Contributor lvxferre - Ubuntu brainstorm

Ubuntu QA:

Blog

Brainstorm

Package status

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

All more
Projects more
Global categories more
- Accessibility
- Documentation
- Education
- Gaming
- Graphics
- Hardware support
- Installation
- Internet & Networking
- Look and Feel
- Marketing
- Multimedia
- Office
- Programming
- Quality
- Security
- Server
- System
- Usability
- Others

Idea sandbox

Popular ideas

Ideas in development

Implemented ideas

Contributor lvxferre

Improve the height of the panel

Written by ubby the 5 Dec 09 at 10:51. Global category: Look and Feel. Not an idea

As you can see in the picture below Ubuntu's panel height is 25 px:
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/2940/panelk.png
The height of the Apple OSX panel is 21 px and let the desktop look smoother.
My idea is to make the Ubuntu panel in the next Ubuntu release 22 px.
Maybe the font also need to be changed to make it look better.

-63
votes

348
votes

-48
votes

Solution #3: The Major limiting factors - Font size & DPI

Written by DrG the 10 Dec 09 at 07:18.

(Karmic) -
The minimum width of the panel is determined at runtime , considering application font.
So overcome this with

1.A separate font property for panel
2. This should automatically resize on resizing panel
3. Add supports to applets to have a reduced size

----------------------------------------------------
( Temporary workaround based on above observation)

1.Open System > Preferences > Appearance ( or right click on desktop and select 'Change Desktop Background ) select 'Fonts' Tab
2.Change the 'Application font' size to '9' ( setting the font size to 8 can reduce the panel size to 19 )
3.Right click on an existing panel and click 'new panel '
4.Right click on the new panel and set 'Orientation ' to 'Top' and change size to 21 ( Don't check 'Show hide buttons '
5.Now the panel size changes to 21 . Add applets to it

[...]

Disadvantages :
1.An existing panel with applets may fail to resize ( so add applets only after resizing ) or panel with the 'Hide' buttons ( Ubuntu had to fix this )
2.The fonts of other application also changed - a side effect. - workaround – Ubuntu had to implement a separate font property for the panel ( eg : inside the panel's property dialogue ) or had to adjust the font size according to panel height automatically .

12
votes

-86
votes

See the 13 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 5 Nov 12 at 16:50) >>

Better BrainStorming

Written by DrG the 20 Dec 09 at 16:41. Global category: Others. New

Better BrainStorming

-16
votes

Solution #1: MindMaps and Flow-Charts

Written by DrG the 20 Dec 09 at 16:41.

Add a MindMap control (See - http://www.mindmappedia.com/ ) and Flow-Chart Control in Ubuntu BrainStorm ( Add as HTML function ; Like HTML tables or as an image produced from a MindMap Manager - as in the link , or , as a separate firefox plug-in).

1.MindMap -> is one of the crucial components of BrainStorming.
Mind map can represent an idea in a much simpler and efficient way than typed text.
Mind maps allow for greater creativity when recording ideas and information, as well as allowing the note-taker to associate words with visual representations.

2.Flow chart - is similar .

Also See -
1. MindMap of Prolog Programming for Artificial Intelligence - http://www.biggerplate.com/viewMapImage.asp?ID=702
2. Web Site Development - Project Scoping Guide - http://www.biggerplate.com/viewMapImage.asp?ID=410
2. Wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map

42
votes

3
votes

7
votes

40
votes

Solution #6: Hide Already viewed Solutions and comments

Written by DrG the 21 Dec 09 at 08:17.

In some Ideas like this one , there will be lot of solutions
A user who checks the update should scroll down for the new one .

So
1.Hide the solutions contents ( Show only the Title , Votes and Vote Status) , which are voted and have not changed since the last view .
2. Add an Expand button ( Should load the contents only on pressing the button )

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

This should be configurable , with options
1.Automatic - Hide after voting , if no changes
2.Manual - Persistent Collapse / Expand button .

The setting should be accessible from user profile

Add similar functionality to comments also by persistent 'Collapse' or 'Expand' Buttons; Which remembers the setting.

32
votes

22
votes

9
votes

23
votes

Solution #10: More Options in DashBoard

Written by DrG the 21 Dec 09 at 10:03.

=---------------------------------------------------------
1.Friends - See what your favourite people are doing in BrainStorm
2.Private Messages - Access messages from other BrainStormers right from your dash board
3.Comments posted for me - In any Solution a comment posted with '@NoMan' in the beginning of a line should go to the tab named 'Comments posted for me' of NoMan's DashBoard
4.My Recently Moderated Ideas - Ideas to which a recent moderation appeared , such as approval , closed or labelled as duplicate

6
votes

10
votes

11
votes

13
votes

12
votes

Solution #15: 'Comments' always with Ideas

Written by DrG the 22 Dec 09 at 14:38.

When we view ideas and solutions , either in dash-board , in popular ideas , latest ideas or random ideas , the comment are not included in the page.
To view the comment , each idea had to be opened as a separate web page.
This should be avoided .

Show comments as expandable portions inside all the pages. [ The should load only after expanding ]

It should also be possible to ' Propose Solution ' and 'Add comment ' from these pages .

15
votes

12
votes

Solution #17: Blinding

Written by DrG the 23 Dec 09 at 07:10.

[ ' Blinding ' is a technique used in statistics to avoid errors due to confronting factors. ]

To implement blinding brainstorm had to show the properties described below only after voting .

1 . The Name of the person who proposed the idea .
2 . The date on which the idea is published
3 . The number of vote to the solution .
4. Comments by other contributors ( this should be optional )

This will allow users to make decision without confronting factors .

11
votes

-4
votes

-8
votes

-5
votes

16
votes

Solution #23: Popular Ideas - Sort Order

Written by DrG the 26 Dec 09 at 05:51.

The default sort order of 'Popular Ideas' is 'Most popular in 30 days'

Each time opening the page the user had to view the 'Most popular in 30 days'

Some users may prefer other options - Like 'Latest ideas' to be displayed .

