Contributor inkwina - Ubuntu brainstorm

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The Ubuntu community has contributed 22700 ideas, 138270 comments, 2629576 votes

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Contributor inkwina

Fix Suspend and Hibernate

Written by tighem the 28 Feb 08 at 17:22. Global category: System. Not an idea

Suspend and hibernate still seems to be a big issue based on forum posts.

Developer comments

“Fix suspend and hibernate” is not an idea; it is not something that a developer could ever mark as “Implemented”. Suspend and hibernate work for many machines, and making them work for more machines is a matter of fixing individual bugs, not of implementing an idea.

This page has (as shown by the “Mix of improvements” suggestion, and the highly varied “duplicate” ideas) become a vortex for many unrelated ideas. Some of these ideas are good, and some are not so good. They should be separated out and voted on individually.

—mpt

7476
votes

78
votes

Solution #3: Mix of improvements + Solution #1 (letting the user choose)

Written by franco.valoppi the 26 Aug 09 at 03:47.

I think that even using proprietary driver may make it more compatible, always let the user to choose.

On the other hand I have some other ideas to improve performance (probably already implemented):
- Memory trim and garbage collection, before hitbernating.
- Memory Defrag.
- Exclude System Prefetched data from hibernate files. I mean memory used with programs already closed but still in memory in the case you want to open them again.

-31
votes

Solution #4: Add an idle option

Written by qwerty800 the 19 Sep 09 at 14:54.

As a temporary solution, we should add an "idle" option to ubuntu.

Since suspend and hibernate both invole creating a system image and storing it in the ram/in the swap, until we fix this, we need to find another alternative to this.

The only alternative remaining is to leave your computer open during all the night!

Well, my idea is to add an "Idle" option, that would:
-Suspend most of the programs
-Lower the CPU clocking (If possible)
-Lower the fan speed (If possible, trying to emit the less noise possible)
-Lower the HDD speed (If possible)
-Lock the screen

That way, we could still avoid energy wasting, while waiting for a working sleep mode.

136
votes

99
votes

-32
votes

Solution #7: Create solid aternative for laptops where suspend/hibernate doens't work.

Written by FeraTech the 21 Mar 10 at 04:47.

For those laptops where suspend and hibernate do not work Ubuntu should automatically default to an alternative.

A good solution would be to simply have the previous state stored onto the hard drive including all running applications. The laptop would boot normally and all of the previous state would just be stored and controlled by the operating system.

30
votes

-27
votes

10
votes

Solution #10: investigate why suspend works in other distros and not ubuntu

Written by DonnyDonNothin the 22 Nov 10 at 15:36.

investigate why suspend works in other distros and not ubuntu. 's2ram -f' in another distro works flawlessly, but what ever ubuntu uses causes my touchpad to freeze. ask the community to contribute to a list of what hardware and applications work in suspend. much like the voting system here. for example:
XXX touchpads freezing after suspend +6 votes
window contents lost on ati drivers +X votes

0
votes

See the 280 comments or propose a solution >>

Easy way of backing up/moving your documents and settings

Written by stgraber the 28 Feb 08 at 12:10. Global category: System. Implemented

At the moment, if someone wants to backup his documents or prepare a migration from a computer to another there isn't much more than file-roller to create a backup.
Ideally, the user should be able to run a graphic software which would ask what the user wants to backup and where (tape/usb key/remote).
Then the same tool would be able to restore the backup.

It would be useful for both backups and migration from a computer to another.

Update : See duplicates ideas which contain even more great ideas about that idea.

3619
votes

39
votes

Selected solution (#2): Use existing incremental backup utility and some additional scripts

Written by mudd1 the 2 Feb 09 at 10:53.

There are already great utilities like backup2l. All that'd be needed were a good default configuration, perhaps a GUI and a couple of scripts that prevent rendering your system unusable and even unbootable after a restore: Something to fix /etc/fstab (UUIDs, I love them), /boot/grub/menu.lst (same reason) and permissions (random UIDs/GIDs on package installation), all of which is a real PITA at the moment and probably breaks every newbie's neck.

305
votes

Selected solution (#3): Write a GUI for rsnapshot

Written by hurricanefloyd the 14 Mar 09 at 01:47.

rsnapshot is an excellent piece of software that (much like Apple's Time Machine) allows a user to take "snapshots" of his or her system. Using rsnapshot, a user can create snapshots at any interval he wants: hourly, weekly, monthly, every 6 hours, or anything else that cron supports. Restoring from a previous snapshot is as easy as copy and paste.

