Contributor Warbo - Ubuntu brainstorm

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

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Contributor Warbo

Brainstorm: Code idea text to be black, not default

Written by Warbo the 26 Apr 08 at 13:29. Related project: brainstorm.ubuntu.com. Implemented

On the Brainstorm site a lot of text is set to the default system colour, but the backgrounds are coded to be light colours like white. For people who have light text by default (eg. white-on-black themes) this can make the site unreadable without selecting all of the text.

Here is an example of what Brainstorm looks like using my theme http://www.freewebs.com/chriswarbo/Temporary/Pictures/brainstorm%2Dunreadable.j pg [take away the space near the end,Brainstorm is mutilating my URLs :( ] (but this theme is has dark text compared to others)

Please fix this by specifically coding the site to use black text, rather than assuming everyone uses black as default.

Thanks :)

16
votes

See the 6 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 15 May 12 at 07:07) >>

People buying a preinstalled computer with Ubuntu are a bit lost

Written by risbac the 15 Jan 09 at 13:04. Global category: Usability. Won't implement

Look at this story: http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9667184

With Ubuntu being now available from vendors like Dell, it's quite obvious that some people absolutely NOT familiar with Linux but very familiar with Windows will buy computers with Ubuntu and will try to do things the same way they were always used to do. And of course it fails, and they feel frustrated.

865
votes

Solution #1: Show an introduction at first boot on preinstalled computers

Written by risbac the 15 Jan 09 at 13:04.

I think that when it comes bundled on computers like Dell's ones, there should be some kind of introduction on the desktop the first time you boot the computer. Some kind of "Coming from Windows? Learn how to do the same in Ubuntu".

Then it should explain the biggest differences:

-Openoffice is compatible with Word, you can save docs using Office format
-you don't use Windows softwares or CDs anymore
-you don't download & install softwares from internet like on Windows,
but use the built-in software (and you give more details and
advantages)
-you don't need to install the drivers and crap softwares from
hardware vendors just to access internet or install a printer
-etc... etc...

As usually, to have good ideas is great, but if you don't promote them the good way, it's just useless. Maybe Canonical should consider that and work with Dell to make sure the transition is easier. That would benefit both to Dell and to Canonical. Currently new users are a bit
left in the mist. I agree that it's possible to find this info, but you have to look for it. I think it should be displayed on the desktop, when you boot for the first time.

368
votes

Solution #2: As #1 but wider reaching

Written by Oli the 15 Jan 09 at 15:05.

While I think there should be a full tour for new users, I think it can be made better for more than just Dell/other-preinstall customers.

I thinking a full "support centre" where users can learn how to do things, and to an extent, automate certain initial-setup tasks.

One example would be networking. Give the user tasks based on what hardware is available. If they ask for wireless networking, check to see if the driver is working. If it's not, get ndiswrapper set up. Finalise by walking them through the network manager applet.

Similar things for printers, scanners, phones, alternative software, Wine, codecs, etc.

The most important thing (in my eyes) would be some form of IRC integration. There are hundreds of people in #ubuntu that can help so why not leverage it better?

The interface has to be simple. I'm thinking the user initially just sees a text box asking them what's wrong. They type their question, click a button. Behind the scenes, it connects to IRC as guest-3423483. We all hide that from the user. When somebody replies to them (prefixing their name) that message gets shown to the user.

385
votes

Solution #4: Vendors should clearly specify that this computer uses Ubuntu

Written by Primož Papič the 16 Jan 09 at 00:26.

eugene2k has provided an interesting story: http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9667184 now it dosen't say how well specified that the computer uses Ubuntu instead of Windows, but I guess not enough as this probably wouldn't happen if it would.
So Canonical should demand that vendors specify and educate users that the computer that they are buying has Ubuntu instead of Windows.
And that vendors should provide informations that are presented in solution #1.

185
votes

Solution #5: Seamless File-Format Integration

Written by tchalvakspam the 23 Jan 09 at 18:29.

