Contributor OpenNingia - Ubuntu brainstorm

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Contributor OpenNingia on Add/Remove program dialog

Uninstalling an app which was installed using a .deb file requires package mgr

Written by tommed the 5 Mar 09 at 10:54. Not an idea

.deb files are a great way of installing a particular version of a program OR distributing your application when there is no internet access.

Installing is as simple as double-clicking the .deb file and clicking "Install Package".

But if you wish to un-install this package; you double-click the .deb file and there is only an option to re-install.

To un-install the package you need to either use Synaptic or the terminal.

-2
votes

12
votes

See the 9 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 11 Aug 11 at 08:04) >>

Installing software is still difficult, and no mechanism exists for paid apps

No information about this blueprint
Information is updated every 5 minutes.
Please wait till the next update.

Written by MrBoB the 9 Mar 09 at 20:47. Implemented

Installing software on Linux has gotten much easier over the years, but can still be confusing. Most users don't know what synaptic is, and have no interest in typing "apt-get blah blah" Additionally, because there is no system in place to charge for software, commercial venders cannot provide software for Linux in any convenient manner.

With a little tweaking, Synaptic ( or Add/Remove Software ) could be rebranded to better resemble a free "App Store" and with a little more tweaking, a system for allowing paid apps to be installed could be provided to the user.

-124
votes

Selected solution (#1): Rebrand Synaptic to "App Store" and allow paid packages.

Written by MrBoB the 9 Mar 09 at 20:47.

Recent advances in the power of smart phone OS's notably Google's Android, Apple's iPhone, and RIM's Blackberry, have lead to the adoption of "App Stores" which users are now very comfortable with. The "Add/Remove Program" dialog already provides this functionality, but could be better focused on the App Store concept.

Additionally, these app stores provide a mechanism for individual programmers to be nominally paid for their work, and for the owner of the app store to take a cut of the profits, providing a revenue stream. If the apt-get protocol could be modified to provide a method for installing paid applications, I believe that we would see more interest from both programmers and software vendors.

Note that I am not advocating that people should pay for existing open source apps. What I am suggesting is that there are applications that would become available on Linux (Adobe Photoshop?) if there was a system in place to install them for a fee. Something like Firefox or gThumb would a be "Free App" in the app store.

166
votes

12
votes

Selected solution (#3): Create unified file format to store repo-information

Written by andrew.p the 19 Mar 09 at 22:47.

Create openable file format (non-executable, e.g. not bash script) with repository information (and a link to ppa key) to save and import it easily. If you want to add ppa or 3-rd party application like Skype you install such file instead of adding a repo or installing a single package (this is not a good way of installing at all).
The extension can be .3ri (third-party repository information/installation) or something relative.

Commercial vendors can sell their software from their websites. The question is how they can copy protect their software and how to guarantee that such repos will not alter essential components of the system. While the first is not our problem, the second could be implemented as repository trust DB.

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30
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Selected solution (#6): A system for paying for applications from Add/remove

Written by Menti the 22 Mar 09 at 11:07.

This system is thought to make it easier to test and later pay (or donate) for open source applications.

1) Show price tag
You go to Add/Remove and you find an application like:
_____________________________________________
Time Waster
Recommended price 5$
_____________________________________________

2) Buy or test
Either when you select the application, or when you click |Apply|, a popup appears:
__________________________________________________________
You have selected "Time Waster" for installation
What do you want to do with this application?
( ) Buy
(*) Test
I want to be warned after [ 7 ] days testing "Time waster"

[...]

| Accept |
___________________________________________________________

You select either buy or test. The "warning after 7 days" line only applies to Test and will not appear if you select Buy. The brackets are an input field where you can write the value you prefer, 7 is the default.

3a) If you select Buy
The payment process will start. This can be done either by taking you to the developer's page, by taking you to an Ubuntu website where payments to every developer are centralized, or from Add/Remove itself. I guess it will depend on where users feel more comfortable writing their credit card number.

3b) If you select Test
The software will install normally, with no more questions.

4) Warning
7 days after installing the software for testing, the following popup appears:
______________________________________
You have tested "Time Waster" for 7 days
What do you want to do?
| Buy | | Keep | | Remove |
______________________________________

This popup can appear either 7 days after installation, or the first time you launch the application after 7 days have passed.
The buy button would take you to the payment process. Keep would just keep the software in your computer without paying, and remove would uninstall it. This would be the first and last warning ever about this.