The problem is that rsnapshot is not the easiest software to use, even for people who are comfortable with the command line. I suggest that Canonical write a GUI for rsnapshot and ship it with Ubuntu.

rsnapshot: http://rsnapshot.org/

181
votes

-27
votes

-73
votes

Selected solution (#6): integrate Dropbox

Written by stefano the 16 Mar 09 at 18:42.

Dropbox is an easy [1] [2], secure [3], cheap [4] [5], based on Amazon S3 [6] and, last but not least, the nautilus client is GPL [7] !!!

and, but it's only an idea, Canonical colud be compensated for paying Dropbox Ubuntu users.

[1] http://www.getdropbox.com/tour
[2] http://www.getdropbox.com/screencast
[3] http://www.getdropbox.com/help/27
[4] http://www.getdropbox.com/help/47
[5] http://www.getdropbox.com/help/15
[6] http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/11/dropbox-the-online-storage-solution-weve-b een-waiting-for/
[7] http://www.getdropbox.com/downloading?os=lnx

42
votes

Selected solution (#7): LuckyBackup, a GUI for rsync

Written by salih.emin the 19 Mar 09 at 01:24.

Recently a new GUI was developed for the most known and reliable backup technology :rsync

luckyBackup is an application for data back-up and synchronization powered by the rsync tool.
It is simple to use, fast (transfers over only changes made and not all data), safe (keeps your data safe by checking all declared directories before proceeding in any data manipulation ), reliable and fully customizable.
Just take a look at this screenshots:
http://luckybackup.sourceforge.net/screenshots.html

-42
votes

Selected solution (#9): Partner with an existing online backup provider for seamless backups

Written by FrankQuist the 20 Mar 09 at 20:11.

Many users do not make back-ups because you need multiple harddrives or more space for that, plus it takes time to set up. Backup should be as low-entry as possible. Online backup systems are a (partial) solution to that problem.

Adding a one-click-to-enable option for free (& cheap to expand) online storage through partnership with an existing vendor would be a major innovation and "selling" point. Yes, space might be limited, but just backing up certain default directories such as documents might do the trick.

50
votes

Selected solution (#10): support btrfs filesystem for native snapshots and data integrity

Written by stefano the 20 Mar 09 at 22:17.

For local (not-online) backups btrfs 'll simplify files versioning (with native snapshot support) and data integrity (with native data chesumming).

btrfs is currently supported by 2.6.29 kernel.

as stated in the home page "Btrfs is under heavy development, and is not suitable for any uses other than benchmarking and review. The Btrfs disk format is not yet finalized, but it will only be changed if a critical bug is found and no workarounds are possible.". Ubuntu should support it as soon as possible after the 1.0 release (Q408).

this idea is complementary to #6 and #8 for local backups with rsync (with btrfs and rsync we'll not need other time-something solutions) but for online offsite backups we'll need ALSO one or more solution as #4, #5, #9.

references:
http://btrfs.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/Main_Page
http://btrfs.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/Development_timeline

12
votes

Selected solution (#11): Support backup PLUG-INs

Written by Craig73 the 21 Mar 09 at 14:45.

OK - well we might get tired of the word plugins... but I see the request for a timevault style backup system, the underlying technology (file system or backup library), and the destination as being 3 separate part of the solution.

But whatever tool is selected - people should be able to add the options they want

1) Option to backup online. Make it easy to add different online services whether it is some random FTP site, S3, a free cloud service, or some other future solution (bit-torrent backups or replication with other machines?)

2) Allow encryption of data. Whether online or offline, we should optionally allow encryption of data. [I see opportunity here to leverage GPU or multiple core processing for stupidly high levels of encryption no?]

-17
votes

-8
votes

12
votes

Selected solution (#14): Add Remastersys as extra option for backing up the installed system setup to DVD

Written by chappell101 the 30 Mar 09 at 19:01.

I'm not suggesting having only Remastersys or using it for a whole system back up of your files, but as another option to go alongside one of the above for files. It would be just imaging your choice of applications and desktop appearance preferences ect. To enable very easy system restore installation exactly to your liking from a worst case scenario that the HD fail and had to be replaced. The application is also very user friendly for new users to use.

26
votes

Selected solution (#15): Include "Back In Time" as default backup tool

Written by sajmon75 the 7 Apr 09 at 12:17.

A simple and smart solution:
http://backintime.le-web.org/

From web site:
Back In Time is a simple backup system for Linux inspired from “flyback project” and “TimeVault”. The backup is done by taking snapshots of a specified set of directories.

Currently there are two GUI available: Gnome and KDE 4 (>= 4.1).

