Contributor Penguin Guy - Ubuntu brainstorm

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The Ubuntu community has contributed 21986 ideas, 135057 comments, 2615221 votes

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Contributor Penguin Guy

Nautilus to display more info while asking for copying existing file

Written by aufather the 9 Nov 08 at 04:07. Related project: Nautilus. Implemented

When I copy a newer version of a file, nautilus asks whether to skip or replace this file. But it does not provide any info other than the file name. It would be nice if it would at least provide the file sizes too. More info maybe accessible from a drop down button. Like modified time, owner, permissions etc. But these can be hidden and be accessible from a drop down button (like the button which shows progress of individual files during software installation). This will help the user to compare both the files and make an informed decision there itself. Instead of canceling the operation and then comparing both the files and then redoing the same operation.

260
votes

529
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202
votes

338
votes

229
votes

103
votes

95
votes

42
votes

Selected solution (#8): Previews of the files

Written by philip the 5 May 09 at 22:52.

The dialog should contain pre-computed views of the files, so you don't have to wait for (say) the spreadsheet program to load and open the files. The views should be about 100x100 pixels large and should show a cropped, scrollable view of each file. When the user resizes the dialog,, the preview areas should show more or less of the files. Or, a larger preview can show as a tool tip when the mouse hovers over the small preview.

45
votes

Selected solution (#9): nautulis: copy old file to trash before overwrite

Written by bgfeldm the 12 May 09 at 13:01.

add an option to move old file to the trash before overwrite.
nautulis:
move file to trash before overwrite, if file is a text or document file below a preconfigured size such as 1 MB.

This way overwritten files can be retrieved at a dept of one.
Or you could make the trash bin a temporary source repository for overwritten/deleted files, only storing the diff of the text files, so you limit space taken up by the trash bin and have multiple restore points for files. The repository will be clear every time the user clears the repository or after a defined amount of days.

56
votes

139
votes

25
votes

Selected solution (#12): Push transfers requiring user feedback to the end of the queue

Written by Redge the 8 Jun 09 at 00:07.

When doing file operations and Nautilus encounters conflicts or errors that require the user's feedback to resolve, Nautilus should first try to complete the rest of the queue and push the files needing feedback to the end. That way, if the user is AFK as much of the operation as possible will be done by the time he/she gets back.

-3
votes

37
votes

Selected solution (#14): Check files below a certain size

Written by korin43 the 18 Jun 09 at 20:58.

Decide on a on file size where it's faster to just check if it's an identical file than ask the user if they want to replace/skip. If the files with the same name are identical, we just skip them instead of presenting the replace/skip dialogue (since both options would have the same result).

Note: This would be a complete byte-for-byte comparison, not just a comparison of timestamps and name.

Here's the order that the system would check:
- Is there a file with the same name?
- Is it below the maximum size set to check? (we don't want to auto-check if it would be faster to ask the user. ex: 10 Gb file)
- Compare size
- Compare the two files (byte-for-byte), fail as soon as you find anything different (if the first byte of the new file is different, fail immediately instead of checking the whole file)

Note 2: Timestamps will not be compared. If the new file is identical with a different timestamp, the new timestamp should be applied.

21
votes

Selected solution (#15): Add "auto" option to replce/skip pop-up

Written by vegetarianshrimp the 19 Jun 09 at 19:03.

This gives the user the option to replace/skip if they already know whether the file is identical or not, or don't want to risk replacing an important file. But if they don't know if the files are identical, then they can press the auto button.

It would look something like this:

|Auto| |Auto all| |Replace| |Replace all| |Skip| |Skip all|

25
votes

Selected solution (#16): Show context for the differences

Written by Prime Mover the 2 Aug 09 at 21:50.

The dialog should attempt to show the differences between the files if they are in a recognizable format. For example, if the files are images, show both images, along with file size and date. This will allow the user to easily make a decision about whether to replace the file. The destination filename could also be an editable field to allow the user to change the name and have the copy continue under the new name. If the file were an audio file then it could display bitrate, sample rate, length, etc.

Here's an example dialog box from Directory Opus on Windows which demonstrates this:

836
votes

164
votes

62
votes

Selected solution (#19): Avoid overwriting the same file.

Written by pubsbin the 8 Aug 09 at 01:12.

