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Contributor smejky

Add more functionality by right-clicking on the menu  
Written by mencey the 1 Mar 08 at 13:15. Global category: Others. Not an idea
When you click on a program on the menu, we could add more options such as:

* Delete this program and its dependencies. (Using sudo)
* See the manual, if available.
* Also add this idea http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/327/
* ...
131
votes
closed
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #2160
Written by mencey the 1 Mar 08 at 13:15.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #2160 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

See the 11 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 9 Sep 11 at 19:55) >>

Every program in Ubuntu is using different way of handling the same problem  
Written by grofaty the 30 Jan 09 at 19:12. Global category: Usability. Not an idea
I installed Ubuntu on my friend's computer. She liked it, but asked me one very simple question: Why in Ubuntu every single program is using different way of handling the same simple problem?

For example:
1. Opening new tab:
- Gedit: File | New - Ctrl+N (This is standard way of opening new window not new tab)
- Firefox: File | New tab - Ctrl+T (I like this the most)
- Terminal: File | Open Tab - Shift+Ctrl+T (Open tab instead of New Tab and who can remember this combination of keys)
- Nautilus: File | New Tab and File | New Window - there is standard way to have new window at first position not new tab

2. Closing windows
- OpenOffice 3: File | Exit (What happend with Quit?)
- Terminal: File | Close window (I don't expect that Terminal will exit when I select this option)
- Nautilus: File | Close (I don't expect that program will exit - I just thought "file" will be closed)

3. Order of options in File menu (I am always searching for Close option):
- every program you look into it has a Close button in different position

4. Quit without saving (buttons and order from left to right):
- Firefox: Quit, Cancel, Save & Quit
- OpenOffice Writer: Save, Discard, Cancel
- Gedit: Close without Saving, Cancel, Save

5. Size of icons:
If you like to change the size of windows you got to be genius, because every program has its own way of settings smaller icons. You have to look in depth if you would like to turn this off.
- Firefox: View | Toolbar | Customize,
- OpenOffice: Tools | Options | OpenOffice.org | View

[....]
558
votes
closed
Solution #1: One solution per problem in all programs
Written by grofaty the 30 Jan 09 at 19:12.
Make: One simple problem, one simple solution. Please don't reinvent the wheel and mess it up to the point it is very hard to use.
-50
votes
closed
Solution #2: Rely on Gnome integration
Written by Arnaudus the 31 Jan 09 at 14:30.
There are solid reasons why Solution #1 is not very realistic. Our aim is is not only to propose ideas, but ideas that are reasonable!

The only way to get a homogeneous interface is to use a set of software developed by a single community. Ubuntu relies on Gnome: let's use as many Gnome programs by default as possible. Development effort upstream already exists (one of the aims of Gnome is to provide a full set of programs, and another one if to make sure that the interface is homogeneous), so instead of "fighting" upstream teams and forcing them into an "interface standard" they don't respect, just make sure that Ubuntu supports Gnome and proposes by default more Gnome programs, including epiphany (the "firefox" equivalent) and the Gnome office suite (abiword/gnumeric...). Of course, Firefox or Openoffice should still be maintained, but the user should have the choice between fully integrated softs (Gnome) or external independent applications, perhaps more powerful, but not as integrated as the native Gnome tools.

Obviously, the problem is exactly the same for Kubuntu and KDE.


PS:
Reasons why solution #1 is very difficult (if not impossible) to implement in practice: there are only a very few ways to get it work:

1) Ask upstream teams to implement the menus and the shortcuts "The Ubuntu way"

2) Patch upstream programs to follow Ubuntu standards, and distribute "firefox-ubuntu", "oowriter-ubuntu" whith a reorganized interface.

I imagine why it is clear for everyone why (1) is dictatorial and will never be accepted upstream, and that (2) would require an enormous investment of Ubuntu devs and a lot of maintenance (fixing the patches for each new upstream version...). And what about Ubuntu/Kubuntu? Should Kubuntu develop a kde-specific version of Firefox? The amount of work seems unreasonable.