All you have to do is configure:

* Where to save snapshot
* What directories to backup
* When backup should be done (manual, every hour, every day, every week, every month)

23
votes

Selected solution (#16): Use Déjà Dup

Written by mterry the 6 May 09 at 16:47.

This solution is a little self-serving, since I'm the maintainer of Déjà Dup, but I think it fits the bill. At least, my aim is to fit this bill.

A quick description: A simple GUI that makes backing up the 'right way' (off-site, regular, incremental, encrypted) easy. It's based on the command-line tool duplicity.

https://launchpad.net/deja-dup

As robbiew mentions in the comments, this was added to Ubuntu for Jaunty (go to Add/Remove and search for it). There is also a PPA supporting as far back as Hardy in the link above.

I love feedback/bug reports!

158
votes

Selected solution (#18): Add a migration/transfer tool in System->Administration

Written by leandro123 the 28 Jun 09 at 20:43.

A migration tool will (1) collect the enviroment (of the user or the computer) including the personal preferences in a machine independent way (e.g. Thunderbird, Mozilla, Pidgin, config files), the personal files (home directory), the list of installed applications, and (2) send them to another computer (via ssh, rexec, ssl, etc.) or create an archive to be transferred and then imported by the same application on the new computer.

46
votes

Selected solution (#19): Add a "transfer settings from existing installation" in the installer.

Written by Michael Safyan the 3 Jul 09 at 21:39.

I suggest we have something at the end of the Ubuntu installation process that, like at the end of the Mac OS X installation process, asks the user if he/she would like to transfer his/her files and settings from an existing copy of Ubuntu. If selected, the user can choose to transfer data via the Internet or through a USB or other physical connection. The Ubuntu install will then transfer (most of) the contents of "/home" and "/etc" (depending on what can be reasonably copied from one installation to another), and the new installation will use the apt-get markings of the previous installation to download and install the appropriate packages.

6
votes

-10
votes

Selected solution (#21): Here is a simple GUI program for backup written in python

Written by Zorba the 8 Feb 10 at 08:17.

I realized a simple program with python and Qt4 to make easier backup of files or system configuration. You are totally free to modify this code, and I hope this could be useful for many Ubuntu users. I think it could be a good idea to insert it into system settings (the system settings for KDE and the settings menu for GNOME). If someone can make a porting to GTK+ the integration with GNOME will be better.

You can download the program here: zorbaproject.uuuq.com/upload/easybackupgui.tar.gz

to test it simply open a console, enter the folder where you have unpacked the tar, and type "python easybackupgui.py": some features need sudo.

3
votes

Selected solution (#23): System backup and restore

Written by benoyanthony the 14 Jul 10 at 10:24.

Ubuntu should come up with MS windows like user interface where in user can backup the sytem and restore point is generated which can be reloaded as and when required. This restore point will include user setting and sytem setting if required by user. Also need to give provision to copy the restore point file to any required location on HDD or any other storage media.

7
votes

Selected solution (#25): Backup Center

Written by natureflow the 17 Oct 10 at 13:33.

I propose a "Backup Center", where you:
* Can choose directories to backup or your whole home directory
* Can create a key to encrypt your backup, if you want
* Can print your key or copy it to an media
* Can select network destinations for your backup like Ubuntu One Storage, Secure FTP, Secure WebDAV, SMB, etc.
* Can select local storage devices like USB storages
* Can select a timetable for the backup on the local USB storage, which might require the user to periodic connect it to the computer when prompted
* and, of course: Can easily play back your backup, when your files are gone

There should be an intelligent daemon in the background which accomplishes the backup. If an backup destination is not available or full, the user should be warned.

6
votes

1
votes

Selected solution (#31): Option at CD install to recover from UBUNTU ONE programs and settings

Written by mitcoes the 13 Jun 11 at 10:39.

At USC an option to backup to UBUNTU ONE:

1.- The list of main repository installed/unsinstalled programs and settings
2.- The same with PPAs and PPAs programs and settings

At CD Install an option to recover your list of programs and settings and in a separate option PPAs ones where you can select all or pick some. - Sometimes PPas programs can be the cause of system inestability -

This way you can make installation profiles or make easier the reinstallation when it is necessary.

As well ubuntu would know the program change / install preferences from users with datamining of this backups.

For example I use to install VLC, Qbittorrent, Chromium, Chrome, Opera, & Thunderbird

See the 56 comments or propose a solution >>

Partner with big name game developers

Written by heavyal the 29 Feb 08 at 22:32. Global category: Gaming. Won't implement

This is total pie in the sky but it would be great to see some kind of partnership with the big gaming companies such as EA, Blizzard, Bethesda or some such where we could actually work with them in bringing their outstanding game releases to our platform.