File-format issues should be cleared up as the attempted use occurs, not in text that the user may never read or connect to the actions that they do later, so:

First attempted use of an exe file should point at Add/Remove Software as a better solution, and then offer to install Wine.

Opening a .doc file in open office should result in defaulting to saving in .doc format, and OOo already provides an explanatory "microsoft format document files aren't very open, are you sure you want to save in that format" message.

89
votes

Solution #6: Slight menu re-branding: "Add/Remove..." -> "Get Software"

Written by tchalvakspam the 23 Jan 09 at 18:40.

The "Add/Remove Software" concept has been polluted by windows' horrible non-open-repository methods of dealing with installation.
In windows, Add/Remove Software effectively means: YOU-CAN-ONLY-REMOVE-SOFTWARE-HERE.
In ubuntu, Add/Remove Software effectively means: YOU-CAN-ADD-99999-DIFFERENT-APPLICATIONS-HERE. (Personally I rarely if ever bother to even uninstall software, since there is rarely any disadvantage to having it lying around dormant, a major contrast with Windows).

The ability to add free applications in a few clicks is the BIGGEST advantage of Ubuntu, but it is under-emphasized and under-promoted.

Making this ability a more obvious and clearly different-from-windows feature of Ubuntu would be an all-around win.

87
votes

Solution #7: More documentation and help system like Windows Vista

Written by JoeLeKiffeur the 29 Jan 09 at 01:51.

(My English level is not very good)

1) Many beginners in the world of GNU/Linux think Ubuntu is not difficult to understand the GUI, but can be lost by a lack of documentation. I note that there are too much GUI softwares doesn't have help, or haven't the famous F1 shortcut.

2) Windows Vista have a great search feature in documentation pages. This feature can search documentation in all pages of all softwares I think. We can't waste our time with this help system.

3) A general tutorial icon in the desktop could be a good solution because beginners could find many informations about how works the system, and how to be helped offline (Linuxian must be easily helped despite internet connexions problems).

49
votes

Solution #8: Package, compress and install a snapshot of the Help wiki

Written by Warbo the 29 Jan 09 at 22:12.

The Ubuntu help wiki (help.ubuntu.com and help.ubuntu.com/community) is a great resource for help.

Whilst forums and IRC are good for specific issues, they're not too good as a reference since you need to wade through everyone else's specific problems, and often don't find much reference-style documentation.

The Help Wiki is organised and categorised, constantly being updated and is an informative resource about the Ubuntu system.

I was tempted to say that only the networking pages should be packaged, to help people get online and access the rest, but that's rather elitist since not everyone has Internet access.

To keep size down only the latest revision is needed, only pages applying to default setups and common needs (ie. keep restricted formats installation instructions, don't need Enemy Territory installation instructions), only a static format is needed (ie. no Wiki software) and only those applying to the release of Ubuntu they're packaged for are needed. This should be a reasonable size when compressed with 7zip.

-104
votes

-120
votes

Solution #10: Stop dumbing down the user. Show under the hood as soon as possible.

Written by gcbzzzz the 4 Feb 09 at 02:05.

Teaching the user that linux you can't break anything like windows (flashing registry edit warnings), and it's all just a bunch of simple text files, will make more good then an introduction that 110% of the experienced users will just curse to death every time.

Makes every GUI app tells what it's doing. Or at least put help button near the action that tells how/what it's doing.

Something like gparted does with file/device names and commands would be awesome.

E.g. network manager, it should at least mention that when you add a interface there, you are adding a couple of lines to /etc/network/interfaces. Who here knows that? I only know because i used older distros. The point is, if the user wants to do something that does not have a visible button, he will panic. knowing the files help him search online.

68
votes

Solution #11: Find supported hardware utility.

Written by nloewen the 11 Feb 09 at 23:47.

