Contributor x1sc0
Solution #3:
Use both notification and alert box.
Have the notification used when disk space is relatively low (10% for instance), but have an alert window (with action button) when disk space becomes critical (2 or 3% for instance)
Have the notification used when disk space is relatively low (10% for instance), but have an alert window (with action button) when disk space becomes critical (2 or 3% for instance)
Solution #4:
Change the color of the notification system for important things.
The notification system has to be different if for example a new song is playing or if the disk space is low.
So I purpose to change the color (maybe red), or make flash it.
It could be a great thing if the user should click the notification system, to show that he became aware of the warning.
The notification system has to be different if for example a new song is playing or if the disk space is low.
So I purpose to change the color (maybe red), or make flash it.
<a href="http://www.l2image.com/"><img src="http://www.l2image.com/images/x9ldsh8lfs1zgtq37vh.png" border="0" alt="L2Image" /></a>
It could be a great thing if the user should click the notification system, to show that he became aware of the warning.
Solution #5:
Tray icon
Written by
Lachu the 1 Jul 09 at 14:20.
Add tray icon called "show notification". In this mode user might read and interaction with notification.
Add tray icon called "show notification". In this mode user might read and interaction with notification.
Solution #6:
Notification logger
Written by
twocool the 1 Jul 09 at 21:31.
Create a daemon to log all notifications and a GUI application to see it.
Create a daemon to log all notifications and a GUI application to see it.
Solution #7:
Use Indicator not OSD
Written by
nachokb the 8 Jul 09 at 15:12.
Many of these proposal (including the screenshot) violate the NotifyOSD guidelines (no interaction, disposable, non critical notifications). For these kinds of stuff, I think the Indicator Applet is the appropriate medium. This was pointed at by cheesehead in the comments.
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/NotifyOSD#Interaction
Many of these proposal (including the screenshot) violate the NotifyOSD guidelines (no interaction, disposable, non critical notifications). For these kinds of stuff, I think the Indicator Applet is the appropriate medium. This was pointed at by cheesehead in the comments. https://wiki.ubuntu.com/NotifyOSD#Interaction
Solution #8:
Use a popup indicator
Written by
da brain the 8 Jul 09 at 22:45.
Use something like the update notifier that pops up from the top bar. It will flash to the user that it is running out of disk space.
Use something like the update notifier that pops up from the top bar. It will flash to the user that it is running out of disk space.
Installer CD wastes time
No information about this blueprint
Information is updated every 5 minutes.
Please wait till the next update.
Written by korin43 the 9 Jul 09 at 09:32.
Related project: Live CD installer .
New
The installation CD isn't doing anything while it's waiting for user input for questions like locale/name. This time could be used to speed up the installation.
Solution #1:
Preload the CD while the installer asks questions
Written by
korin43 the 9 Jul 09 at 09:32.
Instead of copying packages from the CD to hard drive as soon as the installer starts, the live CD should start preloading as much of the CD as possible into memory while it's asking the user questions like their locale and name. This should give a noticeable speed boost on computers with enough memory (and shouldn't slow anything down on computers that don't - it would just stop preloading when it runs out of memory).
Instead of copying packages from the CD to hard drive as soon as the installer starts, the live CD should start preloading as much of the CD as possible into memory while it's asking the user questions like their locale and name. This should give a noticeable speed boost on computers with enough memory (and shouldn't slow anything down on computers that don't - it would just stop preloading when it runs out of memory).
Solution #2:
Search for the "net" while asking questions
Written by
Rodrigo the 12 Jul 09 at 15:38.
While you are answering questions the Setup program could be looking for networks, and maybe updating the packages list, so it does install the latest safety files, if the connection is fast, and the user wants.
Maybe asking:
would you like to download the latest safety updates, this could slow down the process of the installment in slower connections.
You wouldn't need to install something and then update it... it could be done in the same step
While you are answering questions the Setup program could be looking for networks, and maybe updating the packages list, so it does install the latest safety files, if the connection is fast, and the user wants.
Maybe asking:
would you like to download the latest safety updates, this could slow down the process of the installment in slower connections.
You wouldn't need to install something and then update it... it could be done in the same step
Solution #3:
Ask post-install questions during filecopy
Written by
snadrus the 13 Jul 09 at 16:27.
Slackware did this 15 years ago!
Questions:
, ,
Then while installing: (progress bar underneath)
, , , etc
If it 'feels' slow while you fight the CPU for copy time, then they could always wait until it's finished (like it is now). Obviously those options wouldn't commit until you "finished" the install. This could save 5 minutes.
Slackware did this 15 years ago!
