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Contributor Apiman

automatic handling of external monitor  
Written by choad the 20 Jan 09 at 21:08. Global category: Graphics. New
When i plug in my external monitor i have to click through some menu's and fiddle with the screen resolution tool. This is a waste of time, and unintuitive (a second display relates to my screen resolution how?)
701
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Solution #1: Pop up a dialogue when monitor is detected
Written by choad the 20 Jan 09 at 21:08.
a dialogue should pop up similar to that of windows vista, asking if you want to

* keep existing display setup
* use both displays (duplicating the output at the highest common resolution)
* use both displays (side by side configuration)
* use only the external display (max resolution)



425
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Solution #2: improve Ubuntu Multihead Support
Written by tdomhan the 25 Jan 09 at 14:14.
-give gnome some love concerning multihead bugs. (e.g. programs opening on the wrong monitor)
-make the setup of an multihead environment dead easy, through the ubuntu configuration
-switching back and forth between single head and multihead should be flawless, especially for notebook users, e.g. when using the laptop monitor alone you should not have 4 gnome panels only because you used 2 on each monitor in an multihead setup
18
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Solution #3: Solution #3 External Monitor Profile Manager
Written by aay the 20 Mar 09 at 10:43.
Rationale: Having to reconfigure an external monitor (especially when it is the same monitor) every time it is connected is a productivity killer.

Proposed Solution: Implement some kind of monitor profile manager which remembers recently connected monitors and automatically applies the settings which were last used with those monitors.

Usage Example:

Christian takes his laptop between home and work. At each location he connects an external monitor to his laptop. Whenever he connects one of these monitors, the Ubuntu (or Gnome or whatever) monitor profile manager recognizes the monitor as one which he has recently used and applies the resolution settings which were last used.
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Solution #4: #1 + Non-rectangular desktop when combining monitors
Written by Aloka the 13 May 09 at 21:44.
In addition to Solution #1, if "use both displays (side by side configuration)" is picked, the two displays should be combined into a non-rectangular desktop. This happens in windows, and i think it should be there in ubuntu as well.

Currently, the two screens are combined into a rectangle. But, if one screen is a different resolution than the other, you get strange behaviour like being able to move your mouse above or below the smaller resolution screen. This is not ideal.
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Solution #5: Work together with the X,Nvidia and Ati developers
Written by cherva the 22 Sep 09 at 20:54.
Work together with the X,Nvidia and Ati developers to implement the needing components in the X itself and in the Nvidia/Ati binary and open source drivers. So no need for logging in and out is necessary.

See the 11 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 21 Nov 09 at 04:31) >>

New users from Windows XP think Ubuntu desktop is complicated.  
Written by rmconard the 7 May 09 at 15:04. Global category: Look and Feel. New
A major downside to Ubuntu for a lot of people coming from Windows XP is the complexity of the menu system. A lot of novice users are used to "Start > Programs > Blah, Blah, Blah." And the need for a menu structure like Ubuntu's is unneeded, where the menus are at the top and task bar at the bottom.

I also know from experience that getting Ubuntu to look and function like Windows XP or Mac is not an easy task.
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Solution #1: Give new users the option to choose between multiple environments.
Written by rmconard the 7 May 09 at 15:04.
I think a great solution for this is to include multiple desktop environments to simulate other operating systems.

So when a user installs Ubuntu for the first time they should be able to install from 3 major "look and feels."

1) Ubuntu Themed
2) Windows XP Themed
3) Mac OS Themed

This would be a godsend for a lot of new users trying to come over to Linux and want something familiar. That way if they choose the Windows XP theme then Ubuntu will be set up with a Windows style start button and task bar at the bottom.

This should also be separate from Compiz. That way, regardless how you theme your desktop you can still have the option to set up Compiz as you like.

Just an idea, hope you like it.
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Solution #2: Program downloadable theme packages.
Written by rmconard the 7 May 09 at 15:09.
If setting it up so users can choose a desktop style from the installation is out of the question, then the next step would be to have DEB packages as optional downloads that can instantly change the look and feel of the desktop to either Windows XP or Mac OS style.