As part of the solution, there should be a utility were a user can search for different hardware that they are thinking about buying. with different categories for printers, scanners, wireless cards, etc. It should tell the user weather the hardware will be automatically detected, needs to be set up, needs some form of windows driver, needs a driver available from the manufacturers web sight, is not supported, etc. and should give instructions on how to set it up. This would be extremely helpful for the new user who doesn't know what hardware to buy or how to set it up in ubuntu.

29
votes

Solution #12: Add a choice to start it then or later, and have it start on next boot

Written by PC Expert 001 the 13 Feb 09 at 14:35.

Because of all the old computers out there, some people are repairing them to make a small profit. Because they can't spend $100s on Windows, as well as the compatibility issues with older systems, they look at Ubuntu to run them.

Because it is a good idea to test the computers, you need to be able to boot into the OS. But, because of an introduction, it would also have run and not played, so there should be an option that you can tell it to run the introduction on the next boot from in the OS.

38
votes

Solution #13: Focus on high-quality: Have essential offline help & an interface to online/wiki

Written by jamessnell the 13 Feb 09 at 17:27.

There should be a basic integrated/offline tour feature intended to get users online & browsing.

Beyond that, there should be an interface/hooks in to the already well-established online documentation & user forms.

High-value documents need to be prioritised so the user has to dig deep to be exposed to untested or really convoluted solutions/instructions.

21
votes

1
votes

Solution #15: Tell the user directly that Ubuntu is better than Windows

Written by shane.halloran the 17 Feb 10 at 20:47.

I know it may sound too simple, but directly saying at the start of any tutorial "Ubuntu is better than Windows, here's why...", and then stating very clearly why, would be an effective approach to reducing the number of users switching-back to Windows.

Of course, factors such as security, speed, etc are mentioned.

See the 29 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 19 Feb 12 at 03:36) >>

There is no way to install 32bit software on a 64bit ubuntu

Written by eugene2k the 15 Jan 09 at 13:30. Global category: Usability. Implemented

Some software doesn't have 64bit packages, or it's rather hard to get those. For example just to install skype on a 64bit ubuntu system, the user must go through a guide on how to add medibuntu to the list of repositories, or download a version of skype that doesn't require installing. Other software has only been packaged for 32bit systems.

71
votes

4
votes

Selected solution (#2): Put architectures in a generic graph, like package dependencies

Written by Warbo the 17 Jan 09 at 07:49.

I'm not a fan of special-cases, so I thought about making this more generic, and applicable to other situations. I propose that architectures can declare support for each other, for example amd64 can support i386, i686, etc. which implements the above solution, allowing its own packages as well as its supported packages to be installed.

It could also be applied to other situations, like Loongson 3 MIPS processors from China which also support x86 code. In this case a new architecture loongson3 could be made which supports mips and i386.

This would be built into dpkg and apt.

Very little mirror overhead would be needed, since such architectures wouldn't need their own packages, they could use any which they support (which are already sitting on the mirrors as I write this).

Perhaps there should be a priority, for example with loongson3 it would be better to have mips than i386, but this could simply be done by having them in a config file, and checking each one listed in turn until a match is found, and putting mips ahead of i386.

See the 8 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 6 Jan 12 at 19:55) >>

The places drop down menu is difficult to customize

Written by bbordwell the 15 Nov 09 at 21:58. Related project: Gnome. New

Customized drop down menus such as "places" would greatly enhance usability.

-90
votes

265
votes

Solution #2: Use Alacarte

Written by biffen the 15 Nov 09 at 22:45.

Alacarte is used to edit Applications and System menus, it should be extended to edit the Places menu as well.

Adding a "Places preferences" item to the Places menu (as proposed in solution #1) would crowd the menu itself. Editing the menu is a rare task and should be accessible by right click, rather than via a menu item, as with most other parts of Gnome and many other environments.

On a side note, the ability to choose whether the bookmarks go into a sub menu should be part of the customisation.

138
votes

Solution #3: Drag 'n' Drop to add things to Places

Written by Warbo the 20 Nov 09 at 09:59.