Eventually, I just want to raise an important point: I think the ergonomy of the interface is the responsability of upstream. One likes (or dislikes) The Gimp because of its very specific ergonomy for instance. If Ubuntu decides to change the menus and how everything is organized, it breaks the original idea, the specificty of the software. I find a bit dangerous for innovation to restrict the decision power of the upstream devs about the interface of the soft they develop.
498
votes
closed
Solution #3: Advocate for an industrial UI standard
Written by yookoala the 2 Feb 09 at 18:52.
Advocate for a industrial guideline (including menu item allocation, hot-key allocation) as part of Linux Standard Base (LSB) like standard.

Communicate with the biggest open source development organization (i.e. Mozilla, OpenOffice.org, Eclipse, Gnome, KDE) and try to build an industrial agreement. Make a standard that everyone would try to follow.

A standard may unify the way people could do things on Linux. This will shorten the learning cycle of Linux beginner. This will also reduce headache of many Linux users and learners.
87
votes
closed
Solution #5: Implement an Ubuntu HIG for pre-installed apps
Written by Temposs the 11 Feb 09 at 06:53.
The problem with following GNOME Interface Guidelines is that Ubuntu, while it does use GNOME as an upstream provider, will not always want to follow the same path. Being tied down to GNOME means Ubuntu devs will desire to apply pressure on GNOME devs to go in certain directions. Other distros' devs doing the same thing will then have potential conflict with Ubuntu, and GNOME will be caught in the middle.

Ubuntu should have its own Interface Guidelines, perhaps inspired by/derived from GNOME's, but not identical.

For each application that comes pre-installed with Ubuntu, a UI interface package created by Ubuntu devs should be applied. Then, every pre-installed Ubuntu program will be unified the way the Ubuntu community/Canonical decides it should be. These packages can be uninstalled to get the original interface, if desired.

Once this is done, a new install of Ubuntu will appear rather unified in its interface, and at the same time uniquely Ubuntu-ish, which are important things in presenting itself to a new user.
64
votes
closed
Solution #6: Make exception for terminals
Written by pabix the 11 Feb 09 at 10:37.
In terminals, Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V, Ctrl-Any_letter or other mappings have a meaning.

Try to use F1–F12 in htop with Gnome-terminal then with Konsole, you'll see that Konsole has an edge here.
20
votes
closed
Solution #7: Push for configurable shortcuts upstream
Written by holizz the 12 Feb 09 at 12:56.
If the upstream applications that are included in the base install included configurable shortcuts then these actions could be standardised throughout the Ubuntu default install.

I'm not sure if this is a good solution or not, but it's a possibility.
26
votes
closed
Solution #9: Let the OS allow keyboard-shortcut remapping and saved themes.
Written by tchalvakspam the 18 Feb 09 at 21:03.
Getting all applications to use the same shortcuts is an impossible task, even if the different development communities -could- agree on the same standards.
Allowing the user to dynamically remap application shortcuts as they wish at the operating system level is much more practical, and themes for keyboard bindings would allow distros to ship with a "firefox keyboard shortcuts" theme, or an "nautilus shortcut theme" that could change the default keyboard bindings and unify the shortcuts for the applications included in the distro by default.

This would probably require a "keybindings layer" for Ubuntu to mediate between what the user puts in, and what behavior the application follows. I imagine it could work similarly to the keybindings that you can set for compiz with the compiz-settings-manager tool (warning and giving choices to resolve potential binding overlaps).

This solution could also be pushed for with either Gnome, Ubuntu, or both.
14
votes
closed
Solution #10: Apps should learn shortcuts from the user, as with quicksilver/gnome-do.
Written by tchalvakspam the 18 Feb 09 at 21:55.
Essentially, instead of applications forcing us to conform to their keyboard-shortcut scheme, we should be able to train applications to follow the keyboard shortcuts that we choose as we start using an app (by text matching actions similar to Gnome-Do and Quicksilver, if people are familiar).
In essence, you would assign a key combo of your choice (Ctrl-space for example) to start matching possible action shortcuts. So Ctrl-space c o p y would show any "copy" keyboard shortcut actions available for the current application. You then hit enter to perform the copy action for that application.
It would also partial match, so ctrl-space c would also allow you to perform the copy action.
Ctrl-space t a b would match any actions with the word "tab" in them.

