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Contributor PaddyLandau

Erasing the content of the clipboard / too few clipboards  
Written by art.fiodorov the 30 May 13 at 23:01. Related project: Unity. New
Often I find myself erroneously erasing the content of the clipboard(s). Moreover, sometimes I am not even sure about the content of the clipboard at all.

Something as simple as pasting an email address turns into a painful exercise of pasting the content, realising it is wrong, erasing it, grabbing my mouse and looking for the actual email address and, finally, pasting it.

We need a simple way to access clipboard history, which will also give advanced users multiple clipboards.
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Solution #1: Use HUD as a manager for multiple clipboards with a simple string matching
Written by art.fiodorov the 30 May 13 at 23:01.
I suggest running a clipboard manager in the background, which behaves like Vim 0-9 clipboards. Simply put, it remembers the last 10 clipboard entries.

To simplify accessing the 10 clipboards, bringing up HUD and typing the string you are looking for should result in a match and hitting "ENTER" should paste it (send CTRL+V/SHIFT+INSERT). Additionally, HUD + typing "current clipboard/system clipboard/clipboard 0" should bring up the content of the system clipboard.

This solves two problems outlined above: not knowing what you are pasting and too few clipboards (2 by default). To resolve an issue with saved passwords, something like HUD + "clear clipboards/forget last clipboard" options should be made available. Possibly an offline mode trigger should be included, which would stop rotating clipboards. This is so that power users can enjoy multiple clipbboards in a traditional sense.

Please see the screenshot to get the idea:



The program ClipIt from the screenshot comes very close to the solution, but it does not work with HUD well. HUD does not match up with the content of the clipboard. Moreover, the project ClipIt has been halted for an indefinite time, hence this won't get fixed. But ClipIt could be taken as a base (it is GPL v3 licensed). Another problem with ClipIt and HUD is that users are forced to match the beginning of the string. This is too restrictive: if it is an email then "@" is all I can remember.

ClipIt was not designed to work with HUD. The ClipIt's current interface has an icon in the task bar / system tray, so that clicking it brings up the clipboard history. There one can select an entry to paste. Alternatively, a keyboard short-cut brings up a context menu with clipboard entries, where one can use arrows or a mouse to actually paste it. In any case, there is an unnecessary task of actually finding what one wants to paste in the long list of items: it is tedious and boring. One can also try to match what he/she has to a clipboard names, to rid themselves of searching through the list. However, this bears overheads of remembering what is where.

However, after using ClipIt on Ubuntu the realisation of how much more useful it could become combined with HUD is obvious: when people paste things they expect a particular, certain thing to be inserted. People do not think about data in terms of corresponding clipboards. They simply want that email to get inserted, that URL and that piece of code. String matching in clipboards is something so intuitive I started wondering why it has not been a standard feature of the OS's.

This is why HUD's interface is superior:
1) No need to sieve through the entire list of clipboards. HUD will effectively narrow the list down. My current clipboard history consisting of 20 items has just 1 email and 2 URLs. If I could just start typing "@" I would instantly narrow the list down to just 1 item. Typing "http:" would narrow the list down to 2.
2) No need to remember what item corresponds to which clipboard.

See the 3 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 17 Jun 13 at 15:55) >>

Implement way of telling user that there is a connection but no internet  
Written by tancrackers the 4 Dec 11 at 21:00. Related project: Network Manager. New
Please implement a method of telling the user that there is a wireless connection but not internet like Windows 7 does.

Sometimes my router goes nuts and will give me a wireless connection but I cannot connect to the internet.

All I have to do is unplug the router and plug it back in.

Though, on Ubuntu I only know when I try to go online and my homepages fails to load.

On Windows 7, the wireless icon in the taskbar shows the bars that represent the connection, but there is a yellow "caution" arrow on the wireless icon followed by a message that there is no internet connection.

Can you please implement something similar to this in Ubuntu so I can know right after log in that it is my router failing as opposed to something else?

Thank you!
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Solution #1: Perhaps some new icon to represent a connection w/o internet status
Written by tancrackers the 4 Dec 11 at 21:00.
http://pix.share32.org/s-images/wirelessicon.jpg
imagine that with a yellow ! or something
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Solution #4: Ping the DNS server
Written by ross9885 the 24 Dec 11 at 19:18.
Or ping the home page of the default browser, like SpyMasterMatt suggested. Show status in the icon and show a notification when status changes.
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Solution #5: Try root DNS servers and tooltip message
Written by EduardoR the 2 Jan 12 at 05:04.
Are many and may be tried in Round Robin manner.

But some networks may not "need" to be routed to internet to be connected, then must be *optional*.

Root servers are listed with dig command:
dig
ping a.root-servers.net

I really prefer to have an independent and configurable indicator. There are too many situations and can be very confusing. Best with a one time tooltip message.

The alert may be when no-IP address is offer by DHCP server o manual. Called local o IPv4 169.254.x.x. But is a another idea.
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Solution #6: Modify the existing indicator to show the status
Written by PaddyLandau the 1 Mar 12 at 16:36.
Windows does this well, with the indicator itself showing the status.

