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
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103
votes

95
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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) >>

Power manager should implement options to extend battery lifespan

Written by sandys the 27 Feb 10 at 10:54. Related project: Device Manager (gnome). New

Many third party utilities (like Lenovo thinkpads, etc.) implement algorithms to increase battery lifespan (viz the amount of time you can use a battery, before you have to replace it), especially when laptop is plugged in to mains power - http://www.apple.com/batteries/
Battery lifespan is highly dependent on charging behavior - a continuously charged laptop will need to replace its battery more frequently than one with smart charging.

In linux, it has been available to a limited extent using the TP_smapi package, viz no longer available in Karmic (http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Tp_smapi#Battery_charge_control_features)

The power managers should have options available to extend battery lifespan - it would be an extremely cool and useful feature for all of us who use laptops.

539
votes

81
votes

Solution #2: Power management Profiles on Battery Power

Written by specialcowboy the 14 Mar 10 at 08:54.

I am relatively new to Ubuntu and I understand that in Lucid there are plans or already an implementation for better power management. As I haven't seen the alphas myself I thought I would suggest a few things. Sorry if these are already being implemented and this is redundant. This site: http://salcher.posterous.com/?tag=ubuntu suggests a few ways to optimize batter life using Powertop and manually configuring files in /etc/laptop-mode/conf.d/. I think it would be great if there was a GUI front end for this that allowed adjusting of the settings and creating of various profiles (rather than editing .conf files directly). Similar to the Power Management functionality included on Acer laptops (ie clocking down the processor, disabling card buses, USB, ethernet, wireless, etc.).

40
votes

See the 5 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 12 May 12 at 08:24) >>

Easy mounting of Images like ISO and CUE

Written by Nanotron the 28 Feb 08 at 20:17. Related project: Nautilus. Implemented

I'm a big fan of Images like .iso. However it is not very easy to mount these Images.

Developer comments

There is already right click->open with "archive mounter" in Gnome, however it currently has a major bug: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gvfs/+bug/299956

5716
votes

Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #194

Written by Nanotron the 28 Feb 08 at 20:17.

I feel there should be a Tool in Nautilus and Dolphin which allows mounting Images by double Click or something similar. (This feature exists int MacOS). Or with a right click on the I think that would be a very useful Tool for every one.
A good example for this is CDemu.

I know there are some other good programs, but I think that would be the easiest way

691
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-16
votes

0
votes

40
votes

-71
votes

-12
votes

Selected solution (#8): Okay, here it is :)

Written by r0g the 28 Oct 09 at 05:09.

In the form of a python script for nautilus actions.

http://www.technicalbloke.com/iso_mount.py

I don't have time to do the unmount command too but it should be easy to adapt if you know a little python, consider that homework & pls post me a copy :)

I think it would be nice if Ubuntu came with some more useful nautilus action scripts and a nicer way of adding/removing them. At the moment getting them in and out is more of a pain than it needs to be. It ought to be as easy as Firefox (if not easier!) to install plugins, maybe then people would make more.

Roger.

-44
votes

See the 65 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 12 May 12 at 08:13) >>

Unfriendly booting

Written by yman the 25 Feb 09 at 16:39. Global category: Usability. Implemented

Currently there is no way to boot from Ubuntu into another OS without a restart. The bootloader's UI isn't integrated with the rest of the system. The boot options are static. The ability to load from removable media, or indeed the boot priority, is defined and restricted by the non user-friendly BIOS.

-197
votes

Selected solution (#1): Ubuntu boot menu

Written by yman the 25 Feb 09 at 16:39.

Make GRUB invisible, so that it directly loads Ubuntu. Ubuntu, in the 1st stage of booting will load a GUI boot menu and all the underlying stuff that's necessary for it, like Linux, X, Metacity, etc. The boot menu will automatically scan all connected devices for bootable OSs and media and display them in the GUI. If the user chooses to boot Ubuntu, Ubuntu will simply continue loading, which will result in the GDM login screen appearing in a near-instantaneous fashion (giving the user the impression that Ubuntu is faster than it is). If the user chooses another OS, Ubuntu will "chainload" it. The user will also be able to go back to the boot menu from within GDM and the desktop, thus allowing him to switch to another OS without reboot.