So instead of you having to conform to the firefox shortcuts for doing it, or the ubuntu shortcuts for doing it, applications would LEARN YOUR WAY of doing it. The system would learn from your previous choices which action to do by default. In this way, you would get to control which shortcuts or actions would trigger from a certain text search. In short order, you could train Ctrl-space t to mean "open a new tab" in all of the applications with tab capability.

I first saw this idea here: http://www.cimitan.com/blog/2009/01/31/do-ifying-gtk-30/ so comment and encourage that developer if you find this way of doing things compelling.
12
votes
closed
Solution #11: HIG and configuration system
Written by jacobuserasmus the 19 Feb 09 at 02:07.
Promote something like libelektra http://www.libelektra.org for generalized configuration information. (Shortcuts, command line parameters, language etc) With some persuasion and developed code it should be possible to produce code that would allow shortcuts to be set for each and every application in one place without needing to duplicate the information. Once the code is changed in the upstream app.
But it would also allow for a central configuration system across the board without needing significant redesign or
Worse case scenario (no coop from upstream) something like libelektra can be used to generate and edit the legacy configuration information.

The fact is most large apps already allow for remapping of keyboard shortcuts but there is no easy way to set them. A properly designed configuration system adopted across the board would significantly change this landscape. I think a libelektra is a good start in this direction.

See the 28 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 Aug 11 at 08:54) >>

Create icons for "open with" applications in the context menu  
Written by pepperpupper the 13 Dec 08 at 13:43. Related project: Nautilus. Implemented
For usability, I propose that there should be icons of the programs that is displayed in the context menu when right clicking a file.

If I right click a deb file, for example, there is a line that says "open with archive manager", and one that says "open with package installer".

I think that it would be nice if there were also icons next to the names of those programs.
175
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #16467
Written by pepperpupper the 13 Dec 08 at 13:43.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #16467 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

See the 5 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 3 Aug 11 at 17:14) >>

Drag & Drop to Desktop should copy to the place where you dropped  
Written by t4ggs the 21 Dec 08 at 10:32. Related project: Nautilus. Not an idea
When you drag and drop a file somewhere in the Desktop, it should copy exactly to the place you dropped it, and not to the first available space up to the left..
225
votes
closed
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #16701
Written by t4ggs the 21 Dec 08 at 10:32.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #16701 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

See the 10 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 3 Aug 11 at 15:38) >>

The BUTTON Bug  
Written by nami the 12 Apr 08 at 16:41. Global category: Look and Feel. Not an idea
When I have the standard ubuntu desktop enabled without desktop effects, if I click on a button, I cannot click on it again until I have moved the mouse pointer off the button and then back over it again.

This problem does not exist with desktop effects enabled.

Am I the only one who finds this annoying?
66
votes
closed
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #6890
Written by nami the 12 Apr 08 at 16:41.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #6890 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

See the 4 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 25 Jul 11 at 15:14) >>

.xcf thumbnails in nautilus  
Written by francois the 20 Aug 08 at 07:55. Related project: Nautilus. Implemented
I think it would be useful if nautilus could show preview of gimp's xcf files in thumbnails like it does with jpeg and png files
124
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #12362
Written by francois the 20 Aug 08 at 07:55.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #12362 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!
0
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#2): Workaround
Written by cr33 the 12 Jul 10 at 23:22.
See https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=551995.

Last tested with 9.04, but should still work in 10.04.

