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Contributor deejross

Unmount resolution  
Written by Vivien the 28 Feb 08 at 16:35. Global category: System. Not an idea
When someone wants to unmount a volume and the mount point is used, he gets a message telling him that the volume can't be unmounted because an application uses it. The user has no idea which application is actually using it and can't remove the device.

I propose that the popup tells him which application(s) is(are) using the device and propose to terminate them (that list should be kept up to date when the app. dies).

Developer comments
Upstream bug (GNOME #528559) has a patch in discussion. Volunteering to work on it.
4881
votes
closed
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #72
Written by Vivien the 28 Feb 08 at 16:35.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #72 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!
35
votes
closed
Solution #2: Unmount timer
Written by Aphoxema the 23 Sep 08 at 15:26.
Since mounting and unmounting a filesystem over and over again is less hazardous than removing an unmounted filesystem, wouldn't it be as simple as having USB devices unmount automatically after so many minutes without use?

Unmounting any USB drives after, say, 5 minutes without use (by default that is, the option to change it should be available somewhere) would make accidental unplugging less of a risk. It would protect the user, it wouldn't make it all that difficult to mount the filesystem again when it was needed, and it's just damn easy to implement.

See the 42 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 31 Jul 11 at 01:37) >>

ubuntu-restricted-extras is essential for many users  
Written by mankelin the 14 Jul 09 at 21:27. Related project: Live CD installer. Implemented
The ubuntu-restricted-extras metapackage includes a JRE, Adobe Flash and various video/audio codecs, among other things. These components are not installed by default due to possible legal problems.

However, for many, if not most desktop users, these componentes are essential and thus they install this metapackage right after the Ubuntu installation, if they know about it. New users don't, and this is bad for the initial user experience. For the more experienced users, having to install it manually feels like a chore.
669
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Offer the user the choice to install the package
Written by mankelin the 14 Jul 09 at 21:27.
Directly after installation, or after first boot, pop up a dialog asking the user whether he/she wants to install the package (in an appropriate way).
It should be worded so that a lay person can understand the benefits, e.g. something like:

"Do you want to install optional support for various audio/video formats and web plugins? Without installing this, you might have problems playing back audio or video files and certain web sites will not work correctly."

The dialog should offer simple "Yes" and "No" buttons. If the user chooses "Yes", the meta package and its dependencies should be downloaded and installed. If the user chooses "No", he should be reminded that he/she can later install the "ubuntu-restricted-extras" package with Synaptic, should he/she decide otherwise.
-149
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#2): Add apturl to a "Start Here" icon on desktop
Written by Clorox the 20 Jul 09 at 02:55.
Add a sentence and a link to "apt:ubuntu-restricted-extras?refresh=yep" to Solution #2 of http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/8074/.

The solution there is for introduction to Ubuntu by an icon on the desktop that loads a simple HTML window, with simple introductory things such as how to install packages.
-178
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#3): Have it undercover, but ask to delete or keep it
Written by Afroman10496 the 22 Jul 09 at 01:40.
Keep it in the /tmp directory, and when one opens an mp3 file or tries to view flash, ask if they want to keep it or delete it. If they answer yes, show them the legal stuff and if they agree to it, and install it in the directories for a regular installation. If they answer no, tell them what they will not have and how to install it later. Delete it from the /tmp directory if they answer that.

*TO AVOID LEGAL STUFF, IN THE INSTALLER MENU FOR LOCATION, IF THEY SAY THEY ARE IN A COUNTRY WHERE IT IS ILLEGAL TO HAVE IT, DON'T INSTALL IT IN THE /tmp directory!*
100
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#4): Integrate the option into the installation process
Written by suit the 3 Aug 09 at 20:25.
This could just be implemented somewhere during installation as

[ ] Install stuff to be able to view flash content right away.
# (Of course rephrased by a more eloquent person!)

