Ubuntu QA:
BlogBrainstormPackage status
Log in
Ubuntu QA
The Ubuntu community has contributed 22700 ideas, 138270 comments, 2629576 votes
Idea sandbox Idea sandbox
Popular ideas Popular ideas
Ideas in development Ideas in development
Implemented ideas Implemented ideas

Contributor BlackLukes

Filesystem hierarchy simplification.  
Written by roybatty the 29 Feb 08 at 00:29. Global category: System. Won't implement
Ever tried explaining what all that stuff was under 'Filesystem'?
----
At the moment, the Nautilus file browser shows almost everything it sees as either a default Folder icon, unless it is a registered file, filetype or customized folder. When the user selects the Filesystem icon in Nautilus, they are presented with a lot of folder icons for everything under /

Nautilus doesn't know what /dev and /usr and /etc are, so neither does the user. The default browsing view has ZERO smarts. By no means does the file browser indicate what the majority of main, key items are.

Gigabytes of resources occupy this realm. Very useful resources for both end-users, developers, and any other person. These need to be useful to people IF THEY CHOOSE TO LOOK. This will not be solved by 'hiding' the filesystem structure. It is there, full of resources, and should be made easy to use by not just programs, but people too.




Simplify filesystem hierarchy like Gobolinux.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GoboLinux#The_GoboLinux_hierarchy

-32
votes
closed
Solution #2: As an option upon install
Written by Clorox the 12 Aug 09 at 17:55.
The installer should have a checkbox upon installation:

[] Use simplified filesystem (advanced users only)

that is turned off by default.

The GoboLinux or Mac filesystem does not break compatibility for those who are worried, it simply symlinks everything into its "new" place and hides the links from view.
9
votes
closed
Solution #3: Use as default
Written by jeypeyy the 23 Nov 09 at 13:11.
Ubuntu is for human beings. If advanced users want to use the old FHS they should be able to do so after install with some hack that removes all symlinks. Don't give to many options during installation; we don't want to bloat ubiquity with to many options that confuses the user.

I don't know if the Gobolinux hierarchy is perfect for this, but a modified version of it could be awesome.
278
votes
closed
Solution #4: Differentiated icons
Written by weblordpepe the 27 May 09 at 11:56.



Use the built-in feature for 'customized folder icons' to show unique icons for /usr, /etc, /home, /var and so on. Have this done in the default config.

Everything else looks like a regular folder/item.

Perhaps allow Nautilus to understand MIME types of folders, or some other intelligent categorizing.

-171
votes
closed
Solution #5: Use differentiated icons AND friendly-wording as Primary description
Written by weblordpepe the 27 May 09 at 11:59.


Using both customized icons (Solution #1) and human-friendly descriptions as the main label for the item in Nautilus:

For example:

The /etc directory can appear as:
Configuration (etc)

The /var directory can appear as:
Logs (var)

The /home directory can appear as:
User profiles (home)

Here is a screenshot. Of course the theme, icons, fonts are just suggestions.
Thanks Shady3D for the picture-embedding tip
431
votes
closed
Solution #6: Option to show friendly-wording as "secondary" description
Written by Ssdg the 27 May 09 at 14:41.


Using both customized icons (Solution #1) and human-friendly descriptions as the secondary label for the item in Nautilus:
The problem of #2 is that non GTK apps (Qt, Tk, console,...) won't be aware of the real names, showing this description faded at the bottom of the real name would be less confusing.
(idea by Ssdg. picture by weblordpepe)
50
votes
closed
Solution #7: Additional column in details view
Written by weblordpepe the 27 May 09 at 21:09.
How about an additional column of some kind, with a description. Similar to Windows Service Management console where it tells you what each service does.
-124
votes
closed
Solution #8: Text Help Files in each directory
Written by RobOrr the 27 May 09 at 21:23.
With the way Ubuntu works for the basic user who just uses simple apps like a music player, internet browser and so forth, they shouldn't really have to mess with these too much, just like a basic user in XP doesn't know anything about the WINDOWS folder. I suggest a simple text file in each folder detailing what it contains and what actions the files in this folder usually do. It would take up very little hard drive space, and also be usefully informative to anyone who wanted to know a little more. the problem would be informing the user that these text files existed...
-141
votes
closed
Solution #9: Hide files by default.
Written by nloewen the 28 May 09 at 00:29.
By default hide system folders, but make them easily accessible through 'view -> show hidden files'. Also make it clear when they are unhidden that these files are system files and could cause undesired operation if you mess with them. I'm not talking about hiding it away forever. I'm talking about hiding it to keep things simpiler and less cluttered.

And when a user chooses/needs to go there it should be easy and simple to understand what is there why its there and how it works. Hide it from people who don't want it and make it easily available to those that do.