So,
1.Allow users to set a personal default view.
2.Allow options for persistence of selection - in this case the last selected view will be used on page load .

6
votes

4
votes

-3
votes

1
votes

0
votes

50
votes

2
votes

1
votes

See the 2 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 19 Jul 12 at 16:56) >>

Language translation of non-Unicode programs.

Written by anyedge the 6 Jan 11 at 07:20. Global category: Usability. New

[edit]
Applications using non-unicode font do not render properly in Ubuntu.
[/edit]

4
votes

Solution #1: Add an option in Language Support

Written by anyedge the 6 Jan 11 at 07:20.

Create an option in Language Support allowing non-unicode programs to be displayed/run in their language, while leaving the rest of the system unchanged.

[edit]
Windows 7 has a beautiful feature that allows users to run non-Unicode created programs in a specific language while still allowing them[the users] to use their default language for everything else. Right now, that is a feature that is not available in Ubuntu. Example: I can play Japanese games[RPGMaker] in Windows 7 by selecting the "Language for non-Unicode Programs" option--but the rest of my system is still displayed and operated in English. On the other hand, Ubuntu only has support for Unicode programs.

Please check here for a better understanding of what I am talking about: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Change-the-system-locale. The only way I can use non-unicode Japanese programs would be to change the system locale(default language). Even then, it is not guaranteed to work.
[/edit]

9
votes

See the 9 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 31 May 12 at 02:51) >>

Different icon for .deb packages

Written by mydoghasworms the 22 Jun 10 at 18:32. Global category: Look and Feel. In development

The icon for a .deb package looks too much like an ordinary archive.

Developer comments

Thanks for the suggestion. Making .deb icons more distinctive is a great idea.

I have reviewed the proposed solutions with Michael Vogt, our packaging expert. Solution #1 is straightforward, but we particularly like solutions #5 and #10, using a thumbnailer to show the application icon from inside each package.

Deb Thumbnailer is a good start, but it needs a bit of code cleanup. We will work with the Deb Thumbnailer developers to see if it can be made suitable for the default Ubuntu installation.

If you would like to help out, the next step is to get it packaged: http://launchpad.net/bugs/685851

— mpt

426
votes

-40
votes

Selected solution (#2): Allow package to optionally include its own icon

Written by mydoghasworms the 24 Jun 10 at 05:15.

It would be nice if every package could include its own icon, which would display in Nautilus, and if it has no icon, then some default must be displayed. This would be especially nice for third-party vendors providing software (e.g. Google, Skype, VirtualBox, etc.)
This is of course an optional specification, and if the package includes it, and the file manager supports it, it would show the icon.

-- UPDATE --
As per comment below, this is now a reality: https://launchpad.net/deb-thumbnailer

78
votes

-19
votes

Selected solution (#4): Solution #1 + mockup icon with a concept

Written by lvxferre the 1 Jul 10 at 19:56.

Mockup icon: http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/218/debinstpack.png

The mockup I made is horrible, I know - please, look at the concept behind it.

The icon is still a package, somewhat similar to the old icons. The Debian logo is still there (it's .deb after all), but it should be bigger and with a more contrasting color.

The package is open. Inside it's a floppy - while few of us still use floppy disks, most associate it with "install". The green arrow in the floppy hints "download".

So, an icon like this tells us: "You downloaded this file, There's a program inside. You can install the program if you want." Exactly what we expect from a .deb .

13
votes

-4
votes

Selected solution (#6): Have a different icon for archives

Written by Stancel_Spencer the 10 Jul 10 at 09:07.

That looks like a box. So it is perfect for software packages. The metaphor is great, it is like the package that comes in the box that you order and you open it up.

Archives, like zip files, have often been shown in other OS as a folder with a zipper on it. You could also use a filing cabinet for the icon. But my point is, if anything needs to change, it's the archive icons.

-13
votes

-16
votes

-31
votes

51
votes

See the 22 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 12 Apr 12 at 07:54) >>

Move the min, max, close buttons back to the right in 10.04

Written by readmanr the 6 Mar 10 at 21:00. Related project: Gnome. Won't implement

In Ubuntu Lucid 10.04 Alpha3 we have a new default theme, however the Minimise, Maximise and Close buttons have been moved from the top right, to the top left.
(see the image at the bottom)

This was a poor choice for the following reasons...

- If clicking at the top menu (File , View, Help etc) the close buttons are VERY Close, accidents can happen.
- There used to be a tiny dot in the top left, which had in its menu, Min, Max, Move, Always on Top, and Close (So why move the Min, Max, Close buttons to the left?
- Migrating Windows and Mac users will be used to having them at the right, which is a huge usability jump)

Changes like this should be an optional choice, while it is possible to manually edit the theme, it should not be the default for an LTS release.

Ubuntu 10.04 Alpha3

src: http://blog.daviey.com/blogroll/anything-but-the-buttons.html

1192
votes

-449
votes

-1049
votes

647
votes

-521
votes

515
votes

-121
votes

Solution #8: make the default alignment theme-dependent

Written by marvo the 10 Mar 10 at 10:28.

There are some themes that look better when the buttons are placed on the left side (like Ambiance, Radiance and Gorilla) and there are some themes that look better with the buttons being on the right side (like Glider, Human, Clearlooks or SphereCrystal).

So i propose to set the default alignment depending on the chosen theme and make it easily switchable.

The current way to change the alignment of the buttons back to the right by typing
gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/metacity/general/button_layout "menu:minimize,maximize,close"
is a bit tedious.

-221
votes

-386
votes

-157
votes

-143
votes

Solution #14: Keep default left Minimize, Maximise/Resize & Close Buttons

Written by MoebusNet the 15 Mar 10 at 01:04.

Rationale: In VirtualBox without Guest Additions, the right-hand side of the desktop and the lower part of the desktop are not visible until you scroll. Having the above-mentioned buttons on the top-left side of the window by default makes them accessible when (not if) Guest Additions do not work/are unavailable or when scrolling for whatever reason does not work. This is especially true for development versions.