The download could start (if eth0 or others are found) during installation or afterwards. Alternatively an icon could show up as with the "restricted hardware drivers" after the first boot.
62
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#5): Integrate this with restricted drivers
Written by cos the 4 Aug 09 at 15:00.
As in solution #1, but also suggest to install restricted drivers, if they are available. e.g. have checkboxes and descriptions of what can be installed.
-30
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#6): Add a Codec Install wizard
Written by CJ Master the 5 Aug 09 at 21:08.
This idea expands on Solution #2. Instead of simply having an apt-url link to install it, the link will run a program. This program will tell the user the standard legal precautions about it, and will link to a website where you may legally buy the Codecs if you live in the U.S. If the user agrees that they live in a location that's legal for them to be installed for free, it'll download/install the codecs and remove the icon from the desktop.
0
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#7): Modification of Solution 1: Have it downloaded
Written by Sebin Benjamin the 10 Aug 09 at 17:40.
Directly after installation, or after first boot, pop up a dialog asking the user whether he/she wants to install the package (in an appropriate way).
It should be worded so that a lay person can understand the benefits.

The dialog should offer simple "Yes" and "No" buttons. If the user chooses "Yes", the meta package and its dependencies should be INSTALLED FROM THE SAME CD OR DOWNLOAD. Ihis this case there wont be a waste of time downloading all the files
26
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#8): Modification of Solution 1: Warn about the risks.
Written by misiu_mp the 21 Aug 09 at 14:08.
Except for informing of the benefits the notification should warn about the drawbacks of using this package (legality, patents, closed source) and the benefits of supporting open standards.
21
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#9): Automaticly download it when the user tries to read one of the formats if cover
Written by qwerty800 the 28 Aug 09 at 20:14.
For exemple, if I try to read an MP3 file, the system would ask me:

"You're trying to read a MPEG Audio Layer3 file, which is unreadable by Ubuntu by default for patent reasons.
Do you want to install the necessary codecs to read this, as well as support for the formats listed under:

+ *Shockwave Flash
*Java Runtime environment
*MPEG-4 Part 14
*etc...

But not only this, it should do that for every restricted formats, like DVDs!

People want to play DVDs on their computer! If a such system was aviable for those formats, that woul be a success!

"You just a DVD Video, which is unreadable by Ubuntu by default..."
17
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#10): Also Offer to add the Medibuntu repository
Written by cos the 16 Sep 09 at 11:20.
Medibuntu contains a bunch of restricted multimedia codecs, fonts, drivers etc that are not part of the main repo for licensing reasons. For me, its packages greatly improve support for playback of some formats including wmv and realvideo, and allow my webcam to work -- these are important things for typical desktop users coming from Windows, where these are taken for granted.

I believe it would be greatly beneficial for the majority of users to make this repo easily available, even if it is never merged with the main Ubuntu repos. If Ubuntu offers at any point to install restricted stuff automatically, it should also offer to add Medibuntu to Software Sources. That would save each new user a few hours of Googling and frustration.

For the long-term, perhaps it's more logical that all restricted extras packages be moved into Medibuntu to keep a cleaner separation of what is and isn't restricted. Of course, it doesn't have to be Medibuntu -- any new repo should do.
3
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#11): solutions #1 and #9 but cut the popup box.
Written by tommynz1975 the 10 Nov 09 at 23:08.
maybe others...

but cut this popup box business, this is one thing that infuriated me with windows.

I would think the system was ready for use, I'd go start doing something only for a popup box to take screen/keyboard focus.

having migrated from 6.06 to 9.04 on this system, I have to say having icons appear on the menu panel top of screen is more pleasing, to alert the user of information.

Many times you get that lovely message, Installing this codec may not be legal in your country.

surely by now we have enough loco teams to make a database answering this question and this question could be answered by your location settings and the database, as we all install stuff on the assumption its okay until its forcefully pointed out otherwise
1
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#12): Also inform users of Adobe Flash Player EULA legal problems
Written by Lyfang the 21 Jun 11 at 05:39.
The Adobe Flash Player End User License Agreement prohibits reverse engineering and more. Therefore developers cannot develop a competing Flash player if they've accepted the Adobe Flash Player EULA.

See also
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/flashplugin-nonfree/+question/1354 00

See the 20 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 7 Jul 11 at 17:28) >>

If a dark theme: one that doesn't suck!  
Written by DPic the 4 Aug 08 at 01:54. Related project: Gnome. Won't implement
Originally, i was really against the idea of a dark theme, and maybe i'd still prefer it if Ubuntu would lighten up a little. I understand the organic theme completely, but please...this is an operating system. Anyways, all the dark themes i had seen really turned me off and even the best ones seemed to be loved by some and hated by others. If we're going to have a dark theme, lets have one that we can all agree on. When i saw the Intrepid alpha screenshot, like many others, i gagged a little.