There are some easy tests for checking if two files (in two different folders) are the same file. From the easy ones (metainformation, size, name), checking some positions (sampling) and, finally, comparing them entirely.

If Nautilus uses those easy equality checks, it could avoid copying equal files. Even if you compare the whole file, a read is faster than a write.

151
votes

Selected solution (#20): "No to ALL"

Written by don1500 the 12 Aug 09 at 20:20.

Most of the time I have this problem I run into it when moving music files. There is a "Yes to ALL" but no "No to All". All I want are the files that are on the source but not on the target. "Overwrite if Newer" is close and a good suggestion, but sometimes I don't want to overwrite the old file. Sometimes you want to overwrite the older version, and with "Yes to All" you still have that option. Maybe adding both "Overwrite if newer" AND "No to ALL" is the answer. I think this would be the easiest to implement. This is also the K.I.S.S. answer.

83
votes

14
votes

8
votes

Selected solution (#23): Advanced File Operations (AFO :D)

Written by Chronos the 29 Aug 09 at 14:46.

Create a more advanced "thread" based queuing system for file operations. Its possible to make it simple, no need to make it complex. Read below:

Seriously, in Total commander i used a lot the function to not just copy files at once and send the process in the background, but to push F2, and create a list of the operations where(!) the list is a queue. So the processes are not running at the same time to slow things down. We can even make this better. Imagine you have 4 drives. A B C and D. You want to copy 3x6 folders/files from A to B and vice versa. It takes long, so you start to copy/move/whatsoever to work on C and D (like before from C to D and vice versa). To make all these operations (4direction) run at the same time slows the computer slow down(no wonder why).

We could create two thread with two queues in this case.

In summary, A and B would process their queue, processing files the fast as possible, and separately C and D would do their things as well.

We could make it automatic maybe, that if we are making file operations to or from one partition/hardware, at default it would create a queue, what (with a push of a button) would appear from the already used window(dont know the name). This queue would make sure that only one operation is active at a time, making hardware sweat less, and operations faster.

[...]

Maybe i'll do a mockup if i have time.

This is just an idea, we can modify it.

Cheers,
David

32
votes

Selected solution (#24): Pile up a list of action needed files.(Use with Solution #1)

Written by yaknowwat the 16 Aug 09 at 09:07.

The list would list all the files that need conformation and let u handle them with check boxes. ( A Select All/None combo button and an Invert Selection button are a must for such a list. Then double clicking a listed directory should select all in the directory.)
Then by for example pressing Overwrite or a Do Nothing button the action would affect all selected files. After which you can continue such steps until the List is gone or the user exits.
I'd imagine this would be simple to do without over complicating things.
Also the number of dialogues could easily be reduced with this strategy.
This increases efficiency because a user could handle all the conformation files at once in their own way even as their still copying normal files.

6
votes

5
votes

Selected solution (#26): Add intelligent preview/comparison box to the Nautilus file replacement dialogue

Written by cajhne the 14 Sep 10 at 21:05.

Disclaimer: I worked this up before finding that my problem was a dupe of this thread, so don't yell at me for "duplicating" some ideas here. I've +1 promoted the ones that I came to the same or similar conclusions about. There's different stuff in here, so please read the whole thing! :)

It would be handy to show other relevant information based on the file type in a small preview/comparison area on the side of the replace notification dialogue. It would also be nice to have an in-dialogue "rename" function, where you could change the name of the file being copied rather than just the standard replace/don't replace option. Leave the defaults the way they are, but offer a drop-down of other solutions, as well as a preview box for the file. Text files could show the first few lines of the file (if permissions allow), the photo can show thumbnails, music can have the same (nifty) mouse-over preview in the file browser, etc.

The "intelligent" bit changes the options for replacement/renaming/etc based on the kind of file, and the kind of preview shown. Some handy alternate options might be "append" for videos/music/text files, which combines/concatenates two files into one, or "version" which simply appends an ordering number to the end of the filename (my_cat.jpg -> mycat_b.jpg)

I have worked up a visual on what I think this might look like if there's enough interest. :)

http://whitecatgraphics.com/ubuntu/nautilus_replace_comparison_dialogue.jpg

[...]