At present, the Ubuntu indicator shows four statuses: disconnected; trying to connect; connected via wireless; and connected via Ethernet.

Increase it to six statuses, as follows:
- Disconnected
- Trying to connect
- Connected via wireless
- Connected via Ethernet
- Connected via wireless, but no Internet access
- Connected via Ethernet, but no Internet access

I would imagine the last two being the same as the previous two but in red.

See the 13 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 12 Jun 13 at 10:33) >>

Lenses configuration in Dash  
Written by vgregorio the 4 Dec 12 at 23:02. Related project: Unity. New
Lenses are an interesting and innovative way to customize your desktop. But it would be better if we could configure its behavior and enable / disable lenses in a single configuration screen.
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Solution #1: A configuration button in the dash bottom
Written by vgregorio the 4 Dec 12 at 23:02.
Since the lenses are connected to the dash, it would be interesting to access this settings screen along with the access to the lens.

This screen should have the option of adding lenses (a brief description of what the lens does, along with image), enable / disable a lens already installed, configure the behavior of the lens.

The option of adding lenses could be connected to a repository of lenses fed by the community. There are a series of lenses designed by users who would benefit from official exposure on a system screen like this. Just add the PPA and perform the installation of the lens!
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Solution #2: Remember and repeat the configuration as last used
Written by GizmoChicken the 1 Jan 13 at 08:38.
Depending on what is meant by "configure" as used in the original rationale post, one could argue that a lens must be "configured" (or reconfigured) each time that it is used. For example, on each use, one may "configure" the "Search Applications" lens such that "See ## more results" is selected and/or the "filter" panel is exposed.

So as to reduce the need for reconfiguring a lens to a preferred configuration upon each use, I suggest that, at the very least, dash should remember the configuration of the lens as last used and then present that last used configuration upon next use (so that a user wouldn't have to reconfigure the lens each time it is used).

See the 9 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 12 Jun 13 at 10:32) >>

Quicker access to 'show desktop'  
Written by smerz the 30 May 12 at 19:23. Related project: Unity. New
Right now (12.04) to show the desktop using Unity I need to press CTRL + SUPER + D

Or I ALT + TAB till I am at the beginning on the "show desktop" tab.

Or I click on the workspace switcher to switch to another workspace to see the desktop.


I would like to have easier and quicker access to this feature.
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Solution #1: Change key combination to super + d
Written by smerz the 30 May 12 at 19:23.
Using SUPER + D as key combination means only 2 kays are needed.
It is very accessible and easy to press.

If I'm not mistaken this would be the same kay configuration that Windows uses for this feature. Not a technical argument, but if Windows users are familiar with it, why not use it for Ubuntu as well?
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Solution #2: Show desktop by double clicking the "Workspace switcher"
Written by smerz the 30 May 12 at 19:25.
Double clicking the workspace switcher could show the desktop.

Right now double clicking the workspace switcher (effectively) does nothing. It only briefly shows the 4 workspaces before showing the current workspace again.
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Solution #3: Right click on Workspace switcher gives option to show desktop
Written by smerz the 30 May 12 at 19:56.
Right clicking the Workspace switcher opens a menu option to show desktop.
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Solution #4: click on top right corner of the screen to show desktop
Written by gabbate2011 the 24 Jun 12 at 18:04.
click on top right corner of the screen to show desktop.
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Solution #5: show desktop button on the menu bar
Written by gabbate2011 the 24 Jun 12 at 18:15.
show desktop button on the menu bar

See the 5 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 8 Jun 13 at 20:55) >>

Please reinstate option not to install bootloader during installation  
Written by oldos2er the 29 Jun 12 at 16:45. Related project: Live CD installer. New
Please reinstate the option not to install a bootloader (grub2) during Ubuntu installation. Not everyone runs only Ubuntu, and may have a preexisting bootloader they wish to retain. If a user chooses "Something else" when installing Ubuntu (the old title of "Manual installation" was much better, in my opinion), the installer program should assume the user knows what they're doing and offer not to install grub2.
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Solution #1: Allow user to decide whether or not to install bootloader
Written by oldos2er the 29 Jun 12 at 16:45.
Allow the user the option not to install a bootloader (grub2) during Ubuntu installation. This need only be available to users if they choose "Something else".

See the 5 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 8 Jun 13 at 20:54) >>

The (awesome) changing launcher color clashes with unchanging orange highligter  
Written by TheGuyWithTheFace the 31 May 13 at 03:01. Global category: Look and Feel. New
I really like how the launcher and unity notifications change based on the background. However, the always-orange highlight color, always-orange window switching highlight color, always-orange window buttons etc really stick out like a sore thumb depending on what the background is.
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Solution #1: Make the Highlight color change based on the background
Written by TheGuyWithTheFace the 31 May 13 at 03:01.
The automatic themeing of the launcher and notifications looks great, so why not incorporate it into the rest of the system? It would 1. Look better, and 2. Be much more convinient than manually editing every dconf file pertaining to highlight colors, window animation colors, etc.
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Solution #2: Use reverse video
Written by turbolad the 5 Jun 13 at 16:08.
Reverse video ensures foregrounds and backgrounds of text, highlighting etc are always visible and never clash and look ugly, e.g. no red against red.