How people interact with their computer is really essential to their satisfaction. This is why aside from features, the software's stability (minimizing annoying bugs), speed (clean code and making everything as efficient and responsive as possible), and interface (look and feel) are the three most important things that should be our focus and be kept at a high priority.
We should really work to increase usability: http://mpt.net.nz/archive/2008/08/01/free-software-usability

I have looked through all the artwork submissions for Intrepid, and of all of them, this is the one dark theme that i would actually like to use: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Intrepid/Wall-light

I first saw it on this Digg submission: http://digg.com/linux_unix/Intrepid_Ibex_Mockup_Designs

Of course, i'm sure everyone will have input to make it even better. This isn't a final design, but vote for the concept so far!

P.S. Please Digg :) Thanks http://digg.com/linux_unix/Vote_for_a_beautiful_usable_Ubuntu
1435
votes
closed
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #11805
Written by DPic the 4 Aug 08 at 01:54.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #11805 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!

See the 120 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 7 Jul 11 at 04:47) >>

Better wi-fi support  
Written by neilneil2000 the 29 Feb 08 at 00:20. Global category: Internet & Networking. In development
More support for more wireless chipsets out of the box and "Windows style" ease of set up.

I have spent may a day trying to configure wireless cards on Ubuntu, often without much luck!

Please also deliver more support for what they are both wireless PCI cards and USB, as it is currently very low base of drivers for such devices
4435
votes
inprogress
Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #295
Written by neilneil2000 the 29 Feb 08 at 00:20.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #295 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!
13
votes
inprogress
Selected solution (#2): never ever download network drivers
Written by snap the 27 Apr 10 at 17:30.
The OS should never need to download network drivers.

Here is what I experienced 2 minutes ago:

1. Disable closed wifi driver (I wanted to try the free one)
2. Enable the free network driver

Result: Ubuntu tries to download the driver but you have no Internet connection ! Why was it removed from disk ?? If I had no other network card, I would be very embarrassed.

In other words, I think network drivers should never be removed from hard disk, or whatever great idea not to self-destruct its network connection.

See the 61 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 26 May 11 at 14:43) >>

Professional-looking bootloader  
Ubuntu

In :  
Priority : Undefined
Definition : New (Needs guidance)
Implementation : Unknown
Assignee :

Mentorship is available if you want to fix this bug.
spec
forum
Written by Murrquan the 28 Feb 08 at 14:42. Global category: Look and Feel. Implemented
Ubuntu's bootloader is a stark black and white screen, filled with confusing options. It gives newbies a moment of indecision, as they try to figure out if they are supposed to choose something, and wonder why there are three or four Ubuntus listed. Then the timer finishes counting down (starting from 10), and the newb begins to feel like he's getting in over his head as his PC boots into Ubuntu.

Too much information up front, stark text-only display, painfully long countdown timer.
5944
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Create an attractive boot loader with grubgfx
Written by Murrquan the 28 Feb 08 at 14:42.
Create an attractive boot loader with grubgfx that requires minimal user input and does not scare away new users. If that doesn't work then use Fedora's Plymouth
524
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#2): Use Plymouth and the latest GDM for a faster and smoother boot up.
Written by vs8 the 14 Jan 09 at 15:59.
openSUSE and Fedora 10 feature more elaborate art than Ubuntu, I'm not talking about the colors they choose, because I like the Ubuntu colors, it's the art style.

One thing they got right is the boot up. Those distros boot very smooth and they look professional, Ubuntu looks rushed, plain and ugly.

I've seen Fedora boot, and the new plymouth thing rocks, Ubuntu should use it too. It's way better than the actual ugly usplash.

The other thing is the GDM, Ubuntu uses a very old GDM, which is slow. At least on my PC (AMD Phenon 9600 Quad Core, 4gb RAM). The new GDM is smoother, faster and it works fine.

In short, Ubuntu needs eye candy, from boot up to shut down it will attract more people, I guarantee it.

What is Plymouth?

