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The Ubuntu community has contributed 13716 ideas, 65290 comments, 1273844 votes

Contributor kclive18




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Partner with big name game developers  
Written by heavyal the 29 Feb 08 at 22:32. Category: Gaming. Related to: Nothing/Others. New
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?

See the 19 comments >>

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Mouse Gestures  
Ubuntu

In :  
Priority : Undefined
Definition : Approved (Needs guidance)
Implementation : Implemented
Assignee : Gerd Kohlberger
spec
Written by adjohnson916 the 29 Feb 08 at 05:46. Category: Others. Related to: Nothing/Others. New
It would be nice to see Ubuntu integrate global mouse gestures. Of course these would be optional and configurable, but in my opinion mouse gestures greatly improve productivity, and Ubuntu could pioneer their implementation in an out-of-the-box OS, putting it that much further ahead of Windows and Mac.

Developer comments
This is being worked on by the accessibility team.

See the 9 comments >>

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GUI configuration front end for common services  
Ubuntu

In :  
Priority : Medium
Definition : Drafting
Implementation : Unknown
Assignee : Soren Hansen
spec
Written by silux the 28 Feb 08 at 16:28. Category: Server. Related to: Nothing/Others. In development
It would make ubuntu much less intimidating for windows server admins if there was a gui which allowed configuation of common network services such as:

web
ssh
mail
database
vpn
dhcp
ldap
dns

Some of these are easier than others but I have seen very little work on this front and I think it will help win over windows admins.

See the 35 comments >>

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Push for partnerships with other hardware vendors  
Written by Veejay the 28 Feb 08 at 14:41. Category: Others. Related to: Nothing/Others. In development
Given the success (as far as I know) of your Dell partnership, please do everything possible to seek alliances with other vendors, as it will reinforce the idea that Ubuntu is a viable alternative to other operating systems and will provide better hardware support for current Ubuntu users.

Dell is offering new models based on Ubuntu (recently the XPS M1330 in a few countries), proof that the business model makes sense.

Developer comments
We have an active partnership program and are open to discussions with hardware vendors. See: http://www.ubuntu.com/partners/hardwareprogramme

See the 29 comments >>

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Create a better hardware database  
attach HW profiles to launchpad accounts and reference
HW profiles in bug reports (#3382)


In : malone
Status : Confirmed
Importance : Medium
Assignee :
19 comments, 11 subscribers and 1 duplicates
bug
Ubuntu

In :  
Priority : Low
Definition : New (Needs guidance)
Implementation : Unknown
Assignee : Tomas Gustavsson
spec
Written by Ubuwu the 28 Feb 08 at 15:22. Category: System. Related to: Nothing/Others. In development
People around the globe that are using/concidering using Ubuntu are afraid that some of their hardware won't work for them. And some are frustrated to buy additional add-on cards to work around unsupportad onboard chips. All this could be avoided with a lookup in an ubuntu Hardware Database Website.

Some problematic hardware can be used with more or less work if helping information is available together with the hardware compatabillity data.

The hardware database can be found at http://hwdb.ubuntu.com/

From idea #47: The data should then be available in a format that is simple for users to browse on-line when considering new hardware.

Developer comments
Work is on-going at https://launchpad.net/hwtest

See the 42 comments >>

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Power Management  
Ubuntu

In :  
Priority : Low
Definition : Pending Approval (Needs guidance)
Implementation : Slow progress
Assignee : Amit Kucheria
spec
Written by jsmidt the 28 Feb 08 at 16:49. Category: Others. Related to: Nothing/Others. In development
Ubuntu needs to go green. Powertop, Lesswatts and other tools have finally hit the Linux scene to pave the way for better power management. It needs to be said, "if you want your battery to last longest, or have your energy bill be the lowest, you better use Ubuntu Linux."

See the 73 comments >>

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Ubuntu Lite  
Written by dhardy the 29 Feb 08 at 01:40. Category: Installation. Related to: Nothing/Others. New
Offer a version of Ubuntu that comes "bare." Eliminate large, non-essential applications such as Open Office, Ekiga, Rythmbox, Evolution, Pidgin, Gimp, etc. Doing this would allow users to pick and choose the applications they wish to use. It would also be great when HDD space is limited, such as Solid State Drive based laptops.

Alternatively you could allow users to choose which applications are installed by letting them customize it during the live install.

See the 27 comments >>

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Push for Ubuntu on Dell machines worldwide  
Written by kuahyeow the 29 Feb 08 at 09:11. Category: Installation. Related to: Nothing/Others. New
With Ubuntu on Dell machines in the USA, I'm sure this means better boot times, hardware integration, sound, network are all nice and good.

Ubuntu should really be pitching to be the default install (an option for the customer) on as many PCs as possible.

See the 7 comments >>

implemented
Already done!
(3253)
Codec Manager  
Written by intarwub the 29 Feb 08 at 00:32. Category: Multimedia. Related to: Nothing/Others. Already implemented
As a user I want to be able to listen to audio or watch videos with the least amount of setup. I would like to have a single interface (Codec Manager) that lists all of the most common audio and video formats and shows me if I am missing the necessary codec for playback.

Use Case: Enable MP3 playback.
Precondition: MP3s are not currently playable.
1. User logs into the system.
2. User opens the Codec Manager.
3. System displays a list of common audio/video formats.
4. User selects MP3s.
5. System displays some info about MP3s.
6. System displays a list of available codecs.
7. User selects a codec and clicks Apply.
8. System downloads and installs the selected codec.
9. System informs the user when completed.