This example shows the standard file replace dialogue with my additions. The files under scrutiny are an old and new version of the same image. The desaturated, darker one is meant to represent an unedited photo, and the saturated one an edited version, which highlights the advantage/importance of being able to see samples of each to make the judgement.

Things to note in this sample:
1.The "replace all" option now has a drop-down menu below it, in which you can specify in what manner you want to "replace all".
2.The arrow between the two thumbnails indicates which is source and which is the destination (since some people in the world read from right to left. :))
3.The thumbnails act like thumbnails in the regular browser. Right-clicking on them could bring up options like "preview", "open with", "info", or "show in folder".
4.Selecting "Keep" under either sample will automatically set the other to "Erase", for ease of use. The "Save As..." option could bring up a box for the new file name, or alternatively, a standard "save as" dialogue as seen in GIMP, Open Office, etc, when you choose "Save As".
5.The green check-mark and the red "X" icon indicate which is being kept, and which is not. These change when "Keep" or "Erase" is selected.
6.After selection is complete, the user would then click the "Replace" button to perform the action, and continue the file copy/move operations.

I'm not married to any of the above components. If anyone thinks of a different/better way to do it, please post it in the comments section, and I'll revise this solution based on the suggestions. :)

I'm not proposing changing any of the defaults, just adding a box for more information, and a few more options to streamline the current replacement procedure.

It would be handy to show other relevant information based on the file type in a small preview/comparison area on the side of the replace notification dialogue. It would also be nice to have an in-dialogue "rename" function, where you could change the name of the file being copied rather than just the standard replace/don't replace option. Leave the defaults the way they are, but offer a drop-down of other solutions, as well as a preview box for the file. Text files could show the first few lines of the file (if permissions allow), the photo can show thumbnails, music can have the same (nifty) mouse-over preview in the file browser, etc.

The "intelligent" bit changes the options for replacement/renaming/etc based on the kind of file, and the kind of preview shown. Some handy alternate options might be "append" for videos/music/text files, which combines/concatenates two files into one, or "version" which simply appends an ordering number to the end of the filename (my_cat.jpg -> mycat_b.jpg)

I have worked up a visual on what I think this might look like if there's enough interest. :)

http://whitecatgraphics.com/ubuntu/nautilus_replace_comparison_dialogue.jpg

Things to note in this sample: 
1.The "replace all" option now has a drop-down menu below it, in which you can specify in what manner you want to "replace all". 
2.The arrow between the two thumbnails indicates which is source and which is the destination (since some people in the world read from right to left. :)) 
3.The thumbnails act like thumbnails in the regular browser. Right-clicking on them could bring up options like "preview", "open with", "info", or "show in folder". 
4.Selecting "Keep" under either sample will automatically set the other to "Erase", for ease of use. The "Save As..." option could bring up a box for the new file name, or alternatively, a standard "save as" dialogue as seen in GIMP, Open Office, etc, when you choose "Save As". 
5.The green check-mark and the red "X" icon indicate which is being kept, and which is not. These change when "Keep" or "Erase" is selected. 
6.After selection is complete, the user would then click the "Replace" button to perform the action, and continue the file copy/move operations.

I'm not married to any of the above components. If anyone thinks of a different/better way to do it, please post it in the comments section, and I'll revise this solution based on the suggestions. :)

I'm not proposing changing any of the defaults, just adding a box for more information, and a few more options to streamline the current replacement procedure.

6
votes

5
votes

Selected solution (#28): Additions to File Operations

Written by JohnLM the 15 Jan 09 at 21:46.

I thought it could scan for involved devices and queue by (configurable) default, if that device is in use (i.e. having copy or move operation already). And have a "Do now!" kind of button on file operation window for override.

Naturally it should never en-queue same partition's move operations, cause they are super fast by nature!

btw As far as I know the Nautilus' File Operations thingie is not really finished and is under development now!

9
votes

Selected solution (#29): Conflict dialog: say how many more conflicts there are

Written by philip the 18 Mar 11 at 20:07.

When you try to copy or move a bunch of files, and files with those names already exist in the destination folder, you get a dialog asking you if you want to replace the existing file or skip copying this file. You can also check a check box for repeating this operation on all other conflicting files.

It would be helpful to know how many more conflicting files there are. This can alert the user that he has done something wrong if he did not expect that many conflicts. It can also guide his decision to check the conflicts manually or click on the "perform this for all files" check box.