If a folder or bookmark is dragged on to the Places menu it should drop down to allow the user to drop it somewhere in the list. There could also be an item such as "New Folder" which appears in the list when in the process of dragging, allowing a hierarchy, which would prompt the user to rename it once they've dropped their item.

Dragging a Nautilus window should do the same, with the window's current location being added to the menu. Browser windows and hyperlinks should also have the same behaviour (there should be no distinction between local and online). Basically treat Places as a bookmarks system (which preferably would give the same lists in every application)

13
votes

1
votes

See the 5 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 13 Dec 11 at 07:12) >>

Expand GNOME applets

Written by ilembitov the 5 Jul 08 at 23:29. Global category: Look and Feel. Not an idea

1. Support Google Desktop Gadgets and Apple widgets (probably, Vista widgets, too)
2. Make a repository of applets with easy access to it (outside of Synaptics, although all changes should also be undoable from Synaptics)
3. Support embedding a web-site in an applet (like Mozilla Prism or Adobe AIR)
4. Promote writing custom applets for GNOME - through the separate repository I've mentioned, and tutorials (Python will do)

36
votes

1
votes

Solution #2: Make Plasma a preference

Written by Warbo the 21 Jan 09 at 22:36.

All of the above points are already solved with Plasma (the KDE panel/desktop/widget system). Plasma can be run inside Gnome very easily with the command "plasma" (as long as it's installed of course), thus I propose that the option to use Plasma to manage the desktop be added to one of the Preference tools in Gnome if Plasma is detected on the system.

Selecting the option would turn off Nautilus's handling of the desktop and instead use Plasma. If no current plasma configuration is detected then a configuration that matches the previous Nautilus setup as closely as possible should be generated (same background, maybe use FolderView as the default containment, etc.)

See the 2 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 28 Aug 11 at 14:30) >>

Include FULL Etoile packages

Written by Warbo the 11 Sep 08 at 07:46. Global category: System. Not an idea

Etoile ( http://etoileos.com/ ) is a desktop and a set of libraries based on GNUstep (GNUStep is already packaged in Ubuntu). The idea is that different tasks are handled by different Services, with interfaces allowing them to interact and build complete applications. Think of Etoile being to GNUstep what OSX is to NEXTstep, a bit.

As a desktop it is nice to play with, and would be comfortable for people switching from Mac. The applications built for Etoile and GNUstep cover the basics, like IM, email, news, text editors, file managers, etc. but there are a lot of gaps which would benefit from more exposure and more developers.

The development being done is very cool, with recent activity such as a Just In Time compiler for Smalltalk (based on LLVM), allowing application development in Smalltalk with transparent access to all of Etoile's Objective C components (rather than being stuck in a Smalltalk-only world like Squeak).

At the moment there is an Ubuntu-based live CD of Etoile (here are some screenshots http://news.softpedia.com/news/Etoile-Live-CD-48502.shtml ). However this contains an old prerelease version of Etoile 0.2 from February 2007 (as far as I can tell). It includes a complete Etoile desktop on top of GNUstep on top of Ubuntu.

Ubuntu currently has a source package for etoile, but it only builds into Camaelon (a theming tool) DictionaryReader and WildMenus (which is a dummy package).

Getting an up-to-date version of the whole Etoile system means checking it all out of subversion and compiling. The etoile developers are not making packages for any systems at the moment, but they say they would be happy to help packagers with any problems they encounter.

The issue being raised in this rationale is that the innovative Etoile system and desktop, while packaged, are not being made available to users other than two applications mentioned above.

[....]

23
votes

See the 7 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 27 Aug 11 at 18:27) >>

Dynamic emblems for icons

Written by Warbo the 1 Jul 08 at 17:48. Related project: Gnome. New

There is a lot going on at the same time in an Ubuntu system, and it is desirable to get access to a lot of information about this very quickly and very easily. A big problem in trying this, however, is that in order to get the desired information on screen it is often necessary to display a lot of confusing information at a time, or else display less stuff but have a greater risk of missing what the user wanted. This requires contextual information (ie. information relevant to whatever the user is doing), and an understandable way to represent it.