Questions:
<language>, <keyboard>, <partition>
Then while installing: (progress bar underneath)
<user info>, <timezone>, <popcon>, etc
If it 'feels' slow while you fight the CPU for copy time, then they could always wait until it's finished (like it is now). Obviously those options wouldn't commit until you "finished" the install. This could save 5 minutes.
Solution #4:
Download locale files in background
Written by
tigr the 14 Jul 09 at 02:05.
As soon as user selects language (and if it differs from english) installer could start downloading required packages in background.
As soon as user selects language (and if it differs from english) installer could start downloading required packages in background.
Solution #5:
Simple Option: Read whole ISO image into memory and mount
Great idea. I'd like to propose a very simple implementation of it; that is possibly also the fastest/most efficient way to achieve this.
Given many install targets now have much more spare RAM during an install than the size of a CD; linear read the whole CD image in RAM, mount as an ISO, and install from there.
Linear copying the whole CD is the fastest way to get the install image into RAM and would normally only take between 2 and 7 minutes. So can ask all the simple install questions while that happens. The run the entire current install process from the RAM-mounted ISO.
This feature would only be enabled on targets with more than a CD-worth of free RAM (everything with 1GB or more?). On install targets without enough space RAM, just use the same from-CD install process as now.
Great idea. I'd like to propose a very simple implementation of it; that is possibly also the fastest/most efficient way to achieve this.
Given many install targets now have much more spare RAM during an install than the size of a CD; linear read the whole CD image in RAM, mount as an ISO, and install from there.
Linear copying the whole CD is the fastest way to get the install image into RAM and would normally only take between 2 and 7 minutes. So can ask all the simple install questions while that happens. The run the entire current install process from the RAM-mounted ISO.
This feature would only be enabled on targets with more than a CD-worth of free RAM (everything with 1GB or more?). On install targets without enough space RAM, just use the same from-CD install process as now.
Solution #6:
Don't do that at all
Written by
xfuser4 the 20 Jul 09 at 07:24.
There are several reasons why it is a bad idea to do anything in parallel before installation:
1. Loading from the disk during the user input phase of the installer could result in slow responsiveness of the user interface (at least on cheaper hardware, like my notebook, where disk accesses are resulting in a massive slow down of the system).
During the installation phase, Ubuntu should look very responsive - otherwise people will be disappointed.
2. Downloading locales or recent system updates during that phase is also a bad idea - at least, if you don't ask the user to do so. For several reasons:
- The user has an internet connection, that has a volume restriction (this is still usual in some places of the world). So you could destroy the quota of the user.
- To do any bigger access on the internet without notifying the user is generally a bad idea, because the user has not the impression to have the control over the system.
- Normally the user won't configure the WLAN settings, so this operation won't work at all.
3. The installation phase is the shortest phase of the system life time. Therefore it is a bad idea, to spend too much development time to it. The installation should work and should be user friendly - but no one really needs other fancy stuff there.
Ubuntu installs already very much faster than Windows Vista, Windows XP and MacOS X. The installation is clean and user friendly.
So it would be better, to solve other (more important) problems...
There are several reasons why it is a bad idea to do anything in parallel before installation:
1. Loading from the disk during the user input phase of the installer could result in slow responsiveness of the user interface (at least on cheaper hardware, like my notebook, where disk accesses are resulting in a massive slow down of the system).
During the installation phase, Ubuntu should look very responsive - otherwise people will be disappointed.
2. Downloading locales or recent system updates during that phase is also a bad idea - at least, if you don't ask the user to do so. For several reasons:
- The user has an internet connection, that has a volume restriction (this is still usual in some places of the world). So you could destroy the quota of the user.
- To do any bigger access on the internet without notifying the user is generally a bad idea, because the user has not the impression to have the control over the system.
- Normally the user won't configure the WLAN settings, so this operation won't work at all.
3. The installation phase is the shortest phase of the system life time. Therefore it is a bad idea, to spend too much development time to it. The installation should work and should be user friendly - but no one really needs other fancy stuff there.
Ubuntu installs already very much faster than Windows Vista, Windows XP and MacOS X. The installation is clean and user friendly.
So it would be better, to solve other (more important) problems...
Solution #7:
Dont Search for the "net" while asking questions
Written by
r3l1c the 21 Jul 09 at 18:36.
When I saw Search for the "net" while asking questions I immediately had my concerns. Connecting to the internet without the users permission is a Micro$oft problem that I have no desire to include within my favorite operating system.
I think that is a really bad idea
I do like the other ideas though
When I saw Search for the "net" while asking questions I immediately had my concerns. Connecting to the internet without the users permission is a Micro$oft problem that I have no desire to include within my favorite operating system.
