Written by choad the 20 Jan 09 at 21:08.

a dialogue should pop up similar to that of windows vista, asking if you want to

* keep existing display setup
* use both displays (duplicating the output at the highest common resolution)
* use both displays (side by side configuration)
* use only the external display (max resolution)

a dialogue should pop up similar to that of windows vista, asking if you want to * keep existing display setup * use both displays (duplicating the output at the highest common resolution) * use both displays (side by side configuration) * use only the external display (max resolution)

Written by tdomhan the 25 Jan 09 at 14:14.

-give gnome some love concerning multihead bugs. (e.g. programs opening on the wrong monitor)
-make the setup of an multihead environment dead easy, through the ubuntu configuration
-switching back and forth between single head and multihead should be flawless, especially for notebook users, e.g. when using the laptop monitor alone you should not have 4 gnome panels only because you used 2 on each monitor in an multihead setup

-give gnome some love concerning multihead bugs. (e.g. programs opening on the wrong monitor) -make the setup of an multihead environment dead easy, through the ubuntu configuration -switching back and forth between single head and multihead should be flawless, especially for notebook users, e.g. when using the laptop monitor alone you should not have 4 gnome panels only because you used 2 on each monitor in an multihead setup

Written by aay the 20 Mar 09 at 10:43.

Rationale: Having to reconfigure an external monitor (especially when it is the same monitor) every time it is connected is a productivity killer.

Proposed Solution: Implement some kind of monitor profile manager which remembers recently connected monitors and automatically applies the settings which were last used with those monitors.

Usage Example:

Christian takes his laptop between home and work. At each location he connects an external monitor to his laptop. Whenever he connects one of these monitors, the Ubuntu (or Gnome or whatever) monitor profile manager recognizes the monitor as one which he has recently used and applies the resolution settings which were last used.

Rationale: Having to reconfigure an external monitor (especially when it is the same monitor) every time it is connected is a productivity killer. Proposed Solution: Implement some kind of monitor profile manager which remembers recently connected monitors and automatically applies the settings which were last used with those monitors. Usage Example: Christian takes his laptop between home and work. At each location he connects an external monitor to his laptop. Whenever he connects one of these monitors, the Ubuntu (or Gnome or whatever) monitor profile manager recognizes the monitor as one which he has recently used and applies the resolution settings which were last used.

Written by Aloka the 13 May 09 at 21:44.

In addition to Solution #1, if "use both displays (side by side configuration)" is picked, the two displays should be combined into a non-rectangular desktop. This happens in windows, and i think it should be there in ubuntu as well.

Currently, the two screens are combined into a rectangle. But, if one screen is a different resolution than the other, you get strange behaviour like being able to move your mouse above or below the smaller resolution screen. This is not ideal.

In addition to Solution #1, if "use both displays (side by side configuration)" is picked, the two displays should be combined into a non-rectangular desktop. This happens in windows, and i think it should be there in ubuntu as well. Currently, the two screens are combined into a rectangle. But, if one screen is a different resolution than the other, you get strange behaviour like being able to move your mouse above or below the smaller resolution screen. This is not ideal.

Written by cherva the 22 Sep 09 at 20:54.

Work together with the X,Nvidia and Ati developers to implement the needing components in the X itself and in the Nvidia/Ati binary and open source drivers. So no need for logging in and out is necessary.

Work together with the X,Nvidia and Ati developers to implement the needing components in the X itself and in the Nvidia/Ati binary and open source drivers. So no need for logging in and out is necessary.

Written by baldurpet the 6 Nov 09 at 17:01.

Nautilus sometimes displays a small information bar at the top of the main pane, for example when the Ubuntu One folder or the CD/DVD creator is open. The bar includes small titbits like "Ubuntu One, file sharing" (along with a button that says "Connect") and "Drag or copy files below to write them to disc" respectively.

The idea was that when the user selects a folder (e.g. "/media") in the root directory the small bar would provide him with a terse explanation of what "/media" does; something like "Contains subdirectories which are used as mount points for removable media" as you can see on the following mock-ups (don't mind the spelling errors):



and for the /root directory:


and the /tmp directory:

Nautilus sometimes displays a small information bar at the top of the main pane, for example when the Ubuntu One folder or the CD/DVD creator is open. The bar includes small titbits like "Ubuntu One, file sharing" (along with a button that says "Connect") and "Drag or copy files below to write them to disc" respectively. The idea was that when the user selects a folder (e.g. "/media") in the root directory the small bar would provide him with a terse explanation of what "/media" does; something like "Contains subdirectories which are used as mount points for removable media" as you can see on the following mock-ups (don't mind the spelling errors): <a href="http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/8576/filesystemmockupmedia.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/8576/filesystemmockupmedia.png" width="100%" height="100%" alt="How this would be implemented when the /media directory is selected" /></a> and for the /root directory: <a href="http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/1096/filesystemmockuproot.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/1096/filesystemmockuproot.png" width="40%" height="40%" alt="How this would be implemented when the /root directory is selected" /></a> and the /tmp directory: <a href="http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/656/filesystemmockuptmp.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/656/filesystemmockuptmp.png" width="40%" height="40%" alt="How this would be implemented when the /tmp directory is selected" /></a> It could also add information on notable subdirectories such as /var/opt, /usr/bin, /etc/X11 etc. (basically all the directories in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filesystem_Hierarchy_Standard#Directory_structure">this table</a>)

Written by warlock24 the 8 Nov 09 at 08:38.