Other possible features:
- Display a list of audio/video types that are missing codecs.
- An auto-setup function, that grabs the recommended codec for all formats.

Audio and Video formats that should be supported:

Audio:
- MP3
- OGG
- AAC
- FLAC
- Real Audio

Video:
- MP4

[....]

Developer comments
Attacks the problem from the wrong angle. I don't think many users would care about a "codec manager", that sounds very much like a geek tool. Heck, *I* wouldn't care about a codec manager. I care about watching my videos. :-)

To me this already seems solved very elegantly with the existing easy-codec-installation.

See the 66 comments >>

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Wireless Network Access (WPA protected) during the Install!  
Written by a49002 the 29 Feb 08 at 02:22. Category: Installation. Related to: Nothing/Others. New
So far, when installing ubuntu/kubuntu, Ethernet cards are generally detected, as are many wireless cards, but when requesting a DHCP address during the install it isnt able to connect to a wireless Router with password protection in place.

Can you consider adding a facility to connect to a WPA (PSK etc) protected Router during the install so that updates etc can happen without fussy configuration firstly? Most home users have real trouble with the wireless connection side of things. Not being able to see the wireless router in the very first stages of going to install a new OS is quite unnerving.

Protected Wireless Routers (not WEP which is essentially unsecure) at home are becoming the norm now, rather than cat5 cabled Ethernet connections.

See the 3 comments >>

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Improve BCMXX43 driver support  
Written by Madrefoca the 5 Mar 08 at 12:52. Category: Hardware support. Related to: Nothing/Others. New
Some of the newest laptop like the HP dv6000, doesn't have WLAN support cause of the BCMX43 driver.

See the 10 comments >>

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Focus on 64-bit desktop system  
Written by evil the 5 Mar 08 at 14:35. Category: Hardware support. Related to: Nothing/Others. New
Make installation of 64-bit on desktop easier. There are many obstructions such a Flash, Opera, Skype etc. And many MANY others...

Many users still use 32-bit Ubuntu just because they scare - complicated setup of 64-bit means less users > Less desktop users means less topics at support phorums > less help > more (unsolved) problems for new 64-bit users.

All new computers are 64-bit (Intel/AMD). Be more oriented to new "standard" desktop computers and take the advantages!

Yes, it's a 64-bit world ;-)

See the 43 comments >>

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Professional-looking bootloader  
Ubuntu grub should be deluxe and animated like
OpenSUSE grub (#3339)


In : grub (ubuntu)
Status : New
Importance : Wishlist
Assignee : Chuck Short
24 comments, 19 subscribers and 4 duplicates
bug
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. Category: Look and Feel. Related to: Nothing/Others. New
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. What would be the alternative? Well, when a Fedora PC is booted up, the first thing the user sees is a graphical splash screen, and "Booting into Fedora (kernel version) in 4 seconds ... " The user can press a key to interrupt and select from kernel versions or alternative operating systems, or just let it boot into Fedora.

Can't we create our own attractive bootloader? Or, failing that, copy-and-paste Fedora's?

See the 101 comments >>

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Fix Suspend and Hibernate  
Nvidia binary driver requires Option "NvAGP"
"1" for reliable suspend/resume (#34043)


In : acpi-support (ubuntu)
Status : In Progress
Importance : Medium
Assignee :
64 comments, 29 subscribers and 4 duplicates
bug
forum
Written by tighem the 28 Feb 08 at 17:22. Category: System. Related to: Nothing/Others. New
Suspend and hibernate still seems to be a big issue based on forum posts. Really focus on fixing it, even with proprietary drivers.

See the 253 comments >>

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Webcam with Pidgin!  
Written by kwixbit the 28 Feb 08 at 19:24. Category: Internet & Networking. Related to: Nothing/Others. New
Pidgin is a good program to chat on all protocols, but a webcam plugin is still missing.
The developers aren't decided to code webcam support, but having this in Pidgin is very needed.

Or why not code this plugin for emesene? But you can only use the MSN protocol at the moment!

See the 39 comments >>

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3741
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Fix compatibility with webcams and microphone  
snd-hda-intel internal microphone not working,
sound recording not working at all (#259877)


In : alsa-driver (ubuntu)
Status : New
Importance : Undecided
Assignee :
0 comments, 1 subscribers and 0 duplicates
bug
Written by dragonx the 28 Feb 08 at 17:30. Category: Multimedia. Related to: Nothing/Others. New
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.

See the 37 comments >>

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A more streamlined way to start programs  
Written by kclive18 the 29 Feb 08 at 01:39. Category: Look and Feel. Related to: Nothing/Others. New
Ubuntu should have some customizations to its default GUI, GNOME, namely an easier way to start programs. I have noticed in Apple's Mac OSX 10.2 and onwards that the program buttons lie along the bottom of the screen. Ubuntu should have a similar interface, but not list every single program's icon.

Instead, the "Applications" menu should be made a sidebar of some sort, with each category represented by an easily recognizable icon. When each icon is clicked, a small context menu with each application will come up alongside it. This way, users don't have to go through a larger menu to get to a smaller menu; this is much more direct.

Also, as a sidenote, GNOME is kind of bland looking. I mean, it has improved, but the GUI could have some better looks; OSX demonstrates this VERY nicely. It would be great if Linux could catch up to the likes of Vista's Aero or OSX's amazing looks (and OSX uses the same X server as Linux does, so why not?). I'm not saying we need to completely replicate OSX's looks, we just need a formidable desktop that can compete with the likes of closed-source OS's, and demonstrate the ability of FOSS as compared to closed-source.

See the 4 comments >>