On the graphical side, this means a tightly integrated user experience, and the use of kernel-modesetting from the boot menu, instead of only from the bootsplash.

763
votes

-140
votes

-23
votes

Selected solution (#7): kexec, #1

Written by luXy the 21 Mar 09 at 21:38.

We can have kexec support in the Ubuntu kernel and have a menu that opens up to choose a OS to boot. This menu program should be customizable: a configuration in the menu would be great. When a user chooses to boot Ubuntu, the menu session would choose and gdm would start. Otherwise, the session ends, and we can call kexec to boot the other OS.

12
votes

Selected solution (#8): Use a splashtop-like system for a bootloader

Written by Kver the 27 Mar 09 at 06:22.

This revolves around using a minimal splashtop-type system as the bootloader itself. Splashtop boots in 5 seconds into a full browser; This concept revolves only loading a graphical selection screen with additional options, sans-browser until launched. This differs from GRUB 2 in that this could launch small applications like a web-browser or repair kit.

The boot might work something like this:
- Detect the display settings, and quickly boot into X
- User would be presented with larger icons (128x128?) for each OS they have installed. Clicking the icons would message the system to boot into that OS. Right-clicking could allow users booting into safe-modes or other common options. This UI could possibly use components from login managers like KDM.
- Other options might include simple tools to manage booting and operating systems (similar to existing GRUB editors), Ie detecting, adding or removing systems.
- Later versions could include options for web-browsing or other more splashtop-esque tasks to be loaded. It would only load these AFTER the selection screen.
- If possible, pass the Xserver off to Plymouth for no flickering on plymouth-enabled systems.

Only loading 2-4 icons and a minimal interface should take the already blazing 5-second load of splashtops and reduce it to near-nothing for a fully graphical environment. Minimal widgets or only what's needed could be used. In addition, users would be more comfortable and less frightened of a dual-booting machine.

[...]

Mockup below
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y111/raraken/booter.png

-7
votes

6
votes

20
votes

See the 12 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 21 Apr 12 at 01:51) >>

Ubuntu Software Center should show more information

Written by wafflesid the 8 Oct 09 at 03:00. Related project: Ubuntu Software Center. Implemented

The Add/Remove app had an icon indicating if an app was for gnome or kde.

While the Ubuntu Software Center DOES function better, It comes at the cost of not giving the user all the information.

I like being able to know easily if an app I see is going to require me to install the QT libraries. But beyond this, I like having all the apps on my computer LOOK and FEEL the same. You know if it has the gnome logo that it will (well, it SHOULD heh).

I also found value in the popularity rating, although that was never an indicator of QUALITY it was helpful to know if I was looking for the most common packages in a search.

128
votes

153
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57
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410
votes

655
votes

270
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637
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Selected solution (#8): Have a Star rating system

Written by Rodrigo the 19 Oct 09 at 11:52.

It could be nice to have a "star rating system" like othere webs have. Either by popularity, or by user experience... of course this would take some time to get the data but in the long term it could help.
How many times have you look in forums and similar webs what is the "best" application for something, this way it would all be in the same app.

224
votes

14
votes

103
votes

24
votes

180
votes

17
votes

13
votes

-1
votes

1
votes

7
votes

Selected solution (#19): An ability to see the most popular apps in Ubuntu Software Center (as an option)

Written by Vahan Harutyunyan the 28 Sep 10 at 14:58.

I suggest to create a new website (or add this oportunity in the exist projects) where the Ubuntu users can be registrated and then promote or demote applications, can review applications. When the user launches the Ubuntu Software Center it connects to the website and updates itself with all the software reviews contributed by other users. The software is sorted by score (for those users who want and chose this option in Ubuntu Help Center), so that the user always sees the most popular applications at the top of the list. The user can review applications too, either from this website or directly within the Ubuntu Software Center. When the user reviews an application, his (or her) review immediately appears on the website, and other users can see it in their Ubuntu Help Center few time later.
Here you can see aproximately that what I suggest....

2
votes

34
votes

14
votes

Selected solution (#22): Add package download scripts, like in Synaptic

Written by snostorm the 11 Nov 09 at 21:58.