I think that is a really bad idea
I do like the other ideas though
Solution #8:
Install to harddrive as if to a USB stick
Written by
kir360 the 24 Jul 09 at 17:53.
interestingly, the installation of ubuntu to a USB stick finishes very quickly. this might be because the CD image is directly being copied to the USB stick.
We can adopt the same method in here. the installation finishes and the system restarts. then a one-time menu pops up to configure the user details, etc. only the installation partition and grub path has to be given earlier.
interestingly, the installation of ubuntu to a USB stick finishes very quickly. this might be because the CD image is directly being copied to the USB stick.
We can adopt the same method in here. the installation finishes and the system restarts. then a one-time menu pops up to configure the user details, etc. only the installation partition and grub path has to be given earlier.
Solution #9:
A net install for highspeed connections
Add an option for an Internet inatall.
Add an option for an Internet inatall.
Solution #10:
Don't preload if the system is old
Written by
korin43 the 16 Aug 09 at 08:58.
Before starting the preloading thread, the live CD could check the clock speed and and amount of memory on the target computer. If it is below certain thresholds, the preload thread would not be started at all.
Where the lower bound should be is something that the Ubuntu developers should decide on, since they would know, but a simple example would be on a computer with 4 Gb of memory and a 3 Ghz Core 2 Duo, the Live CD would be loaded into memory (in the background). On a computer with 256 Mb of memory and a Pentium, it would not.
Before starting the preloading thread, the live CD could check the clock speed and and amount of memory on the target computer. If it is below certain thresholds, the preload thread would not be started at all.
Where the lower bound should be is something that the Ubuntu developers should decide on, since they would know, but a simple example would be on a computer with 4 Gb of memory and a 3 Ghz Core 2 Duo, the Live CD would be loaded into memory (in the background). On a computer with 256 Mb of memory and a Pentium, it would not.
Gnome-Panel: Do we really need to manually accomodate each item?
Written by wolterh the 11 Mar 09 at 02:40.
Related project: Gnome .
New
The gnome-panel, an application which I really like because its ability to be customized and functionality, is sometimes painful to organize. And I say painful because when you want to move an item, or remove one, you have to unlock, move and maybe lock again, every item.
Solution #1:
Add a "gravity" feature.
Written by
wolterh the 11 Mar 09 at 02:40.
I propose to give every item, on it's properties, an option to gravitate to one of either extremes of the panel. This way, when you remove an item the items will maintain their organization making your panels look clean without an effort.
I propose to give every item, on it's properties, an option to gravitate to one of either extremes of the panel. This way, when you remove an item the items will maintain their organization making your panels look clean without an effort.
Solution #2:
Give the Panel a global "Unlock" and "Lock" feature
Written by
stevemot the 11 Mar 09 at 14:26.
The main reason that re-organizing the Panel is such a pain is that the user has to unlock each of the items on the Panel individually before they can be moved. This solution proposes to add a right-click context menu item to the Panel to unlock all of the objects in the Panel, allowing them to be dragged about at will. When finished, the user just selects a corresponding "Lock all" option. The advantage with this solution is that it should not require any changes to the many objects that can be added to the Panel, only to the Panel itself (it just needs to walk through its list of objects calling "unlock" on each one).
The main reason that re-organizing the Panel is such a pain is that the user has to unlock each of the items on the Panel individually before they can be moved. This solution proposes to add a right-click context menu item to the Panel to unlock all of the objects in the Panel, allowing them to be dragged about at will. When finished, the user just selects a corresponding "Lock all" option. The advantage with this solution is that it should not require any changes to the many objects that can be added to the Panel, only to the Panel itself (it just needs to walk through its list of objects calling "unlock" on each one).
Solution #4:
Remove the "Lock To Panel" option
Written by
kenden the 17 Mar 09 at 23:46.
What is the use of the "Lock To Panel" feature?
Locking a icon into place in the panel? To avoid it moving around?
But why would it move around?
Only because the user would move it!
And if the user wants to move it, why would she unlock it, move it and lock it back?
What's the point of having it locked?
The icons are not going to move by themselves!
What is the use of the "Lock To Panel" feature?
Locking a icon into place in the panel? To avoid it moving around?
But why would it move around?
Only because the user would move it!
And if the user wants to move it, why would she unlock it, move it and lock it back?
What's the point of having it locked?
The icons are not going to move by themselves!
Solution #5:
Sticky panel
Written by
axayg the 18 Mar 09 at 02:25.
Solution#2 is definitely great. However, this is the simplest to implement and is, at the face of it, a simple copy-paste from M$ Windows. We should do something better than that. eg.
Graviate to one of the sides or make the icon panel slightly sticky. That way when you want to move icons in/out, drag/drop anywhere else on the panel, it does not come off just like that. It makes some sound like "pluck" and is clearly shows that its coming out of a sticky panel. That way, a firm lock is not necessarily needed - a firm lock could be an add-on to enable/disable moving around of icons.
