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Thunderbird as default email client  
Written by cmayoros the 29 Feb 08 at 02:34. Global category: Internet & Networking. Implemented
While both Evolution and Thunderbird are great applications, Thunderbird should become the default email client available on Ubuntu.

Developer comments
There are currently no plans to move away from Evolution at this time.
891
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #525
Written by cmayoros the 29 Feb 08 at 02:34.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #525 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!
138
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#2): And allow thunderbird to store ALL the contacts informations
Written by Ssdg the 18 Jan 10 at 11:26.
Thunderbird's adress book can't store all contact information evolution stores (2 mail adresses where evolutions stores 4 for example).

So before doing this migration, thunderbird should be enhanced so it supports all user data stored in evolution.
-68
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#3): Include mail checking in Firefox
Written by Afroman10496 the 24 Jan 10 at 19:58.
Integrate Firefox and Thunderbird better.
8
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#4): Use TBird address book as address book for Ubuntu
Written by graylion the 11 Feb 10 at 15:52.
also make TBird acapable of LDAP writing in case one uses an LDAP addrss book

See the 41 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 7 Jul 11 at 18:17) >>

Post-install windows migration  
Written by Alan Pope the 28 Feb 08 at 14:39. Global category: Installation. New
Whilst it's possible to use the "migration" tool in Ubiquity (the live installer for ubuntu) during the installation to migrate settings over, there seems to be no way to do this _after_ the system has been installed.

It should be possible to pick the migration functionality out of Ubiquity and make it a standalone application which a user could run over and over (as necessary) to migrate the current setup on their Windows partition into their Ubuntu partition.

A further useful feature would be a "delete windows" option which makes it easier for people to fully migrate from Windows. It should find the Windows partitions and (after confirmation/checking) delete them, reformat them and add them to Ubuntus storage. Either via LVM, or by massaging the partitions, or even adding the space under some mount point.
198
votes
up equal down
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #19
Written by Alan Pope the 28 Feb 08 at 14:39.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #19 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!
43
votes
up equal down
Solution #2: Provide access to windows partition to select files & folders.
Written by mtod1 the 14 Feb 09 at 07:07.
Ubuntu could provide a file manager (of sorts) for users to select folders and files within the Windows partition for import over to the Linux partition. Users could select where each folder and files would be imported to. For example Windows My Documents could be selected to be imported to Ubuntu's Documents folder, Windows mp3's over to the Ubuntu music folder etc.

A tmp location on the Linux partition could be created for Windows files to be stored while the Ubuntu installation continues.

Also, it might be worthwhile for Ubuntu to offer to save the entire Windows installation to a specific location for users to later cut 'n' past their files over to Linux as they see fit.
8
votes
up equal down
Solution #3: Store Windows Partition As File On Ubuntu Side
Written by zephyrcat the 15 Feb 09 at 03:54.
If the user chooses to wipe out the Windows side, they could select an option to copy their Windows partition to an image file or something on their Linux side, so that as they moved files in to their new locations or deleted them, they would automatically regain the hard drive space.
2
votes
up equal down
Solution #4: Application to import Migration file
Written by anantshri the 17 Jun 10 at 21:04.
an application that can read and extract valuable information from the windows MIG file. File output from user state migration or windows easy share.

there should be a ubuntu native application to do this task.


See the 6 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 22 Apr 11 at 08:57) >>

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) >>

List of installed kernels should not grow   forum
Written by probono the 1 Mar 08 at 17:31. Global category: Installation. Implemented
Ubuntu currently doesn't upgrade the kernel, it just keeps adding newer and newer kernels to the system.

Currently, the list of kernels installed on a Ubuntu system grows over time. This takes up additional disk space and adds clutter to the boot loader.

Ideally, older kernels should be removed automatically.

Maybe leave current and current-1, but not _all_ of them...

Developer comments
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/removing-old-kernels
This is done for Intrepid, with the package "system-cleaner" installed by default.
1039
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #2236
Written by probono the 1 Mar 08 at 17:31.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #2236 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 32 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 24 Jul 10 at 16:45) >>

Meta-package change...  
Written by tenplus1 the 11 Mar 08 at 10:45. Global category: System. New
Wouldn't it be wonderful if after installing meta-packages like gnome-games, ubuntu-desktop etc. the package manager would allow you to un-install any of the files inside so-long as it isnt a dependancy...

e.g. You could remove Chess and Soduku without the whole Gnome-Games being removed... and... Gedit and Evolution without the whole of Ubuntu-Desktop being taken away...

This would make it a lot easier to save space and leave packages you want on your computer that will still be updated even if the meta-package is removed...
56
votes
up equal down
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #4207
Written by tenplus1 the 11 Mar 08 at 10:45.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #4207 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 3 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 24 Sep 08 at 12:00) >>

Option to preorder upcoming ubuntu version CD's.  
Written by asdf21 the 2 Apr 08 at 15:02. Global category: Others. New
Basically the way this would work would be you could preorder a CD of an unreleased version of ubuntu(in this case, 8.04)
on the ubuntu website. so once it was released, and they got some CD's in stock, they would ship it to you.

Maybe this would work for "request a free CD" too.
6
votes
up equal down
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #6282
Written by asdf21 the 2 Apr 08 at 15:02.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #6282 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 3 comments or propose a solution >>

Great login and logout animation  
Written by natureflow the 16 Mar 08 at 10:51. Global category: Look and Feel. New
When I login to my Desktop, the panel is "blinking". :-( I want a clear build-up: First may a nice Splash screen, then the background, than the panel, the Icons, etc. It should be nice feeling. Do you understand me? Please show me a movie of a great ubuntu login without "blinking" and so one. I want it smooth.

If I logout, I do not want to see a white text on a black background only for a bit of time. I want to see a nice logut animation. Please show me a movie of a nice logout with ubuntu.

I mean: NO extra startup movie clips on startup, but a clear build-up!
68
votes
up equal down
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #4785
Written by natureflow the 16 Mar 08 at 10:51.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #4785 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 5 comments or propose a solution >>