I _am_ in favor of choice, so this should be fairly easy for a user to change (preferably by GUI) to right, left or both.

Just my opinion.

-44
votes

Solution #16: Leave the buttons on the right until 10.10

Written by neblogas the 16 Mar 10 at 15:58.

Because Mark said that in 10.10 the windows will have something new in the right side, but now, there is no need to change the buttons, and this is LTS release! in 10.10 when you will finish the new mysteriuos window features on the right then you can put the buttons on the left. As I said, there is no need now to change. Its an LTS release and the people and companies won't change until the next LTS, so there won't be for them new mysteriuos windows features on the right!

246
votes

-117
votes

Solution #18: Top Horizontial Bar moved the the Left or Right as Vertical Bar

Written by ichido the 17 Mar 10 at 17:53.

Move the Top Bar to the Right Side-Vertical Bar and the Bottom Bar would be on the Left Side Vertical.
This would allow for more Vertical Space.
The user would be able to Swap the Left Bar with the Right Bar and also the Size/Thickness of the Bars.
Applications could maintain the Top Bar or a Side or a Bottom bar for their Window.

-94
votes

-88
votes

-85
votes

-134
votes

35
votes

Solution #27: For longer term, how about a window manager merge?

Written by LukeM33P the 25 Mar 10 at 01:13.

Compiz managers and decorators are already effective at options. Placing the Metacity and Kwin options in Emerald Decorator manager, which would be preinstalled, along with CCSM (or a custom replacement) would be the solution, with CCSM/replacement simplified to look like (in functionality and basic organization) the KDE settings manager, but using default schemes and such, of course.

For KDE users, alongside the CCSM/replacement, the interface would be integrated into the System Settings, just like the traditional settings.

The reason I propose this is because options, while not easy to find and configure (and why I propose the reorg) are very powerful. Setting up Metacity and KWin to show up as options and adding the appropriate settings, if necessary, seems to make sense (to me) as a long-term solution. The operating system needs to seem as encompassing as KDE or even more so, and combining these options so that the system is even more universal would be a step towards this.

An addition to the application of managing the system title bar like the KDE or GNOME dashboards would be similarly useful, and may be all of this potential solution that should be used. Default should stay in line with last-gen human theme, even if the colors and buttons look different.

51
votes

-93
votes

Solution #29: Have the buttons on both sides AND hide them.

Written by MisterLinOx the 26 Mar 10 at 21:52.

Have the min, max, close buttons on both sides of the title bar, but hide them. The only time they should show is on mouseover of the bar, but depending on which side you mouseover decides which side the buttons show.

For example, cursor closer to the left side? Mouse over the top-left and the buttons will appear. Vice-versa for the right side.

-63
votes

-44
votes

-57
votes

-59
votes

-38
votes

-12
votes

Solution #38: Allow the option to be changed in installation slideshow and in minimal install

Written by Jon Monreal the 17 Apr 10 at 23:49.

Please note that this is not an idea for the imminent release of 10.04, but would be better included in the next update ISO.

Experienced users already know how to change the buttons back to the original location, so server installations shouldn't be so much of a problem.

For absolute beginner users, the first slide in the installation slideshow could be one explaining the benefits of having the buttons on the left side and asking the user to choose what they could like to do.

In the minimal install, it would also be easy to add a simple option (most users using the minimal install are probably fairly experienced).

This would solve the real issue here: beginners possibly not using Ubuntu at all because it changes something.

-6
votes

-4
votes

Solution #40: To the right by default, but an option to move them to the left.

Written by turbolad the 5 Jul 10 at 15:42.

As per title. Buttons to the right by default, with an option to move to the left.

Don't forget to keep the little circle, which when clicked on, has options such as "Always On Top", "Move to Workspace Right" etc. These options should never be removed and I think the 3 buttons should be on the right by default, as most newbies are familiar with that setup.

-11
votes

Solution #41: Put min, max, close buttons in a completely new position

Written by baretobareto the 3 Aug 10 at 20:31.

Fisrt of all, sorry for my English.

Why we really needs buttons to the right? Well theres no real difference between having your buttons on the left or on the right, its just a matter of have the enough time to get used to one position or another.
But what about if we have these button in a complete new position.
What about having min, max, close buttons on the right BUT in the lower side of the windows instead of the upper side.

If you think about it, when you open a document or a web-page, you need to scroll down to really knows if that document is what you are looking for. When a document is too long, you need to use the scroll down arrow. So your mouse-arrow will be closer to the lower right of the window instead of the upper side of the window.
If you want to look to a minimize window that you think it would be not useful anymore, you need to un-minimize this window. If the buttons are in the lower right of the window it will be needed much less movement of your hand to close it after un-minimize because the close button will be closer to the task bar.

[...]

As you see there are some reason to have buttons in the lower side of the window BUT I know there are others to have this buttons on others positions.

So, why not to put this buttons in a completely new position.
This could be a ubuntu-only-feature just like the recycle bin in the task bar is a ubuntu-only-feature.

See the 118 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 29 Mar 12 at 20:59) >>

"man" should tell people how to (q)uit it

Written by Blutkoete the 30 Sep 10 at 11:36. Global category: Documentation. Implemented

Neither "man --help" nor "man man" state clearly that you have to press "q" to quit it. Quite ironic.

That should be on top of each man page!

Developer comments

Thanks for the idea! By sheer coincidence, a similar thought had occurred to me just a day or two ago when showing my stepson how to read manual pages.

I've made a change upstream for man-db 2.6.0 which will address this, by adding "(press h for help or q to quit)" to the default prompt string which is displayed on the bottom line of the screen when reading manual pages. I think this is a reasonable balance between providing guidance and taking up too much screen space, and people who get fed up of seeing it can always follow the documentation in man(1) for customising the prompt.

This will probably not be in Ubuntu 11.04, because I still have to go through a round of translations before releasing man-db 2.6.0, and it will be getting rather late by that point. However, it will definitely be in Ubuntu 11.10.