For closed source paid apps, the Test option would not be available.

This system is thought to make it easier to test and later pay (or donate) for open source applications.

1) Show price tag
You go to Add/Remove and you find an application like:
_____________________________________________
Time Waster        
Recommended price  5$
_____________________________________________

2) Buy or test
Either when you select the application, or when you click |Apply|, a popup appears:
__________________________________________________________
You have selected "Time Waster" for installation
What do you want to do with this application?
(  ) Buy
(*) Test
     I want to be warned after [ 7 ] days testing "Time waster"

| Accept |
___________________________________________________________

You select either buy or test. The "warning after 7 days" line only applies to Test and will not appear if you select Buy.  The brackets are an input field where you can write the value you prefer, 7 is the default.

3a) If you select Buy
The payment process will start. This can be done either by taking you to the developer's page, by taking you to an Ubuntu website where payments to every developer are centralized, or from Add/Remove itself. I guess it will depend on where users feel more comfortable writing their credit card number.

3b) If you select Test
The software will install normally, with no more questions.

4) Warning
7 days after installing the software for testing, the following popup appears:
______________________________________
You have tested "Time Waster" for 7 days
What do you want to do?
| Buy |        | Keep |   | Remove |
______________________________________

This popup can appear either 7 days after installation, or the first time you launch the application after 7 days have passed.
The buy button would take you to the payment process. Keep would just keep the software in your computer without paying, and remove would uninstall it. This would be the first and last warning ever about this.

For closed source paid apps, the Test option would not be available.

3
votes

Selected solution (#7): Packages for commercial software

Written by mronkko the 24 Jun 09 at 19:44.

Introduce packages that contain alternative installers for commercial software. This kind of package, when installed, would help installing commercial software and when uninstalled, would remove the same software. The user would just need to download a file containing the software or insert an installer CD. Then, instead of using the installer provided by the commercial software vendor, the user would install the ubuntu package for this software.

When this kind of package is installed, it would scan /media and common download locations for an installer file or archive of the commercial software that this package would install. If not found, the installer would ask the user to give a location of the original installer. When the software is found, the package would install all dependencies, install the commercial software from the media or file provided by the software vendor, apply possible workarounds that are required, write appropriate .desktop files, and register file associations.

The same system could be used to install windows applications through wine (somewhat similar what CrossOver does)

13
votes

Selected solution (#8): Improve "Add/Remove" software

Written by jackmcslay the 11 Aug 09 at 22:08.

For starters, it should have as default to display all apps instead of only the Canonical-supported ones. Canonical-supported apps could be identified by the ubuntu logo like they do on synaptic.

More information about the applications should be provided, such as screenshots, and wikified descriptions so users can help translating texts and describe the softwares further.

Lastly, With the large ammount of softwares in the repos, subcathegories would be VERY welcome.

14
votes

Selected solution (#9): Make it easy to add repositories

Written by lordmetroid the 27 Aug 09 at 11:48.

Users are already familiar with going to the website of the developer to download and install the software. Have a plugin interface for the Ubuntu app store that allows non-commercial as well as commercial software developer to add their repositories through a simple click on a link from the browser much like downloading the software.

This would maintain the users freedom over what software the user would want in the repositories. Without the control of an oppressive dictating centralized governing body that other app stores are subjected to.

2
votes

Selected solution (#10): Decentralize payment for commercial software

Written by lordmetroid the 27 Aug 09 at 12:03.

There are already pay-services available, and commercial software developers that sell their software from their own websites already have their preferred solution of payment arrangements implemented on their website.

When installing a commercial software using the Ubuntu app store launch the web browser and direct the user to use the already existing facilities arranged by the software developers themselves to purchase the software. This will further ensure the freedoms given in Solution #9 for users to decide what software they wish to have in their repositories and eliminate any need for a centralized governing body that other app stores are subjected to.

0
votes

Selected solution (#11): MojoSetup support

Written by mjau the 27 Aug 09 at 13:43.

Ryan C. Gordon's MojoSetup, though still in development and not yet complete, is getting increasingly popular for commercial games. MojoSetup itself is open source, and can produce self-contained installers that can be run on any system to install the associated game.

