Contributor Apiman - Ubuntu brainstorm

Ubuntu QA:

Blog

Brainstorm

Package status

The Ubuntu community has contributed 16602 ideas, 102352 comments, 2137701 votes

All more
Projects more
Global categories more
- Accessibility
- Documentation
- Education
- Gaming
- Graphics
- Hardware support
- Installation
- Internet & Networking
- Look and Feel
- Marketing
- Multimedia
- Office
- Programming
- Quality
- Security
- Server
- System
- Usability
- Others

Idea sandbox

Popular ideas

Ideas in development

Implemented ideas

Contributor Apiman

Enhance mobile devices sync

Ubuntu

In :
Priority :	Undefined
Definition :	New (Needs guidance)
Implementation :	Unknown
Assignee :

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).

4377
votes

26
votes

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.

3
votes

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

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.

1086
votes

122
votes

568
votes

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
votes

917
votes

-264
votes

-419
votes

-112
votes

-84
votes

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/

-31
votes

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
votes

84
votes

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

326
votes

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 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.

-61
votes

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 :(

522
votes

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) >>

Network Manager must have Wireless Refresh (Or Search button)

Written by Kosimo the 10 May 08 at 13:16. Related project: Network Manager. New

When a new wireless network is activated, the only way to see it in network manager is waiting 'till the system find it... Why not adding a simple (refresh) button to make a new search and find all Wireless Networks?

1442
votes

799
votes

-210
votes

-179
votes

342
votes

Solution #5: Automatically show new wireless networks without any user interaction

Written by Endolith the 2 Feb 09 at 07:47.

If there is a problem with Network Manager not showing new networks when they have changed, then fix that problem.

We should not be adding "Refresh" buttons to things that should always be up-to-date. When would you *not* want the list refreshed? Never. If Network Manager were functioning optimally, the button would serve no purpose, so there is no reason to add it.

Let's make things function correctly instead of adding poor workarounds.

63
votes

Solution #6: Solution in place in 0.7.3 or so: Rescan on startup and if the applet is used.

Written by tchalvakspam the 18 Feb 09 at 20:04.

I'm paraphrasing the solution that one of the developers has implemented (I believe in a version slightly after 0.7) for the purpose of clarifying the brainstorm understanding of what the developers have done to solve the problem.

One of the developers has said that more recent patches to NetworkManager will result in the following behavior:

- When a user interacts with the applet, a rescan will occur immediately if one hasn't within the last 20 seconds. For two minutes thereafter, it will do 20 second interval rescans, then drop to 120 second scans.

- When the applet starts up or the wireless card is re-enabled after being disabled, NetworkManager will do 20 second interval scans for two minutes, and drop back down to 120 second interval scans after that.

So by NetworkManager version 0.7.1 or 0.7.3 or so, any other behavior that doesn't get a rescan as fast as that should be some kind of bug.

6
votes

Solution #7: Integrating WifiRadar into network manager

Written by hemanth.hm the 8 Mar 09 at 18:27.

WiFi Radar is a Python/PyGTK2 utility for managing WiFi profiles.It enables you to scan for available networks and create profiles for your preferred networks. At boot time, running WiFi Radar will automatically scan for an available preferred network and connect to it. You can drag and drop your preferred networks to arrange the profile priority.

1
votes

See the 14 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 28 Oct 09 at 19:44) >>

Integrate Google Wave into Ubuntu

Written by suneej the 30 May 09 at 15:31. Related project: XChat-GNOME IRC Chat. New

Google Wave is open-source and will be released later this year. If it could be integrated into Ubuntu then it could greatly improve the productivity and communication of networked Ubuntu users. For example more than one person can work on a GIMP or OpenOffice document simultaneously in real time etc...

192
votes

Solution #1: Integrate Google Wave into Ubuntu

Written by suneej the 30 May 09 at 15:31.

151
votes

Solution #2: Application Plugins to make use of Google Wave features

Written by aadityabhatia the 31 May 09 at 07:51.

The best way to accomplish this task is to write plug-ins for the existing applications, to integrate new features based on Google Wave into the existing applications like GIMP or OpenOffice.

Plug-ins are OPTIONAL for user and are easy to develop, since they can be written without modifying the actual application code.

59
votes

-33
votes

See the 15 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 28 Oct 09 at 11:37) >>

Parts of music aren't audible at low sound volumes

Written by cyberix the 4 Oct 09 at 00:42. Global category: Multimedia. New

I'm a bass guitar player. Thus I often pay extra attention to the low tones. When I listen to music late at night. or using integrated speakers. the low frequencies are often too silent to be audible over the more dominant high pitched tunes.