Developer comments

This cannot be done just by the Ubuntu community or Canonical alone. The only true way to achieve any action by the big commercial game developers is to have (lots and lots of) individual gamers contact the support-teams of those companies and demand that they want to be able to play their games natively on their Ubuntu machines. They have to point out that native really means a native port and not one of those half-hearted wine-solutions. id Software and Epic can do it so it cannot be that hard. There are even first rumours that Valve is planning to port their Source-engine natively to Linux.

---
I don't think Wine ports count as "half-hearted". When Wine supports the application, a Wine port is fully functional and full speed - what more could you want?

2285
votes

15
votes

Solution #2: Make games easier to use NOW!

Written by THAiSi the 20 Oct 09 at 06:57.

I know there are not a lot of 'native' games on the Ubuntu platform. But making it easier right now to play games from other platform using wine will pull more games into using Ubuntu since they can still play their favorite games. More games, more market for game developers for releasing native support.

Windows has this game screen (never seen or used it) if Ubuntu would have a good place in their system for starting and updating games (like what play on linux is trying, only more open this time, so that anyone can add screenshots, descriptions and config settings)

This is not that hard to do, and will make a lot of gamers happy right NOW.

23
votes

See the 20 comments or propose a solution >>

Tell Mozilla to count all the Firefox 3 downloads from repository

Written by unimatrix the 30 May 08 at 13:00. Global category: Others. Won't implement

When Firefox 3 is released, make sure it is available to Ubuntu on the same day, so the updates from the Ubuntu repository can be counted for the *Guinness world record* in most downloads in 24 hours.
And most importantly, talk to Mozilla about relaying your Firefox 3 repository download data to them.
More info here: http://www.spreadfirefox.com/en-US/worldrecord

Let's help open source achieve another great victory!

RE to developer: You would have counted downloads, not users...

Developer comments

This wasn't doable, there's no real accurate way to count Ubuntu users.

560
votes

See the 18 comments or propose a solution >>

more appealing startup and shutdown splashscreens

Written by maltepalte the 4 Jun 08 at 01:03. Global category: Look and Feel. Implemented

The Ubuntu startup and shutdown splashscreens with the Ubuntu logo and a progress bar underneath it really looks like something from the 90ies (Windows 95 anyone?)

I don't know if there are any hindrances to using images or animations of higher resolutions than what is currently used (for machines that supports it), but I really think Ubuntu can do better here.

This may be an unimportant improvement compared to many other ideas here, but it should be a very quick and easy fix, and it will really help when you try to convince regular folks to make the switch (a graphically stunning desktop is _so_ important when you show it to occasional users!).

435
votes

0
votes

See the 16 comments or propose a solution >>

Resizing of two connecting windows should be easier

Written by Klau3 the 17 Oct 10 at 13:56. Related project: Gnome. New

Fullscreen

Nowadays screens become bigger and it is often better to run a program not full screen e.g. Web browser → some sites will be left bounden other centralized...
Having multiple windows side by side becomes normal so we need a good way to manage them.

One of the most common actions is to resize windows to fit personal working habits (often one program window is bigger → the main working window).

352
votes

-61
votes

-43
votes

Solution #3: No floating based window manager.

Written by Lachu the 18 Oct 10 at 13:55.

Allow to use now floating mode in Metacity, but restrict settings to certain window. Each window will remember positioning type. By switching window, we switching also positioning mode.

You can imagine that like using fullscreen app. By switching to this window, it takes whole screen. When switching it off, it are minimized. We can extend this to remember different settings of sets of window, but each will be related to one main window. Now, by select another main window fullscreen application will be showed as normal window in ex. right-bottom edge.

88
votes

Solution #4: An "attach window" option

Written by Aielyn the 19 Oct 10 at 07:04.

Give the system the ability to attach windows to each other as far as layout issues are concerned - basically, you could anchor one window to another one, with various settings to allow you to anchor them in the way that suits you.

This would not only enable the functionality desired by this idea (moving two, or more than two, connected window boundaries simultaneously), but would also grant a few other features, including the ability to always keep the windows together in the display stack (so, in the image above, if you minimise the writer, it minimises firefox, and vice versa, and if you give one focus, the other is displayed directly "beneath" it in terms of display depth, above all other windows).