To all of you voting down, remember that this is what OSX does and it is considered on of the most user friendly OS's around. (with one exception, the files are a lot easier to get at in this solution). The average user doesn't care how there computer works, only that is does and if they see files sitting around that they didn't put there they get curious, and (occasionally) screw things up.
246
votes
closed
Solution #10: Mouse over it information
Written by Rodrigo the 30 May 09 at 11:31.
Well I thought that the info could be provided when you move the mouse over the directory in Nautilus.
The option could be switched on or off, as a helping aid.

(I have made a mockup, sorry I am not that good with Gimp, I tried to do my best. If you want more info let me know)


From ubuntu
-55
votes
closed
Solution #11: Dynamic 'drill down' or 'Search query' or 'database' portal to the files
Written by weblordpepe the 2 Jun 09 at 10:00.
The / filesystem categorized, and indexed. Then provide a user's portal (seperate program??) to the resources available indexed by ANY property. System-updates and 'file' utility do 90% of this job already.

EG:
* GUI to select type of resource. User clicks 'Image' resources.
* Then GUI provides options for: image size (scalable), image format (icons?), etc etc
Search results appear as files/folders which match the query. (e.g. /usr/share/pixmaps and /usr/local/shared/pixmaps)

Each time the user selects a more detailed search parameter, the results appear as folders + files. The GUI in question can even use the folders in the search-results to dynamically create more search criteria. For example:

* User searches for images
* Search results provides a few folders, some with descriptions of 32x32, 16x16, scalable, and some with application titles.
* GUI dynamically creates search-criteria called 32x32, 16x16, scalable, and the application titles.

This index can be built on the fly using 'what files does XYZ package use' utility, and the 'what type of file is this?' utility (file).

Think of Windows Vista's customizable/savable search-queries which appear as folders. But completely dynamic.
-35
votes
closed
Solution #12: Introduce a sidebar, where additional information or previews are shown
Written by Brunni the 10 Jun 09 at 09:41.
Use a sidebar to schow additional information to the selected item.
e.g.
- Size, Datetime, Permission
- File Preview (image/video)
...
and of course:
Is it a system-folder. What is it used for. Where can you get additional informatioen e.g. wiki etc.
14
votes
closed
Solution #13: Use simple status bar/file properties menu descriptions
Written by DaVince the 15 Jun 09 at 22:04.
People seem to be overthinking this solution; the simplest to me seems to just have a short description in the status bar when selecting the folder and in the file properties window.
10
votes
closed
Solution #14: Show the description under the folder name & friendly icons
Written by dysmann the 17 Jun 09 at 12:43.
Just show the name as usually (home), and show the description (Users Documents) under the name, in italic, gray
0
votes
closed
Solution #15: Use Appshell Framework (from MoonOS)
Written by markpersy the 2 Apr 11 at 15:30.
MoonOS uses its own file hierarchy system: all the system files are available under /System (the executables are under /System/Executables, the Libraries under /System/Libraries, the settings under /System/Settings and so on), /tmp is available under /Temporary and so on. However, the normal file system hierarchy is still there. The new file system hierarchy is created with "mount --bind" (ex. mount --bind /usr/bin /System/Excutables).

AppShell allows users to download a package from anywhere, drop it on a USB drive, dropbox folder or random directory on their computer and run it: no fuss and no installation needed.


See the 23 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 26 Mar 11 at 01:10) >>

Is it time to leave *.deb for *.rpm?  
Written by Martin1980 the 20 Feb 09 at 15:33. Related project: Synaptic package manager. Won't implement
I read the news that Intel leaved Ubuntu for Fedora in their development of Moblin 2. The biggest reason to do that was the packagemanager RPM that Intel thought was better.

Maybe even Ubuntu has a reason to change from *.deb to *.rpm?
-396
votes
closed
Solution #1: Is it time to leave *.deb for *.rpm?
Written by Martin1980 the 20 Feb 09 at 15:33.
I read the news that Intel leaved Ubuntu for Fedora in their development of Moblin 2. The biggest reason to do that was the packagemanager RPM that Intel thought was better.

Maybe even Ubuntu has a reason to change from *.deb to *.rpm?
244
votes
closed
Solution #2: Create better tools to install .rpm's in ubuntu
Written by twocool the 21 Feb 09 at 13:12.
Create better tools to install .rpm's in ubuntu. For example a GUI tool that automatically converts rpm's to deb and installs the deb file.
438
votes
closed
Solution #3: Improve .deb packaging instead of swithing to RPM
Written by Robutux the 21 Feb 09 at 13:46.
Improve .deb package system so the next time around, Intel will have the reason to choose .deb over RPM because it'll be better ;)