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=fedora_plymouth&num=1

0
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#3): Put a Motion Splashscreen on ubuntu
Written by Felix-Valentine the 12 Jul 09 at 17:26.
to better the user experience, ubuntu should have an animated Splash Screen. a (mini Video) playing, showing the Ubuntu Logo and then a smooth overpass from the splash screen to the loging screen.
330
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#4): Ubuntu Grub Backround
Written by MattFinck21 the 21 Jun 09 at 07:18.
i was thinking that ubuntu team should design an default ubuntu grub backround for future releases..or atleast add them to the current ones. after all it would go nice after seeing the linux mint did that.
9
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#5): Design a GUI to help with the process of changing the image
Written by Rodrigo the 12 Jul 09 at 15:31.
Let's stay with the black screen or maybe a screen, but just one to begin with, then with the use of a GUI (the user can download it from the servers) be able to change it without needing to go to the console.
Everybody likes to customize his machine sooner or later.
516
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#6): Use BURG with GRUB 2
Written by tommis the 7 Jan 10 at 02:02.
BURG is a program based-on Grub 2,BURG uses new menu list,screen layout and shortcut keys that all easily customized.
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
Also see - https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Burg
-81
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#7): Installation Option
Written by puzzler995 the 18 Jan 10 at 20:27.
In installation have an option of using either BURG or GRUB with GRUB the Default Option
48
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#8): Just make grub2 better
Written by lokster the 3 Feb 10 at 14:13.
The developers must make grub2 better. Why use another new and in early development bootloader, while there is already a good one?
Just make the good one even better.

See the 122 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 5 May 11 at 11:30) >>

Fix compatibility with webcams and microphone  
Written by dragonx the 28 Feb 08 at 17:30. Global category: Multimedia. Not an idea
In many cases, I can't configure my webcam or I have problems with the microphone. Now I can use my webcam but only with V4L2 and only 3 programas detect my webcam. It's a good idea can use my webcam in all programs as camorama.

Developer comments
That's pure driver issue in the first place. A big plus is to recommend UVC-based webcams to users, since it takes a lot of work off the shoulders of driver-developers. On the
integration-side proper support for v4l/v4l2 in webcam-related applications needs to be solidified. The ideal application to polish up is cheese of course.
5301
votes
closed
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #97
Written by dragonx the 28 Feb 08 at 17:30.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #97 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!

See the 42 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 28 Apr 11 at 00:17) >>

Speed Up Ubuntu-Gnome boot time  
No information about this blueprint
Information is updated every 5 minutes.
Please wait till the next update.
spec
forum
Written by Arioch the 28 Feb 08 at 15:26. Global category: System. Implemented
I guess everybody has experienced the rather long boot up times in Ubuntu (particularly with laptops). I know they are already working on it, but the change from feisty to gutsy was a pain in the ass in terms of boot up speed.
A default WinXP installation beats Ubuntu's boot up time by far!! That shouldn't be allowed fellas!!
6231
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Boot DevelopmentTeam
Written by Arioch the 28 Feb 08 at 15:26.
I propose to the development team (both Ubuntu and by extension Gnome) to work on the improvement of boot up times in Ubuntu systems.
61
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#2): Allow users to streamline the boot simply.
Written by tchalvakspam the 23 Jan 09 at 21:53.
In addition to speeding up the processes involved, which is key, make it simple for the user to streamline their own bootup. Installing different software can -always- slow down a bootup, no matter how fast it was initially.

Thus, to -keep- boot time short for the many different ways that people use ubuntu, provide the ubuntu user with a simple default tool to remove, delay the start of, or uninstall software that take the most time during startup. The combination of a default boot-time analysis tool and the current session startup manager would provide allow easy boot streamlining, and to a lesser extent so would showing on-screen indicators of what things are being started up over the course of the normal ubuntu boot load.
Allowing user analysis is the key feature missing to make streamlining available to the individual in addition to the developer.
-20
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#3): Defer loading unnecessary programs
Written by aadityabhatia the 29 Jan 09 at 04:57.
Some programs take too long and are not required immediately upon boot. For example, sendmail takes forever to start and a regular desktop user usually wants to see a login screen asap, so sendmail can wait. Such programs could be identified and their initiation can be delayed while rest of the system continues booting up.
40
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#4): Profiler to log boot program times
Written by aadityabhatia the 29 Jan 09 at 05:04.
There is a contrast in the comments: some machines take more time before login screen, some do after. In many cases it's the compiz and in some it's dbus or a part of gnome.

The idea is to have a profiler start at the beginning of boot process, on demand, and measure the time taken by each program at startup, writing it to a log file. This will help users figure out what part takes the most time, and will simplify profiling the boot process.

Not sure how much effort is involved, but sounds possible. Any takers?
57
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#5): Prefech gnome programs while the user type his password
Written by Id2ndR the 15 Feb 09 at 16:10.
The programs that are loaded just after the login are always the same : gnome-session, gnome-daemons etc.