The software center should be able to create package download scripts, like Synaptic can. This would make it easier for people without internet to install software. Ideally you would also be able to create download scripts that can run on Windows or Mac, to avoid problems caused by bug #1. A method to allow easy installation of many packages at once would improve the usefullness of this feature.

-51
votes

15
votes

Selected solution (#24): Hardware Finder

Written by ki4jgt the 5 Nov 09 at 17:26.

- Allow the user to have a central user name for all the services offered.
- When the program information pops up to allow the user to install, then also show the comment section.
- Include Launchpad bug reports, and what hardware, if any, is required
- Have a star rating system, and allow the user to sort the items by the most used/starred
- Allow the user to backup a profile of what software they have installed on their computer, for reinstallation later.
- Show the application size
- Integrate with an internet shopping service, to allow the user to find hardware that s/he may need to run the software. (start the search when the user clicks on the hardware's name)

50
votes

Selected solution (#25): Recommended for new users

Written by ralf.ebert the 7 Nov 09 at 18:07.

Create a strict, community-based, transparent system for determining application quality.

Create a application category "Recommended for new users" which is filtered based on that quality criteria. Make it clear that one is seeing a community-based selection. The full, unfiltered view should be not more than one click away.

Could use the proposed #3: Star rating system, plus reviews of description texts (which should be easy to read and to understand by people with a non-software-developer mindset) and availibilty of translated descriptions. Maybe popcon data (there are exceptions of course, but popular packages tend to be more stable) and metrics about bugs could be used as well.

Having a lot of free software is great, guiding new users to software that shines is great as well, such a system would bridge these two interests.

Also it would create an incentive for developers to polish applications.

5
votes

10
votes

1
votes

3
votes

2
votes

Selected solution (#30): Top priority UI improvements

Written by Liso22 the 10 Jun 10 at 23:44.

Well, I have to say that I love the software center but still when I see the interface I feel like it's a work in progress.

The main problem (among a few more) right now is that the software center has a huge waste of blank space. This is more evident when you are using a laptop, In my case I can only see half the window. Is there really so much to show? I can see rhythmbox full-screen but I can't see the bloody software center, it's ridiculous.

I'm obsessive when it comes to UIs regarding ergonomics.
It makes me mad to see things that just aren't logical, and I have to say that the software center really freaks me out. But with some simple corrections the interface could be usable:

- How are: "File, Edit, View and Help" useful in this application? There is no way for any of the options to be applicable. Conclusion: remove them altogether.

- Right now not all categories can be shown on screen, if you have a screen under 15 inch. Why? Ridiculous icon sizes. Just by making each category 30% smaller, we would have 4 columns and 4 rows, at all times, without having to scroll through the window.

- When you (If you don't you see a weird red screen instead) This is more like a bug but I felt I needed to point it out.

[...]

- An obvious one: display a notification when an applications is fully downloaded.

- The left column is mostly blank all the time. Instead of this it could show applications being installed with their respective progress bars which would fade away as they are downloaded, grouping should only function when the windows is too small for all applications separated.

- Add ratings to applications. (you know, the little yellow stars). Add a toolbar on the top of the software center with the options: "Most popular", "Best reviewed" and "Most recent" to order them.

45
votes

4
votes

1
votes

Selected solution (#33): Integration with Ubuntu Forums

Written by mortrca the 14 Nov 10 at 20:43.

Although the ability to post comments and rate applications in the Software Center would be of huge benefit, I foresee one large issue with adding the ability to comment to the Software Center. Commenting is supposed to be a way for users of the applications to state why they like or dislike an application, not to discuss ways of fixing issues with it. It should be made easy to start a new thread in the Ubuntu Forums with a comment someone has posted. Usage example:

Person A downloads and uses an application. They like it and would use it frequently except that it is missing a feature that they need, to make it really useful. Since they dislike the fact that the application is missing this feature, they post a comment in the Software Center saying that they dislike the application for this reason.

Supposedly, a developer would read the comments that people post for his application and submit updates containing the features that people need in the application, but if the developer doesn't, person B enters the scene.