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Solution #3: Maintain Ubuntu's identity
Written by aadityabhatia the 8 May 09 at 21:49.
Ubuntu is not Windows. Ubuntu is not even "like Windows". Then why make it look cheap by copying Windows' look and feel?

I'd suggest keeping Ubuntu unique the way it is. Use other means to promote Ubuntu so that people get used to it and don't find it complicated anymore.

Check this out for means of helping the mankind understanding the Ubuntu gift: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MarketingTeam
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Solution #4: Make ubuntu's interface the best
Written by choad the 10 May 09 at 13:13.
there are lots of things wrong with all the interfaces around, and ubuntu's is *far* from the best, but that doesn't mean we should copy other people's only half successful attempts. We need to keep evolving our own interface, and make it better than anything else.
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Solution #5: Make sure there are no unacceptable bugs
Written by Apiman the 10 May 09 at 19:35.
Although Ubuntu does a remarkable job supporting hardware and configuring the system, it's not unusual to face bugs that we wouldn't accept on a commercial OS. For example, on jaunty, I have to tap on brightness key about 50 times if I want to go from less to most brightness level. Intel graphic driver issues are not acceptable, my X hangs several times during a work day. I think polishing all these issues before releases and hardening support for devices such as HSDPA modems or printers are the things that makes Ubuntu being seeing as an easy desktop environment. In fact, when things work, Ubuntu gives you the best Plug and Play experience. In my opinion better than any other OS.
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Solution #6: Let the people make their choice
Written by Claymater the 14 May 09 at 02:17.
If ubuntu (linux) is all about "make it what you want" then why not give them 2 options like...

-Defult (how it is now)
-Single Layout (a mint like menu)

And let it be a option when they right click :)
159
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Solution #7: Improve the main menu
Written by Alpha Uma the 17 May 09 at 12:36.
The default interface (with 2 panels) takes extra screen space: when you use a wide screen (quite common on modern laptops) you end up with a reduced vertical space. So:

1. Gnome panel should be optimized for vertical use
2. Be friendlier to users who wish to set a single panel instead of two
More about point #2: "Gnome Menu Bar" is too wide for a single panel. The alternative, "Gnome Main Menu", would be good, but it is buggy as it takes some seconds to open up.

So my idea is to keep the 3 menus of the main bar, but to do some tweaks too.

- The app menu is already better than Windows: everything is well catalogued, sorted, neat and clean, so I can easily find what I need. Window menus are rather messy to me.

- The "Places" menu text should be changed to just a folder icon or a separated applet: you will save space and make things cleaner.
Items order in this menu should be inverted if the panel is on the bottom, so you can quickly get your home folder (actually you have to move the cursor an half screen)

- The "System" menu text should be replaced as well, maybe by a tools/config icon.

This solution will save more space, while keeping the 3 menus idea, and the icons should be OK alongside of quicklaunch icons.
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Solution #9: Introduction-tour to ubuntu
Written by Abstaubaer the 24 May 09 at 10:45.
Only with time I started to accept ubuntu is the way it is and especially with the new releases I learned to love its own way. I support Solution #4 and #5 but I think we should still welcome windows or mac users in a better way and I remember the "desktop tour" that Windows asks you to make when you newly installed the system. Create an interactive tour introducing Ubuntu to new users, regarding the OS they come from.
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Solution #10: Different "tool tips"
Written by CaptainLINUX the 26 May 09 at 18:24.
When I first installed ubuntu on my computer, it was a kinfof "shock" Like "What the heck am i supposed to do with this?" But after a day or two i was used to it.

What I think would work best, is that you could set different tool tips.(i think thats what they're called)
But the litte boxes that appear when hover over something.

Like when you hovered over Computer in places it would say
This works like "My Computer" in windows

Or when you hovered over Applications it would say
This is like the start button in windows

Or when you hovered over the system monitor it again would say

This is like the Task-Manager in windows.