MojoSetup installers are written, or configured, entirely using Lua scripts. All scripts, files and other data (the archive) can then be zipped up (though other compression methods may also be supported) and concatenated onto the main MojoSetup executable to make a self-contained installer. (MojoSetup can also read files from the local filesystem if there's no attached archive, but downloaded installers are practically always self-contained for obvious reasons.) When such a self-contained installer is run, the executable first opens itself as an archive, decompresses the installation scripts, runs them and shows the UI and such, decompressing files as needed during the install. (This avoids the massive pre-decompression step that made eg Loki Setup so slow to start up.) It also supports online installation, etc.

See http://icculus.org/mojosetup/

Now, to the point: Everything that a MojoSetup installer does is written in Lua scripts, and scripts and installation data are easily available simply by opening the installer executable as a zip file. Ubuntu could simply provide an alternate executable to open and run MojoSetup installers, with its own implementation of the MojoSetup calls that integrates the installation process with Ubuntu's own package manager. Since MojoSetup config files also include both a vendor, package id, and version number, updates could also be handled this way.

[...]

With this setup, users would download MojoSetup files (or install from CDs, etc) just like a normal file, in the regular way -- no need for a centralized repository. On Ubuntu, the system would associate the installer with a standard mime-type or extension, so that the installer could (optionally) automatically start in Ubuntu's version of the installer when the download is complete, avoiding the whole chmod +x circus, providing the end user with a smooth installation experience =)

Of course, such MojoSetup installers would still be self-contained, so they'd still work fine on non-Ubuntu systems, like they do now. Developers would have just one package to maintain, and in fact wouldn't even have to be aware of Ubuntu's special handling for it to work (though it couldn't hurt either).

There's a few problems with this too, though. First of all, as I mentioned, MojoSetup is not yet complete, and currently lacks some features like eg a standard way of installing desktop menu entries (though support for this is planned). Also, relying on a mime-type for MojoSetup installer detection can be unreliable since developers might not have control over the web-server providing their downloads (commercial software may be hosted by the payment processor!), and there's not really a standard extension for MojoSetup installers currently (.mojosetup has been proposed, but this is very long .. personally I've used .mojo.run or just .run (also used by Loki/makeself). I've also seen .bin, or even .sh (which is familiar for Loki users but very misleading since MojoSetup installers are not shell scripts)). They could perhaps be identified by looking for executables with zip files concatenated and see if there's a MojoSetup style config file inside, but a standardized filename extension would probably be better.. Also, since MojoSetup installers are real executables, marking an installer executable and running it on an Ubuntu system would still run the actual executable in stead of Ubuntu's version -- this could be fixed by having the embedded MojoSetup executable check for the presence of an overriding executable (MojoSetup already has support for alternate executables, currently used eg for running a 64-bit installer from a 32-bit executable on a 64-bit system, so this may in fact already be supported).

(Disclaimer: I've no real association with MojoSetup, except I really like it and have used it for installers for some commercial games. I've also contributed some small patches now and then. If this solution is chosen, I'd definitely recommend cooperating with the creator of MojoSetup, Ryan Gordon. He can be reached via the link above.)

MojoSetup installers are written, or configured, entirely using Lua scripts. All scripts, files and other data (the archive) can then be zipped up (though other compression methods may also be supported) and concatenated onto the main MojoSetup executable to make a self-contained installer.  (MojoSetup can also read files from the local filesystem if there's no attached archive, but downloaded installers are practically always self-contained for obvious reasons.)  When such a self-contained installer is run, the executable first opens itself as an archive, decompresses the installation scripts, runs them and shows the UI and such, decompressing files as needed during the install.  (This avoids the massive pre-decompression step that made eg Loki Setup so slow to start up.)  It also supports online installation, etc.

See http://icculus.org/mojosetup/

Now, to the point: Everything that a MojoSetup installer does is written in Lua scripts, and scripts and installation data are easily available simply by opening the installer executable as a zip file. Ubuntu could simply provide an alternate executable to open and run MojoSetup installers, with its own implementation of the MojoSetup calls that integrates the installation process with Ubuntu's own package manager.  Since MojoSetup config files also include both a vendor, package id, and version number, updates could also be handled this way.

Of course, such MojoSetup installers would still be self-contained, so they'd still work fine on non-Ubuntu systems, like they do now.  Developers would have just one package to maintain, and in fact wouldn't even have to be aware of Ubuntu's special handling for it to work (though it couldn't hurt either).