What take time to load the session is to read them from the hard drive. So as we are sure they will be loaded, we can prefetch them.

This can be extended to user's programs just after he give his name to gdm (so while he is entering his password).
139
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#6): Speed up GDM
Written by kleytonn the 2 Mar 08 at 12:40.
Turn fast and light the Gnome enviroment with a fast boot. Today, a login in GDM cost 10 or 20 seconds to load a user desktop in one fast computer.
KDE 4.0.1 is new but is visible more light than Gnome.

1
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#7): make gnome as fast as xfce by working with them
Written by slsolaris the 23 Mar 09 at 17:11.
gnome is too slow, it need a lot of implrovements, like when u see icons overlap any other, gnome panel bar is not real transparent, and i bring this things in mind just because i can not understand how xfce that does have this features is faster and and lighter...

i mean gnome should work in hand with them and give them things that they already do not have and they could give us some very important help to improve things

See the 107 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 Apr 11 at 16:44) >>

Clean up Preferences and Administration.  
Ubuntu

In :  
Priority : Undefined
Definition : New (Needs guidance)
Implementation : Unknown
Assignee :
spec
forum
Written by writser the 28 Feb 08 at 16:49. Global category: System. Implemented
First of all: What is the difference between Preferences and Administration? For example: why do I see 'Encryption and Keyrings' in Preferences and 'Keyring Manager' in Administration? What is the difference between 'Default Printer' and 'Printing'? Why do I have to disable the Tracker under Sessions and not under Search and Indexing? And why are these menu's so large? I have 24 items in Preferences (they don't even fit on my screen!) and 18 items in Administration. To put all this stuff in a popup menu is bad interface design imho. Besides, the number of option should be much smaller. A few suggestions:

Below are all settings I can visit via the System menu. This is just way too much.


-- Preferences --
Universal Access
About Me
Appearance
Bluetooth
Default Printer
Encryption and Keyrings
Keyboard
Keyboard Shortcuts
Main Menu
Mouse
Network Proxy
PalmOS Devices (I don't have one)
Power Management
Preferred Applications
Remote Desktop
Removable Drives and Media
SCIM Input Method Setup (What is this?)
Screen Resolution
Screensaver

[....]

Developer comments
* 'Screens and Graphics' has been dropped in favor of just 'Screen Resolution'
6065
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Merge the following
Written by writser the 28 Feb 08 at 16:49.
The following changes could be done

- Merge 'Screensaver', 'Screen Resolution' and 'Screens and Graphics'. -- Already Done.
- Merge 'Network', 'Network Proxy' and 'Network Tools'.
- Merge 'Update Manager, Synaptic Package Manager, Software Sources'.
- Merge 'Encryption and Keyrings', 'Authorizations', 'Keyring Manager'.
120
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#2): Fedora 10 inspired solution
Written by yule the 18 Jan 09 at 17:28.
I believe the "Preferences" and "Administration" sub-menus of the "System" menu should be re-structured similarily to "Fedora 10", splitting the items into categories of interest: Look and Feel, Input Devices etc.

Also, but this is probably a generic Gnome defect, items like "Screensaver", "Appearance", "Screen Resolution" should be merged together.
-153
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#3): Most important things in Preferences/Administration and everything in control p.
Written by jeypeyy the 18 Jan 09 at 21:05.
Put the most important things that a user will need in Preferences and Administration. If the user want to change less important stuff he/she could go to System->'control panel' where the user can change everything that is configurable.

What I mean with important is something like "screen resolution" while "Sun java 6 policy tool" is less important.
75
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#4): Add a shortcut to the gnome-control-center in the system menu
Written by c0p3rn1c the 6 Feb 09 at 15:33.
I'm not asking to remove the existing shortcuts in the system menu just to add a shortcut to the gnome-control-center, this makes it much easier for beginners to find what they are looking for. Especially when users are coming from Windows or Mac they are used to a having a control center.

On top of increased similarity to the most popular commercial OS's gnome-controle-center also adds extra functionality with the search box for people who are not used to Ubuntu yet and or are not yet using gnome-do.

Please try the gnome-control-center menu before you vote against it.
It's really a matter of choosing increasing usability over the possible redundancy issue.
191
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#5): All in one Gnome Control Center
Written by dael99 the 14 Feb 09 at 00:56.
All the administration task should be done in the Gnome control center, but nowdays it's just a launcher for gnome-conf apps.