This would probably be the best way, mixed with solution 9 to get the windows users ready for ubuntu. You could even do this for The Mac OS only with different tool-tips
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Solution #11: They Should Have Tested It
Written by stepstools the 26 May 09 at 21:57.
I got to test Ubuntu on my grandpa's computer. I think if someone is not able to handle the different environment, when they ran the .ISO CD, they should have first ran the "Try Ubuntu" option first!
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Solution #12: Solution basically already exists
Written by weblordpepe the 28 May 09 at 11:48.
Right click the toolbar, click 'Add to panel' and select 'Main Gnome Menu'.

That provides everything under the same button.
You should be able to implement a gnome-toolbar applet which is like a start menu quite easily by copying this applet.
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Solution #13: Offer GNome start menu in repo
Written by cdmdotnet the 31 May 09 at 08:25.
It might need a little further work but there is already a "start menu" look-a-like.
Personally I don't like it - I love gnome as it is - but my wife and mother both found http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Vista+Start+Menu+for+Gnome+Panel?con tent=71425 to be of great help to them in learning ubuntu.
Adding it to the repo is one thing, make it easily found is another thing.
A package that install the gnome panel applet and adds it to the current panel.
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Solution #14: SFS Technology
Written by vincenzodentamaro the 3 Jun 09 at 07:22.
It's a solution for make portable programs and improve Linux software sharing.
The idea is 1 Program = 1 executable file.
No installation !
The goal is to allow easy exchange of software between people, which is now impossible on any Linux distros.

See here the main idea:
http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/20108/
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Solution #15: We should impress the users.
Written by azhar the 31 Oct 09 at 15:37.
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 #16: Develop and think about the UI, explore new possibilities
Written by Mirek2 the 19 Nov 09 at 18:16.
This may be a rewording of sorts to Solution 4, but what the heck.
Ubuntu needs a more well-thought-out UI. I use Xubuntu now, and, even though I tried having the top bar there, I customized it to (kind of) what it's like in Windows -- one bar on the bottom. And when you think about it, it makes a lot more sense: most screens are now very wide, so a lot can fit into a horizontal bar, especially when it can span several rows, when there's just one bar on the bottom, the Fitts law applies to the close button and tabs in Chrome (under Mac OS X, it applies to the menu bar, which is also a clever application of the law), quick access to files and applications really makes most sense as a search in one spot, ...
I'm not saying that the way Ubuntu does things is wrong and other OS's do it right, I'm saying that we need to examine the OS carefully and implement the cleverest and most comfortable solution.

See the 42 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 19 Nov 09 at 18:08) >>

Either Fix or Warn about the 2 GB Limit on Mailboxes with Evolution  
Written by guywithcable the 6 Oct 08 at 01:53. Related project: Evolution Mail and Calendar. New
I switched my mom over to Ubuntu a couple months ago and I have already had to rescue her email 2 times. The problem is when a folder in Evolution surpasses 2 GB, Evolution can't access it anymore. Evolution allows this without any warning and then that folder stops working without any information. The end user ends up lost and doesn't know how to recover the 2+ GB of email that is now inaccessible. There is a program called archivemail in the universe repository that will let a user archive mail stored in MBOX format. I've had to use this to recover my mom's email.

Evolution should warn the user to archive their mail before it goes past the 2 GB limit. An even more user friendly approach would be to automatically archive email folders for the user. Of course, Evolution could also be fixed to allow more than 2 GB in a folder.

Please fix this as it drives my mother and ultimately me nuts every time it happens. I can't imagine how many other people have run into this and don't know how to recover from it.

http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=324679
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #14110
Written by guywithcable the 6 Oct 08 at 01:53.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #14110 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

See the 9 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 17 Nov 09 at 06:30) >>

Power Management  
Ubuntu

In :  
Priority : Low
Definition : Pending Approval (Needs guidance)
Implementation : Slow progress
Assignee : Amit Kucheria
spec
Written by jsmidt the 28 Feb 08 at 16:49. Global category: Others. In development
Ubuntu needs to go green. Powertop, Lesswatts and other tools have finally hit the Linux scene to pave the way for better power management. It needs to be said, "if you want your battery to last longest, or have your energy bill be the lowest, you better use Ubuntu Linux."