There's a few problems with this too, though.  First of all, as I mentioned, MojoSetup is not yet complete, and currently lacks some features like eg a standard way of installing desktop menu entries (though support for this is planned).  Also, relying on a mime-type for MojoSetup installer detection can be unreliable since developers might not have control over the web-server providing their downloads (commercial software may be hosted by the payment processor!), and there's not really a standard extension for MojoSetup installers currently (.mojosetup has been proposed, but this is very long .. personally I've used .mojo.run or just .run (also used by Loki/makeself).  I've also seen .bin, or even .sh (which is familiar for Loki users but very misleading since MojoSetup installers are not shell scripts)).  They could perhaps be identified by looking for executables with zip files concatenated and see if there's a MojoSetup style config file inside, but a standardized filename extension would probably be better..   Also, since MojoSetup installers are real executables, marking an installer executable and running it on an Ubuntu system would still run the actual executable in stead of Ubuntu's version -- this could be fixed by having the embedded MojoSetup executable check for the presence of an overriding executable (MojoSetup already has support for alternate executables, currently used eg for running a 64-bit installer from a 32-bit executable on a 64-bit system, so this may in fact already be supported).

(Disclaimer: I've no real association with MojoSetup, except I really like it and have used it for installers for some commercial games. I've also contributed some small patches now and then.  If this solution is chosen, I'd definitely recommend cooperating with the creator of MojoSetup, Ryan Gordon.  He can be reached via the link above.)

0
votes

2
votes

Selected solution (#13): Include Listaller support to AppCenter too

Written by Matthias the 28 Aug 09 at 17:18.

The Listaller project created a management system for applications too.
The next Listaller version will contain an API which will allow distributors to add Listaller functions to their tools.
It would be great if I could install IPK packages with AppCenter too, also Listaller's feature to manage Autopackage and LOKI installations is very nice.
Talk to the developers to make the application API stable for Ubuntu 10.04!

(This would fix the "Include MoJo-Support", "Packages for commercial applications", "Integrate CNR.com" and "Include One Click Install support" requests too!)

http://listaller.nlinux.org

6
votes

Selected solution (#14): Easyly undo and redo actions

Written by ubuntuuser1 the 1 Sep 09 at 20:18.

There should be an option for undo and redo certain installations...
Especially for new and curious users who want to test software but don't know the effect an installation brings it would be great if they could easyly bring there system in a former situation...

as far as i know current synaptic just lists packages that were installed and the time. one has to undo an installation "by hand" by searching and removing the packages. this takes a while an isn't very efficient...

See the 19 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 22 Mar 11 at 08:16) >>

Problem With Restricted Software Installation Warning

No information about this blueprint
Information is updated every 5 minutes.
Please wait till the next update.

Written by makru the 18 May 09 at 00:28. New

After installing Ubuntu on several computers for friends, I received the same question: "Is it ok to install restricted software? I just got a warning when trying to install .mp3 and flash codecs."

-75
votes

Solution #1: Remove The Warnings Completely

Written by makru the 18 May 09 at 00:28.

Now, it is pretty evident that most computer users have no idea what "open source" or "restricted software" refers to. After all, Windows and OS X do not give you warnings when installing open source software. Thus, this impediment for new users should be removed. It serves absolutely no purpose aside from confusing them. Linux veterans know what is proprietary and what is not, because that is their passion. New users could not care less and just want to install whatever they desire. Of course this same mentality should be carried across add/remove installations and video codecs. After all, nobody cares that Totem needs to install new codecs to play a movie, so it should happen automatically without any user input. If open source advocates dislike propriety features, they should be able to disable this feature through the software sources section. Also, I realize that ubuntu restricted extras resolves most of these problems, but would that be the first thing you would search for when introduced to a new operating system? No. That is why a video player like VLC (that just works) has more downloads than the entire Ubuntu user base.

60
votes

Solution #2: Rename the restricted software user warning

Written by tuxxy the 18 May 09 at 14:36.

The warning may benefit from being renamed to a less technical orientated recommendation. This new warning should allow even the newest Ubuntu users to gain an understanding as to what this process will do and how it will benefit their new installation.

Examples could be "Is it OK to install the Recommended / Appropriate / Multimedia / third-party software for your system"

31
votes

95
votes

-34
votes

-31
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Solution #6: Move warning text from the alert to app description, remove alert at all

Written by Dim the 19 May 09 at 10:59.