Getting more sophisticated, the dialog could even list the conflicting files when the user clicks on a drop down list.

12
votes

-1
votes

Selected solution (#31): Require the user to enter a sub menu.

Written by Darwin Survivor the 5 Mar 11 at 09:13.

Simply having gksu pop up every time a user tries to do something they aren't allowed to (edit a system file) is a quick way to a non-working system.

I propose we put gksu-enabled commands in a sub-menu (like how new-file lists a few file types). This will prevent users from simply converting to "enter your password until it works" people.

66
votes

20
votes

Selected solution (#33): Control the number of simultaneous op-s on a drive

Written by andrew.p the 19 Mar 09 at 21:28.

This is not a complete solution, but an addition to #2/#1.
I often miss an option to limit the number of simultaneous file operations on a drive (simultaneous file operations are not as quick as one-by-one sometimes).
Speaking about sol#1, it would be logical to have an option to queue file operation instead of performing immediately (name menu item "Queue Paste" & give it keyboard shortcut like Ctrl+Alt+V/Ctrl+Q/Super+V). Also it is a workaround for controlling the number of simultaneous file operations.

-4
votes

7
votes

Selected solution (#35): Click & drag priority management

Written by Ian Burnet the 11 Apr 09 at 03:11.

Being able to set the priority of ops would be really useful, but we also don't want to add too much to the interface.

I think the most user-friendly solution would be to:
1) Run only one op at a time automatically
2) Have a continue / pause button to force start, pause, and resume
3) Have the ops listed by priority (i.e. which was started first; which are running)
4) Be able to click and drag the progress bars up/down to switch the priorities

15
votes

See the 13 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 22 May 12 at 05:18) >>

Ubuntu 32 bit should support more than 4GB of RAM

Written by jorgevan007 the 8 Jul 08 at 17:06. Global category: Hardware support. Implemented

It seems that the current 32 bit editions of Ubuntu can only take advantage of 3GB (sometimes a little more) of physical memory. Desktops and gaming rigs using 6 and 8 GB of RAM are ubiquitous now. More RAM support please!!
It seems that this is related to the Linux kernel. However, some apps are not yet ready for 64 bit support. The kernel should be more flexible for people still in the 32bit editions.

-14
votes

56
votes

-11
votes

Selected solution (#3): Provide a simple way of customizing the -generic kernel

Written by spoilerhead the 15 Jan 09 at 11:52.

create a tool that gives the user the ability to create a kernel config once.
On every kernel update, the kernel (and restricted modules) gets rebuilt according to that custom config.

This would be a lot more flexible (e.g. allow users to create tight machine specific kernels without the troubles a custom built kernel will bring otherwise)

See the 19 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 21 Nov 11 at 21:21) >>

Shut down computer when update complete option

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

Written by bogdan_5844 the 13 Mar 08 at 17:17. Global category: System. Won't implement

I hate it when I have to do a lenghty update(such as when first installing Ubuntu)but being in a rush and not having enough time to wait for the PC to update in order to shut it down.

I suggest a "Shut down computer when update complete" option in Ubuntu Update Manager.

1511
votes

21
votes

0
votes

See the 12 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 25 Sep 11 at 01:53) >>

Songbird as default audio player

Written by kab the 3 Mar 08 at 07:37. Global category: Multimedia. Won't implement

A very good audio player with an easy plugin api, similar to Mozilla Firefox.

At the moment, the application is at version 0.4, but the developer improve it every day.

http://www.songbirdnest.com/

-234
votes

See the 8 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 30 Jul 11 at 17:16) >>

Allow user to change GDM themes in Ubuntu 10.04+ as was possible in Ubuntu 8.x

Written by TrueSongMedia the 12 Mar 10 at 10:27. Related project: Gnome. Not an idea

GDM themes (login window themes) are an excellent way to customize a Linux system. This is a feature that has been missing in Ubuntu 9.x. In Ubuntu 8.x, users could easily change their login screen by choosing from a list and could drag in a downloaded theme.