Merged from 18976:
Power management still isn't very effective in Linux and it still puts a lot of laptop users off Linux. While Linux has come on a long way thanks to the work of Intel with PowerTOP informing developers when their software breaks the idol state unnecessarily so they are doing their part as well as the kernel developers now we still have a long way to go to compete with Windows and I'm looking at ways for Ubuntu to do this.

One of the benefits of Linux is that is very easy to customise and a lot of its users love to tinker. Ubuntu should therefore use this to its advantage by allowing its power users to easily have access to the latest developments in Linux power efficiency. This would also be useful to Ubuntu as power users could submit results on what settings are most economical for specific hardware. This would give Ubuntu the chance to market itself on its power efficacy over other operating systems by it silently implementing these settings on the detected hardware setup for new users.

To give users these advantages Ubuntu should help more on Intels Lesswatts projects as these are Linux's best bet on beating windows power management. The problem is the solution to effective power management needs to simple enough that it works for a new user that wont even know its active but also very easy for power users to modify and test their own setups from one central tool.

http://www.lesswatts.org/
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Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #81
Written by jsmidt the 28 Feb 08 at 16:49.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #81 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!
336
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Selected solution (#2): Include a software like Ekobatt
Written by biniou the 3 Feb 09 at 11:48.
It would be a good solution to include a software like Ekobatt or eee-control which permit to desactivate some features of laptop.
663
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Selected solution (#3): Add more power saving techniques to gnome-power-manager
Written by amrhassan the 4 Feb 09 at 07:20.
Since it's already in control of power consumption. Two power managers running may conflict.
Add options to disable bluetooth and webcam when on battery power to gnome-power-manager.
348
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Selected solution (#4): Full control over power to devices on PCI/USB bus
Written by AndrewLuecke the 6 Feb 09 at 03:35.
Windows 7 will have full control over the power supplied to devices over the system buses (USB, PCIe, etc).

I suggest that we add fine grained control over the power supplied to different devices, and different system buses, and have an API to control the power.

Then implement support for the OS to disable devices which are not being used currently, in the interest of saving power.


Whilst shutting off bluetooth radio, and WLAN radio provide minor benefits, shutting down devices such as the video card when the screen is in sleep mode would also provide a significant power saving in a generic manner.
333
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Selected solution (#5): Analyze which software makes your machine use more power with PowerTOP
Written by torkiano the 9 Feb 09 at 16:15.
PowerTOP is a Linux tool that helps you find those programs that are misbehaving while your computer is idle

More information: http://www.lesswatts.org/projects/powertop/
2
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Selected solution (#6): Develop/Intergrate WattOSPM (GUI laptop-mode/Powersaving) in2 Gnome-power-manger
Written by chappell101 the 1 Apr 09 at 15:16.
This is taking Solution #3 to prevent conflict and expanding to give Gnome-power-manger 2 modes, simple for average user and button to reveal an advance set of options for power users based off the options in WattOSPM and PowerTOP.

To stop average users completely breaking their system with the tool only include safe things to disable in the simple mode in an on/off switch manor such as the optical drives and sound chipsets which aren't necessary to all users on the go but still waste power, Also this is a feature possible in windows for a long time now! The advanced mode could log user results of all their changes and show on a graph similar to Gnomes current power chart and have the option to submit the best back to Ubuntu so they can be set as silent defaults values for specific hardware for less technical users.