Alerts always stand in the way. The problem is not only with the text of warning but with the alert itself.

What I propose is to move the warning text (improved according to solutions above) from the alert to the description of the application. Of course, the text should not be merged with the description and should look different.

Why is this better:
1. Nothing stands in the way.
2. When you have "restricted software" enabled, you still know which app is "restricted",

54
votes

Solution #7: Change the Warning Icon to an Information/Question Icon

Written by OpenNingia the 20 May 09 at 09:52.

Common users are scared of "Warning" icons (those with the yellow triangle ), so they rather click 'Cancel' or go in panic :D

Why don't we just replace the Warning message with an Information message ( or Question message ) with the more friendly ( I ) icon?

( Tango theme has a light bulb )

Here a mockup:

-5
votes

3
votes

Solution #9: Split restricted into restricted and restricting, let user disable this warnings

Written by Felitaur the 20 Mar 11 at 00:59.

There is much difference, some software is free itself, but restricted by wrong laws and some software is restricting users. Ubuntu should not display any warning if it is know, such software is legal withing country user selected on the system settings, but is should display such warning about software restricting user rights, also, dialog windows should describe what is wrong with such software.
Also, there should be options to install or deny software from both categories without further questions.

See the 14 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 1 Apr 10 at 14:57) >>

SoftwareStore should be renamed

Written by orlox the 8 Sep 09 at 13:19. Implemented

The name SoftwareStore has received a lot of criticism, and I'm yet to find someone who agrees with it (although, someone must agree since they changed the name).

I think the word "store" will immediately associate the application to commercial software, but the application itself will be centred on free software.

Also, the name seems to hurt user feedback, since most of them just start a discussion on how bad the name is, and alternatives to it, instead of doing some constructive discussion on the features,scope and importance of the project.

83
votes

Selected solution (#1): Return to the old name: AppCenter

Written by orlox the 8 Sep 09 at 13:19.

The old name, AppCenter, seemed to be widely accepted. It's a short, yet informative name, that expresses the idea of the application in a very good way (a frontend that integrates all other software management frontends in a consistent way)

Perhaps this name should be restored, leave the package and executable named as appcenter, and list it in the administration menu as "Application Center" or "Ubuntu Application Center".

126
votes

Selected solution (#3): Use a name with the word software (but not store)

Written by orlox the 9 Sep 09 at 02:54.

An "app" is not something widely recognized, so it might be better to choose a name for this application that uses the word "software", but not the name store. Besides, this interface will serve to install many things that qualify as software, but not as an application (like codecs and fonts).

Pehaps, a contraction of the word like "soft" or "sw" could also be used for the application name (i.e. package name, executable, launchpad entry, etc...), while menu entries describe it using the whole word to keep clarity for unexperienced users.

Even more, the word software is correctly recognized by many non-english speakers, including some that are relatively computer-illiterate.

Since there's an infinite amount of alternative names that can be used here, perhaps this solution can be kept open to various alternatives (for now).

523
votes

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Selected solution (#7): Ubuntu Central

Written by horusofoz the 13 Sep 09 at 10:15.

As the plan is to incorporate Add/Remove, Synaptic, Update Manager and other bits, I think Ubuntu Central or something similar (in concept not sound) that has a broader sense than software/app store/center would be more suitable.

Alternatively, Taking into consideration Ubuntu's humanistic feel I think it would be fitting if they gave the application a name in that vein. Ubuntu Nexus?

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78
votes

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Selected solution (#17): Software Box

Written by baldurpet the 17 Sep 09 at 20:01.

I didn't know whether I should add to the already long list of suggestions, but I wanted to approach this from a 'tad' different perspective.

I'm trying to think of a name that people can use with a sense of endearment like most of Apple's products. "Software Box" was the best thing I could come up with (as in "I need some software for X and Y"- "just look in the box").

I don't expect users to choose my idea for a name but I still want contributors to stop thinking about words that sound mechanical, dead and literal ("Software Center") and think about something more colloquial and friendly instead. Could you imagine your dad or mom saying it?

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Selected solution (#21): How about Software Depot or Software Warehouse/Storehouse.

Written by wolterh the 19 Sep 09 at 19:37.

I think the solution title says it all.

I like the Software Depot because it reminds me of Starcraft's Supply Depots. They always intrigued me.