See the 2 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 22 Jul 11 at 08:34) >>

Offer to uninstall unused dependencies when uninstalling a package  
Written by borsook the 25 Dec 08 at 23:47. Related project: Synaptic package manager. Not an idea
When packages are uninstalled, their dependancies are not allways needed. These take up unnessacery space.
500
votes
closed
Solution #1: Have Synaptic offer to Uninstall Unnesacery Packages.
Written by borsook the 25 Dec 08 at 23:47.
If I install package A system will propose installing packages B,C,D that A depends upon. But if I uninstall A B,C,D will be left even if nothing else uses them. Of course this can be checked and done manually, but wouldn't it be better if Synaptic checked if anything else depends upon those packages and ask the user if he/she wants to uinstall them too?

See the 14 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 9 Jul 11 at 16:29) >>

ubuntuforums.org may look unofficial for certain users  
Written by wolterh the 27 Jan 09 at 05:58. Related project: ubuntuforums.org. Already implemented
Being the forums site away from the ubuntu.com server, people might get the wrong idea that it is not an official forum. Also, it looks disorganized that some sites like this one, brainstorm.ubuntu.com are hosted as branches of the ubuntu.com site, and others, like the forums already mentioned, are hosted separatedly.

Now, I know that if you browse for http://forums.ubuntu.com/ you will probably get redirected to ubuntuforums.org, but it is not the same thing.
724
votes
closed
Solution #1: Move ubuntuforums.org to forums.ubuntu.com on an 100% basis
Written by wolterh the 27 Jan 09 at 05:58.
The feel of ubuntu would look cleaner. Besides, is it that hard a thing to do?

Imagine if brainstorm.ubuntu.com was hosted as ubuntubrainstorm.com ... Which do you prefer? I prefer brainstorm.ubuntu.com. It gives me a feeling that it is official. It gives me the feeling that ubuntu is an organized OS and that I will find whatever I need at ubuntu.com, by being linked to either the forums section, the brainstorm section, or any other branch I need. Maybe even an irc.ubuntu.com could be made to provide users the excellence of service that the irc channel provides on the comfort of their internet browser.
-173
votes
closed
Solution #2: Direct subdomains of Ubuntu to official websites
Written by andruk the 27 Jan 09 at 08:56.
(Copied from my comment below:)
Direct forums.ubuntu.com, forum.ubuntu.com, help.ubuntu.com, etc. to ubuntuforums.org. That way people can still access ubuntuforums.org via its domain, and converts can access a better domain name (imho). I would also try to get an optional single sign-on going for all of the official websites.

I would also have irc.ubuntu.com be a web-based IRC client that connects to #ubuntu on freenode. Include the links to the support websites (including the wiki) on the default home page for Firefox.

See the 12 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 9 Jul 11 at 15:52) >>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Better install experience  
Written by yookoala the 11 Mar 09 at 07:17. Global category: Installation. Implemented
While I was installing Jaunty, I can't help but thinking if we can get a better installation experience. It start with a plain idea, and I think many of you might have your own suggestion.

Developer comments
I accidentally deleted the "make the installation full screen" suggestion. Apologies, that was not intentional. As of Ubuntu 9.04, the desktop installer already goes full screen when the "Install Ubuntu" option is selected from the CD boot menu. We have no plans to make the installer full screen when running the installer from the live CD desktop (when "Try or Install Ubuntu" is selected) because we want to encourage people to use the live system.

Regarding the slideshow suggestions. This has been a feature we've been trying to nail down for a few releases. Unfortunately it would be best accomplished by the desktop experience team, and they were too busy this release to work on it, so it has been deferred to 9.10.

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbiquitySlideshow has the 9.04 discussion, and https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Ubiquity/Slideshow has the discussions that occurred before that.
-626
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Play some music during installation
Written by yookoala the 11 Mar 09 at 07:17.
As title. It can be some short, simple melody that can be looped. I think I'd feel better if I have something to listen while watching the progress bar grows.

It would be better if user can mute this music at the installer interface.
892
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#2): Show more about ubuntu
Written by hemanth.hm the 11 Mar 09 at 17:07.
Show more about ubuntu , like what ubuntu means ? How it grew ? What all can be done with it ? so on ...in the background as it is installed , also provide an option to hide the info if the user already knows it and is not interested :)
538
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#4): Add an option to shutdown the PC when done installing
Written by Cé the 13 Mar 09 at 09:45.
So I can start the installation friday at work at 16:45, answer the questions, set the checkbox "shutdown the PC when installation has been finished" and go home for the weekend.