WattOSPM is already an effective little python tray-bound GUI to enable fast changing of laptop-mode-tools, X-backlight, and Powersaving settings to optimise many parts of your system for battery consumption and performance. So it would be nice to see it assisted by Ubuntu developers to add more features while it is integrated into Gnome to give back to the whole Linux community. These changes could be those found in Rightmark CPU Clock Utility for Windows Eg.CPU performance states editor, Thermal throttling values, and CPU PLL lock time these could be accessed through the Gnome CPU Frequency Scaling Monitor applet in the tray if cpufreq-selector is installed by default.



Also get Ubuntu to look at some of the power/speed measures used in the Ubuntu derivative distribution WattOS and port them back to the main distribution where possible.

How to Install http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=6362540&postcount=103
Review http://www.raiden.net/?cat=2&aid=539
138
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Selected solution (#7): Write a simple GUI to control laptop-mode-tools.
Written by andrew.p the 19 Mar 09 at 22:03.
Here are some parameters of /etc/laptop-mode/laptop-mode.conf that sometimes should be customized not only by greatly experienced users: readahead size, disk spin down timeout, maximum time to keep data in memory, low battery level to write data to disk, whether to enable all of this on AC power. There IS a reason for it, for example optimal readahead can be very different on machines with different amount of RAM. Also, this is a way of locking some values (for example the tool should not allow to set readahead >RAM/50).
Also there should be a global Enable HDD Powersave Tools checkbox controlling /etc/default/acpi-support ENABLE_LAPTOP_MODE.

And I also think there should be an option (with warning) to set hdparm -B to 254 in all modes (this fixes ustoppable spinning down on battery for some laptops).
18
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Selected solution (#8): Make it a separate package
Written by cheesehead the 12 Mar 09 at 18:12.
g-p-m already handles a lot of critical tasks, and does it pretty well. Since the advanced power tools being discussed are clearly optional, and since they are more user-interactive, they should be in a separate package instead of included in the g-p-m package.
57
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Selected solution (#9): Expand the capabilities of gnome-power-manager
Written by brand0con the 12 Mar 09 at 01:27.
Gnome power manager is a great tool but I think it could use some expansion. Namely, I'd like to see it logging (and eventually graphing) the system's battery history over the long term (not just a session) to give a more accurate picture of how a user typically uses his or her machine battery-wise and to give a sense of the machine's capabilities.

Ideally, the app would mature and after a set interval of recording this data, it would be able to provide a few basic suggestions based on power related events as to how the user can get the most life out of their battery in the long and short term.
5
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Selected solution (#10): "Green Software" Logo
Written by MX the 27 Mar 09 at 12:44.
To increase visibility and to be supported by facts: e.g. increases battery life by x% on average (for notebooks) or reduces average energy consumption by x % (for Pc's).

From my experience proper, non-technical and business oriented communication is key to reach most users and convince them about the usp's of a product.

Thinking of a usp - energy efficiency has a high impact.

Appreciate your thoughts and keep going!
159
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Selected solution (#11): Integrate in other powersaving options.
Written by Biornus the 2 Mar 09 at 18:59.
The options should automatically be available if you install the OS on a laptop.
85
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Selected solution (#12): Automatic charge/discharge
Written by Mondane the 9 Feb 09 at 14:26.
The user shouldn't be bothered checking his battery and/or removing the battery when on AC power. Make the OS drain the battery on intervals so the battery stays intelligent when the laptop is on AC power.

The user should have the option the interrupt and revert the draining if he knows he needs a full battery and is leaving in a short time.
25
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Selected solution (#13): Set the maximum battery charge on AC power
Written by mathieu the 5 Feb 09 at 18:36.
In order to preserve its battery's life, I would like to set the maximum percentage of charge (60% or 80% for example) when I'm not using it outdoor.

But if I have to use it outdoor, I want to release the limitation easily to get the maximum charge.
Finally, when I come back at home, I would like to use the battery power if the charge level is over the limitation setting, even if I have plugged the AC cable.