Anyway, my other proposal is to call it Software Warehouse, but I understand that it may be highly criticized for phonetically it sounds repetitive as of softWARE WAREhouse, but that could be solved by changing Warehouse for Storehouse. Storehouse because it embeds the concept of storage (which is from where store comes from) but it gets rid of the commercial idea. Storehouse makes us think about a Warehouse, without having the phonetic problem described above.

-68
votes

-41
votes

-56
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Selected solution (#24): Ubu soft store / Ubu softbox/ Ubu soft pot

Written by rutvikgohil the 22 Sep 09 at 10:13.

in my opinion this may be quite simple name
because many new user like me finding bit difficult to get the name of this things
so if any 1 can suggest a simple name than is ll be a great thing..
thanks

and about last name "Ubu soft-pot"
it may mean like "container/vessel containing free software"
pot=jug,box,container,vessel in african

-29
votes

-11
votes

Selected solution (#26): Ubuntu S/W EpiCentre

Written by gaara87 the 25 Sep 09 at 16:14.

Ubuntu's heart is the kernel, but the softwares and applications are responsible for making the difference between two personalised Ubuntus. Much like saying, what differentiates you from me is the way we think!

Ubuntu:Humanism is a free form of thinking where its inception lies in the difference in thinking, hence the EpiCentre of Ubuntu,much like the Mind being the EpiCentre of a Human!:-)

-3
votes

-2
votes

See the 52 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 17 Mar 10 at 06:12) >>

Finding alternatives to proprietary software is too difficult for newcomers

Written by gnarlin the 26 Nov 09 at 14:01. New

For those who are taking their first steps in Ubuntu it can be a very alien landscape to use at first. One of the problems people have is finding alternatives to well known proprietary software in the Free world. The software center is a wonderful place to start, but unless people know what they are looking for (the name of the package) they won't have an easy time finding anything. They'll probably end up installing a lot of programs from the appropriate category, but might get frustrated if they don't find anything comparable quickly.

376
votes

Solution #1: Make search results for propriatery software point to Free alternatives

Written by gnarlin the 26 Nov 09 at 14:01.

When people search in the software center for their familiar proprietary software make the results point to comparable Free software while making it very clear that it is not the same program, just that it does the same job. This will help newcomers to Ubuntu quickly find the alternatives they are looking for.

For example. Jane does a search for Photoshop. The results show Gimp with a short highlighted text that explains that Gimp is a different program but that it will do the same job.

390
votes

164
votes

Solution #3: solution 1 + explain the software center during the install montage

Written by gnarlin the 26 Nov 09 at 21:02.

In the 9.10 version of Ubuntu a feature montage was added to the installation procedure. This would be a great place to explain to new users about how to install new software after the installation is complete.
Perhaps something like (or something that is actually well written and thoughful):

----------------------------------------------------------------------
|SOFTWARE CENTER
|To install more software after installation
|Please go to the "Software Center" and browse
|for a program you wish to install in one of the
|catagories avaliable. Then just click install
|and the software center will do the rest for you
----------------------------------------------------------------------

29
votes

Solution #4: Compare existing windows software to alternatives upon installation of ubuntu

Written by doobiest the 26 Nov 09 at 21:19.

In addition to solution 1 and 2 I think we should include this for the OS installation.

If installing ubuntu over a native windows install, make a list of installed windows apps. Then after ubuntu finished installing, present the user with a list of software they used to have, and a list of alternatives that they can now have. The user adds checkmarks to those they want.

This could be combined with solution #3. Not only describing to the user how ubuntu uses repositories which are centralized containing stable, secure, and community approved software, but also describes why their favorite programs like itunes are not available. intro to the idea of opensource software.

57
votes

112
votes

78
votes

26
votes

Solution #8: Create an online "wiki" to find alternatives. Access with widget or browser

Written by g63marty the 3 Dec 09 at 02:37.

Add a "find software" widget to install in a panel or a small app to open a browser to search for linux-based software alternatives. Have the widget or application include the user's linux gui and type (kde,gnome,debian, et al) as parameter of url, so that better matches to software can be found.
Make the online Wiki improvable by the community. Add links to this search forum from ubuntu pages.

-79
votes

Solution #9: Create a video that plays on the first startup

Written by ikelewis the 3 Dec 09 at 15:52.