Options for the anchoring process would include:

- "Common Frame", which would make the windows operate as though they were a single window for the purposes of resizing, etc (drag Writer's right border to the left, and Firefox shrinks in proportion, while keeping the borders aligned - halve Writer's width, and Firefox's width is also halved).
- "Common Border", which would do as suggested in the idea, and move both borders without moving any other borders.
- "Glued Border", which would cause the borders to be held together, but otherwise leave all details of the windows separate; move the Writer right border to the left, and the Firefox window moves to the left so the borders still remain aligned, but the Firefox window keeps its size and shape.
- "Free Borders", which would decouple the window borders, but still attach the windows to each other.

[...]

In all cases above, moving one window would also move the other window. Further gluing would be possible in order to attach more windows to each other, even sharing a single border. In the "Free Borders" option, only movement of windows would make a difference, resizing of windows would not matter.

-64
votes

-16
votes

Solution #6: Move to screen sides and be able to drag center once

Written by dsterry the 20 Oct 10 at 22:08.

If you want two windows to split the screen, you should be able to grab each one and move them toward their respective sides of the screen to put them in this auto-resized mode. Then if you want to move the boundary between them, you should be able to grab the boundary on either side of that split and move it back and forth horizontally.

This is similar to what another OS does but the addition of being able to drag the adjoining barrier can make this more useful for me. For example, I may want my web browser to be bigger than my gedit with as few clicks and drags as possible.

This may collide with compiz's ability to drag windows between desktops but it's a valid tradeoff.

Furthermore, this should be default behavior for Ubuntu.

44
votes

-14
votes

Solution #8: Introduce a split screen viewing mode.

Written by david4dev the 24 Oct 10 at 23:19.

Introduce a window manager mode where windows do not overlap and act more like frames. By default the screen space should be shared equally but the borders between frames should be adjustable (a bit like terminator). Opening a new application window or selecting a frame from the window list (or alternatives) should add this window to the list of frames on the screen. The existing frames should automatically resize to accommodate the new frame. Clicking on the window list button for a particular frame that is showing (so the minimise action) should remove it from the screen and the existing windows should automatically resize to fill the space. This should not be a default but should be easy to enable or disable.

-3
votes

-6
votes

-2
votes

Solution #11: Pressing the maximize button to fill up only half or a third of the screen

Written by lemuelinchrist the 3 Nov 10 at 03:09.

Most users, when using a big screen (say 22'') almost never use the maximize button anymore. So why not give the user freedom to customize the maximize button such that it would only fill half or maybe 2/3 or 1/3 of the screen depending on his choice?

Or if we want to preserve the function of the maximize button, why not add a fourth button for this in addition to the min, max, and close button.

Sometimes manually resizing windows can be burdensome. pressing the maximize window is a lot quicker to fill up screens

38
votes

Solution #12: Windows 7 Style Window Relocator

Written by ejh the 4 Nov 10 at 17:32.

This is one area that I think windows 7 beats ubuntu. Windows 7's "aerosnap" function works as shown in this video: youtu.be/bopeB6QbOjI.

Ubuntu could implement the windows 7 functionality, then make it better by allowing you to move the vertical boundary between two programs which are sharing your screen left and right, by holding ctrl or shift or using a different mouse button.

2
votes

Solution #13: Windows dropped on each other with "Super" pressed should behave differently.

Written by cyprys the 10 Nov 10 at 01:15.

Windows attached in the following manner should maximise and share one virtual space: there's a windows list on the bottom gnome-panel in Ubuntu - drag one window from this list and drop it on another window while holding "Super" key, repeat as needed.

When manually changing the width of one window neighbouring window should auto-resize (shrink or grow).

When certain width of the neighbouring window is approached during shrinking auto-resize of the next neighbouring window should start or the process should stop (when there are no more neighbouring windows).

Minimizing one of the attached windows should hide whole virtual space and all windows sharing it.

Unmaximising one of the attached windows should unattach only this one window and release previously occupied space so it could be redistributed between other attached windows.

Multiple virtual spaces on one workspace should be created by attaching two windows to each other (one virtual space) and then attaching two different windows to each other (second virtual space), etc.

When switching between windows (e.g. alt+tab), virtual space should be treated as one window regardless of number of actual windows sharing it.

-4
votes

3
votes

-2
votes

Solution #16: Imitate Windows 7 (Super or Windows Key + Left/Right Arrow)

Written by Gonz-IT the 11 Nov 10 at 12:16.

Windows 7 implements a very neat way for window resizing and positioning. If you select a window and type WindowsKey (Super) + Right Arrow, the window will take exactly half of the space available in the right side of the screen, and so on with the WindowsKey + Left combo.