This trick will increase our Li-ion battery lifetime. Because if it is always completely charged when the laptop is running on AC power, its charging/discharging capacity will decrease quickly than if it is set on a lower value.
0
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Selected solution (#14): Simple GUI or tray icon
Written by TuxHHG the 22 Jun 09 at 22:36.
Today we can suspend many unused devices over the proc filesystem, but this is very annoying for a simple user. I provide a gui tool or trayicon that list devices. It should have simple checkbuttons to activate or suspend it.
Such a tool exist for the asus eee, with improvements it should work on many other computers.

See the 85 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 15 Nov 09 at 00:27) >>

GPRS via Bluetooth needs a gui  
Written by fazillatheef the 6 Jun 08 at 10:10. Global category: Internet & Networking. New
I am using hardy heron..and I connect to internet using a "how to" that I got from the ubuntu forum..It requires me to type commands in the terminal....
http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-257127.html

What suprised me was the the fact that, Hardy has lot of improvement in terms of bluetooth configuration gui...and the network manager has new gprs configuration section... I think someone can connect to internet using it...but not me

As a normal user I think there should be a Gui wizard to configure a GPRS internet connection through bluetooth.
122
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #9566
Written by fazillatheef the 6 Jun 08 at 10:10.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #9566 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

See the 5 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 12 Nov 09 at 00:27) >>

Enhance mobile devices sync  
Ubuntu

In :  
Priority : Undefined
Definition : New (Needs guidance)
Implementation : Unknown
Assignee :
spec
forum
Written by jherran the 28 Feb 08 at 15:01. Global category: Hardware support. New
There are lot of people having troubles syncing their devices (pda, smartphones, etc.) with ubuntu. At this poing there is only one solution available, multisync, and works for only a few devices, and it's very limited on their functions.

And I think, this is a very important point for lots of people.

**Suggestions from duplicate idea 397 work on that idea :

1) Clean up the Opensync and SyncML plugin packages to work properly with Evolution by default.

2) Set up an official Ubuntu SyncML server for Ubuntu users.

3) Possibly clean up open source SyncML clients for the different mobile platforms.

Developer comments
The current status of mobile devices synchronization in Linux is generally is quite shaky. It *can* work but it's a lot of work usually. There are a few efforts around but there's no single project that works in the majority of the situations.

This is also caused by manufacturers not using a single synchronization protocol. The most promising project now is OpenSync[1] which supports basically SyncML 1.1 and the Nokia variation and it works with several degrees of success between phones and desktops but the project itself is in a constant alpha state with a lot of issues, the GUI is simplistic and there are no integrated resources to sync with online contacts/calendars
like Google's. This can be overcome by preparing Evolution and/or Thunderbird to do it.

In short, despite the infrastructure is mostly there, we need work to make it a seamless experience for the user.
Bear in mind that this is a huge effort. Synchronization looks simple but there's a lot of factors and situations that need to be addressed like how to synchronize devices with different capabilities and how to keep 3 way synchronizations (desktop, online and mobile).
4380
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #28
Written by jherran the 28 Feb 08 at 15:01.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #28 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!
25
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Solution #2: Sync both PC and phone with google calendar & contacts
Written by fc.truter the 2 Jun 09 at 20:27.
Instead of creating hardware interfaces for every phone/PC combination, Canonical could take different approach, and sync both devices to a online service such as Google Contacts/Calendar or perhaps even with Ubuntu One.

On the PC side, Evolution already supports this to an extent but the process can be made much more streamlined. From the phone side, projects like GCalSync have already started something like this but few have seen the potential in this, and there is massive room for improvement.

This could be the next step in cloud computing and could bypass all the device driver issues and unwilling hardware manufacturers, since most phones already support Java or a similar language.
6
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Solution #3: Get behind Conduit and make it shine
Written by socceroos the 23 Oct 09 at 00:04.
Conduit seems to be a worthy step in the right direction to solve this particular issue. I would suggest that Canonical puts some muscle behind this and kill off this issue once and for all.

http://live.gnome.org/Conduit

See the 72 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 8 Nov 09 at 02:45) >>

SVG support in OpenOffice  
Written by mydoghasworms the 14 May 09 at 08:56. Related project: OpenOffice.org Drawing. New
Currently, OpenOffice does not support SVG, which is used in other applications, e.g. InkScape. SVG support is currently available only through third-party plugins.