Person B notices person A's comment. Person B knows of a way to integrate the needed feature or of another app that will do the job better and fulfill the needs of person A. Instead of posting a comment (that doesn't follow the purpose of commenting) saying that he knows what person A would like better, he should be able to start a conversation with person A in the Ubuntu Forums explaining what person A could do differently. This would also make it easier for people with other suggestions to add their two cents without creating a long and hard to follow conversation in what was supposed to be a lightweight commenting program. Commenting for rating purposes should be kept separate from discussing particularities of the apps.

2
votes

1
votes

Selected solution (#36): Make application logo clickable and draggable to the laucher

Written by haydoni the 29 Apr 11 at 10:53.

The logo for each of the applications looks like it ought to be clickable and draggable... currently it isn't, this is quite frustrating to new users.

One idea (if the application is installed):
Allow it to be click-able from the software center, executing the program.
Allow the logo to be dragged and dropped to the Unity launcher, as any other application.

0
votes

See the 7 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 12 Apr 12 at 07:52) >>

Give Gimp, Inkscape and Scribus a unified look and feel

Written by ubby the 26 Jun 09 at 10:14. Related project: GIMP Image Editor. New

Adobe has a Creative Suite with a unified look and feel that is very easy to work with for people who daily work with the Adobe Creative Suite programs.

Information about Adobe Creative Suite:
http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/

Information about Gimp, Inkscape and Scribus:
http://www.gimp.org
http://www.inkscape.org
http://www.scribus.net

631
votes

Solution #1: Give Gimp, Inkscape and Scribus a unified look and feel

Written by ubby the 26 Jun 09 at 10:14.

This will make Gimp, Inkscape and Scribus better to compete with the Adobe Creative Suite.
Because of a unified look and feel it will be easier to work with the programs.

To accomplish this the developers of the programs need to work together.
Maybe the developers can get help from universities who are working with graphic software.

-166
votes

420
votes

Solution #3: Develop a "recommended" UI plan for gnome projects.

Written by Darwin Survivor the 26 Jun 09 at 20:09.

I'm not sure if one already exists, so bear with me.

One of the problems I believe is keeping programs from unifying is the lack of a recommended UI design. People start making projects and just throw buttons at it whenever they need a new feature. Over time the layout becomes caotic and a huge mess, so the project enters a "fix-it" stage where the UI is redone and made more functional.

The problem is that each project is doing this individually and only taking small hints from other projects. If there were a simple, elegant and extendable layout and scheme for gnome, or linux for that matter, it would help the projects in the "fix-it" stage to evolve into having similarly designed UIs.

What we need is that simple, elegant yet extensible layout design and a group of people (or projects) to start pushing it.

157
votes

Solution #4: Ensure that all creative applications work properly with Gnome-Globalmenu

Written by ethana2 the 28 Jun 09 at 23:35.

When you have a large screen with a scribus or inkscape window maximized, a menu bar that's not on the top screen edge becomes inconvenient. While ubuntu isn't likely to default to a global menu for a variety of reasons, it's a crucial part of the professional workflow --ask any graphic designer who uses a Mac Pro with a Cinema display.

117
votes

-39
votes

72
votes

See the 27 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 12 Apr 12 at 07:52) >>

Optimize gnome panel for vertical use

Written by klingonfc the 29 Feb 08 at 22:39. Global category: Look and Feel. Implemented

For those of us with wide screen monitors, it would be great if we could have a panel that works well in the vertical position. We have additional space for a wide vertical panel on the right or left side of our monitor.

There are several bugs/problems when using the panel vertically.

1. Window List is broken and unusable when used vertically. The text stays horizontal without wrapping, making it completely unreadable. In my opinion, the text should just stay vertical like the "Menu Bar" and clock. There is also an odd expansion problem. Vertically the Window List is set to fixed size and won't expand to fit the free space of the panel. See:

2. When aligned on the left, the submenu arrows point the wrong way when navigating menus.

3. Notification Area icons don't scale. Either the notification icons should scale properly to the size of the panel, or they should re-align into a grid. This is true for both vertical and horizontal panel use. Launchers should be able to be set in a grid as well.

395
votes

17
votes

Selected solution (#2): The new "User Switcher" applet should be displayed vertically

Written by aliam13_2 the 16 Mar 09 at 15:39.