I think this is a very nice usability feature that should be implemented with Ubuntu.

2
votes

-5
votes

Solution #18: Treat each workspace as a virtual monitor that may view multiple at a time

Written by thamawij pirajnaraporn the 28 Dec 10 at 09:11.

It would be nice if we can make one of our workspace split; for example, a 1280x960 may split into 4, 640x480, screens or 2, 640x960, screens as virtual attached monitors. Maximize make a window fit a monitor.

(In my head, it looks like compiz's Expo view with adjustable numbers of adjacent workspaces to show at the time)

I'm not so sure if this idea is implementable. Just share the idea so the superior in system and programming may see the way to go.

See the 23 comments or propose a solution >>

There is no easy-to-use OCR-solution included in Ubuntu

Written by KallenbachAlex@gmx.de the 20 Nov 10 at 13:34. Global category: Office. New

If you want to scan a Text and transform it into a Text-file you have to take a lot of steps:
You have to:
1. Scan the document (for example with the included Simple-Scan)
2. Transform the image into a tiff-file (for example with GIMP)
3. Execute (for example) tesseract in the terminal (tesseracts results are really stunning)

Step 2 and 3 are quiet difficult for Newbies.

322
votes

-148
votes

104
votes

0
votes

Solution #4: Linux-intelligent-ocr-solution

Written by nalin4linux77 the 27 Feb 12 at 09:51.

LIOS is a free and open source software for converting print in to text using either scanner or a camera. It can also produce text out of scanned images from other sources. Program is given total accessibility for visually impaired. LIOS is written in python and we release it under GPL3 license. LIOS will work with Debian based operating systems. LIOS is an effort from the easy-ocr development team. There are great many possibilities for this program. Feedback is the key to it. expecting your feedback. nalin4linux77@gmail.com and sath.linux@gmail.com.
HOW TO INSTALL

Download deb file from here http://linux-intelligent-ocr-solution.googlecode.com/ download the latest deb package and install
What is new in LIOS-1.2
1 Cam-Scan,
2 Cam-Reader,
3 Scan-to-image-only,
4 Scan-to-images-repeatedly,
5 Introduction of py-sane, Glaid library make the program faster and efficient,
6 Multiple arguments are handled effectively,
7 Ocr a single Image,
8 Artha shortcut (alt+control+W),

[...]

9 Beta version of spell-checker,
10 Provision for submitting issues in the About Dialog.
Features
1 Single scan & Repeated Scanning,
2 Ocr Folder,
3 Ocr Pdf,
4 Ocr image only,
5 Cam-Scan and Cam-Reader,
6 Scan-for-image-only & repeatedly,
7 24 Language support (Given at the end),
8 Full GUI environment,
9 Selection of starting page number, page numbering mode and number of pages to scan,
10 Selection of Scan area, brightness, resolution and time between repeated scanning,
11 Full Auto Rotation,
12 Brightness optimizer,
13 Audio converter,
14 Easily Accessible Preferences Window,
15 5 OCR Engines (OCROPUS,CUNEIFORM,TESSERACT,GOCR,OCRAD),
16 Good text manipulation with Find, Go-To-Page, Go-To-Line, Append file, Punch File.
17 Display Preferences for Low vision,
18 Dictionary Support for English(Artha)
19 Beta version of spell-checker,
20 Provision for submitting issues,
21 And more features are in the preferences.
How to start using LIOS.
1. Scanning.

In order to start new scan, first press ctrl+n and then press f9 for single scan or ctrl+f9 for repeated scanning. To set the scanning preferences press ctrl+p and set the starting page number, Mode of page numbering, double page mode if you intend to keep 2 pages at a time, rotation to select the way in which you want the program to rotate the images before conversion. In full automatic rotation mode, one can keep the book in 00 90 180 and 270 degree angle. In partial rotation mode program will scan once to find out the position of the book and then the rotation will be kept. In manual mode one should select the angle. partial and manual mode is faster than full auto rotation mode in ocr process. One can select the number of pages to be scanned at a stretch by setting number of pages in the case of repeated scanning. One can stop all scanning process by pressing ctrl f4.
2. Cam-scan.

one can now use Hovercam or a Webcam to produce text in LIOS. Adjustments with these devices can be made using LIOS-cam-preferences in edit menu. This feature will help to read books and other printed materials such as visiting cards currency and like and also it makes the ocr process very fast and accurate. Please be specific to use devices with auto focusing facility. remember that there is no autorotation in this utility.so for the same reason, support of a stand for the webcam will be highly appreciated.
3. Cam-reader.

is the utility which will give a continuous output as one moves the webcam. First it will create the image and then will produce the text and it will start reading. After the completion of reading, it will repeat the process automatically. In cam-scan, one has to take the photo and it will be converted in to text.
4. Ocr Image.