387
votes

Solution #1: More dynamic emblems for icons

Written by Warbo the 1 Jul 08 at 17:48.

emblems on icons give hints to the user about files and folders, however these mainly have to be added manually. Examples of more dynamic emblems are the read-only and symbolic link emblems.

I propose that more icon emblems be made which are dynamically allocated. These could even be animated and programmatically updated. Emblems could indicate things like:

* this file is being downloaded (with progress bar)
* this file has an unsaved version open
* this file is being accessed by another user
* this device is unsafe to remove
* this device is safe to remove
* a device's free space (as a progress bar)
* this version controlled folder can be updated
and so on

Applications could even add and update emblems on their own icons. For example:

* email programs could show an unread message count
* news programs could show an unread story count
* messaging programs could show a status icon
* messaging programs could show an unread message counter

[...]

* networked applications could show when they're disconnected
* editing programs could show if there are documents to be recovered
* downloading/transferring programs (like BitTorrent) could show a progress bar (or bars)

I would not go as far as allowing interactive elements (like play/next/etc. buttons on a music player) since these would interfere with the icon's main function, plus such things are more like full-blown applets/widgets/screenlets.

A nice benefit of this approach would be the ability to display a large amount of information completely in context (ie. only the information relevant to the displayed icons will be shown)

This could be accomplished using completely animated icons, but the stackable quality of emblems would be more desirable and would require less effort.

Aside from being very useful and incredibly cool, this could offer applications an alternative to abusing the notification area with perpetual icons. Instead they can add functionality to any of their panel launchers. The advantages would be that the icon will be there even if the application is closed, users can move around each icon individually and that the panel already has all of the infrastructure for adding and removing icons, taking that responsibility away from the applications.

PS: Extra special points for doing it in a standardised way for potential cross-platform/desktopness :)

emblems on icons give hints to the user about files and folders, however these mainly have to be added manually. Examples of more dynamic emblems are the read-only and symbolic link emblems.

I propose that more icon emblems be made which are dynamically allocated. These could even be animated and programmatically updated. Emblems could indicate things like:

* this file is being downloaded (with progress bar)
* this file has an unsaved version open
* this file is being accessed by another user
* this device is unsafe to remove
* this device is safe to remove
* a device's free space (as a progress bar)
* this version controlled folder can be updated
and so on

Applications could even add and update emblems on their own icons. For example:

* email programs could show an unread message count
* news programs could show an unread story count
* messaging programs could show a status icon
* messaging programs could show an unread message counter
* networked applications could show when they're disconnected
* editing programs could show if there are documents to be recovered
* downloading/transferring programs (like BitTorrent) could show a progress bar (or bars)

I would not go as far as allowing interactive elements (like play/next/etc. buttons on a music player) since these would interfere with the icon's main function, plus such things are more like full-blown applets/widgets/screenlets.

A nice benefit of this approach would be the ability to display a large amount of information completely in context (ie. only the information relevant to the displayed icons will be shown)

This could be accomplished using completely animated icons, but the stackable quality of emblems would be more desirable and would require less effort.

Aside from being very useful and incredibly cool, this could offer applications an alternative to abusing the notification area with perpetual icons. Instead they can add functionality to any of their panel launchers. The advantages would be that the icon will be there even if the application is closed, users can move around each icon individually and that the panel already has all of the infrastructure for adding and removing icons, taking that responsibility away from the applications.

PS: Extra special points for doing it in a standardised way for potential cross-platform/desktopness :)

See the 14 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 22 Mar 11 at 04:07) >>

Drag 'n' drop to Nautilus breadcrumbs

Written by Warbo the 5 Apr 08 at 11:29. Related project: Gnome. Implemented

Drag 'n' drop is in a bit of a state at the moment. There are many relatively small additions which would make life that bit nicer, things which would intuitively seem possible but which aren't implemented.