Create a video that plays when you first start up Ubuntu, that would describe in detail the process of getting software, connecting to the internet, etc. Also provide links and places where you could get further information, and a little about the history of open-source software. You could even have it as a playlist in Totem, so the content could be broken up into different segments and topics.

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votes

8
votes

Solution #11: Alternitive To .net

Written by balloooza the 12 Dec 09 at 16:17.

http://alternativeto.net/

It is a great site, it offers web alternative, mac alternatives, windows alternatives, and is maintained, easy to use, active, and also offers alternatives to any application

(not only iPhoto > F-Spot, but also F-Spot > Picasa, Picasa > F-Spot, OOo Writer > Abiword)

I use this site constantly, once or twice a day, conocial could support there efforts by giving them attention, and they could support us with an API of sorts, so instead of sending people to the real website, ubuntu could offer some of this functionality on the software center. or just provide a link to this site.

22
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34
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Solution #13: Provide support for previous Mac users

Written by poooody the 15 Dec 09 at 18:35.

As well as, as has been suggested on brainstorm before, having information about Open Source programme alternatives for Windows users, do the same for Mac users.

Have a guide on the Live CD's "Try Ubuntu" feature explaining things such as drivers (propriety and free), and explaining the Ubuntu alternatives to mac programmes which come with the install, e.g. gedit and Text Edit, Terminal and gnome-terminal, Pidgin and iChat, Rhythmbox and iTunes, etc.

-1
votes

3
votes

See the 13 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 Dec 09 at 20:01) >>

software descriptions are in English (not localized)

Written by YannUbuntu the 28 Nov 09 at 13:35. Already implemented

The software descriptions are in English.

Please make it translatable !

151
votes

30
votes

Solution #2: Already translatable at a few locations

Written by timo.jyrinki the 30 Nov 09 at 06:40.

The software descriptions are already fully translatable at the following locations:

Short descriptions visible in Software Center's application lists:
https://translations.launchpad.net/ubuntu/karmic/+source/app-install-data-ubunt u

Short and long descriptions visible at any software management application:
http://www.debian.org/international/l10n/ddtp

Finalizing of short and long descriptions (mainly restricted/multiverse not available in Debian):
https://translations.launchpad.net/ddtp-ubuntu

See the 1 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 28 Nov 09 at 15:44) >>

Create Meta-Package for all things "Tablet PC"

Written by SaintDanBert the 6 Jul 09 at 04:51. New

Without resorting to a completely separate distribution, a "tablet PC" meta-package would collect applications, utilities, kernel modules, and all tablet/stylus/digital-ink related packages into a identifiable block as part of each ubuntu release. User and developers working in the tablet PC world, could follow the status of this meta-package instead of searching and following the various "tablet pc" related parts as individual packages.

More than one meta-package might become necessary if the set of manufacturer specific packages becomes large enough relative to the size of the packages common to all tablets.
For example, the HAL/ACPI parts needed to detect and respond to a switch from laptop to tablet or reverse is pretty common to all manufacturers. In contrast, each manufacturer has a unique set of tablet-mode programmable keys in addition to other programmable keys that are common across manufacturers.

It might make sense to separate low level (hal, udev, acpi, module, etc) packages from user-level (xournal, cellwrite, etc) packages. The low level packages could then be further collected where manufacturer (of the laptop) specific parts are needed. Where the manufacturer (of a component) has unique features for a tablet, it might remain a common package so long as other laptops are able to use that same component (eg-miniPCI video cards).

A "Tablet PC" is a family of laptop/notebook systems with features that enable use that some might call an electronic legal pad. These features include (but are not limited to)
display in both landscape [laptop mode] and portrait [tablet mode], input using a traditional keyboard [laptop mode] or a virtual keyboard [tablet mode], pointing using a touchpad or eraser-mouse [laptop mode] or a stylus [tablet mode], extensive use of programmed and programmable feature keys,
hardware detection of laptop or tablet mechanical orientation, and so on.

Once upon a time, there was a group trying to create a tablet pc specific ubuntu variant -- (?)TABUNTU(?). It seems to this author that that effort is either stalled or lost in the dust as other aspects of ubuntu evolution changes so rapidly (eg - xorg vs. mice and pointers and displays, etc) as to render tablet pc work impossible.

105
votes

Solution #1: Identify Packages involved with "Tablet PC" workstations

Written by SaintDanBert the 6 Jul 09 at 04:51.

The author of this idea can only speculate in broad terms about how to accomplish this. Candidate packages might include.

