of the one which is used now for packages.
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Solution #12: Atleast include it in the dvd
Written by shinjan the 25 Nov 09 at 14:33.
Gimp is a very useful package...it's not at all worth removal due to space problems. If not in the cd atleast include in the dvd version of ubuntu..
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Solution #13: OpenOffice
Written by argento the 25 Nov 09 at 15:43.
Just use OpenOffice Draw to do simple painting

See the 18 comments or propose a solution >>

Switching Display on laptops should appear in Notify-osd  
Written by onesimus the 12 Nov 09 at 10:11. Global category: Look and Feel. New
Currently, when a laptop switches its display from its screen to (say) a projector there is not indication that it is about to happen, or which display(s) will be used. Often there can be a lag of a number of seconds, and hence the user tries to switch the displays again (in their belief nothing is happening)
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Solution #1: Indicate to user in Notify-osd
Written by onesimus the 12 Nov 09 at 10:11.
The user could be shown icons in Notify-osd about the switch that is going to happen.
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Solution #2: Speed up switching
Written by Akerbos the 13 Nov 09 at 14:21.
Faster switch, no problem. Let's attack the problem and not build patches around it.
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Solution #3: Implement Config Preview
Written by Akerbos the 14 Nov 09 at 17:05.
I remember from my times with Windows that there was something not unlike the Alt-Tab Window Switcher we have now for screen configurations. Pressing Fn+? would bring it up and cycle through the respective configs. Only releasing Fn again would actually switch. Implement that and switching becomes a much more concious act.

See the 1 comments or propose a solution >>

Not everyone uses Evolution, integrate other email clients with Ubuntu One  
Written by aliam13_2 the 30 Oct 09 at 11:51. Global category: Office. New
Evolution is now integrated with Ubuntu One, where the contacts are synced and stored on Ubuntu One. Many people use other email clients such as the very popular Thunderbird and as such don't have the contacts synced like in evolution.
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Solution #1: Integrate Thunderbird with Ubuntu One
Written by aliam13_2 the 30 Oct 09 at 11:52.
Implement (possibly using a plugin) the same integration Evolution has with Ubuntu One for Thunderbird.
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Solution #2: Make ubuntu one more pluggable.
Written by Darwin Survivor the 30 Oct 09 at 23:50.
Ubuntu one should be made to be more pluggable. That way people could simply write a new plugin for it and thunderbird. Then as long as all the machines they are using have both plugins, it would work.
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Solution #3: Use SeaMonkey
Written by Softwayer the 11 Nov 09 at 18:42.
What about using SeaMonkey and integrating IT with Ubuntu One? This is the child of Mozilla Internet Suite. It would be good to replace Firefox and Thunderbird with SeaMonkey: it works faster and it's the one application, so if you click a link in a letter, no external applications will be launched. SeaMonkey screenshot: http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/3905/seamonkey.png

See the 7 comments or propose a solution >>

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