Solution#2 is definitely great. However, this is the simplest to implement and is, at the face of it, a simple copy-paste from M$ Windows. We should do something better than that. eg.
Graviate to one of the sides or make the icon panel slightly sticky. That way when you want to move icons in/out, drag/drop anywhere else on the panel, it does not come off just like that. It makes some sound like "pluck" and is clearly shows that its coming out of a sticky panel. That way, a firm lock is not necessarily needed - a firm lock could be an add-on to enable/disable moving around of icons.
Solution #6:
Visual splits in the panels.
The problem is that the panel is a line, and it's hard to keep stuff organized on that line.
So: Allow the panel to be "broken" visually, whether by separators that are transparent or the converse, by allowing grouping the elements on the panel in groups and then letting the space in-between groups become transparent.
So instead of 1 long panel, you could visually split the panel into left and right, or left middle right, or other user-specified organizations.
The key here is that instead of looking like one long worm panel, it should essentially look like multiple sections, each appearing as an independent part of the user interface, even while the underlying system remains intact.
The problem is that the panel is a line, and it's hard to keep stuff organized on that line.
So: Allow the panel to be "broken" visually, whether by separators that are transparent or the converse, by allowing grouping the elements on the panel in groups and then letting the space in-between groups become transparent.
So instead of 1 long panel, you could visually split the panel into left and right, or left middle right, or other user-specified organizations.
The key here is that instead of looking like one long worm panel, it should essentially look like multiple sections, each appearing as an independent part of the user interface, even while the underlying system remains intact.
Solution #7:
Allow slide-out panel "stacks".
Another approach to allow better organization of the panel is to provide slide-out sections of panel that can contain multiple icons within them. Like a more robust version of the "Drawer" panel applet that integrates with the panel better. In essence, different sections of the panel could be clicked to slide out a larger section of panel space which would contain more icons, or could just slide out with a stack of the icons it contains themselves. So if you wanted to add links to a number of websites, you could add the drawer-stack and stick all the icons inside it, then when you wanted to launch one site or another, you would click the part of the drawer-stack, it would slide open to show all the icons inside it, and then you would launch the one you wanted.
One ideal implementation of this can be seen in the "stacks" of the dock in OSX Leopard and the "stack" applet of the Cairo-dock app for ubuntu.
Another approach to allow better organization of the panel is to provide slide-out sections of panel that can contain multiple icons within them. Like a more robust version of the "Drawer" panel applet that integrates with the panel better. In essence, different sections of the panel could be clicked to slide out a larger section of panel space which would contain more icons, or could just slide out with a stack of the icons it contains themselves. So if you wanted to add links to a number of websites, you could add the drawer-stack and stick all the icons inside it, then when you wanted to launch one site or another, you would click the part of the drawer-stack, it would slide open to show all the icons inside it, and then you would launch the one you wanted.
One ideal implementation of this can be seen in the "stacks" of the dock in OSX Leopard and the "stack" applet of the Cairo-dock app for ubuntu.
Solution #8:
Allow icons to be organized in "frames"
Written by
jyaan the 21 Mar 09 at 19:20.
One of the most basic elements of organization on computers is the frame. We use it in GTK+, and of course it has been used on web pages.
I propose that icons can be placed (at the user's option) in a rectangular area. This will not affect the visible appearance of the panel; it is only for organization. It should also allow empty space between icons.
This would allow groups of icons to be treated as a whole (although still movable within the frame, and able to be dragged in and out of the frame), and therefore each frame's contents will never end up mixed with each other.
Typically, I keep certain types of icons/applets together, and being able to drag several at the same time, and not losing their order (on screen resize, for example) would be great.
The user should be able to move the frame from the left edge just as we already do with the notification area and window list.
The problem with most of the solutions is that you'll still need to micro-manage your icons and move them one at a time. If I want to move my launcher icons from one side to the other, I'd like to just drag them as a group. Won't be a problem with Multi-monitor setups, either.
One of the most basic elements of organization on computers is the frame. We use it in GTK+, and of course it has been used on web pages.
I propose that icons can be placed (at the user's option) in a rectangular area. This will not affect the visible appearance of the panel; it is only for organization. It should also allow empty space between icons.
This would allow groups of icons to be treated as a whole (although still movable within the frame, and able to be dragged in and out of the frame), and therefore each frame's contents will never end up mixed with each other.
Typically, I keep certain types of icons/applets together, and being able to drag several at the same time, and not losing their order (on screen resize, for example) would be great.
The user should be able to move the frame from the left edge just as we already do with the notification area and window list.