I would love to see this feature return in Ubuntu 10.x

For examples of GDM themes, take a look at http://gnome-look.org/index.php?xcontentmode=150

114
votes

See the 14 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 30 Jul 11 at 16:12) >>

Most keyboards ship with Windows Keys

Written by Clorox the 11 Aug 09 at 06:55. Global category: Look and Feel. New

From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_key):

"Users of non-Windows systems are sometimes disturbed by having a Windows-specific logo on their keyboard. For this reason, sets of stickers and key-caps are available, mainly from online stores, which can be used to restyle the Windows keys with an image of Linux mascot Tux, a logo for KDE or a specific Linux distribution, or other graphics. Some keyboard manufacturers, such as Cherry, also produce keyboards with a Tux key. Some keyboards now have omitted the right windows key and left context menu key."

In particular, this annoys me too, and other people I know also. The key is ubiquitous and necessary, but it needs to have a different name. Something Distro-specific or OS-specific is out of the question, as one may want to install something else on the PC they use with the keyboard.

11
votes

Solution #1: Evangelize use of "Home Key"

Written by Clorox the 11 Aug 09 at 06:55.

Also from Wikipedia:

"Recently, some netbook portables, such as ASUS Eee PC and Linux versions of Acer Aspire One, are coming with a Home key instead of a Windows key, mainly because of the GNU/Linux installed there as OEM."

This is a good start, at best. Many OEMs, such as Dell, still sell Linux PCs with Windows keyboards. A "Home Key" is a nice alternative name, and is not encumbered by any non-free baggage.

399
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568
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-46
votes

Solution #4: Call it the 'Command' key

Written by jrothwell97 the 13 Aug 09 at 05:44.

In my opinion, the best option would be to standardise along the same lines as Mac OS X and call it the 'command key'.

While the ⌘ symbol is, at the moment, mostly associated with Mac OS X, the name 'command' and the ⌘ symbol doesn't actually have anything to do with the Mac. (In fact, since Apple introduced the aluminum keyboards, there are no Apple logos on any of the keys, including the command key.)

Apple hasn't trademarked (and can't trademark) the ⌘ symbol, because it's a well-known symbol called St. John's Arms. In many European countries, it is used on roadsigns as a "place of interest" symbol (for tourist attractions, etc.)

Aside from it being OS-neutral and public domain, it's also an easily-recognizable symbol, and the "interesting feature or attraction" symbolism makes sense for something that invokes OS-specific features.

-94
votes

Solution #5: Reclaim the key for good

Written by Dataphile the 17 Aug 09 at 03:18.

Since there already exists a "Home" key, and most Linux users know this as the "Meta" or "Super" key, keep that terminology, but dilute the visual association with the key being the "Windows" key.

This dilution would probably be best done by getting OEMs to use alternate logos than the Windows logo. Tux, or the Ubuntu logo both sound fine, as long as it's appropriate. If it was Tux, however, we might be able to enhance the Linux brand somewhat by calling it "SuperTux" or "MetaTux". Not sure how that would work with the Ubuntu logo. Maybe superimpose a pentagon with an "S" inside?

The sticker idea sounds acceptable too, especially if OEMs can't change key logos, but the more professional, the better.

26
votes

Solution #6: Prepend the actual key label to "super" and "meta"

Written by jackmcslay the 17 Aug 09 at 19:09.

At this point, changing the name of the key would just add to confusion, as "super" and "meta" are as common in linux as "command" is for mac and the windows logo is for windows.

Instead of reinventing the wheel, just prepend the label that's actually on the keyboard.
This way, on a keyboard that has the "super" super key labelled as "⌘" and "meta" labelled as "⌥", "super" would be shown as "⌘super" and meta would be shown as "⌥meta" on the system. Alphabetic labels such as command could be put in parenthesis, and perhaps in smaller letters and/or abbreviated (like "(CMD)super" for "command")

In the case of trademarked symbols, they could be replaced with similar symbols. The windows logo could be depicted by 4 squares and the apple logo could be depicted as an apple without the bite nor the leaf. Anyone with a brain will be able to figure out.

There's a dialog that allows the user to specify which keyboard is installed on System>Preferences>Keyboard which does hardly anything currently, but could easily be used to determine which label is on the "super" and "meta", by associating the appropriate labels with the keyboard model

61
votes

18
votes

Solution #8: summary - it is always a picture on it

Written by vincent the 30 Aug 09 at 17:16.

no matter what hardware it is... if it is "windows flag" or "⌘" or "home" on the key - it always is picture SO name this key LOGO. Why?