It should include lot of pictures and explanations for what each directory is used for.

Selecting any system dir and pressing F1 will bring up software center with this article.

It should include lot of pictures and explanations for what each directory is used for. Selecting any system dir and pressing F1 will bring up software center with this article.

Written by mikaelstaldal the 9 Nov 09 at 14:41.

Store the information about directories as Extended Attribute in the file system, and make Nautilus display it for any directory with this Extended Attribute.

Make some hard coded defaults like in Solution #1 if the Extended Attribute is not found.

Store the information about directories as Extended Attribute in the file system, and make Nautilus display it for any directory with this Extended Attribute. Make some hard coded defaults like in Solution #1 if the Extended Attribute is not found.

Written by norm7446 the 12 Nov 09 at 19:34.

Only folders that a normal user would want to look at eg: Home, Pictures, Music, etc are shown. All the others are hidden. Put a button on the menu bar that says " Show Hidden Folders" that when clicked on will show all hidden folders in the window below.

Only folders that a normal user would want to look at eg: Home, Pictures, Music, etc are shown. All the others are hidden. Put a button on the menu bar that says " Show Hidden Folders" that when clicked on will show all hidden folders in the window below.

Written by Mirek2 the 16 Nov 09 at 20:41.

After a few seconds of hovering over the icon, a tooltip describing the folder should show up.

After a few seconds of hovering over the icon, a tooltip describing the folder should show up.

Written by VDSA the 18 Nov 09 at 04:24.

Solution #1 would help a lot of new users. However, I propose (in addition to solution #1) a right click menu which could be brought up that has a 'hide this bar' option that hides the bar for alternatively, just that folder, or all folders in the system. That way, users who know what each folder does, can turn the bar off. This avoids the annoying ms windows effect that occurs when a new xp system is installed - for the millionth time, "I do NOT need a tour of windows xp!"

Solution #1 would help a lot of new users. However, I propose (in addition to solution #1) a right click menu which could be brought up that has a 'hide this bar' option that hides the bar for alternatively, just that folder, or all folders in the system. That way, users who know what each folder does, can turn the bar off. This avoids the annoying ms windows effect that occurs when a new xp system is installed - for the millionth time, "I do NOT need a tour of windows xp!"

Written by cudjoe the 1 Aug 08 at 12:24.

Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #11707 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

<i>Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #11707 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution.</i><br /> Thanks!

Written by luisjeronimo the 27 Oct 09 at 11:46.

Some can think this is silly, but i think it would be a good solution, that Ubuntu make a new notification area fully costumisable and it should be very intuitive, like you could pass all the icons with one click only.

Some can think this is silly, but i think it would be a good solution, that Ubuntu make a new notification area fully costumisable and it should be very intuitive, like you could pass all the icons with one click only.

Written by Breakable the 2 Nov 09 at 20:54.

I like button style more than changing icon background. And it should require less testing for the icons.

I like button style more than changing icon background. And it should require less testing for the icons.

Written by rrnwexec the 5 Nov 09 at 23:31.

The Ayatana project is an effort to make Ubuntu more "human". This thread is a perfect candidate for inclusion. Can someone from the team adopt/nominate it, or can someone here track down an Ayatana member and have them participate in the discussion?

The Ayatana project is an effort to make Ubuntu more "human". This thread is a perfect candidate for inclusion. Can someone from the team adopt/nominate it, or can someone here track down an Ayatana member and have them participate in the discussion?

Written by jyaan the 14 Nov 09 at 11:28.

I propose that we settle on one of the styles for a default, but make a GConf key so that it can be changed (without needing to clutter GNOME's settings with more sections). Many GNOME apps use GConf, so this is the standard way to access 'advanced' settings.

I propose that we settle on one of the styles for a default, but make a GConf key so that it can be changed (without needing to clutter GNOME's settings with more sections). Many GNOME apps use GConf, so this is the standard way to access 'advanced' settings.

Written by cudjoe the 9 Mar 08 at 00:26.

Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #3933 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

<i>Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #3933 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution.</i><br /> Thanks!

Written by Stebalien the 18 Oct 09 at 21:06.