When the panel is vertical the new "User Switcher" applet should be displayed vertically. Currently the text is displayed vertically but the power icon / status icon is still to the right, thus you can not see the icon nor read the text. The icon should simply be put above or below the already vertical text. This would make the "User Switcher" applet behave in a usable manor when used on a vertical panel.

10
votes

Selected solution (#3): Modify window list for vertical arrangement

Written by mackerman the 20 Feb 10 at 03:00.

Currently, when you add the window list to a vertical panel you get huge buttons with a very short part of the window name. I think this could be modified so that vertical mode only shows the application icons, which should be enough to tell windows apart. If there's an application with more than one window open, this could be stated as a number beside the icon, and once the icon is clicked, the names of the different windows should appear beside the icon

See the 15 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 8 Apr 12 at 16:14) >>

Move the min, max, close buttons back to the right in 10.04

Written by readmanr the 6 Mar 10 at 21:00. Related project: Gnome. Won't implement

In Ubuntu Lucid 10.04 Alpha3 we have a new default theme, however the Minimise, Maximise and Close buttons have been moved from the top right, to the top left.
(see the image at the bottom)

This was a poor choice for the following reasons...

- If clicking at the top menu (File , View, Help etc) the close buttons are VERY Close, accidents can happen.
- There used to be a tiny dot in the top left, which had in its menu, Min, Max, Move, Always on Top, and Close (So why move the Min, Max, Close buttons to the left?
- Migrating Windows and Mac users will be used to having them at the right, which is a huge usability jump)

Changes like this should be an optional choice, while it is possible to manually edit the theme, it should not be the default for an LTS release.

Ubuntu 10.04 Alpha3

src: http://blog.daviey.com/blogroll/anything-but-the-buttons.html

1192
votes

-449
votes

-1049
votes

647
votes

-521
votes

515
votes

-121
votes

Solution #8: make the default alignment theme-dependent

Written by marvo the 10 Mar 10 at 10:28.

There are some themes that look better when the buttons are placed on the left side (like Ambiance, Radiance and Gorilla) and there are some themes that look better with the buttons being on the right side (like Glider, Human, Clearlooks or SphereCrystal).

So i propose to set the default alignment depending on the chosen theme and make it easily switchable.

The current way to change the alignment of the buttons back to the right by typing
gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/metacity/general/button_layout "menu:minimize,maximize,close"
is a bit tedious.

-221
votes

-386
votes

-157
votes

-143
votes

Solution #14: Keep default left Minimize, Maximise/Resize & Close Buttons

Written by MoebusNet the 15 Mar 10 at 01:04.

Rationale: In VirtualBox without Guest Additions, the right-hand side of the desktop and the lower part of the desktop are not visible until you scroll. Having the above-mentioned buttons on the top-left side of the window by default makes them accessible when (not if) Guest Additions do not work/are unavailable or when scrolling for whatever reason does not work. This is especially true for development versions.

I _am_ in favor of choice, so this should be fairly easy for a user to change (preferably by GUI) to right, left or both.

Just my opinion.

-44
votes

Solution #16: Leave the buttons on the right until 10.10

Written by neblogas the 16 Mar 10 at 15:58.

Because Mark said that in 10.10 the windows will have something new in the right side, but now, there is no need to change the buttons, and this is LTS release! in 10.10 when you will finish the new mysteriuos window features on the right then you can put the buttons on the left. As I said, there is no need now to change. Its an LTS release and the people and companies won't change until the next LTS, so there won't be for them new mysteriuos windows features on the right!

246
votes

-117
votes

Solution #18: Top Horizontial Bar moved the the Left or Right as Vertical Bar

Written by ichido the 17 Mar 10 at 17:53.

Move the Top Bar to the Right Side-Vertical Bar and the Bottom Bar would be on the Left Side Vertical.
This would allow for more Vertical Space.
The user would be able to Swap the Left Bar with the Right Bar and also the Size/Thickness of the Bars.
Applications could maintain the Top Bar or a Side or a Bottom bar for their Window.

-94
votes

-88
votes

-85
votes

-134
votes

35
votes

Solution #27: For longer term, how about a window manager merge?

Written by LukeM33P the 25 Mar 10 at 01:13.