- because manufacturers already produce keys with windows logo or with whatever they want to.. but this is usually a picture..

- newcommers and old users don't need to see another variation of ctrl / alt / shift label on it. Super or meta is quite nice but if I'll say to you: "press logo key" - which one you have on your mind ? there's no other key with picture on it, no matter who had manufactured the keyboard and with which picture.

in the system label it "logo", recognition will be better but users will do with the key whatever they want to do.

and if you want different print on it.. buy a sticker.

i don't agree to use windows specific shortcuts by default.
give users opportunity to change them by theirself.

-16
votes

Solution #9: Call it the "flag key"

Written by inselaffe the 9 Sep 09 at 15:05.

The current Windows logo as found on most keyboards looks a lot like a flag to me. Why not call the key the "flag key"?

"Home key" as used on some netbooks is no good as there is another key called "Home".

"Meta" or "Super" is no good as it is meaningless to the uninitiated. Having to look in documentation to work out what key is being referred to is no good.

Putting a sticker on the key is fun but not helpful for naming the key. Certain types of Ubuntu users would like to put a sticker on the key for giggles and iconoclasm (I would if I could get hold of some) but not all would, could or would think of it. It's too inconsistent. What would you call it in the UI - the "key which may or may not have a sticker on it, possibly of a little penguin or the Ubuntu logo"?

See the 18 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 31 May 11 at 16:25) >>

Can't See Links on Ubuntu Forums

Written by Penguin Guy the 29 Aug 09 at 18:04. Related project: ubuntuforums.org. Not an idea

When you create a link on the Ubuntu forums it appears the same color as normal text in the preview, this can cause confusion for the author. For example, you will see something like:

This is not a problem when viewing posts, only when previewing them.

0
votes

See the 3 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 29 May 11 at 23:22) >>

It would be nice if in Nautilus ...

Written by l3on the 6 Sep 09 at 20:50. Related project: Nautilus. New

It would be nice in Nautilus ...

... when you select some files:

the info in the Properties window:

was also included in the sidebar:

563
votes

124
votes

151
votes

Solution #3: Make the Nautilus-code more general so anything can go into the sidebar

Written by vhindriksen the 7 Sep 09 at 17:29.

See for example the side-bar of browsers like Firefox. So just let any code run in the sidebar (in a separate thread, so it can crash on its own). Output can be html or some specific xml, as long as perl-scripts can spit it out.

One serious problem with this solution is security, since the script is auto-run for each file/directory.

476
votes

224
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255
votes

Solution #6: Make this optional and configurable via preferences

Written by LaMeR the 10 Sep 09 at 20:18.

1. Let the user set which information to show in the sidebar.

Example options:
For one selected file show in sidebar:
- General info - similar for most file types (thumbnail, type, size,...)
- File specific info - different for most file types (for example video files info: duration, resolution, bitrate, codec,...)
- All info = General info + File specific info

For multiple selected files show in sidebar:
- General info - number of files, size of files,...
- File specific info - number of files for each selected type (6 images, 13 videos,...), size of files for each selected type,...
- All info = General info + File specific info

2. Make it possible for user to completely turn this feature off, because some users may have slower computers or want to use the sidebar for bookmarks etc.

49
votes

Solution #7: sidebar should automatically change to "info" after selecting a file

Written by haran_elessar the 14 Sep 09 at 02:37.

I think that extra information is neat but it would be better if the left pane just changed automatically when I click on a file instead of having to choose "information" from the menu to see the details. the way I see it, most people like having the places view and they would have to change it to "information" each time to see the info just by left-clicking.

Now if nautilus would automatically change from places to information whenever you select a file then I think that would be very handy.

Optional extra idea: how about if that sidebar would show some other info automatically. For example, say I'm selecting many files from a folder, wouldn't it be neat if the sidebar would show me small thumbnails of all the items I have currently selected? (similar to Picasa's tray) That way it serves as a double check that I'm actually copying all the files I need. Then after pasting the sidebar would just go back to show the "places"option.

As it is right now, not many people are using that drop down menu. It's sad since now that I tried it I see it can be useful and even more if the feature you are requesting is implemented. Still, I don't think I would be using "information" as my default sidebar BUT if it was automatic as I mentioned above I think everyone will benefit from it.

what do you think? can that be done?