-- Colin Watson (Ubuntu developer and upstream maintainer of man-db)

-57
votes

252
votes

Selected solution (#2): Info on the bottom of each page

Written by alwuzomondo the 30 Sep 10 at 13:23.

I think this is problem that many many newbees run into. But you need to learn the 'q' command only once, after that most wont even remember that there was a time where they didn't know how to quit. Also by only showing a "Press q to quit" message user wont discover all the other possibilities easily. Therefore my proposal is to put a "press 'h' for help". I think the best place for the is at the bottom since this a kind of man status line.

Example:

lines 1-24 (press 'h' for help)

11
votes

-15
votes

7
votes

3
votes

See the 7 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 13 Dec 11 at 07:16) >>

Option to mark bad blocks while format before install Ubuntu

Written by sandrex the 22 May 10 at 22:01. Related project: Live CD installer. New

Hard Disks commonly develop bad blocks.
When full of bad blocks some data may be lost, including the own system.

173
votes

Solution #1: Add to GParted an option to mark bad blocks

Written by sandrex the 22 May 10 at 22:01.

GParted would have an option to format system while Ubuntu is installed.
Could be included some hints explaining what is this and prompt alerting that this may take a long time.
Also later Ubuntu is installed (ie format a second partition/device) the basic user which doesn't know command e2fsck would have a simple option to mark badblocks.

-36
votes

Solution #2: Abort the installation as soon as a bad sector is encountered.

Written by emourik the 30 May 10 at 18:18.

Skipping bad sectors is a VERY BAD IDEA.

I would NOT advise to store anything of value on a hard disk that has bad sectors.

Modern hard drives hide bad sectors by remapping the data to spare sectors. Bas sectors will only become visible if this mechanism fails, or if the spare area is used up.

A drive with one or more bad sectors will very soon develop more bad sectors. In many cases, it could suddenly die completely, because the next bad sector could occur in the 'service area', where hard drives stores their internal parameters.

Note: I daily see unreliable hard drives; I am a data recovery engineer...

-2
votes

Solution #3: Re-map drive to omit bad blocks

Written by robosolo55 the 18 Jun 10 at 12:06.

As someone who is trying to keep some old PCs running longer to save money, I would appreciate it if the partitioner could remap the drive to skip over the bad blocks. Essentially it would make a 40 GB drive into a 20 GB drive.

This might take a long time to accomplish, but would enable the user to get more life out of a machine with periodically re-mapping as the drive deteriorates.

Ultimately, a solid state drive may be the answer but they are still rather expensive.

2
votes

Solution #4: Offer to scan for bad sectors during partitioning and formatting when installing

Written by turbolad the 13 Jan 11 at 20:36.

Give users the option of scanning for bad sectors at the partitioning and formatting stage of Ubuntu installation.

A tick box - ticked by default - and a quick explanation like this, for example:

__

[ ] Scan disk surface for bad sectors (takes many minutes).

It is recommended to scan the disk surface for errors, unless the disk is known to be completely healthy.

__

If one or more bad sectors are found, warn the user and recommend regular backups if the faulty disk drive is put into service.

See the 5 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 21 Oct 11 at 00:50) >>

Encrypted home directory GUI tool is needed

Written by Beach Ball the 7 Dec 09 at 04:21. Global category: Security. New

Ubuntu 9.10 has an awesome means of setting up an encrypted home directory during a first time install, however, users who decide later on to implement an encrypted home directory must resort to learning command-line instructions. Furthermore, the 9.10 installer only gives you the option to setup a single account during install with the option to encrypt, any users added later on must be done from the command-line if an encrypted home directory is desired.

348
votes

Solution #1: Option to encrypt home directory when adding new user through graphical tool

Written by Beach Ball the 7 Dec 09 at 04:21.

There are really two things I think need to be done.

First, Ubuntu provides a simple, intuitive, graphical tool under System -> Administration -> Users and Groups for adding new user accounts. After clicking the option to "Add User", a window appears with a tab called "Account". In the "Account" tab there are options for setting a password. I think there should also be an option to "Encrypt home directory". This way a user can create new user accounts with the home directory encrypted without having to drop to the command line.

281
votes

Solution #2: Provide graphical tool for managing the encryption of existing home directories

Written by Beach Ball the 7 Dec 09 at 04:37.

Some users may decide they need to switch on/off the use of encryption for their home directory. That is, they may not have enabled encryption to begin with, but now need it; or, they may have it enabled, but now decide they don't want it.

Enabling encryption during a fresh install is easy for a single account, but turning it on later means sending the user to the command line. Same with disabling it later on.

I suggest the ability to switch on/off encryption for one's home directory be an option in the "User and Groups" program for the properties of the account in question (that is, System -> Administration -> Users and Groups -> Properties).

I would have a check box under the existing "Don't ask for password on login" option that says "Encrypt home directory". Checking the box would encrypt the user's home directory while un-checking the box would turn it off (that is, decrypt the contents).

Also, I would require the password of that account to be entered in order for either change to take effect. That way someone with sudo privileges can't toggle encryption on/off for user accounts without knowing their passwords.

94
votes

Solution #3: Provide an encryption key master/policy enforcement tool

Written by Beach Ball the 7 Dec 09 at 04:57.

Encryption isn't just important to end-users, but it is important to businesses, too. Especially if they have to comply with mandated data security policies, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (see http://www.soxlaw.com/), for which they have no say in the matter.

If Ubuntu is going to make inroads into these kinds of enterprise markets, there needs to be a management tool to ensure that an employee cannot encrypt their home directory without providing a means for another user (e.g., the primary sys admin for the company) to decrypt it (and yes, I know, a rogue user could always just use something like TrueCrypt, but this about meeting data security policy requirements).

Also, there needs to be a method for enforcing encrypted home directories.

I don't think either of these functions fits into the "Users and Groups" management application. So, maybe this is something best suited for integration into policykit?

Of course, such a tool should be protected in such a way that a user with local root privileges couldn't use it to gain access to the encrypted contents of other users on the system unless it is a key-master account.