The software center needs comments, a most popular application category, and an app of the day link.

It could also be integrated with a laconi.ca server where people could comment on favorite applications from within the software center.

This would greatly help new users find useful Open Source Software.

The software center needs comments, a most popular application category, and an app of the day link. It could also be integrated with a laconi.ca server where people could comment on favorite applications from within the software center. This would greatly help new users find useful Open Source Software.

Written by Stebalien the 18 Oct 09 at 21:10.

The Software Center should be integrated into launchpad and the Ubuntu Forums.
A program would have a list of known (confirmed) bugs attached to it.

The Software Center should be integrated into launchpad and the Ubuntu Forums. A program would have a list of known (confirmed) bugs attached to it.

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.

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.

Written by Shady3D the 19 Oct 09 at 13:41.

allow users to have profile, so the system know what packages i installed and if i install my system from scratch for any reason, it can be easier to install my applications again.

but also allow multiple profiles for one user, so if i have a PC and a laptop, it won't mix both.

allow users to have profile, so the system know what packages i installed and if i install my system from scratch for any reason, it can be easier to install my applications again. but also allow multiple profiles for one user, so if i have a PC and a laptop, it won't mix both.

Written by snostorm the 23 Oct 09 at 21:48.

For each program, create a wiki-like page that describes the function of the program and any known major issues with it. Logged-in users could edit it right in the Software Center, or through a web browser.

For each program, create a wiki-like page that describes the function of the program and any known major issues with it. Logged-in users could edit it right in the Software Center, or through a web browser.

Written by snostorm the 23 Oct 09 at 22:36.

Allow people to create collections of useful programs. Entire collections could be installed with one click, or browsed and installed one-by-one. Display order could be determined by having users vote on the usefulness of collection.

Allow people to create collections of useful programs. Entire collections could be installed with one click, or browsed and installed one-by-one. Display order could be determined by having users vote on the usefulness of collection.

Written by la_serpe the 25 Oct 09 at 10:27.

Add information about application size (in MB)

Add information about application size (in MB)

Written by The_Great_Bunghole the 27 Oct 09 at 22:40.

Application size, Star-rating system, bug warnings & socialized environment. All of these would be great solutions, but if you integrate all of them in some way, it could make for a very informative way of choosing and installing applications, whilst being able to voice your opinion (rating system & comments).

Application size, Star-rating system, bug warnings & socialized environment. All of these would be great solutions, but if you integrate all of them in some way, it could make for a very informative way of choosing and installing applications, whilst being able to voice your opinion (rating system & comments).

Written by Lachu the 29 Oct 09 at 18:21.

Just giving each program a forum, accessible via software center and application itselves.

Just giving each program a forum, accessible via software center and application itselves.

Written by thehosh the 2 Nov 09 at 02:04.

When wanting to install multiple applications, you have install that one, and then go back to install the next one.. sometimes you might want to install multiple ones with just one click, add a button "Add to basket" and then batch install them all..

When wanting to install multiple applications, you have install that one, and then go back to install the next one.. sometimes you might want to install multiple ones with just one click, add a button "Add to basket" and then batch install them all..

Written by la_serpe the 2 Nov 09 at 17:48.

Allow user to to choose which applications should be updated. My idea is to do it by adding a check-box to installed applications menu. Update Manager would then search only for updates of applications an user really wants to update.

Allow user to to choose which applications should be updated. My idea is to do it by adding a check-box to installed applications menu. Update Manager would then search only for updates of applications an user really wants to update.

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)

- 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)

Written by snostorm the 5 Nov 09 at 18:46.

There's no way every single one of these solutions is going to make it into the future software center. By adding a plugin system, third-party developers will be able to implement solutions that don't make it into the standard software center.

There's no way every single one of these solutions is going to make it into the future software center. By adding a plugin system, third-party developers will be able to implement solutions that don't make it into the standard software center.

Written by delphiexile the 5 Nov 09 at 21:23.

A check box box near the program must be added to simplify installing more than one program at same time.

A check box box near the program must be added to simplify installing more than one program at same time.

Written by heru.htl the 6 Nov 09 at 17:57.

Some applications like Quanta has unavailable plugin (in Quanta case, Gubed is very important plugin but it's unavailable), another example is Pitivi. Regarding this matter, users sometime think this is lack of development.
This is just a suggestion, avoid such application with unavailable plugin, especially if such unavailable plugin is something essential for current application function.

Some applications like Quanta has unavailable plugin (in Quanta case, Gubed is very important plugin but it's unavailable), another example is Pitivi. Regarding this matter, users sometime think this is lack of development. This is just a suggestion, avoid such application with unavailable plugin, especially if such unavailable plugin is something essential for current application function.

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.

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.

Written by Gusiluz the 9 Nov 09 at 12:30.