On monday I start the PC, and have a freshly installed PC.
907
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#6): Show a mini tutorial during installation.
Written by kgamer the 15 Mar 09 at 09:08.
This is a feature that Windows has had since 95. All it is is it shows how windows in 'good' and how it improves over the previous version. This way, users know what the advantages are of the version, and how to use it.

It's mainly a solution aimed at new users.
41
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#7): Show a video about Free Software, and the history of GNU/Linux
Written by jamesmcm the 15 Mar 09 at 12:14.
This would be good in educating users about what they are using and why it is important. A tutorial would also be handy. Perhaps see if you can distribute the Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Free Software, Free Society for free with it.
-314
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#9): Asks more question
Written by Lachu the 17 Mar 09 at 16:33.
I now, that probably many people hate this idea.

In my opinion, we should allow user to select wallpaper or theme. It can be done during installation(copying files). When install process was done and user answer to all question, we can close look&fell creator and copying additional files.

The conception looks like: we start copying files, so we open additional dialog.
-131
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#10): Already start using Ubuntu while the system is being installed
Written by adaniels the 18 Mar 09 at 13:39.
You can use the Ubuntu right from the Live CD/USB-drive.

It should be possible to install Ubuntu on the system in the background while the user is simply already using Ubuntu directly from the Live disk.

When the installation completes display the normal request to restart the system. On restart, the data from the temporary home directory is copied to the final home directory of the user.
-108
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#11): Get answers to questions from existing installations
Written by hdhfm the 18 Mar 09 at 21:58.
Offer to get the answers from an existing installation (previous version or other desktop like KDE) on the same machine or from another already perfectly installed machine.

The second one could be like "go to the Ubuntu PC to be cloned, insert a USB stick, click on System/Administration/Get System Configuration, when the the file is created, take the USB stick and insert it in the PC on which Ubuntu should be installed" The rest is done automatically. Maybe even including that the same programs are installed and personal settings and home directory are copied.
312
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#13): Add a menu to enable/disable the programs to install
Written by lqtdc the 20 Mar 09 at 19:49.
Ubuntu comes with a lot of programs. No everybody install all programs.
100
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#14): Offer games for the user to play.
Written by jackmcslay the 21 Mar 09 at 01:03.
Konami has done a lot of this on games that have considerably long load times, so why not?

When it starts copying files, open up a menu with the games that are installed on Ubuntu by default.

This way the user actually HAS something to do while the installation takes place
129
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#16): Extension to #2 and #6
Written by James_Lochhead the 22 Mar 09 at 05:11.
Just to add a little. I think that should be more of a tutorial on Ubuntu and its features rather than information on history.

I do not feel that the user documentation is friendly enough yet for people with low computing ability and this would be an ideal place to teach them some of the basics.

Good things to introduce could be:

1) The basic user interface.

2) Each of the major applications (such as Firefox, OO etc). For example, "By default Ubuntu has the Firefox web browser installed. Firefox is an open source application produced by the Mozilla Corporation." Along with a few slides showing Firefox and its location.

4) Package management. The Add/Remove programs tool would be probably be the best idea here. Although I think some mention of the Synaptic as an alternative should be made.

5) The root user. Many people find this confusing when first switching over. A short explanation of the root user and its benefits would be a good idea.

6) Links to further information? For example, the Ubuntu forums and that e-book on Ubuntu.