The Gnome Control Centre should be a homegenius way of do things, use the same windows for operations and provide a back button, just like a file explorer (more intuitive no?)

Instead of launching a new windows it show be showed (not nested) to the main area of the Centre. This way we could compete with MS, KDE and MAC in terms of a nice control center.


(also we save some space on the gnome pannel)

85
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#6): Restructure the menu similarly to the Control Center
Written by JimmyVolatile the 10 Feb 09 at 22:48.
Make a nice submenu structure following exactly the category structure of the Gnome Control Center.

Like this: http://www.box.net/shared/9xuzp9tym7
-110
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#7): More System submenus
Written by cousteau the 12 Feb 09 at 20:14.
Instead of just "Preferences" and "Administration", add more submenus (for example: "Preferences", "Hardware", "Look and feel", "Administration"). Like Solution #1 but using submenus instead of sub-submenus.
109
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#8): Simply use the Gnome Control Center instead...
Written by JimmyVolatile the 10 Feb 09 at 22:53.
It's by far the most newbie-friendly compared to the existing menu.

You can even type in search words to find what you're after, for instance "mouse" or "resolution".

Furthermore, it can easily be expanded with new items without risking an even more crowded menu.
18
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#9): Restructure the System menu similarly to the Control Center
Written by Endolith the 9 Mar 09 at 14:35.
Like solution #6, except without sub-sub-menus. Just put "Personal", "Look and feel", etc. directly under the System menu.

"Use submenus sparingly, as they are physically difficult to navigate and make it harder to find and reach the items they contain." "Do not nest submenus within submenus. More than two levels of hierarchy are difficult to memorize and navigate."

http://library.gnome.org/devel/hig-book/stable/menus-types.html.en#menu-type-su bmenu
61
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#10): Grouping of the listings.
Written by wish the 5 Mar 09 at 19:25.
1. For example, the Network configurations, Network Proxy and Remote Desktop can be grouped under a single listing Network.
2. Similarly, Compiz Settings Manager, Appearance, Emerald, Screen Saver, Screen Resolution, Windows etc can be grouped under GUI or some other better name.
3. Bluetooth, Printer, Mouse, Palm, etc can be grouped under devices.

Preferences and Administration should also get the option to be open in separate windows where they will not be cluttered.
67
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#11): Subdivide System -> Preferences menu in categories
Written by amrlima the 2 Mar 09 at 20:30.
Fedora has a very elegant solution for this. They divide the menu in categories such as "Look and Feel" etc.

It really keeps the menu clean and it's easier to find what you are looking for.
105
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#12): Create a visible acces to Gnome Control Center (gnome-control-center)
Written by razor7 the 3 Mar 09 at 15:04.
Use the Gnome Control Center. The problem is that most users (like me) not even know that this cool Control Center even exists...Make it more visible and improve it
68
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#13): Merge many similar configs into a few good ones
Written by Xero Xenith the 3 Mar 09 at 16:08.
10
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#14): Unified menu for all settings
Written by probono the 4 Mar 09 at 22:09.
The separation between system-wide and per-user settings is not necessary. Neither Windows nor Mac OS X have this kind of separation, as it confuses the user more than it helps. I've observed many people to constantly search for a setting in the wrong menu, because nobody remembers in which menu a certain setting is. Hence, I propose to unify all settings in just one menu, as demonstrated in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF2-JHF6v10

Also, the number of menu items should be brought down by combining multiple of these that fall under the same topic, as it is done in Mac OS X. For example, "Keyboard" and "Keyboard Shortcuts" could be tabs of the same panel. The same is true for "Software Sources" and "Synaptic Pagage Manger", to name just two examples.
-47
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#15): Split System (Admin and Preferences) up into sub-menus
Written by James_Lochhead the 1 Apr 09 at 21:00.
Group similar entries into sub-menus. On average it would be easier to find things, the menus would look less cluttered and the menus would display well on lower resolutions.

I recently had a go at Fedora 10 (went back to Ubuntu within 10 minutes!) and the menus were implemented this way on Fedora.
-64
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#16): Make the Menus Self learning
Written by hariks0 the 7 Apr 09 at 18:37.
If the menu preference could be set in a way that only the recent or frequent items are shown and the others only after a preset delay. Also the "Edit Main Menu" could be used to eliminate the unwanted items from popping up [by the user].