The problem with most of the solutions is that you'll still need to micro-manage your icons and move them one at a time. If I want to move my launcher icons from one side to the other, I'd like to just drag them as a group. Won't be a problem with Multi-monitor setups, either.
Solution #9:
Move them holding alt
Written by
kiersie the 31 Mar 09 at 22:10.
Just like the panels dont move without holding alt-button down since gnome 2.26 do also withe applet/icons
Just like the panels dont move without holding alt-button down since gnome 2.26 do also withe applet/icons
Solution #10:
"Book Shelf" Approach
This brainstorm has so many ideas because we are trying to address several issues in 1 solution: avoid icon micro-management, ordering icons, grouping icons, avoid accidental changes. A consistent, coherent way would be the "Bookshelf Approach":
- Special separators (SPLITERS) would now divide panel in SECTIONS
- Each section would have its own "gravity" or "orientation" - either left, right, center, or none (=just like today). Like Solution #1, but should be applied to a SECTION, not individual icons, so no need set individual icon properties (no micromanagement).
- Every icon within a section would automatically stack according to its section orientation. So if you delete an icon in the middle of a "left-oriented" section, all icons to the right of it would shift left. In a section with no orientation, icons wouldnt shift.
- To arrange the icons, solution #9 is perfect. No need of lock / unlock. A key combination like the proposed ALT+mouse drag would prevent accidental moving while clicking. You could drag icons to different sections as well.
- Besides ALT+drag for 1-item movement, CTRL+ALT+drag could be used to move all icons in a section (useful for re-arranging groups, as #18 suggests).*
- The Splitters could be moved this way too, to set the width of each section
- Right clicking ANY icon would allow to set its panel and section settings: simply add a "Panel > " and "Section > " item to their context menus. No need to hunt down a blank area of the panel anymore, no need to increase section width just to have a blank area to set its properties.
- Splitters would have 3 context menus added: "Panel >", "Left Section > ", "Right Section >".
- Besides the separators we have today, we could also have "SPACERS" to create invisible spaces between icons we want (like suggested in #8). If the user presses ALT while the mouse is over the panel, the spacers become visible (otherwise would be difficult to find and move them)
- If you delete a splitter, a popup would ask if the newly merged section would inherit the properties of the right or of the left section.
* The ALT and CTRL+ALT is just a suggestion, actual keys would be what gnome developers find most consistent with current interface.
Summing it up, no need of lock/unlock, no need to micromanage icons, no need to hunt blank areas to set up options. And, IMHO, highly friendly and intuitive while still fully customizable.
This brainstorm has so many ideas because we are trying to address several issues in 1 solution: avoid icon micro-management, ordering icons, grouping icons, avoid accidental changes. A consistent, coherent way would be the "Bookshelf Approach":
- Special separators (SPLITERS) would now divide panel in SECTIONS
- Each section would have its own "gravity" or "orientation" - either left, right, center, or none (=just like today). Like Solution #1, but should be applied to a SECTION, not individual icons, so no need set individual icon properties (no micromanagement).
- Every icon within a section would automatically stack according to its section orientation. So if you delete an icon in the middle of a "left-oriented" section, all icons to the right of it would shift left. In a section with no orientation, icons wouldnt shift.
- To arrange the icons, solution #9 is perfect. No need of lock / unlock. A key combination like the proposed ALT+mouse drag would prevent accidental moving while clicking. You could drag icons to different sections as well.
- Besides ALT+drag for 1-item movement, CTRL+ALT+drag could be used to move all icons in a section (useful for re-arranging groups, as #18 suggests).*
- The Splitters could be moved this way too, to set the width of each section
- Right clicking ANY icon would allow to set its panel and section settings: simply add a "Panel > " and "Section > " item to their context menus. No need to hunt down a blank area of the panel anymore, no need to increase section width just to have a blank area to set its properties.
- Splitters would have 3 context menus added: "Panel >", "Left Section > ", "Right Section >".
- Besides the separators we have today, we could also have "SPACERS" to create invisible spaces between icons we want (like suggested in #8). If the user presses ALT while the mouse is over the panel, the spacers become visible (otherwise would be difficult to find and move them)
- If you delete a splitter, a popup would ask if the newly merged section would inherit the properties of the right or of the left section.
* The ALT and CTRL+ALT is just a suggestion, actual keys would be what gnome developers find most consistent with current interface.
Summing it up, no need of lock/unlock, no need to micromanage icons, no need to hunt blank areas to set up options. And, IMHO, highly friendly and intuitive while still fully customizable.
Solution #11:
Allow multiple selection
Allow multiple icons selection, simply by clicking with the mouse's left button and selecting the desired area.