** digitizer input
** touch screen input
** stylus instead of mouse/trackball/touchpad
** multiple active pointers
** input (keyboard, pointer) device detection and configuration
** display device detection and configuration
** "tablet mode" as a first class participant in all things X11 and 3D-effects [aka, Compiz et al]
** programmable feature buttons and keys for laptop mode
vs. programmable feature buttons and keys for tablet mode
vs. programmable feature buttons and keys common to both
** digital ink "legal pad" applications like xournal and jarnal
** stylus stroke input of data like cellwrite
** stylus based interaction with gnome and kde navigation and compliant applications
** stylus and touch-screen gesture mavigation and interaction

See Also
http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-172407.html

[...]

http://tuxmobil.org/tablet_unix.html
http://calkinsc.home.comcast.net/fujitsu_st_4000.html
http://www.adebenham.com/gournal/

See the 3 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 18 Jul 09 at 17:03) >>

Show command installed packages in Add/Remove.

No information about this blueprint
Information is updated every 5 minutes.
Please wait till the next update.

Written by wish the 3 Mar 09 at 15:48. New

Add/Remove is possible the easiest tool to add or remove a software in the system.
However, for example if I installed Wine through command-line (compiling the source code) it would not be listed in Add/Remove and the Wine in Add/Remove is still not checked.
If this checking can be done it would be a lot easier to install or uninstall packages.

82
votes

Solution #1: Package availablity checking in Add/Remove.

Written by wish the 3 Mar 09 at 15:48.

If a package is installed via command-line (compiling the source code and not via apt-get or deb install) the system should check if it is available in Add/Remove or not. If available it should put a tick mark on it.
If the package is not in the list (ex: Adobe reader)it should be in another tab as the supported, installed, etc as "Unlisted" so that the next time those packages can be uninstalled without much of an hassle for a newbie.

See the 4 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 10 Apr 09 at 07:53) >>

Available Software not Marketed Strongly Enough

Written by intelf the 26 Feb 09 at 14:04. New

Ubuntu has a terrific amount of software available that is useful to both desktop users and enthusiasts. I cannot count the number of times i see an application and think "wow, i didn't know that existed". A typical desktop user would never know these exist and may sway back toward another os.

53
votes

Solution #1: Software Marketing and Awareness

Written by intelf the 26 Feb 09 at 14:04.

market the available software and let people know about it. i am thinking
-in the update notification popup
-during upgrades
-while installing new packages (add/remove...)
-(anywhere it could be fit into existing process flows).

start telling people about similar software they make like and show a little logo/screenshot.

this is similar to the cross-product marketing the big commercial companies use to sell their products. i think the same concept could be used for good.

105
votes

21
votes

Solution #3: Support and improve APPNR

Written by manishmahabir the 28 Feb 09 at 03:24.

Appnr is a Web-based tool and a service that install applications on Ubuntu. Application install from Appnr is always latest version in repositories.

AptURL is required

The AptURL Protocol Handler and a Web browser support are required to install applications. The AptURL Protocol Handler is a program that handles special URLs to installing software on APT-based Linux systems. Ubuntu 7.10 or higher can use AptURL by default.
The only advantage I see to Appnr over gnome-app-install is further categorization, making it a bit easier to find some things. One of my most used categories is still all lumped together though; games.

see for yourself at http://appnr.com/

21
votes

Solution #4: Ranking & Social Networking

Written by malditonuke the 2 Mar 09 at 02:20.

Develop application that highlights software you will probably be interested in based on:

- Your personal software ranking. The app lets you vote on software you have.

- Your friends / groups. You can form groups and join them and/or friends with common interests to help the app to identify your interests. Perhaps you can join with friends and groups on popular social networking sites.

Based on your rankings, and those of your friends/groups, a best guess will be made when recommending software to you. And it could try to guess how much you will like software before you download it.

9
votes

Solution #5: A Wizard that recommends applications based on set of questions

Written by onesimus the 10 Mar 09 at 19:50.

A wizard that would not only interrogate your hardware, but ask a series of questions aimed at determining how the user intends to use their computer e.g. Do you use your computer to: listen to music; play DVDs; connect your mobile phone; etc, etc.

From this list of questions it recommends applications that would be most appropriate for the user.

It could be an option from within Add/Remove...

See the 1 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 4 Mar 09 at 18:56) >>

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