624
votes

440
votes

-163
votes

107
votes

Solution #4: Implement curves of equal loudness

Written by MMaatttt the 6 Oct 09 at 11:51.

Audio theory suggests that very high and very low frequency sounds will be hard to hear at low volumes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour

With a small amount of setup, the audio system would be able to automatically equalise it's output to ensure these frequencies stay audible at low levels.

After enabling equal loudness optimisation, the user would have to adjust their volume control until a test tone was at approximately normal speaking volume (about 65 dBA). From this, the system would know the level of adjustment required for higher or lower volumes.

237
votes

41
votes

20
votes

Solution #7: Extra feature: Separate volume setting for each running application

Written by sanketmedhi the 28 Oct 09 at 02:17.

Have a separate volume control for each running application transmitting music or voice. For example, if I have Audacious and say a game running, I should be able to set independent volumes for both applications, just like in M$.

See image:
http://news.softpedia.com/images/news2/The-Windows-Vista-Volume-Mixer-3.png

35
votes

See the 21 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 27 Oct 09 at 17:54) >>

It is difficult to connect two computers together to transfer files between them

Written by dotancohen the 13 Mar 09 at 21:15. Global category: Internet & Networking. New

Although the only hardware needed to connect two computers together to transfer files is a simple cat5 crossover cable, in order to actually use it the user must:
1) Physically connect the machines
2) Set up a network between the machines
3) Decide whether to use FTP, Samba, or SSH
4) Install the appropriate server on one machine and a client on the other
5) Connect to the server with the client
6) Transfer the files based upon the protocol of the server

Steps 2 and 3 are beyond the skillset of Ubuntu's target end user (see bug #1), as is even knowing this schema.

As "netbooks" are becoming popular second computers for many people, a simple way to transfer files between two computers is necessary. There are many other use cases where user(s) may want to move a file from one computer to another, yet do not have the skillset to perform all the steps listed.

211
votes

Solution #1: An app that automatically configures a network and server/client for 2 machines

Written by dotancohen the 13 Mar 09 at 21:15.

When Ubuntu discovers that it is connected to another machine via a crossover cable, it should offer to browse the logged-in user of the other machine in a fashion similar to that when plugging in a disk-on-key. Additionally, permission should be requested to allow the second machine to browse it's own logged in user. Thus, both machines have to grant permission to allow access, and both machines can browse the other's files.

The only step that the user would have to do before plugging in the crossover cable would be to install the magical app.

57
votes

Solution #2: Use Lanshark

Written by manishmahabir the 14 Mar 09 at 17:19.

Lanshark is a free filesharing tool for local area networks. Lanshark allows you to share files with other users in the same network more efficiently. It automatically detects other lanshark users in the same Network and lets you browse trough their shares. Lanshark has a very fast search function that allows you to search through all the shares in the whole network in just a few seconds!

Features

* Free software (GPL)
* Easy to configure and use
* Fast searching
* Cross platform
* Rich user interface (GTK)
* Integrated webserver
* Additional web interface
* Automatic Peer Detection
* No installation Required

http://lanshark.29a.ch/

13
votes

60
votes

Solution #4: Use Giver

Written by Vendaval the 16 Mar 09 at 02:34.

What about integrating Giver (or similar functionality) into Nautilus?
"Giver is a simple file sharing desktop application. Other people running Giver on your network are automatically discovered and you can send files to them by simply dragging the files to their photo or icon shown in Giver. There is no knowledge or set up needed beyond what the person looks like or their name to use Giver. "

http://code.google.com/p/giver/

32
votes

Solution #5: One way to permanently share files. Another for a quick and easy exchange.

Written by elias1884 the 20 Mar 09 at 00:06.

Most of the time, one does not want to share a directory indefinitely but just wants to get a file or a folder to a Friend or co-worker. Therefore we need 2 different ways to deal with this.

* One for permanently sharing folders on the network.
* One for quickly exchanging files and folders (send, receive).

The one could be Samba based, the other giver based.

39
votes

Solution #6: Have NetworkManager auto-configure the mini-network with Zeroconf

Written by nazgul77 the 24 Mar 09 at 17:43.