Allow multiple icons selection, simply by clicking with the mouse's left button and selecting the desired area.
Solution #12:
selection with [Alt] key which allows multi move/lock/unlock/remove
Written by
xubaj the 26 Aug 09 at 22:31.
just like #11 but with an [Alt] key which prevents accidental rearrangment. by right-clicking the selected icons you can apply multiple preferences (lock/unlock/remove etc.) at once.
just like #11 but with an [Alt] key which prevents accidental rearrangment. by right-clicking the selected icons you can apply multiple preferences (lock/unlock/remove etc.) at once.
Better Support for USB ADSL Modems
Ubuntu
In :
Priority : Medium
Definition : Drafting (Needs guidance)
Implementation : Not started
Assignee : Alexander Sack
Written by pixxel the 8 Mar 08 at 10:20.
Global category: Hardware support.
New
Especially for eagle series:
Sagem Fast 800, Sagem Fast 908, Comtrend ct 350, Comtrend ct 361, US Robotics USR9000 Sureconnect, TELINDUS ND 220 ARESCOM, Elcon 111U, Aztech 206U, Dlink DSL-200i , ARESCOM NDS1060, ECI B-FOCuS 150A II, Aethra Starmodem, Huawei SmartAX MT810 ID, Teledat 300 usb, Zoom 5510B, ASUS AAM6000UG
I am aware that drivers for these are non-free, but Ubuntu should at least "tell" users how to obtain these drivers and how to install and use them (either manually, or via ubudsl application)
When you first start ubuntu, usb adsl modem is recognized and in hardware list, but it simply does not work. No information is provided on how to enable and start it, so users have to fly back to windows, and search for hours on forums, rarely finding what they need.
In addition, there are users that use pppoe connection via adsl, and all information on the internet is for the pppoa usera. Br2684 package will solve their problems, so it should be installed by default (it is a 7 kB package)
Nautilus to display more info while asking for copying existing file
Written by aufather the 9 Nov 08 at 04:07.
Related project: brainstorm.ubuntu.com .
New
When I copy a newer version of a file, nautilus asks whether to skip or replace this file. But it does not provide any info other than the file name. It would be nice if it would at least provide the file sizes too. More info maybe accessible from a drop down button. Like modified time, owner, permissions etc. But these can be hidden and be accessible from a drop down button (like the button which shows progress of individual files during software installation). This will help the user to compare both the files and make an informed decision there itself. Instead of canceling the operation and then comparing both the files and then redoing the same operation.
Solution #1:
Auto-generated solution of idea #15427
Written by
aufather the 9 Nov 08 at 04:07.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #15427 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!
<i>Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #15427 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.</i><br /> Thanks!
Solution #2:
Collapsed additional information
Written by
dcruz the 28 Apr 09 at 10:47.
The dialog should contain collapsed additional information from both files that the user could access, such as:
* size
* creation date
* modification date
* creator
* etc.
The dialog should contain collapsed additional information from both files that the user could access, such as:
* size
* creation date
* modification date
* creator
* etc.
Solution #3:
Diff view for text files
Written by
dcruz the 28 Apr 09 at 10:48.
Have an option the see the difference between both files it those files are textual.
Have an option the see the difference between both files it those files are textual.
Solution #4:
Have an option to suggest another name.
Written by
Lachu the 28 Apr 09 at 13:08.
GNOME should have option, like in KDE to write file in destination folder, but changes the name. When file should be named "SomeDocument", we should name it "SomeDocument-CurrentDate" or "SomeDocument-SourceFolderName".
GNOME should have option, like in KDE to write file in destination folder, but changes the name. When file should be named "SomeDocument", we should name it "SomeDocument-CurrentDate" or "SomeDocument-SourceFolderName".
Solution #5:
Have an option to rename old file
Written by
Akerbos the 29 Apr 09 at 19:52.
Similar to #3, but rename the existing file (kind of backup style)
I'd like this because most often you want the new file to be in effect at that moment while preserving the old one.
Similar to #3, but rename the existing file (kind of backup style)
I'd like this because most often you want the new file to be in effect at that moment while preserving the old one.
Solution #6:
Option to Merge files/folders
There should also be an option for merging files/folders together just as in some other operating systems. This will be especially beneficial in case of folders.
There should also be an option for merging files/folders together just as in some other operating systems. This will be especially beneficial in case of folders.
Solution #7:
Easy way to open both files for visual comparison
Written by
philip the 5 May 09 at 22:25.
The motivation is like #2 but for non-text files. If one or both files are images, office documents or media files, diff will not help. Clicking on the file name should open the file. This saves a visual search for the files in the directory.