LIOS can convert image file to text which is in jpg, tif, png, pnm and bmp.
5. Ocr folder.

LIOS can convert scanned images from other sources. It can convert jpg, jpeg, tif, tiff png, pnm, formats. To convert the images in a folder, select scan from folder option from scan menu and then select the input folder.
6. Ocr Pdf file.

Select Ocr pdf from scan menu and then select the input file. It is recommended that one can use ocropus as engine more efficiently in pdf conversion.
7. scan for image only and scan for images only repeatedly.

Help one to scan only images and it will give the user opportunity to utilize different ocr engines conveniently. Also it avoids delay between each scan if one does not want to listen to the output. Images will be saved in LIOS or one can choose his own destination. Now conversion can be done using folder option.
8. Brightness checker.

To set a n exact value of brightness or threshold is the best way to ensure maximum efficiency out of ocr engines. To find out the best value, go to tools menu and select brightness checker. This utility will scan for 15 or 17 times to complete the process. After the process, number of words detected at different values will be shone in tabs. I

Download deb file from here http://linux-intelligent-ocr-solution.googlecode.com/ download the latest deb package and install
What is new in LIOS-1.2
1 Cam-Scan,
2 Cam-Reader,
3 Scan-to-image-only,
4 Scan-to-images-repeatedly,
5 Introduction of py-sane, Glaid library make the program faster and efficient,
6 Multiple arguments are handled effectively,
7 Ocr a single Image,
8 Artha shortcut (alt+control+W),
9 Beta version of spell-checker,
10 Provision for submitting issues in the About Dialog.
Features
1 Single scan & Repeated Scanning,
2 Ocr Folder,
3 Ocr Pdf,
4 Ocr image only,
5 Cam-Scan and Cam-Reader,
6 Scan-for-image-only & repeatedly,
7 24 Language support (Given at the end),
8 Full GUI environment,
9 Selection of starting page number, page numbering mode and number of pages to scan,
10 Selection of Scan area, brightness, resolution and time between repeated scanning,
11 Full Auto Rotation,
12 Brightness optimizer,
13 Audio converter,
14 Easily Accessible Preferences Window,
15 5 OCR Engines (OCROPUS,CUNEIFORM,TESSERACT,GOCR,OCRAD),
16 Good text manipulation with Find, Go-To-Page, Go-To-Line, Append file, Punch File.
17 Display Preferences for Low vision,
18 Dictionary Support for English(Artha)
19 Beta version of spell-checker,
20 Provision for submitting issues,
21 And more features are in the preferences.
How to start using LIOS.
1. Scanning.

In order to start new scan, first press ctrl+n and then press f9 for single scan or ctrl+f9 for repeated scanning. To set the scanning preferences press ctrl+p and set the starting page number, Mode of page numbering, double page mode if you intend to keep 2 pages at a time, rotation to select the way in which you want the program to rotate the images before conversion. In full automatic rotation mode, one can keep the book in 00 90 180 and 270 degree angle. In partial rotation mode program will scan once to find out the position of the book and then the rotation will be kept. In manual mode one should select the angle. partial and manual mode is faster than full auto rotation mode in ocr process. One can select the number of pages to be scanned at a stretch by setting number of pages in the case of repeated scanning. One can stop all scanning process by pressing ctrl f4.
2. Cam-scan.

one can now use Hovercam or a Webcam to produce text in LIOS. Adjustments with these devices can be made using LIOS-cam-preferences in edit menu. This feature will help to read books and other printed materials such as visiting cards currency and like and also it makes the ocr process very fast and accurate. Please be specific to use devices with auto focusing facility. remember that there is no autorotation in this utility.so for the same reason, support of a stand for the webcam will be highly appreciated.
3. Cam-reader.

is the utility which will give a continuous output as one moves the webcam. First it will create the image and then will produce the text and it will start reading. After the completion of reading, it will repeat the process automatically. In cam-scan, one has to take the photo and it will be converted in to text.
4. Ocr Image.

LIOS can convert image file to text which is in jpg, tif, png, pnm and bmp.
5. Ocr folder.

LIOS can convert scanned images from other sources. It can convert jpg, jpeg, tif, tiff png, pnm, formats. To convert the images in a folder, select scan from folder option from scan menu and then select the input folder.
6. Ocr Pdf file.