69
votes

Solution #4: Not only to 'Home' folder....

Written by DrG the 10 Dec 09 at 08:58.

Another idea .---->
A better way is to implement an 'Encryption' option to the 'Permissions' tab (of the Properties Dialogue of files , directories and disks) , which encrypts
files , directories or disks with a password entered by the user ( or the login password - which should not ask password , for decryption , once the specific user logs in , as per choice), and encrypts the item , according to the algorithm selected by the user.

######
In karmic , home directory encryption is achieved through Cryptsetup . A tutorial is here http://gentoo-blog.de/ubuntu/encrypted-home-and-swap-partition-on-ubuntu-9-10-k armic/
####

#-------------------
The Rationale , to a much less extent , can be achieved through nautilus.-->
Right click the desired directory, select 'Properties' , choose 'Permissions' tab ; set Permissions of 'Group' and 'Others' to 'None'(set the Owner as the user ) .( The drawback is that 'root' will be still able to access the content , so as other users with 'gksu nautilus' - so don't rely much on this until tracked ) .

84
votes

-27
votes

Solution #6: Don't encrypt home folder but only parts of it and make key locations clearer

Written by natschil the 20 Dec 09 at 19:11.

Currently, the whole home folder is encrypted, which is suboptimal for people, who want to keep private data but also run a lot of io operations, such as compiling software. Furthermore, keys are kept not only in /home, but also somewhere in /var, iirc, which is a pain if your system crashes and you try to mount the encrypted home directores. Therefore I think it would be more practical to have only part of the home folder encrypted.

8
votes

Solution #7: Provide GUI with automated processes

Written by PaddyLandau the 8 Feb 10 at 10:31.

Provide a simple, straightforward GUI that has a few basic steps. This would handle all the requirements for the average user. Expert users would still be free to use terminal to perform fancier functions.

I would envisage that the GUI would come installed by default on both the Live CD and a normal installation.

1. The GUI would have the following options. In all three cases, it would require Administrator rights (gksu) when not for your own home directory. It would have to allow looking at home directories on a different drive, e.g. when booting from a Live CD to recover from some problem.
(a) Synchronise password.
(b) Encrypt a home directory.
(c) Stop encrypting a home directory.
(d) View a home directory.
(e) Save recovery key on a file (e.g. USB drive).

Note: For changing the login password the normal way, I would want the system to automatically synchronise the home directory. Option (a) would be for when something goes wrong and recovery is required from the Live CD (a situation that I have encountered).

The options would work as follows. In all cases, prompt for Administrator access if not your own home directory. Naturally, there should be checks for nonsense requests, such as trying to encrypt a home directory that is already encrypted or trying to view a home directory that is already mounted (decrypted with ecryptfs).

[...]

(a) Synchronise password.
- Explain to the user what this option means (non-technical users may not realise that the password should match the login password).
- Prompt for:
* which home directory to change.
* its 32-character unlock key, which optionally can be a file from point (e). If already successfully mounted (e.g. the user's own home directory), then omit this step.
* the new (or current) login password.
- Change the password to the new one.

(b) Encrypt a home directory.
- Explaing to the user what this option means (specifically for non-technical users).
- Warn that backups should be taken first in case of problems.
- Prompt for:
* which home directory to change.
* the current login password (if possible, let the system validate this password).
- Display the 32-character unlock code and ask the user to save it safely away from his computer. Explain the importance of doing this. Provide the option of saving it as a file, e.g. on a USB drive -- see point (e). After the user has confirmed doing this...
- Encrypt the home directory (for the user's own home directory, set the mount points accordingly).

(c) Stop encrypting a home directory.
- Prompt for:
* which home directory to change.
* its 32-character unlock key, which optionally can be a file from point (e). If already successfully mounted (e.g. the user's own home directory), then omit this step.
- Stop encrypting the home directory (for the user's own home directory, modify the mount points accordingly).

(d) View a home directory.
- Prompt for:
* which home directory to view.
* its 32-character unlock key, which optionally can be a file from point (e).
- Mount the home directory.
- Display the mount point for the user.
- Open the mount point in Nautilus (or whatever default file management system is set for the installation).

(e) Save recovery key on a file (e.g. USB drive).
- Prompt for:
* which home directory.
* its 32-character unlock key, which optionally can be a file from point (e). If already successfully mounted (e.g. the user's own home directory), then omit this step.
* where to save the file (name and location). Clearly warn the user of the risks of keeping the file phsically near the computer. If the file already exists, warn about overwriting it.
- Save the 32-character unlock key in a simple text recovery file.

I would envisage that the GUI would come installed by default on both the Live CD and a normal installation.

1. The GUI would have the following options. In all three cases, it would require Administrator rights (gksu) when not for your own home directory. It would have to allow looking at home directories on a different drive, e.g. when booting from a Live CD to recover from some problem.
(a) Synchronise password.
(b) Encrypt a home directory.
(c) Stop encrypting a home directory.
(d) View a home directory.
(e) Save recovery key on a file (e.g. USB drive).

Note: For changing the login password the normal way, I would want the system to automatically synchronise the home directory. Option (a) would be for when something goes wrong and recovery is required from the Live CD (a situation that I have encountered).

The options would work as follows. In all cases, prompt for Administrator access if not your own home directory. Naturally, there should be checks for nonsense requests, such as trying to encrypt a home directory that is already encrypted or trying to view a home directory that is already mounted (decrypted with ecryptfs).

(b) Encrypt a home directory.
- Explaing to the user what this option means (specifically for non-technical users).
- Warn that backups should be taken first in case of problems.
- Prompt for:
* which home directory to change.
* the current login password (if possible, let the system validate this password).
- Display the 32-character unlock code and ask the user to save it safely away from his computer. Explain the importance of doing this. Provide the option of saving it as a file, e.g. on a USB drive -- see point (e). After the user has confirmed doing this...
- Encrypt the home directory (for the user's own home directory, set the mount points accordingly).