Tackle steps (1) and (2) above

The idea is to have NetworkManager automatically set up a network configuration that enables communication between computers when there are no other means for an automatic configuration (DHCP server etc.).

This is sufficient to enable decentralised services like samba/avahi file sharing, rhythmbox(DAAP) music sharing and GNOME remote desktop.
Zeroconf was built for this purpose and is used e.g. by MacOS X.

As of now NetworkManager attempts by default to automatically configure a network interface by DHCP when a physical link is detected (or a wireless device radio switched on) and gives up if that fails. Obviously this does not work when connecting two clients, i.e. there is no DHCP Server to provide the network configuration. You will have to manually create a NM profile and choose it. This is not very user-friendly.

For Ubuntu Desktop I suggest to make NetworkManager configure the network by Zeroconf when automatic configuration (DHCP) fails so that two clients can communicate. Exact details are left to developers as this is not as trivial as it seems.

25
votes

Solution #7: Make applications use avahi (zeroconf)

Written by nazgul77 the 25 Mar 09 at 20:46.

Tackle steps (3) to (6) from the description above

If Solution #6 (Have NetworkManager auto-configure the mini-network with Zeroconf) is implemented more applications need to be tuned for hassle-free networking capabilities. GNOME remote desktop and rhythmbox(DAAP) music sharing are already working examples.
A killer application might be nautilus making use of avahi-enabled samba

http://www.askbjoernhansen.com/2007/10/27/setup_samba_for_bonjour_networking_wi th_os_x_105_l.html

Avahi " ... allows programs to publish and discover services and hosts running on a local network with no specific configuration. For example, you can plug into a network and instantly find printers to print to, files to look at and people to talk to."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avahi_(software)

8
votes

Solution #8: As #1, but support more connection options

Written by robertjlee the 29 Mar 09 at 18:06.

There are many ways to connect two PCs; the old serial and parallel cables should still work, as well as null modem cables. But we now have IR ports and “USB host-to-host cables” are available (http://www.linux-usb.org/usbnet/#t-host ).

Regardless of the method used, it would be really cool if connecting to a netbook, PC, PDA, etc. could be auto-detected (where possible), and bring up a consistent program to synchronise or transfer files.

7
votes

Solution #9: Make current application more compatible with other technologies

Written by sanketmedhi the 4 Apr 09 at 06:50.

I feel Solutions #2 and #4 and not suitable for all situations and are only temporary or situation-based solutions. Why do we need another new application for something so simple as sharing files on a network? Plus, both users need to co-ordinate and install those applications to share files.

We need a solution that just works without installing any new application and without necessary co-ordination between users. Imagine hundreds of users sharing files in a big company or on a network of casual users sharing books, music, etc. Do you expect everyone to install and use LanShark or Giver? I don't think so. People are more comfortable sharing files on Windows and MAC OS; we have to make ourselves compatible with them and limit ourselves to particular apps which allows files to be shared by only people using those apps.

We already have Samba to view/add shares. Samba is compatible with most knows OSs and works out of the box. If we can increase compatibility between Samba and Nautilus to improve the user experience and make things work out-of-the-box, I think we will have a permanent effective solution.

See the 5 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 Oct 09 at 08:03) >>

Per application control of bandwidth

Ubuntu

In :
Priority :	Undefined
Definition :	New (Needs guidance)
Implementation :	Unknown
Assignee :	Cedric Baudoin

Written by UBfusion the 3 Mar 08 at 20:48. Global category: Internet & Networking. New

In idea #2806 it was proposed to add a download cap to Synaptic.

I think that full control (and measurement) of the bandwidth for each application would be more flexible. You may think I'm crazy wanting to limit my bandwidth when the whole planet wants to increase it, but I think that the feature is much needed in the following cases:

- to control applications without built-in BW control (synaptic, firefox, etc)
- when the ISP imposes volume limits
- in places where one is accounted or monitored for traffic
- when the PC should not be seen uploading or downloading in an uncontrolled way (in schools, universities, work this will immediately trigger alarms)

Personally, on Windows I cannot live without Netlimiter, which apart from BW control has a very nice per-app firewall, displays charts, stats, connections and a lot of other vital info per network adapter.

Perhaps I'm describing a new utility rather than an Ubuntu idea, but since I don't know whether it is supported by the kernel and/or tcp/ip I have to post it as an Ubuntu networking idea.

388
votes

693
votes

-254
votes

-149
votes

See the 16 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 Oct 09 at 08:02) >>

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... Next >>

Submit your idea