Compiz managers and decorators are already effective at options. Placing the Metacity and Kwin options in Emerald Decorator manager, which would be preinstalled, along with CCSM (or a custom replacement) would be the solution, with CCSM/replacement simplified to look like (in functionality and basic organization) the KDE settings manager, but using default schemes and such, of course.

For KDE users, alongside the CCSM/replacement, the interface would be integrated into the System Settings, just like the traditional settings.

The reason I propose this is because options, while not easy to find and configure (and why I propose the reorg) are very powerful. Setting up Metacity and KWin to show up as options and adding the appropriate settings, if necessary, seems to make sense (to me) as a long-term solution. The operating system needs to seem as encompassing as KDE or even more so, and combining these options so that the system is even more universal would be a step towards this.

An addition to the application of managing the system title bar like the KDE or GNOME dashboards would be similarly useful, and may be all of this potential solution that should be used. Default should stay in line with last-gen human theme, even if the colors and buttons look different.

51
votes

-93
votes

Solution #29: Have the buttons on both sides AND hide them.

Written by MisterLinOx the 26 Mar 10 at 21:52.

Have the min, max, close buttons on both sides of the title bar, but hide them. The only time they should show is on mouseover of the bar, but depending on which side you mouseover decides which side the buttons show.

For example, cursor closer to the left side? Mouse over the top-left and the buttons will appear. Vice-versa for the right side.

-63
votes

-44
votes

-57
votes

-59
votes

-38
votes

-12
votes

Solution #38: Allow the option to be changed in installation slideshow and in minimal install

Written by Jon Monreal the 17 Apr 10 at 23:49.

Please note that this is not an idea for the imminent release of 10.04, but would be better included in the next update ISO.

Experienced users already know how to change the buttons back to the original location, so server installations shouldn't be so much of a problem.

For absolute beginner users, the first slide in the installation slideshow could be one explaining the benefits of having the buttons on the left side and asking the user to choose what they could like to do.

In the minimal install, it would also be easy to add a simple option (most users using the minimal install are probably fairly experienced).

This would solve the real issue here: beginners possibly not using Ubuntu at all because it changes something.

-6
votes

-4
votes

Solution #40: To the right by default, but an option to move them to the left.

Written by turbolad the 5 Jul 10 at 15:42.

As per title. Buttons to the right by default, with an option to move to the left.

Don't forget to keep the little circle, which when clicked on, has options such as "Always On Top", "Move to Workspace Right" etc. These options should never be removed and I think the 3 buttons should be on the right by default, as most newbies are familiar with that setup.

-11
votes

Solution #41: Put min, max, close buttons in a completely new position

Written by baretobareto the 3 Aug 10 at 20:31.

Fisrt of all, sorry for my English.

Why we really needs buttons to the right? Well theres no real difference between having your buttons on the left or on the right, its just a matter of have the enough time to get used to one position or another.
But what about if we have these button in a complete new position.
What about having min, max, close buttons on the right BUT in the lower side of the windows instead of the upper side.

If you think about it, when you open a document or a web-page, you need to scroll down to really knows if that document is what you are looking for. When a document is too long, you need to use the scroll down arrow. So your mouse-arrow will be closer to the lower right of the window instead of the upper side of the window.
If you want to look to a minimize window that you think it would be not useful anymore, you need to un-minimize this window. If the buttons are in the lower right of the window it will be needed much less movement of your hand to close it after un-minimize because the close button will be closer to the task bar.

[...]

As you see there are some reason to have buttons in the lower side of the window BUT I know there are others to have this buttons on others positions.

So, why not to put this buttons in a completely new position.
This could be a ubuntu-only-feature just like the recycle bin in the task bar is a ubuntu-only-feature.

See the 118 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 29 Mar 12 at 20:59) >>

Smooth scrolling in Gtk applications

Written by erlend the 16 Mar 08 at 18:31. Global category: Look and Feel. New

One of the first things new users comment on when trying linux is the lack of "smooth-scroll" in applications. Although it is a relatively minor point - smooth scrolling has come to be expected these days. Some of the advantages of it are,

* Looks more modern and professional,
* Allows the user to read while they scroll with the mouse wheel,
* In (for example) a Pidgin chat window the motion of a smooth scroll when you receive a message draws you eye: our brains are configured to respond to movement,
* Smooth movement is natural - jerky movement is not,
* Everyone else is doing it!