The motivation is like #2 but for non-text files. If one or both files are images, office documents or media files, diff will not help. Clicking on the file name should open the file. This saves a visual search for the files in the directory.
Solution #8:
Previews of the files
Written by
philip the 5 May 09 at 22:52.
The dialog should contain pre-computed views of the files, so you don't have to wait for (say) the spreadsheet program to load and open the files. The views should be about 100x100 pixels large and should show a cropped, scrollable view of each file. When the user resizes the dialog,, the preview areas should show more or less of the files. Or, a larger preview can show as a tool tip when the mouse hovers over the small preview.
The dialog should contain pre-computed views of the files, so you don't have to wait for (say) the spreadsheet program to load and open the files. The views should be about 100x100 pixels large and should show a cropped, scrollable view of each file. When the user resizes the dialog,, the preview areas should show more or less of the files. Or, a larger preview can show as a tool tip when the mouse hovers over the small preview.
Solution #9:
nautulis: copy old file to trash before overwrite
Written by
bgfeldm the 12 May 09 at 13:01.
add an option to move old file to the trash before overwrite.
nautulis:
move file to trash before overwrite, if file is a text or document file below a preconfigured size such as 1 MB.
This way overwritten files can be retrieved at a dept of one.
Or you could make the trash bin a temporary source repository for overwritten/deleted files, only storing the diff of the text files, so you limit space taken up by the trash bin and have multiple restore points for files. The repository will be clear every time the user clears the repository or after a defined amount of days.
add an option to move old file to the trash before overwrite.
nautulis:
move file to trash before overwrite, if file is a text or document file below a preconfigured size such as 1 MB.
This way overwritten files can be retrieved at a dept of one.
Or you could make the trash bin a temporary source repository for overwritten/deleted files, only storing the diff of the text files, so you limit space taken up by the trash bin and have multiple restore points for files. The repository will be clear every time the user clears the repository or after a defined amount of days.
Solution #10:
Compare checksum of files.
Written by
Matir the 26 May 09 at 03:19.
Since md5sum is necessary for parts of apt and is installed in every base system, only files with the same name and different checksums need to be considered.
Since md5sum is necessary for parts of apt and is installed in every base system, only files with the same name and different checksums need to be considered.
Solution #11:
Relace If Newer button
Written by
Redge the 2 Jun 09 at 18:34.
See also solution #6. We now have a "Replace All" button, but I miss Windows Explorer's "Replace if Newer" option. Displaying extra info is all nice, but I want to be able to do file operations that don't require further user interaction. So let's add that "Replace All if Newer" button.
See also solution #6. We now have a "Replace All" button, but I miss Windows Explorer's "Replace if Newer" option. Displaying extra info is all nice, but I want to be able to do file operations that don't require further user interaction. So let's add that "Replace All if Newer" button.
Solution #12:
Push transfers requiring user feedback to the end of the queue
Written by
Redge the 8 Jun 09 at 00:07.
When doing file operations and Nautilus encounters conflicts or errors that require the user's feedback to resolve, Nautilus should first try to complete the rest of the queue and push the files needing feedback to the end. That way, if the user is AFK as much of the operation as possible will be done by the time he/she gets back.
When doing file operations and Nautilus encounters conflicts or errors that require the user's feedback to resolve, Nautilus should first try to complete the rest of the queue and push the files needing feedback to the end. That way, if the user is AFK as much of the operation as possible will be done by the time he/she gets back.
Solution #13:
Use Desktop files.
Written by
Lachu the 19 Jun 09 at 08:47.
On situation in idea, Ubuntu should save file on different name and create Desktop file to it. Many user uses only GUI application with file managers supporting Desktop Files.
On situation in idea, Ubuntu should save file on different name and create Desktop file to it. Many user uses only GUI application with file managers supporting Desktop Files.
Solution #14:
Check files below a certain size
Written by
korin43 the 18 Jun 09 at 20:58.
Decide on a on file size where it's faster to just check if it's an identical file than ask the user if they want to replace/skip. If the files with the same name are identical, we just skip them instead of presenting the replace/skip dialogue (since both options would have the same result).
Note: This would be a complete byte-for-byte comparison, not just a comparison of timestamps and name.
Here's the order that the system would check:
- Is there a file with the same name?
- Is it below the maximum size set to check? (we don't want to auto-check if it would be faster to ask the user. ex: 10 Gb file)
- Compare size
- Compare the two files (byte-for-byte), fail as soon as you find anything different (if the first byte of the new file is different, fail immediately instead of checking the whole file)
Note 2: Timestamps will not be compared. If the new file is identical with a different timestamp, the new timestamp should be applied.
Decide on a on file size where it's faster to just check if it's an identical file than ask the user if they want to replace/skip. If the files with the same name are identical, we just skip them instead of presenting the replace/skip dialogue (since both options would have the same result).