-144
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#17): Video or minimise
Written by Basem the 23 Mar 09 at 05:25.
Either show the video of Mandela talking about Ubuntu, or hide the installer in the notification area and notify the user that he/she can use Ubuntu while the installer is running in the background.
-89
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#19): Kernel selector
Written by afisamuleal the 23 Mar 09 at 23:29.
Similar to solution #13, I would like to have been able to install the rt kernel. A menu or menu you can choose to view that would choose from a couple non-standard kernels or allow you to patch them before install would be cool.
143
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#20): Do all the other things and download updates in the background
Written by t4ggs the 24 Mar 09 at 08:54.
...it's better downloading the updates while the installation...cause u r not using your computer anyway.\

its really annoying that after the installation finished and you want to use your computer, u have to download all the updates.
-56
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#21): One-click install
Written by cousteau the 30 Mar 09 at 20:24.
Show a screen with a default/autodetected config summary, so the future user only needs to check if it's ok, enter a username and a password and click Install.
Options could be individually configured if the user wants to (e.g. change the locales, select which programs will be installed, use manual partitioning, etc... each one with its own config screen).
-65
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#22): Interactive slideshow/presentation
Written by mydoghasworms the 31 Mar 09 at 07:13.
Normally, slideshows are static. It would be nice to provide an interactive presentation for the user to have a choice as to what they can learn about. E.g. present a few points and say "click here to learn more", so they can choose to see what interests them.
44
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#23): Offer to seek out wider packages/drivers
Written by jamesisin the 4 Apr 09 at 19:11.
One problem that I have run into in installing Ubuntu is that sometimes I would like to install the desktop software onto (former) server hardware. That is often not possible due to differing drivers being included on the desktop version and the server version.

Could it be possible to have the installer carry a wider array of drivers to cover more installation types and then be able to download other necessary drivers during its installation process?

(This relates to solution 19 above.)
23
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#24): Add selection of units and paper size.
Written by ll the 6 Apr 09 at 03:15.
Allow the user to select the units (metric vs. imperial) and paper size (A4 vs. that other size) they want to use by default similar to the keyboard. I know that not all software will follow this selection but it would be a start. This could be in an advanced tab like grub install options.

I just hate having it default to imperial units because I select USA as my place of residence. Ordinarily I would say just to force everyone to use metric and be done with it but that is not in the spirit of Linux so I will settle for letting the user choose. But I at least want the choice.
12
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#25): Ability to install applications along with the base-system
Written by André Rantzow the 25 May 09 at 23:43.
I would like to see a step in the installation-process where the user could select packages to install from the repositories. Then just about everything would be ready for them when they log in the first time.
It would also be nice if ubuntu cleaned out packages it don't need. Or let the more advanced users deselect the stuff in the base-system that they don't want. Video-drivers and such could also be searched for during the installation and installed if the user wants to.
There should also be a button that would enable audio and video-codecs from the start, instead of going through the trouble of installing them later on.
8
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#26): Give the user more options: Standard install, minimal install, advanced install
Written by billdotson the 7 Oct 09 at 14:49.
Open Source is all about choice so let the user have as many options as he/she wants.

Have one screen with three options:

Standard install: "This is the default setup."
does what it does now.

Advanced install: "Take full control of your operating system. Choose programs you want, color scheme, or anything that you want" gives the user the choice to install certain programs, choose desktop background, etc. Have a prompt that says "What do you want to do on your operating system?" The user could type in music (or any other keyword) and the installer would bring up a list of available music programs, ranked by popularity. Give the user a choice between window managers, file managers, etc.

Minimal: already implemented but it must be off to the side somewhere, I didn't even know about it. Maybe a minimalist that gives you the CLI version and gives you the option of putting xfce or something else light on top of it. The last time I figured out how to do a minimal install with 6.06 it was a pain to add X window/GUI functionality.
10
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#27): Replace older version with new
Written by zil the 5 Dec 09 at 16:16.
During installation when Ubuntu show all current OS on computer. If it find older version of Ubuntu, there should be option like -> Replace 9.04 with 9.10.

I didnt update system which i do from 7.04 because wanted ext4 and Grub2. So i made clean install.
2
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#28): Have more options
Written by tadcan the 28 Nov 10 at 02:27.
For install over free space put back the functionality to see and install on free space.

Also have a list of all currently installed OS's.

Also install over previous version which has been mentioned here as well.

http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/18564/

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