Having SVG support would allow e.g.:
* Making use of drawings created in InkScape
* Making use of more OpenClipart clipart, much of which is in SVG format
712
votes
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Solution #1: Add SVG support to OpenOffice
Written by mydoghasworms the 14 May 09 at 08:56.
Add SVG support to OpenOffice

See the 9 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 7 Nov 09 at 16:16) >>

Native Firefox on Ubuntu is even slower than on Wine  
Written by Dinth the 15 Feb 09 at 12:43. Related project: Firefox. New
This new benchmark shows that native linux version of Firefox is very slow comparing to Windows version, even when run on Wine.
1087
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Solution #1: Compile Firefox with PGO by default
Written by Dinth the 15 Feb 09 at 12:43.
One of reasons why Firefox is so slow on Linux, is that Windows version is compiled with PGO - https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Building_with_Profile-Guided_Optimization . Ubuntu devs should compile firefox packages with PGO enabled to speed up Firefox on Ubuntu
123
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Solution #2: Compile Firefox with ICC (Intel compiler)
Written by Dinth the 15 Feb 09 at 12:46.
Propably compiling Firefox with ICC would greatly speed up this application.
It is a trouble when user must do compiling with so unusual compiler on his own, but Ubuntu devs can easly do it and put binary packages in repository, or at least PPA.
568
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Solution #3: Add native 64bit Java and Flash packages to PPA
Written by Dinth the 15 Feb 09 at 12:52.
There are avalible native 64bit Java and Flash versions on Suns and Adobe websites. ATM they are in beta state, but there are pretty much stable, so why dont package them to repo or at least PPA? This would greatly speed up Firefox on 64bit systems - now, sometimes nspluginwrappers takes 50% of cpu power when playing video from some sites.
410
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Solution #4: Help with Systemtap so that Developers can work out WTF is going on
Written by AndrewLuecke the 16 Feb 09 at 13:19.
Its simple, profiling tools on Ubuntu are WAY behind.

Ubuntu should join in on the Systemtap project so that we have a better tool available to help identify the reasons why Firefox is so slow on Linux.

Doing so will also speed up every other program in the repos.
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Solution #5: Work with Mozilla to Ensure Linux version is Perfomance Optimized
Written by lutimdale the 18 Feb 09 at 04:37.
There probably aren't as many developers testing the linux version as this isn't the biggest install base.
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Solution #6: Support the development of swiftweasel
Written by JanMalte the 19 Feb 09 at 06:56.
Support the development of the swiftweasel project.
This is an pgo compiled version of firefox.
http://swiftweasel.tuxfamily.org/
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Solution #7: Epiphany as default browser
Written by danielrmt the 26 Feb 09 at 20:11.
I have been using Epiphany for the last months, and I really enjoy it. I still miss some Firefox extensions, but it's ok. I think it is a good choice for Ubuntu. Maybe not now, but when it gets a stable webkit support.
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Solution #8: Support the development of Google's Chrome
Written by brownbat the 14 Mar 09 at 02:20.
The "support x browser instead" options are tanking, but I wanted to give everyone an option to vote down (or up?) Google's browser too.
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Solution #9: Port Firefox to Qt
Written by flammon the 14 Mar 09 at 22:18.
I love GNOME and use it every day, have been since pre 1.0 but I think that its weakest part is GTK/GDK. Qt is faster and GPL so perhaps it is time to start porting. Firefox is mostly written in C++ so using Qt shouldn't be a problem.

The project has already begun and I'm anxious to see the results.

http://browser.garage.maemo.org/news/10/
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Solution #11: Option to install firefox32 on 64-bit distributions
Written by sanketmedhi the 15 Apr 09 at 09:24.
Edit: I take this back. I upgraded to Janty 9.04 and Firefox works like a charm with the Flash 10 driver!