What would be required is for enough Ubuntu devs to discuss this on the Gtk mailing list, to show there is a demand for it. Once implemented this would include all Gtk applications, including Nautilus, Firefox and Pidgin.

396
votes

39
votes

Solution #2: Implement pixel-based scrolling for touchpads, instead of virtual button events

Written by elephant-face the 13 Apr 10 at 03:11.

"Scroll Wheels" are not all created equal; different input devices should handle scrolling differently. For example, there are at least two very different input devices commonly used to scroll this webpage:

1. A mouse with a scroll wheel. When the wheel is turned, it "clicks".

2. A laptop touchpad with either edge-scrolling or two-finger-scrolling enabled. When the finger is moved down the side of the touchpad (or two fingers are moved, anywhere), the page scrolls. There is no "click", or any other feedback.

Right now, both these types of scrolling (the discrete "clicks" of type 1, and the continuous motion of type 2) are handled the same way -- I'm on a laptop, and according to xev when I use two-finger scrolling on the touchpad, events are being sent for buttons 4, 5, 6, and 7. This "virtual button" metaphor / behavior doesn't make much sense, and the amount of motion required to trigger a press of the virtual scroll button is seemingly arbitrary.

Anyone on a laptop who would like to emulate what I believe is the "correct" behavior, can try clicking and holding on the scrollbar on the right side of the browser window. Now dragging the mouse cursor up and down will "smooth scroll" the window, in the sense that mouse movements correspond to pixel-accurate scrolling. My laptop is from 2005, does not have any 3d driver support, and is generally quite slow, yet this is not even remotely "laggy".

[...]

SUMMARY: My solution would be to have an option for scrolling which emulates dragging the scroll bar on devices which do not have a physical "scroll button". Mouses with "clicky wheels" could stay as-is.

1
votes

4
votes

Solution #4: Add natural and elastic-scroll option for both Mouse and Touchpad

Written by brk0_0 the 16 May 12 at 18:33.

Users may be frustated when coming from other systems (like tablets or even MacOS) with not having these options in the menus. Adding a checkbox for both these options in mouse and touchpad menus would solve this.

Natural-scroll:
When scrolling down with the touchpad (or mouse), the page go up. The racional is that you are moving the page down, so your view goes up. With the tradicional scroll you move your view, so, when going down in the touchpad your view goes down too.

Elastic-scroll:
Easy video explaining (on MacOS X Lion)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMKd5ZFFBwM

See the 23 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 27 Mar 12 at 13:01) >>

Online Ubuntu compatible - PC Hardware Store

Written by madjr the 6 Mar 08 at 17:49. Global category: Hardware support. Won't implement

An online Ubuntu PC hardware store is what people (aka "masses") need to fully make the jump to Ubuntu. Sell the hardware "known to work" (pre-installed Ubuntu computers and peripherals) and support those manufacturers who actually care about Linux compatibility.

when you purchase a Mac you know everything is compatible and everything you purchase at a APPLE STORE also is tested and works 100% with Mac OS.

but when you try Ubuntu on your own, there is always a risk that many of your hardware/peripherals may not work. The worst problem is YOU DON'T KNOW where to Purchase compatible hardware to FIX your problem.

If you can't fix your problem, then you are back once more in Windows... (be it a dialup modem, Usb modem, wireless card, bluetooth, printer, scanner, videocard, webcam, etc)

you always have the community to help + the guys at http://www.phoronix.com/ have always pitched in this area, but is not enough.

We need 100% Ubuntu compatible and tested hardware by canonical themselves to be sold online. Only sell what works (there is no need to test all the hardware in the world)

this would create a real market demand for "Linux compatible" hardware from manufacturers.

we can't support every piece of hardware like we have been doing, we need to support what WORKS NOW!

If this is implemented a few other good things will happen:

1- Less forums posts like these: "i can't get XXXX hardware to work, why doesn't it work! i got working hardware in windows or mac, ubuntu sucks blah blah"

[....]

765
votes

See the 35 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 19 Feb 12 at 03:52) >>

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