Solutions should highlight which obvious-seeming drag 'n' drop actions should be implemented.

222
votes

Selected solution (#1): Make the 'breadcrumb' bar of Nautilus DnD aware

Written by Warbo the 5 Apr 08 at 11:29.

The "breadcrumb" part of Nautilus (the string of buttons showing the folders above the current one) should have drag 'n' drop support, so that dragging files over them for a certain time changes the current folder view to that place.

For example, wanting to move files from a folder /home/user/Downloads to /home/user/Music would involve navigating to /home/user/Downloads, selecting the desired files, dragging them over the breadcrumb button for user's Home folder, which then navigates to that folder, where the files can be dropped over the Music folder.

As for what happens afterwards, either the original folder is shown again (Downloads in the example), or the Home folder is left, with the original folder available through the breadcrumbs.

See the 2 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 21 Mar 11 at 15:56) >>

Each taskbar item should be coloured differently

Written by graingert the 26 Jan 09 at 22:23. Related project: Gnome. Implemented

The taskbar/window list items should be coloured differently in the gnome panel. See colorful tabs and *cough* windows 7 *cough* because "It is often difficult to tell at a glance, what tabs are for for what programs in the gnome panel."

"A Free Software library out there - (may be abandoned) which automatically generates complementing colours so you can say "give me a red background for this colour writing" and it will work out the best shade of red to use - should be developed and integrated."

The effect should definitely be an option "disabled by default".

-6
votes

-7
votes

10
votes

Selected solution (#4): Vary intensity based on activity

Written by Warbo the 29 Jan 09 at 02:11.

For this to be a useful feature I propose that more saturated shades, of the average colour chosen, are used for windows accessed recently, which either desaturate over time, when more windows are selected, or both.

Notifications can still make windows flash (like they currently do) so this would not disrupt current features.

1
votes

See the 4 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 19 Jan 11 at 13:30) >>

Easier Software Source Adding

Written by Prominence the 14 Jan 09 at 22:45. Related project: Synaptic package manager. New

Alright, the concept of adding Software Channels to Ubuntu is great, and very innovative, but not very easy to do. So as an idea to simplify this, and also to take advantage of Ubuntu's easy and fast software installation. It's all in the idea solution really.

-14
votes

Solution #1: Software Source Button

Written by Prominence the 14 Jan 09 at 22:45.

Ok, I realised that you could add Software sources and that'll support updates and add the place's software to the package manager, well, my idea is to get a button a website that is an Ubuntu supporter and has software for the OS.

So to add their stuff to the package manager and get them as a software resource, you click the button, and it'll add it to the Software Sources (maybe with the password entry for safety) and then it'll reload, and check for updates and whatnot.

It'll be simple, click the button, enter the password, that's it, and then you could go into Add/Remove or the Synaptic Package manager and get the software. Easy.

It'll be a complete new innovation, and also advertise Ubuntu.

Additional thought: Maybe once the software source is added, there could be a option to view the software that is available from the source.

Also will get rid of command lines, and some not-so-user friendly stuff. Also might want to look into a more Visual, Straight Forward Source manager.

30
votes

Solution #2: Use Apturl

Written by tgm4883 the 15 Jan 09 at 01:51.

Using Apturl, one could package their repo location in a file that would be placed at /etc/apt/sources.list.d/repo-name.list

This would make adding repos/PPA's easier as it would be a single click from a website, would require sudo priviledges, and would make the newly added repo removable via apt-get, synaptic, etc. This will automaticaly import the keys nessecery.

10
votes

Solution #3: Use regular package files which will open with GDebi

Written by Warbo the 15 Jan 09 at 07:55.

Packages can be linked to which add APT sources (determined automatically by the package's install scripts), GPG keys, etc. These will open with GDebi by default, whilst people without a browser/download client with apturl support can still access them and open with GDebi.

Fewer redundant protocols/implementations, more use of packages ;)

2
votes

See the 1 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 14 May 10 at 15:00) >>

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