Show application version (stable). Possibility to show & install latest unstable version (warning message).

Show application version (stable). Possibility to show & install latest unstable version (warning message).

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.

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.

Written by Gusiluz the 11 Nov 09 at 22:06.

And shows where the launcher can be found in the menu, since that's not always obvious, such as "Emerald Theme Manager installed. ->System/Preferences"

And shows where the launcher can be found in the menu, since that's not always obvious, such as "Emerald Theme Manager installed. ->System/Preferences"

Written by Tuxoid the 12 Nov 09 at 22:50.

Say, for example, lots of people downloading the gimp also get inkscape and blender. It would be nice to see such anonymous suggestions.

Say, for example, lots of people downloading the gimp also get inkscape and blender. It would be nice to see such anonymous suggestions.

Written by mike.thorton the 19 Oct 09 at 15:03.

The simplest solution is probably to implement the fedora's one:

http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Features/Fingerprint

The simplest solution is probably to implement the fedora's one: http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Features/Fingerprint

Written by xfuser4 the 19 Oct 09 at 17:25.

Biometric sensors are known to have potential security risks (see comment).

When enabling finger print readers, the user should be informed about it.

Biometric sensors are known to have potential security risks (see comment). When enabling finger print readers, the user should be informed about it.

Written by Jaksco the 30 Oct 09 at 20:49.

Make it a package file installable like an app.

Make it a package file installable like an app.

Written by Jon Monreal the 5 Nov 09 at 13:35.

Based on the comments about security risks, it seems like this should naturally be an option.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authentication#History_and_state-of-the-art : "Hybrid or two-tiered authentication methods offer a compelling solution." Fingerprints can be swiped and used and there are plenty of methods for getting a password (peeking, social engineering, brute force, etc.); getting both would likely prove to be more difficult.

At any rate, a fingerprint on top of a normal password would definitely stop a casual snooper.

Based on the comments about security risks, it seems like this should naturally be an option. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authentication#History_and_state-of-the-art : "Hybrid or two-tiered authentication methods offer a compelling solution." Fingerprints can be swiped and used and there are plenty of methods for getting a password (peeking, social engineering, brute force, etc.); getting both would likely prove to be more difficult. At any rate, a fingerprint on top of a normal password would definitely stop a casual snooper.

Written by daddo the 8 Nov 09 at 21:43.

Show live the fingerprint reader output graphically and let the users to decide, is it secure enough or not.

At the moment, users don't realize at which quality are their fingerprints captured. Show it them!

It could be also solution for showing how good is the the fingerprint reader which is in use.

Show live the fingerprint reader output graphically and let the users to decide, is it secure enough or not. At the moment, users don't realize at which quality are their fingerprints captured. Show it them! It could be also solution for showing how good is the the fingerprint reader which is in use.

Written by snkaniff the 1 Nov 09 at 21:08.

Provide a manager for upstart similar to System-Administration->Services in Jaunty.

Provide a manager for upstart similar to System-Administration->Services in Jaunty.

Written by xeniac the 25 Oct 09 at 10:35.

For each User the standard clock-applet could show an explanation mark when the time has been changed to DST, or back.
Mockup: http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/1816843/DST-statusbar.png

If the user expands the clock-applet he sees an additional Message explaining to him that the clock has been set forward/backward, and why this had happend.
Mockup: http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/1816843/DST-Clock.png

This notification stay for each user the whole day, or as long as he clicked on the applet to see the message.

For each User the standard clock-applet could show an explanation mark when the time has been changed to DST, or back. Mockup: http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/1816843/DST-statusbar.png If the user expands the clock-applet he sees an additional Message explaining to him that the clock has been set forward/backward, and why this had happend. Mockup: http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/1816843/DST-Clock.png This notification stay for each user the whole day, or as long as he clicked on the applet to see the message.

Written by Ssdg the 25 Oct 09 at 22:58.

I understand xeniac... but I'm part of the people who don't really bother this (especially because I'm not working on sunday, nor praying in the morning) but I understand it's easy to forget switching to winter's time and miss apointments.

So make it enabled by default and allow people to easily turn it off.

I understand xeniac... but I'm part of the people who don't really bother this (especially because I'm not working on sunday, nor praying in the morning) but I understand it's easy to forget switching to winter's time and miss apointments. So make it enabled by default and allow people to easily turn it off.

Written by Elkimo the 1 Nov 09 at 18:17.

The user only needs to be informed once, so one notification on startup should be enough, this will keep the panel clean (no explanation mark you have to click before it goes away), and will be as unobstructive as possible.

The user only needs to be informed once, so one notification on startup should be enough, this will keep the panel clean (no explanation mark you have to click before it goes away), and will be as unobstructive as possible.

Written by tenchi39 the 5 Nov 09 at 19:03.

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