[...]

edit: As some users have suggested this feature should be configurable, allowing users to turn it off completely, showing only certain kind of information and generally behaving like users want it to behave.

-26
votes

-104
votes

-59
votes

11
votes

Solution #11: Make sidebar more dynamic

Written by alx321 the 4 Oct 09 at 08:50.

Many ubuntu users don't even know that it is possible to change the content of the sidebar. The dropdown menu is very unhandy.
I propose to replace it by tabs with small icons and make it dynamic. That is, you can drag the tabs to another position, so that, for example, 'information' is shown beneath 'places' or in a second sidebar at the right or lower border.

8
votes

4
votes

Solution #13: Add nautilus option to show file info in a popup bubble

Written by oliver-joos the 5 Oct 09 at 14:23.

I propose to add a Nautilus option to pop up a light yellow bubble with basic file info when the mouse rests on an icon for a second or so.
The option should be very simple: on/off or none/brief/verbose. The file-type decides what info is shown.

Advantages:
* no mouse click needed
* no second/dynamic/changing pane needed
* plays well together with the audio preview feature
* the mouse is on one icon at a time => the info is clearly related

See the 21 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 8 Apr 11 at 15:52) >>

Enhence the partionning tool of Ubuntu installation

Written by nandayo the 14 Apr 09 at 16:24. Related project: Live CD installer. New

Well, let me frankly say that I find this partitioning tool really strange :

- What is the goal of the colors (green, orange...) used for different partitions exactly ? It does not correspond to nothing ! We should use color for a true information (see solution 1)

- Why by god the application propose by default to completely erase existing partitions, this is ridiculous ! The user can, by mistake, loose all his data and existing OS by this way ! (and then never go back to linux, you can be sure of that). i propose solution 2..

- Not really clear for new user what is / or /home and so on... solution 3.

Thanks folks.

619
votes

Solution #1: One color = one filesystem !

Written by nandayo the 14 Apr 09 at 16:24.

This should be really more logical ! Ext3 filesystem into one color, swap into another color, NTFS into another one, and so on ! (as GParted do finaly !) This would be really more visual and a more intelligent use of colors. Of course, each partition must be clearly delimited, to avoid consecutive partitions of the same filesystem to be few visible.

Here is an (ugly :-p ) example I made to illustrate :
http://img209.imageshack.us/my.php?image=56626046.png
(this is just an *ILLUSTRATION*, not a graphical proposition ! )

Maybe another suggestion : note by a symbol (a star for example) the partition containing an OS.

709
votes

711
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181
votes

Solution #6: Make the colour bar the dominant tool

Written by Kver the 19 Apr 09 at 06:02.

Make the colour bar a prominent tool instead of only a display.

- Use icons to help identify the partitions, such as a windows logo on detected windows installations, an Ubuntu logo for Ubuntu installs, and other icons for common types of partitions.
- Allow users to drag/stretch/squish partitions on the bar itself. Ie; squish a windows partition. Back or transparency could be used for empty space.
- Do NOT make it one colour/one filesystem type. If you have multiple partitions of the same type, it might appear as a single colour slab. Using alternating shades could correct this problem (dark/light/dark/light)
- Explain a partition on mouseover in a box underneath the bar.

86
votes

Solution #7: A variety of smart options

Written by Kver the 19 Apr 09 at 06:19.

A dropdown could be placed with several options, the selected being what it will do. Or more radio buttons could be added. These would be "smart" based on what is on the hard-drive(s), and which options would lose the least data.

Options could include:
- replacing the dominant partition (the single, largest partition will be deleted)
- shrinking all partitions (except swap) (it will try to scale by %)
- Wiping all small partitions (except swap) (keeping the largest partition and the swap, deleting all smaller partitions for space)
- Format * partition (* being a dropdown with any non-swap parition greater than 4.9gb)
- formatting (no explanation here)
- Manual

Tt would recommend a scheme based on the following, and would not show the option if the requirement isn't met:
#1 - Shrink partitions. If every partition (including Ubuntu) would have 10% of the HD's overall capacity as free space, recommend this option. Ie a 100gb hard drive would require 10gb of free space on each non-swap partition after the shrink.
#2 - Wipe small partitions. Use this option if the largest partition is at least 50% larger than non-swap partitions combined. If not, check #3.
#3 - Wipe the largest partition. Recommend this only if less than 20% of the partition is in use. Otherwise, recommend #4.