Find out the weaknesses of .deb and address them. What is it that makes RPM better packaging system?
245
votes
closed
Solution #4: Work together Red Hat, FreeDestop to join funcionality
Written by fcsonline the 22 Feb 09 at 17:04.
It would be interesting to work with Red Hat, other distributions and FreeDesktop to find a standard way to install packages and in the future join funcionality of RPM, deb, emerge ...
118
votes
closed
Solution #5: Improve Alien and make a GUI for it
Written by Primož Papič the 22 Feb 09 at 18:17.
I tried to install Arora Qt web browser in .rpm I used Alien to convert it to .deb, but when I tried to install it nothing happened.
So I propose that Alien is somehow incorporatet in GDebi (the installer of .deb packages) so that it converts and installs any (not only .rpm) packages on the fly.
So that even if you have only a source-code in tar.gz2 it would still be installed with GDebi with one simple click.
there's no need to change package managers and packages just because .rpm is supposedly more popular one.

Yes this solution is just a more specific version of #2.
2
votes
closed
Solution #6: Allow installation of pure-data packages into custom locations
Written by viraptor the 24 Feb 09 at 15:16.
Allow installing of pure-data packages (probably also architecture independent), into places specified by the user.

For example:
If someone wanted to create a quake package, allow developer to make the quake-data directory-independent and create a symlink from /usr/share/quake (or other directory) to the target one.
dpkg should keep track of both the symlink and real site in the database.
33
votes
closed
Solution #7: Allow to install rpm packages and let Ubuntu do the "alien" procedure
Written by askander the 4 Mar 09 at 15:27.
Ubuntu should have an application (could be "on demand" or a "stand by" one) that can detect when a rpm package is being used and create a virtual platform so the package can be installed like is in a red hat based distribution, and when finished, do the proper arrangments to fit the debian (ubuntu) based structure, without user intervention. Somehow like WINE with *.exe files, when you double-click an exe file on nautilus, wine starts automatically and start the proper emulation.
17
votes
closed
Solution #8: Enhance build services to make this less relevant, then enhance package format
Written by Craig73 the 20 Mar 09 at 19:31.
Focus on the tools first. Developers should be able to easily create one package, and the build service then auto builds an RPM or DEB targeted at the more popular distributions. [Something along the lines of OpenSUSE's build service]

[Such a platform could also theoretically offer a secure build service for non-FOSS vendors to leverage. With a little automation perhaps allow users to request unofficial auto-built packages for non-supported distributions and partially exposed build scripts to allow tweaks]

Then, with packages built for all, it should allow easier enhancement or merging of packaging standards... which with packagekit the end user would be none the wiser.

[I recognize there are inconsistencies in packaging naming, a centralized lookup table to map package names to a common name would be necessary.]
1
votes
closed
Solution #9: A package directory
Written by yman the 4 Apr 10 at 12:26.
Get as many distributions and companies together as possible to create a standard package naming scheme. Create a directory of package names for existing packages. There will also be more things that would need to be standardizes, like where the files go on the system.

Each project will be offered to have vanilla packages of it's software hosted in it's own repository on the package directory's server. This will provide users with a one-stop-shop for all their software needs, regardless of distribution, and free distributions to deal only with customized packages. Non-customized packages can simply be pulled from the directory, or their repository can be included by the distribution or or something.

The directory will have to support paid applications, screenshots, and user reviews. It will also be good if it provided some easy way to automatically build packages in multiple formats for multiple hardware architectures.

See the 30 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 5 Apr 10 at 02:16) >>

Rename default Ubuntu distribution with GNOME  
Written by andrewpmk the 17 Jan 09 at 22:39. Global category: Others. New
The main Ubuntu distribution with GNOME should be renamed to make it clear that it is the GNOME version. This will reduce user confusion about which version of Ubuntu comes with which desktop environment, and eliminate any perceived GNOME bias on the part of Canonical or the Ubuntu developers.
-449
votes
up equal down
Solution #1: Rename Ubuntu "Gubuntu"
Written by andrewpmk the 17 Jan 09 at 22:39.
Like Kubuntu and Xubuntu, the version of Ubuntu with GNOME should be renamed Gubuntu. The main ubuntu.com site would then offer a choice between Gubuntu, Kubuntu and Xubuntu.
-383
votes
up equal down
Solution #2: Rename Ubuntu "Ubuntu GNOME"
Written by andrewpmk the 17 Jan 09 at 22:40.
Same as #1, except that Ubuntu becomes Ubuntu GNOME, Kubuntu becomes Ubuntu KDE, and Xubuntu becomes Ubuntu Xfce. Makes it somewhat clearer which version is which.
-309
votes
up equal down
Solution #3: Name all versions Ubuntu
Written by Primož Papič the 17 Jan 09 at 22:54.
/I know that I proposed a solution that proposes the naming as proposed here in solution #2./
---
All version should be named Ubuntu and you should be able to download Ubuntu with Gnome not ubuntu Gnome.
Also a new user really doesn't cares how a DE is called they more care on look and feel and usability.
So maybe add a screenshot (screencast) and a short introduction to all the DEs.
-94
votes
up equal down
Solution #6: Create a web service like uck
Written by mackos-gnu the 22 Jan 09 at 14:27.
There are a big numer of distros, made with ubuntu costumizazion kit, like progex, articus, ubuntu plus, super ubuntu, ubuntu ultimate edition, ubuntu muslim and christian edition, ecc...
All are unusefull.
i promote to allow a download of a customizate ubuntu's cds, with choosen software from the repositories universes.
The cd customizate allow a different applications, de, themes, and something else, but it will ever Ubuntu (may with a short code name)