There should be a screen during installation letting the user select which applets they want to install with some tool tip for each of the items.Another requirement is an option to replace the default "menu Bar" with "Main Menu Icon" in initial setup from live CD ,which makes the desktop cleaner.

My third suggestion is to open the two menu items of"System" tabbed in to a window named "Preferences" the other "Administration". The applets/ items could be represented by icons and in alphabetical order.
990
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#17): Develop according to the examples below
Written by nq6 the 24 May 09 at 21:35.
Below I developed some screens to explain better my idea.

Reduce the number of options available to facilitate the choice by the user. Decrease from 39 to 16 items.
idea nq6

Scheme simplification.
01

idea of how many icons can become one. view of the behavior of windows with the merger of these icons.
02

overview of the idea. In this picture you can see the whole blueprint at once.
03a

Simplify the menu to facilitate usability. Below the simulation of how the menu of Ubuntu can be. Much simpler, less polluted Visually, and easier to find what you want.
04

The Ubuntu is an excellent system, more needs to move forward in some areas. One is the simplification of the options that the user faces. The current options make Ubuntu confused. I think that my idea is to improve usability.

idea nq6 2
-224
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#18): Alternative sub menus
Written by bryonak the 25 May 09 at 16:43.
Do as solution #17 proposes, except for the sub menus that pop up in a new window, which I find looks a bit awkward.

Instead of a popup, make the sub menus "slide out" below the clicked entry in the same window. The other entries just move further down.


5
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#19): Add a new tab for Screen resolution to Appearance Preferences
Written by Frantique the 23 Jun 09 at 06:47.
As mentioned in the title, add a new tab, let's say after Visual Effects... Handy and easy to find the way of changing resolution of your screen.
8
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#20): Add Tab and change the context item to Display Settings
Written by returnofnights the 23 Jun 09 at 08:55.
The tab should be there, new to Linux users expect to find screen controls in with the theme, effects and display properties. Changing the Context Menu item name to reflect the features: (Instead of 'Change Background' make it 'Display Settings') This is simple and to the point for new and old Gnome users.
-31
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#21): Implement or modify mintMenu
Written by je1403 the 14 Jul 09 at 23:41.
Linux Mint is an Ubuntu-based distribution. It is especially beginner-friendly. One of its best features is the mintMenu. This replaces the gnome-menu, but is categorized in the same way. It's pretty difficult to explain it by text, but check out this image: http://www.jessture.com/images/linux_mint/lm3-1_mint_menu.png
The menu is divided in several sections. The "Applications" section is categorized with the average "Office", "Internet", etc. Instead of having the pop-up menus, the menu has a fixed width and height, using scrollbars when the listed items dont fit. Mouseovering the categories shows their contents. The best part is the search bar. If you type "screen" it will filter the results and show you screen resolution, screensaver, login screen, for example. Watch this video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePEbfsV2yQw
0
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#22): Redistribute into better categories
Written by Aielyn the 26 Oct 10 at 13:15.
Instead of the current split into Preferences and Administration, have the System menu split into parts of the system. And then, on each submenu, the list would be split so that Preferences go on the top of the submenu, and Administration goes on the bottom, with a divider between them, thereby making it easier to distinguish between them, while being able to see both.

EXAMPLE LAYOUT - NOT PART OF SOLUTION ITSELF, JUST A POSSIBLE LAYOUT:

- Software
- Interface
- User
- System
- Third Party

Software would contain everything to do with software - Update Manager, Synaptic Package Manager, Software Sources, Computer Janitor, and Preferred Applications would all be examples.

Interface would contain everything to do with the User Interface - Mouse, Keyboard, Monitors, Audio, Menus, Appearance, etc.

User would hold things that are relevant to the users themselves - Languages, Passwords, About Me, E-Mail Settings, and Users and Groups as a few examples.

System would contain everything to do with system settings and underlying system operation - Time and Date, Drivers, power management, Startup Applications, System Monitor, etc.

Third Party would then contain anything introduced by third-party programs and dealing specifically with those third-party programs - for instance, Opera Widget Manager, Wine settings, etc.