Select Ocr pdf from scan menu and then select the input file. It is recommended that one can use ocropus as engine more efficiently in pdf conversion.
7. scan for image only and scan for images only repeatedly.

Help one to scan only images and it will give the user opportunity to utilize different ocr engines conveniently. Also it avoids delay between each scan if one does not want to listen to the output. Images will be saved in LIOS or one can choose his own destination. Now conversion can be done using folder option.
8. Brightness checker.

To set a n exact value of brightness or threshold is the best way to ensure maximum efficiency out of ocr engines. To find out the best value, go to tools menu and select brightness checker. This utility will scan for 15 or 17 times to complete the process. After the process, number of words detected at different values will be shone in tabs. I

See the 5 comments or propose a solution >>

remove need to always crank down/up volume for headphone use

Written by kiko_ubuntu the 26 Feb 11 at 21:34. Global category: Hardware support. Implemented

When switching to headphone use, the computer/laptop already detects the change and mutes the speakers. Why not nudge the volume at the same time so users don't get sound-blasted every time?

When you drag the slider with headphones plugged the level is remembered, same goes for unplugged volume. They are just stored independently internally and restored on the switch.

There should be very few use cases where the user wants to adjust headphone volume when not actually having the headphones on at the time (and vice versa).

In a sense this is an invisible change, but it's the kind of thing that sets good products apart.

Simple, useful, very Ubuntu.

You know it makes sense. Thanks for the support.

Developer comments

David Henningsson has a status update here:

http://voices.canonical.com/david.henningsson/2011/09/29/independent-volume-for-headphones-and-speakers/

135
votes

63
votes

24
votes

See the 3 comments or propose a solution >>

Associate Python, Perl and bash scripts by extension

Written by Auzy the 20 Jun 08 at 12:19. Global category: System. New

Running python/perl/bash programs in gnome by double clicking them usually opens them as as a document wrongly, instead of executing them. The only way fix currently is for users to mess around with permissions, edit the source code, or/and use terminal.

Scripts are MEANT to be easy and convenient, and should consistently require only 1 click to run (as they do on any other platform). They don't do that currently because Linux sees them as plain-text files, and ignores the file extensions. And, the permissions trick only works if the script/program was coded in linux!

If we set up:
*.pl to run with perl
*.sh to run with the sh interpreter
*.py to run with python
properly, perl, python and bash programs will consistently run with 1 click, instead of requiring 2 actions at least. And it will be consistent with other OS's, without breaking any programs.

And users will be happier because everything runs in 1 click, instead of screwing with permissions or editing source code.

19
votes

2
votes

Solution #2: Warn the user of the potential danger of a script

Written by jackmcslay the 7 Mar 09 at 17:17.

First off, I'w completely AGAINST adding functionality through extensions. The concept is a remainder of DOS days, when the concepts of mime-types weren't widespread.
Linux works fine without relying on extensions and should stay that way.

Determining if an ASCII file is a script by checking if the line specifying the parser to use (e.g #!/bin/bash) is far more reliable.

Then, for security reasons, we should warn the user of the dangers of files that appear to be scripts, like:

Warning: this file appears to be an executable but does not have execution permissions. This file may potentially contain malicious code that damages your files. De not exucute it unless you are sure it came from a reliable source.
[] Give execution permissions and do not ask me again

See the 18 comments or propose a solution >>

Ubuntu should be more Windows supported..

Written by dinbrca the 20 Jun 08 at 18:02. Global category: Others. Not an idea

I think that if ubuntu would support windows more then it would have a lot more users.. (and i mean a lot)
for example: if exe file would be more supported and you wont need to install wine for example then it would be nice.. (people that came from windows like to use there own softwares...)
and if the synpatic would created packages by it self it could be nice..
and if for example: i just started for the first time ubuntu and i think it would be nice if i could choose the software i would like to install at the first time i boot ubuntu then it would be nice..
plus i think that ubuntu isnt so supportive in drivers for hardware.. for example i have the printer: Lexmark z705 and the driver ubuntu installed for me (the default driver was installed) isnt good for my printer.. it should support better old hardware..
for last: i think that ubuntu (and linux at all) have a lot more job to do.. (thats why windows st stiil have more users)
plus my screen is old and ubuntu doesnt support it so well..
I just started to use ubuntu tweak and i think it is needed to be pre-installed with ubuntu and not by the user after ubuntu is first installed..
i think that the archive manager sucks.. and should be more improved

-57
votes

See the 8 comments or propose a solution >>

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