Edit:
I am thinking a web service like suse studio!)
-117
votes
up equal down
Solution #7: Ubuntu GNOME Edition
Written by opu.e the 22 Jan 09 at 20:54.
Ubuntu GNOME Edition
Ubuntu KDE Edition
Ubuntu Xfce Edition
Ubuntu Education Edition


We had this discussion a few years ago, and it ended in "nothing". So I do just re-promote it. Maybe we can get an official reaction this time!
12
votes
up equal down
Solution #8: Keep Ubuntu keep the adjective keep the animal
Written by CharlesN the 23 Jan 09 at 15:38.
I'd like to keep the Ubuntu naming system simple.

That makes is very easy to set up news alerts and the like.

So, the best thing is

Name::

in best BN form. Thus when we get to S:

Ubuntu Screaming Starling is not as good as:
Ubuntu Scandalized Skua

for starlings often scream, anyway more often than skuas are scandalized.

Hardy was not good for Herons are rather hardy. Intrepid Ibex has been very good and jaunty jackalope not bad.

Now what's k going to be?


-74
votes
up equal down
Solution #9: For Kde- "KDE" Ubuntu ,"XFCE Ubuntu" without demeaning Ubuntu
Written by deepclutch the 24 Jan 09 at 16:40.
Ubuntu is what it must be known without confusing with kubuntu,xubuntu,later bubuntu or more ;-)

So ,for kde/xfce users please brand "KDE UBUNTU" or "XFCE UBUNTU" with a wise selection of FONTS for the "kde" or "xfce" part.I repeat ,a different set of fonts and colour to differentiate the Desktop Environment.this will work better.

This can be the only possible solution.REMOVE kubuntu,xubuntu branding.these are very much unnecessary which tarnishes the original "UBUNTU"(Humanity for Others) meaning.So ,at the end ,every one will be Happy Kde/xfce users too.
Anyways ,Ubuntu is what it all started with.still 99% knows it as Ubuntu.why confuse with the vandalized names of kubuntu,xubuntu etc?

What Say Guys?
23
votes
up equal down
Solution #10: Move Kubuntu to the Ubuntu main site as option
Written by andrew.p the 25 Jan 09 at 15:24.
The only thing I want to propose is to implement the ability to choose KDE as the DE in the Download section of the main Ubuntu website. As long as Kubuntu is no more than Ubuntu with another set of packages preferred by default and KDE is going to be a high quality fast working DE as soon as 4.2 will be released, why to maintain another "distribution" on another website and not to ship Ubuntu with two variations of live-install-CD?
(And as soon as keyboard shortcut for switching layouts would be implemented in XFCE, I would propose to do the same with Xubuntu).
We could even warn a user that KDE (?) and XFCE are not so well supported as Gnome when he selects KDE or XFCE CD to download.
And then we of course should rename ISOs.

See the 14 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 29 Jan 09 at 05:48) >>

Remove spaces in the color selection menu  
Written by desquiziado the 15 Dec 08 at 06:48. Related project: Gnome. New
Remove spaces in the color selection menu


Hi, I propose eliminating the space between the edge of the menu and the selected color, more aesthetically clean:

Now: http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/9104/antesal9.png

After: http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/1931/despuesir8.png


gnome philosophy
5
votes
up equal down
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #16504
Written by desquiziado the 15 Dec 08 at 06:48.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #16504 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 16 Dec 08 at 04:29) >>

Limit votes and add wages  
Written by zbraniecki the 1 Mar 08 at 12:23. Global category: Others. Won't implement
Dreamhost has a similar system, with two advantages.

1)Every user has only a limited amount of vote points (say - 50)
2) Each idea "costs" from 1 to 5 votes.

So when a user submits an idea, someone from the team applies a wage to it. Then you can vote by using your vote points.

When an idea is either deleted or resolved, you regain your vote points.

This way people choose ideas they vote for more carefully and the top list is more reliable.
-111
votes
closed
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #2144
Written by zbraniecki the 1 Mar 08 at 12:23.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #2144 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 3 comments or propose a solution >>