TO BE CLEAR - THE ABOVE IS JUST AN EXAMPLE, NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION ITSELF. It can serve as a discussion point regarding how to best implement the Solution, but the Solution itself is only concerned with splitting it into categories and then dividing the resulting submenus into Preferences and Administration segments.
2
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#23): User Settings & System Settings
Written by Darwin Survivor the 7 Oct 10 at 17:10.
Change
-System
---Preferences
---Administration

to

-Settings
---User Settings
---System Settings
2
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#24): Remove gwibber and empathy preferences from System Menu
Written by komputes the 8 Mar 11 at 18:19.
Broadcast (gwibber) and Messaging (empathy) preferences are accessible from within the respective applications. Remove preferences for these applications from the "System" menu.

See the 112 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 22 Mar 11 at 12:48) >>

Undo Function  
Written by eviltechie the 19 Nov 08 at 01:56. Global category: Usability. New
Wouldn't it be great to have an undo function?

Then, if you make a mistake, you can undo it instead of trying to figure out what you just did.

EDIT: I'm not talking about opening and closing programs. I'm talking about when you are trying to get some poorly documented thing working, and then screw it up, badly. You can do undo and go back to where you were.
7
votes
up equal down
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #15751
Written by eviltechie the 19 Nov 08 at 01:56.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #15751 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!
349
votes
up equal down
Solution #2: Use Gmail's Solution
Written by hessam the 7 Jul 09 at 13:19.
After every move/rename/copy/delete/cancellation show a temporary notification (libnotify) and have links below them that trigger the intended action.


-154
votes
up equal down
Solution #3: Use Windows' Solution
Written by hessam the 7 Jul 09 at 13:28.
Use the traditional Ctrl+Z for undo. Although the disadvantage of this solution is that the user is not sure what action s/he's undoing.
446
votes
up equal down
Solution #4: Add Undo/Redo to Nautilus
Written by m.lettner the 10 Jul 09 at 20:49.
Nautilus can just make a simple history of actions the user did. Like moving, copying or deleting files.
Would be nice to have a "Edit" > "Undo (Moving 4 files)" for example, so you can easily undo an action and you know which action you are going to undo.
68
votes
up equal down
Solution #5: Log of recent changes
Written by -Vivicidal- the 14 Jul 09 at 19:02.
Have a log of recent actions accessible through an icon by the clock as well as an individual "undo" option for each action.
6
votes
up equal down
Solution #6: Add Undo in right-click menu on folder or desktop (nautilus)
Written by maybeway36 the 23 Jul 09 at 18:54.
Windows does this - i.e. if I delete a file, I can right-click in the folder and choose "Undo Delete". Ctrl+Z probably shouldn't activate it, though.
-47
votes
up equal down
Solution #7: If using undo might delete something, pop up an "are you sure?" dialog
Written by Clorox the 23 Jul 09 at 20:15.
In Windows, if one creates a new file in the Explorer and subsequently undoes the action, a popup will say "Are you sure you want to delete new_file.txt?" This would make a nice addition to Nautilus.
21
votes
up equal down
Solution #8: Use Adobe's Solution
Written by 8bit the 25 Jul 09 at 06:00.
Include a simple 'ctrl-z' command for undo and 'ctrl-y' for redo, but also include a history which could be accessed by right clicking, and hovering over a 'history' option.

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/8011/historyd.png
-3
votes
up equal down
Solution #9: Give nautilus a recent action bar
Written by newubuntu the 31 Jul 09 at 11:18.
Essentially the action bar would display recent actions with the option to undo some of them.

Pros: has more functionality then just an undo actions. Also allows you to undo specific actions

cons: more clutter on the screen

eg. http://bayimg.com/image/oacgfaacp.jpg

possible listed actions could be the general file task (delete, move) and other tasks like unmounting dives and recently opened files.

also local and global buttons filter the actions between actions that happens in that folder and all actions thats happened in nautilus.

See the 13 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 22 Mar 11 at 06:04) >>

Tabbed Nautilus   forum
Written by einalex the 28 Feb 08 at 17:16. Global category: Look and Feel. Implemented
Enable Nautilus to use tabs.

Nautilus is Ubuntu's default file management software. There is no reason why you should need to open countless Nautilus windows to manage your files. It is time to bring tabs from your web browser to your file browser.

Developer comments
This is implemented! See the Gnome 2.24 release notes.
1794
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #90
Written by einalex the 28 Feb 08 at 17:16.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #90 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!

See the 75 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 3 Mar 11 at 10:44) >>

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