(c) Stop encrypting a home directory.
- Prompt for:
* which home directory to change.
* its 32-character unlock key, which optionally can be a file from point (e). If already successfully mounted (e.g. the user's own home directory), then omit this step.
- Stop encrypting the home directory (for the user's own home directory, modify the mount points accordingly).

(d) View a home directory.
- Prompt for:
* which home directory to view.
* its 32-character unlock key, which optionally can be a file from point (e).
- Mount the home directory.
- Display the mount point for the user.
- Open the mount point in Nautilus (or whatever default file management system is set for the installation).

(e) Save recovery key on a file (e.g. USB drive).
- Prompt for:
* which home directory.
* its 32-character unlock key, which optionally can be a file from point (e). If already successfully mounted (e.g. the user's own home directory), then omit this step.
* where to save the file (name and location). Clearly warn the user of the risks of keeping the file phsically near the computer. If the file already exists, warn about overwriting it.
- Save the 32-character unlock key in a simple text recovery file.

4
votes

See the 7 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 20 Sep 11 at 09:44) >>

press windows key for ubuntu support center/ ubuntu help forum

Written by explorer74 the 25 Jun 10 at 20:32. Global category: Documentation. Implemented

The windows key is in most cases not in use.

-103
votes

50
votes

20
votes

-8
votes

See the 4 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 4 Sep 11 at 22:45) >>

Ubuntu store/donate

Written by pererik87 the 15 Jan 10 at 16:16. Related project: ubuntu.com. New

If you want to donate to all the software on Ubuntu and the programs you have to make about 100 transactions each costing grand.

Currently running Ubuntu desktop is not profitable and with more money not only for ubuntu, but all open source, we can have more dedicated 24/7 developers assigned to Ubuntu, specific programs and applications.

Some of my suggestion is based on accessories for ubuntu store with symbolic value etc.

Is it anything else we can do?

12
votes

20
votes

Solution #2: Open source packs

Written by pererik87 the 15 Jan 10 at 16:19.

Open Source donate packs. Has a specified percent that goes to different opensource projects including Ubuntu, openoffice and all the others.

So you can donate to every Open Source in Ubuntu at once. If it gets many donations, it will make a extra motivation for people making (or that want to make) Open Source to ubuntu and it will also be easier to make money on Open source.

And if I want to donate to 20 different companies from my countrie. I don't have to pay the 10$ abroad fee 20 times. Lets say I want to donate 50$ without creating paypal(not popular in my country) account or fuzz that i don't want or need.

17
votes

33
votes

12
votes

0
votes

Solution #6: work with the Code Offsets project

Written by Immanuel the 20 Jan 10 at 00:17.

http://codeoffsets.com/ do exactly what is requested here (just in a little geeky way of giving you official permission to make coding mistakes ;))
So, basically, if Ubuntu could work together with them to maybe get them some more publicity/a broader target group and extend to other open source projects, that would be fantastic (no need to reinvent the wheel, esp. as doing stuff twice is basically just wasted money)

4
votes

27
votes

32
votes

12
votes

2
votes

-287
votes

Solution #12: ADs during Package Install process

Written by Otacon87 the 7 Feb 10 at 13:35.

When a new user installs a new application he will take the install process in background (or just stays there staring the progress bar).
My idea is really simple: add a new widget to the installation progress that shows ADs.

-> User can choose to show or not those ADs.
-> By default showing ADs is enabled.
-> Optionally this option can be shown during Ubuntu System install process.
-> If user clicks on an AD default browser will pop-up.
-> If user clicks on "Show shell output" the AD widget will be replaced by the shell output widget.

Maybe it can be a little ugly, but it will make canonical gain a lot of money (impressions or clicks) and will not annoy the user that much.

152
votes

Solution #13: Sell Ubuntu

Written by alms66 the 8 Feb 10 at 03:22.

Heresy I know, but hear me out on this one, it could work.

You box and package an Ubuntu disk. Each country would get it's own localized version of packaging. If necessary, in that country, you could also include a copy of legal codecs for dvd playback and whatnot - assuming Canonical would want to do that to not risk legal action. Hopefully, a lower than normal price can be negotiated for those though.

You would clearly state on the box that Ubuntu is free, can be downloaded for free and what you are paying for is the packaging (and additional goodies where needed) and distributing of the product. You would also clearly explain that the cost of this has been rounded up to the nearest $5 (for example in the US) or so, as a small "donation" to Ubuntu so that open source projects can be funded.

92
votes

127
votes

567
votes

Solution #16: Sell Ubuntu Stickers (good ones)

Written by readmanr the 10 Feb 10 at 23:02.

Canonical Store should sell good Ubuntu stickers, the packs available at the moment are all right, but not good.
See... http://shop.canonical.com/product_info.php?products_id=125

Ubuntu should sell the metallic bezel kind of stickers, kind of how the Intel inside stickers are. Some places have designed some that say "Designed for Ubuntu" with the ubuntu logo on a metallic sticker, they are good, but not everyone wants to lie about it, the computer was not designed for ubuntu, (but it may have been purchased with Ubuntu in mind).

See this "powered by ubuntu sticker"...
Powered by Ubuntu!

If canonical sold these at a cheap but profitable price they would sell like hot cakes!
All flavours should be available Ubuntu, Kubuntu etc...

-122
votes

-200
votes

-73
votes

Solution #19: Software catalog Duh!

Written by ki4jgt the 16 Feb 10 at 09:04.

There has been talk around the internet, that Ubuntu is planning to incorperate a paid section into the software install program. I don't think this is such a bad idea. Especially since Ubuntu already hinges it's entire system on Open Source software.
I think Ubuntu should charge a small ($20) insertion fee for programers wanting to have their programs listed in this category.

60
votes

Solution #20: Bottom up! - make Ubuntu an NGO and start campaigning

Written by Blinky the 16 Feb 10 at 11:36.