I have been using Ubuntu 64 bit versions for several years. And what I still don't like is that my system slows down pathetically when the browser tries to load a Flash or Java applet which are used on most pages on the Internet today, not to mention ads.

Although, its not exactly Ubuntu's problem that the sources providing these plugins do not entirely support x86_64 platforms, users should have the freedom to choose whether or not to use these packages and how to use them.

There should be a meta package that installs firefox32 and removes firefox64 on 64 bit versions of Ubuntu. Also, plugins for Firefox like Flash, Java, Adobe Reader, Shockwave, etc. should be replaced with 32 bit versions without any intervention.

See the 27 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 1 Nov 09 at 12:34) >>

Have gnome accept non-rectangular desktops  
Written by rpgsimmaster the 9 Oct 09 at 01:39. Related project: Gnome. New
When working with multiple monitors of different resolutions, and when not working with panels above/below the smaller of the monitors, the desktop icons can spill into areas of the desktop not visible to the user. It is also possible to lose the mouse in this area because the mouse boundaries are specified by the desktop, not the screens.

When in multi-head mode on Windows using different resolutions, Windows restricts the movement of the mouse to stay within the area of the desktop, which may be non-rectangular. Gnome (or even X) needs to do something like this.
182
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Solution #1: Have gnome restrict mouse movement and desktop icons
Written by rpgsimmaster the 9 Oct 09 at 01:39.
Have gnome restrict mouse movement and desktop icons to within the visible monitor area, not just the virtual desktop.
84
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Solution #2: Teach gnome "the end of a screen"
Written by Jack Sabbath the 13 Oct 09 at 22:19.
This option contains more, than just "restrict mouse movement".
Gnome should be able to know, which screen has which resolution.

E.g. If the main monitor has a resolution of 1280x800 and the 2nd 1680x1050 - AWNs feature "Maximized windows cannot overlap the bar" does not work, because AWN gets the distance to the bottom from the whole resolution (which is 2960x1050) instead of the active screen. So A maximized window covers the AWN Bar, but doesn't use the lower space on the 2nd monitor.

See the 3 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 31 Oct 09 at 15:18) >>

Cheese installed by default in Ubuntu  
Written by nq6 the 2 Oct 09 at 17:00. Related project: Cheese. New
Cheese is a Photobooth-inspired GNOME application for taking pictures and videos from a webcam. It also includes fancy graphical effects based on the gstreamer-backend.

Homepage: http://projects.gnome.org/cheese
327
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Solution #1: Cheese installed by default in Ubuntu
Written by nq6 the 2 Oct 09 at 17:00.
Cheese uses your webcam to take photos and videos, applies fancy special effects and lets you share the fun with others.

cheese-big

Cheese is a very interesting program, small and can be inserted in Ubuntu by default. Today we have almost all Notebooks webcams installed. It would be very interesting.

Note: The installation could be smart. If one was identified Webcam on the machine, it installed the Cheese.
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Solution #2: "Best" webcam program should be chosen
Written by hoppimike the 4 Oct 09 at 11:38.
Whichever webcam program is considered the best in terms of user-friendliness, features, integration and ease of future development should be the one integrated, or offered as an option for installation :)

If this is Cheese, then this should be the one chosen!

I am only suggesting this because I am unsure what the actual best Webcam program on Ubuntu is, and surely, whether it's Cheese or not, wouldn't it be logical to install the one that is the best? I am VERY confused as to why people keep marking this down :(

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Solution #3: Prompt for install when hardware detected
Written by Stebalien the 4 Oct 09 at 17:18.
Not all (and as far as I know, very few) people have webcams. Therefore, there is little reason for webcam software to be installed by default. Instead, Ubuntu should propt to install applicable applications on detection of hardware. This would not only be limited to webcams but would also apply to fingerprint readers, bluetooth devices, etc.

See the 16 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 30 Oct 09 at 21:47) >>

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