[...]

#4 - Format. Always shown.
#5 - Format * partition. Always shown.
#5 - Manual. Never recommended, always shown, as serious damage can be done by a new user.

87
votes

Solution #9: Display info about directories & their purpose

Written by aadityabhatia the 3 May 09 at 21:17.

Display some information about different directories and their purpose, such as:

/home Contains the home directories (personal storage) for each user on the system
/usr Contains system programs and other files for general users such as games, online help, and documentation
/tmp Contains temporary files that are erased upon reboot
/etc Contains configuration files for Linux and other installed software
/bin Contains the Linux system commands and programs (also called binaries)
/var Contains variable data that changes constantly when the system is running
... and so on.

This will help a basic user understand the system better by knowing the purpose of each directory. It is difficult to make changes once the system has been installed. Therefore the user will be able to make an informed one-time decision about allocating partitions to different directories.

-21
votes

12
votes

Solution #11: bring GParted back as an option

Written by danbhfive the 9 May 09 at 21:57.

Gparted is on the livecd anyway. Why not have it be an option? IE, there would be two "manually partition" options. One, for the current, low memory partitioner, and one for GParted.

This is how I remember it being done on Redhat, some ten years ago. Then, the options were autopartition, manually partition with the graphical partitioner, or manually partition with fdisk (yuk).

(Personally, I fire up GParted to partition before I do an install anyway. Like the original poster, I find the new partitioner too confusing.)

31
votes

9
votes

Solution #14: Simplified option for manual partitioning.

Written by gianni_casagrande the 30 Aug 09 at 08:04.

The partitioning process could be made simpler by adding a simplified option for Manual partitioning where a user can create custom partitions without needing to worry about mount points, filesystems etc.
The installation program will take care of making reasonable choices on mount points and fylesistems and creating a swap partition of resonable size.
There could be an option to create a separate /home partition with explained benefits and costs.

The installation program should advise simplified mode for manual partitioning to user that want to customize partition sizes but are not familiar with terms such as 'ext3' or 'swap partition'(like me for example).

12
votes

7
votes

Solution #16: Automatically quick benchmark disks and recommend partition scheme

Written by waster the 2 Oct 09 at 07:48.

With >1 disk, the partitioner could do a quick benchmark to see what latency and throughput are, especially for SSD hardware. It could then say for example:

Mirror root across two fast disks
Put /tmp on a RAID0 array
Set up a video/music media mount point to get most capacity out of slower disks, not worrying about latency.
etc, etc.

You could even toggle how much data security you want vs speed, so a new user could benefit from RAID0 speed, RAID1, RAID5 etc securtity without knowing the details underneath.

Needless to say, LVM should be on top of all this, and the chunk/stripe size alignment should be set up automatically (currently this is only optimal by chance - beware!) and the readahead for LVM should have a much better default.

See the 18 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 22 Mar 11 at 06:15) >>

Fix file size confusion

Written by Avantarius the 25 Aug 09 at 13:22. Related project: Gnome. In development

Every application treats file size units in a different way so you never know the real size of a file or a drive. I.e. my USB device shows up as 4.1 GB when mounted on my desktop, but as 3.77 GB in GParted, while the system monitor gives me 3.8 GiB - that's confusing!

426
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92
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-54
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-5
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Selected solution (#4): Ignore SI advice and use common practice

Written by Gaz Davidson the 10 Sep 09 at 14:35.

Nobody cares what a kibibyte is and haven't done over the past 25 years of home computing, nobody had a 64 kibibyte Commodore 64.

Use base 2 for file sizes and use upper-case KB, MB etc, without the additional 'i'. This is what the world uses; every website, all email clients, all computers since the first home computers. Enforcing KiB because it's scientifically correct is just silly, the majority of Ubuntu users are not scientists. Maybe give anal people the option to have KiB instead.

When showing disk sizes, display both base 2 and 10 in correct form (x GiB, y GB). This will match the units used by the disk manufacturers, while also being useful for users as their files are measured in base 2.

See the 14 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 3 Mar 11 at 14:22) >>

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