Make Ubuntu a Non governmental organisation and start getting grants for it. Africa will need free systems/cheap systems to get connected so governments and aid organisations will be able to finance it - make it work for aid!!! Counties like Sweden will finance this. So with africa, half of south america, parts of Asia etc thats most of the world. China already runs linux via the government so it would great if the people also did - i.e. get in now and give it to 1/3 of the world's population.

place it in the hands of every third world child, team up with people that want to make cheap computers to the third world and in 20 years it will be the biggest thing!

The vast majority of the world lives in poverty so getting it to them cheap is how to get the majority of the world using it! Ubuntu is based on bottom up tactics - i.e. the users make it so why are we suggesting to distribute it top down (i.e. make it a business) - start with the people at the bottom. give it to an orphan, a war victim, a child that lives on under a dollar a day. Make a program/app that teams up with MIT open course (http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm) like the iBooks app (or think iTunes U) on the iPad and you will educate these poor and repressed people. What do these people need once they get a computer and make sure ubuntu can do this well.

Start looking at integrated solutions with hardware and hook the 3rd world up to the net with ubuntu. Make a tablet device that is cheap and runs ubuntu. We might not even need that everyone has the net. integrate wifi that swarms (one swarm: http://oneswarm.cs.washington.edu/index.html)... i.e. if i am near another ubuntu computer they connect and share data i.e. local torrent sharing. Great for africa!

[...]

... after all ubuntu's an african word!

Then to get the first world going start a website that is all about campaigning to get Ubuntu in every office and every government building. Think the My Barack Obama website and you will be well on the way. Love him or loath him he mobilised allot of people. Have a social networking site that allows people to send emails to friends, letters to politicians, ring people to campaign. Send sms etc, blog about the Ubuntu on all kinds of stuff... like the third world (see above) etc. Get organisations in each country and take membership fees. Membership fees will make a free system and support africa.

We don't need ads we need to start working the same way that ubuntu was created - from the bottom up. The goal of Ubuntu should be to connect the world. Start from the bottom - its the only way!

place it in the hands of every third world child, team up with people that want to make cheap computers to the third world and in 20 years it will be the biggest thing!

The vast majority of the world lives in poverty so getting it to them cheap is how to get the majority of the world using it! Ubuntu is based on bottom up tactics - i.e. the users make it so why are we suggesting to distribute it top down (i.e. make it a business) - start with the people at the bottom. give it to an orphan, a war victim, a child that lives on under a dollar a day. Make a program/app that teams up with MIT open course (http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm) like the iBooks app (or think iTunes U) on the iPad and you will educate these poor and repressed people. What do these people need once they get a computer and make sure ubuntu can do this well.

Start looking at integrated solutions with hardware and hook the 3rd world up to the net with ubuntu. Make a tablet device that is cheap and runs ubuntu. We might not even need that everyone has the net. integrate wifi that swarms (one swarm: http://oneswarm.cs.washington.edu/index.html)... i.e. if i am near another ubuntu computer they connect and share data i.e. local torrent sharing. Great for africa!

... after all ubuntu's an african word!

Then to get the first world going start a website that is all about campaigning to get Ubuntu in every office and every government building. Think the My Barack Obama website and you will be well on the way. Love him or loath him he mobilised allot of people. Have a social networking site that allows people to send emails to friends, letters to politicians, ring people to campaign. Send sms etc, blog about the Ubuntu on all kinds of stuff... like the third world (see above) etc. Get organisations in each country and take membership fees. Membership fees will make a free system and support africa.

We don't need ads we need to start working the same way that ubuntu was created  - from the bottom up. The goal of Ubuntu should be to connect the world. Start from the bottom - its the only way!

121
votes

Solution #21: Donations and Partnerships

Written by Chamillo the 17 Feb 10 at 01:19.

I think Ubuntu needs to focus on two areas:

Donations: I know that Ubuntu already takes donations, but it can do a better job of creating a greater awareness and urgency among users to make donations and how every dollar can make a significant difference in the future of Linux and open source.

Partnerships: Ubuntu should strongly pursue partnerships with computer manufacturers that would create a market of Ubuntu-optimized computers. Those manufacturers could benefit from creating a pool of loyal Linux users that would buy their computers and they in turn could share some of the revenue created by this new and emerging market.

132
votes

Solution #22: Sell it to the Government

Written by jcollierdavis the 17 Feb 10 at 20:46.

(forgive the US perspective here)
There's more than a few computers in the GOV inventory, at $150 to license Vista and Office for each, this really adds up to some significant money.

The USG spends lots of cash plugging holes and security issues for all these MS products. It also has to buy anti-virus for each.

Many large organizations also run SharePoint sites and have a building full of servers.

This adds up to a significant expense of taxpayer dollars.

It would be more effective to spend these dollars to hire Cannonical to build a GOV Spec Ubuntu. It would be significantly more secure than Windows, and even better, be under the control of the GOV which wouldn't be held hostage by MS.

This would also spur the market to take Open Source much more seriously. We'd effectively be starting another space-race. The rest of the market would explode with Open Source offerings, quality would increase, and the US (or what ever country pulls it off) would become a world leader in the field.

9
votes

Solution #23: Sell Manuals

Written by lecorian the 17 Feb 10 at 23:54.

Canonical could sell official documentation (computer manuals) for profit. This idea could be used in conjunction with idea number 2 (i.e. selling boxed versions of Ubuntu) and/or could be done separately. The Free Software Foundation and FLOSS Manuals currently have print versions of their manuals for purchase online. While Ubuntu has great online documentation, it is nice to have an official manual with all of the most frequent issues so that users can simply search in an index as opposed to searching through countless forums. Also, it would provided a way for users to troubleshoot problems if they cannot connect to the internet. It also provides a way for people to learn a lot about their system and have the ability to read from a page and not a screen.

If manuals were to be distributed in conjunction with Ubuntu boxed sets, it would make users feel much more secure about their purchase and the installation process.

107
votes

Solution #24: Sell DVD packs of software repos

Written by Afroman10496 the 19 Feb 10 at 03:31.

Make a section on the homepage saying:
_____________________________________

On the go?
Slow Internet? No Internet?
Low bandwidth?