Add a comment or propose a solution >>

Scroll speed in mouse options  
Written by trileletri the 11 Feb 13 at 16:26. Related project: Unity. New
Mouse scroll wheel should have an option (like in Windows) to set scroll speed - how many "lines" to scroll in one flip of a mouse wheel.
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Solution #1: Add scroll speed slider to mouse settings panel
Written by trileletri the 11 Feb 13 at 16:26.
Add a simple mouse wheel scroll speed so you can set scroll speed to 1,2,3,4,5,6... lines of text for scrolling

See the 4 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 29 May 13 at 09:41) >>

Software Center option: Add to wishlist  
Written by PAtrickV the 25 May 13 at 06:32. Related project: Ubuntu Software Center. New
Hello,

Het would be nice to have the option 'Add to wishlist'in the Ubuntu Software Center.
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Solution #1: Do not have to purchase a product directly
Written by PAtrickV the 25 May 13 at 06:32.
When you see nice application you like to purchase you can place them in a wishlist for late purchases.

Add a comment or propose a solution >>

An easy/quick way to open a file with an alternative application  
Written by awadali the 27 Apr 13 at 19:32. Global category: Usability. New
If you want to open a file with an alternative app other than the default you need to right-click and choose the app.

For a lot of file types there is a "second default" app like the graphics software aside the usual picture viewer, e.g. GIMP/Gthumb or Avidemux/VLC for video files.

There should be an easy/quick way to open a file with the alternative app!
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Solution #1: Open with the alternative app by [SHIFT]+Double-click
Written by awadali the 27 Apr 13 at 19:32.
A double-click while holding down the [SHIFT]-button should open a file with the alternative app. Of course +Enter should work, too.

For example you can either view or edit a file with different apps only by "shifting" the double-click/enter to its second function.

The second default app should be adjustable as easy as the first one in the right-click > properties menu of a file.
By adding the shortcut to the corresponding entry in the right-click menu the user will get used to this new feature quickly.
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Solution #2: Apps should appear at the TOP of the right-click menu
Written by turbolad the 22 May 13 at 21:32.
When right-clicking a file...

If more than one app can open that file e.g. an mp3 file, show these apps at the TOP of the right-click menu (keep "open with" available too). This would allow the user to reach the apps instantly. This makes life easier than having to move to "open with" every time.

To avoid creating massive vertical menus, limit the list of apps, at the top, to 6 by default; the "open with" option (or similar option) should still be available in the menu. It's very unlikely anyone would have (or want) more than 6 different apps to open the same file type, but consider allowing the user to edit the list of apps in the menu, even if that means the user has more than 6 app choices in their menu.

See the 6 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 May 13 at 22:11) >>

It should be easy to check for file system errors on HDD/USB drives and fix them  
Written by nastys the 30 Apr 13 at 06:43. Related project: Unity. New
Sometimes my friend and I get problems with our USB drives like damaged file system. It is hard for an user to check the file system (FAT32) for errors, fix them and format it.
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Solution #1: Add a format option to Unity drive quicklists and automatically fix errors
Written by nastys the 30 Apr 13 at 06:43.
A quick file system check should be done when the drive is mounted and if errors were found Ubuntu should ask the user what to do: fix, ignore or format; a format option should be added to Unity launcher quick list to make it easy to format the drive if needed by the user.
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Solution #2: Add format and file system check to Unity drive quicklists
Written by nastys the 30 Apr 13 at 06:46.
The user should check for errors or format manually by right-clicking on the drive on Unity launcher.
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Solution #3: Automatically check the drive when mounted
Written by nastys the 30 Apr 13 at 06:51.
Ubuntu should check the file system for errors when mounted, then ask the user what to do: fix, ignore, format.
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Solution #4: Add a file system error check to Disk utility
Written by nastys the 2 May 13 at 09:55.
If the user thinks their drive is damaged they should open Disks from the dash and check the file system for errors manually, but very much easier than using the terminal.
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Solution #5: Add a file system error check to Unity, Nautilus and Disk utility
Written by nastys the 2 May 13 at 11:34.
If the user wants to check the file system for errors they could just right click the drive (in Unity Launcher, Nautilus or Disk utility) and select to check the drive for errors. To format the drive the user has to use the Disk utility, so any accidental formatting cannot happen.
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Solution #6: Hold on, #3 could have some sense, but with some revisions
Written by ajw822 the 19 May 13 at 16:11.
I'm thinking a GParted-esque option, which you can toggle on or off, that automatically checks for errors and then shows a little exclamation point next to the drive icon. Integrate the error message with the notification service to avoid pop-ups, and make it an action that can bee toggled. If off, the user can right-click to error check and the same thing would happen manually. I'm sure it would be fine is the system took 30 extra seconds to do a quick check and then mount. Some 3rd party Windows virus removers do exactly this.

See the 11 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 22 May 13 at 09:01) >>

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