Buy a 5-set DVD collection of all of the great programs in the universal Ubuntu software collection! This pack of free software lets you install software by just popping in the DVD, going to the package manager, and selecting the program you want without worrying about losing your Wi-Fi range or having a slow connection!
_____________________________________

Include two options for the DVD on the product page; one that includes ubuntu-restricted-extras and other naughty packages, and one that doesn't.

21
votes

Solution #25: Donations through Brainstorm

Written by cos the 19 Feb 10 at 10:39.

Allow users to pledge micropayments towards specific ideas on Brainstorm that they feel should be implemented.

For example, if I feel very strongly about idea A, I should be able to promise Canonical I'll pay them a token donation of something like £2 (fixed for all, perhaps) if they implement it. This will give Canonical an incentive to listen to what people tell them, and it will also be an additional revenue stream for the company.

141
votes

60
votes

Solution #28: Improve partner program and tools

Written by brunogirin the 20 Feb 10 at 21:56.

Ubuntu already has a partner program [1]. This could be a great way to increase Ubuntu's reach, especially in enterprise environments where some support and consultancy revenue could be generated. The partner program could be improved to create a real partner community, where partner companies can interact with each other, help each other win business, exchange ideas, etc. At the moment, the bulk of partners are large companies that do work with a lot of people beside Ubuntu. The partner program could also be used to create a network of smaller companies that work with Ubuntu in their specific location and specialisation.

For more details on the subject, Alan Bell has an interesting article on his blog[2].

[1] http://www.ubuntu.com/partners
[2] http://www.theopensourcerer.com/2010/02/20/dear-matt-asay/

55
votes

59
votes

40
votes

6
votes

Solution #32: Add optional ads to Ubuntu One

Written by Mirek2 the 14 Mar 10 at 13:07.

Don't worry: Ubuntu One would still be ad-free for all users by default.

Only there would be a customization option to show ads, as a way to support the Ubuntu project without having to spend any money and without having to enter credit card information.

Additionally, if possible, the ads could have certain features to make them more appealing to click, like user ratings and reviews. This would be a big win for both the user and the advertised company (if it sells good products): the user would know that the advertised product is a good buy and not a hoax and therefore would be much more likely to buy it than otherwise, which in turn would benefit the advertised company. The only loser in this situation would be a company that is a hoax, sells low quality products, or uses cruel methods of production (child labor, factory farms, ...). But Ubuntu shouldn't, by moral principles, want to point its customers in their direction anyway, right?

-1
votes

Solution #33: Make ubuntu applications that allow me to make money for ubuntu (value added)

Written by Blinky the 25 Apr 10 at 11:26.

Most ideas for making money from ubuntu revolve around making money from the actual operating system, even with some form of advertising. In my opinion this is not what open source is about, in my opinion open source is about empowering people. Why not empower people to support and develop ubuntu.

What ubuntu should do is to help people make money for ubuntu from value added services. I have an example below:

Pretend that I am an artist and make stock pictures and films in my spare time. If Ubuntu makes a web application for the server edition where people can have a web site with films and videos that are downloadable once people donate a small fee to ubuntu - then ubuntu can make money from my hobbies even though I can't program.

An other idea can be to make an application that turns my internet connection into a wireless hotspot where people can donate a small fee and then use my internet connection.

There are lots of things from hosting websites on my ubuntu server edition to selling services such as design, website templates etc. This idea has the benefit of allowing people that have little or no knowledge of programming to still help make money and support/advance ubuntu.

Make the tools that empower people to help! What tools do we need???

14
votes

Solution #34: Software center

Written by pererik87 the 5 May 10 at 16:35.

I know Ubuntu is all about gnu gpl or lgpl, but not everyone only believes in gnu. There should be the "Gnu" section we have now

and a "non-free" section with skype and chrome and all the other "evil" free options and as well

a "commerical/patented" section where you can buy products from anywhere, not only Canonical. Like the games from here http://www.linuxlinks.com/article/20080530054213402/CommercialGames.html and so on.

Bigger companies will make more money on Linux and make programs/games for Linux as well as MAC and Winblows.

2
votes

1
votes

Solution #36: Kinda like Superman 3...but legal

Written by caws p0b1 the 12 Jul 10 at 11:44.

Perhaps create a highly specialized distribution specifically for point of sale environments (pubs, restaurants, convenience stores, etc.) that features a suite of applications to make it enticing to owners (open office, employee scheduling software, accounting programs, etc. etc.) and offer it for free. Of course, a default screen saver could be used to promote Ubuntu as well (gawd knows how many hours I've spent staring at a point of sale terminal from across the bar ;)). Where the money would be made is through credit/debit card transactions. The Ubuntu brand, I think, has built a reputation for integrity and enough clout within the business community where they could approach banks, merchant account companies, etc. and offer to partner with them. Instead of paying a flat monthly fee, business owners who use the distro could pay per transaction, a fraction of which would go back to help fund Ubuntu and other projects. By partnering with different banks/companies in different countries, I imagine that a little bit here and there would quickly add up. I'm not a business person, and I have no idea if this is feasible, but I like it a lot more than charging micro transactions to users from within applications :)

6
votes

-1
votes

Solution #39: Sell not Ubuntu, But Ubuntu discs

Written by CyberSoldiersforFreedom the 6 Sep 12 at 05:07.

No, Ubuntu should NEVER be sold, Ubuntu CDs/Usbs/Dvds should be. How ever much that cd/usb/dvd costs would be what you pay and nothing more because Ubuntu is free. Obviously if you are paying more for a disc with a free product on it than you would if you weren't, It isn't really free now is it? You can sell Ubuntu like this ALL over the place, And it would greatly increase it's popularity, While being EXTREMELY cheap. They really need to do this, It would grant so much more money and popularity to Ubuntu. It might cost more than a blank cd though I suppose, But this would just be from some sort of fee or something like that, But it would be pretty much the same thing. Probably within five dollars or less.

0
votes

See the 1 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 12 Aug 11 at 10:39) >>

1 2 3 4 5 6 Next >>

Submit your idea