Note: This would be a complete byte-for-byte comparison, not just a comparison of timestamps and name.
Here's the order that the system would check:
- Is there a file with the same name?
- Is it below the maximum size set to check? (we don't want to auto-check if it would be faster to ask the user. ex: 10 Gb file)
- Compare size
- Compare the two files (byte-for-byte), fail as soon as you find anything different (if the first byte of the new file is different, fail immediately instead of checking the whole file)
Note 2: Timestamps will not be compared. If the new file is identical with a different timestamp, the new timestamp should be applied.
Solution #15:
Add "auto" option to replce/skip pop-up
This gives the user the option to replace/skip if they already know whether the file is identical or not, or don't want to risk replacing an important file. But if they don't know if the files are identical, then they can press the auto button.
It would look something like this:
|Auto| |Auto all| |Replace| |Replace all| |Skip| |Skip all|
This gives the user the option to replace/skip if they already know whether the file is identical or not, or don't want to risk replacing an important file. But if they don't know if the files are identical, then they can press the auto button.
It would look something like this:
|Auto| |Auto all| |Replace| |Replace all| |Skip| |Skip all|
Solution #16:
Show context for the differences
The dialog should attempt to show the differences between the files if they are in a recognizable format. For example, if the files are images, show both images, along with file size and date. This will allow the user to easily make a decision about whether to replace the file. The destination filename could also be an editable field to allow the user to change the name and have the copy continue under the new name. If the file were an audio file then it could display bitrate, sample rate, length, etc.
Here's an example dialog box from Directory Opus on Windows which demonstrates this:
The dialog should attempt to show the differences between the files if they are in a recognizable format. For example, if the files are images, show both images, along with file size and date. This will allow the user to easily make a decision about whether to replace the file. The destination filename could also be an editable field to allow the user to change the name and have the copy continue under the new name. If the file were an audio file then it could display bitrate, sample rate, length, etc.
Here's an example dialog box from Directory Opus on Windows which demonstrates this:
<img src="http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/4432/sreplacey.png">
Solution #17:
Continue copying the files that doesn't need confirmation
Written by
pgdx the 31 Jul 09 at 08:09.
The copying of the rest of the files should continue and the files in question should be queued until the user decides what to do with this.
The copying of the rest of the files should continue and the files in question should be queued until the user decides what to do with this.
Solution #18:
Try to read ahead for dialogue-requireing issues
When you do a large transfer, it could try to calculate exactly what needs to be moved where first, so that the user does not have to sit there to make sure there are no conflicts.
When you do a large transfer, it could try to calculate exactly what needs to be moved where first, so that the user does not have to sit there to make sure there are no conflicts.
Solution #19:
Avoid overwriting the same file.
Written by
pubsbin the 8 Aug 09 at 01:12.
There are some easy tests for checking if two files (in two different folders) are the same file. From the easy ones (metainformation, size, name), checking some positions (sampling) and, finally, comparing them entirely.
If Nautilus uses those easy equality checks, it could avoid copying equal files. Even if you compare the whole file, a read is faster than a write.
There are some easy tests for checking if two files (in two different folders) are the same file. From the easy ones (metainformation, size, name), checking some positions (sampling) and, finally, comparing them entirely.
If Nautilus uses those easy equality checks, it could avoid copying equal files. Even if you compare the whole file, a read is faster than a write.
Solution #20:
"No to ALL"
Written by
don1500 the 12 Aug 09 at 20:20.
Most of the time I have this problem I run into it when moving music files. There is a "Yes to ALL" but no "No to All". All I want are the files that are on the source but not on the target. "Overwrite if Newer" is close and a good suggestion, but sometimes I don't want to overwrite the old file. Sometimes you want to overwrite the older version, and with "Yes to All" you still have that option. Maybe adding both "Overwrite if newer" AND "No to ALL" is the answer. I think this would be the easiest to implement. This is also the K.I.S.S. answer.
Most of the time I have this problem I run into it when moving music files. There is a "Yes to ALL" but no "No to All". All I want are the files that are on the source but not on the target. "Overwrite if Newer" is close and a good suggestion, but sometimes I don't want to overwrite the old file. Sometimes you want to overwrite the older version, and with "Yes to All" you still have that option. Maybe adding both "Overwrite if newer" AND "No to ALL" is the answer. I think this would be the easiest to implement. This is also the K.I.S.S. answer.
Solution #21:
Use a 'For All' Checkbox to Simplify Things
Simple enough, instead of having 'Replace All' and 'Skip All' have a check box 'For All'.
Obviously, the actual thing would look a bit more professional than the one I made in Gimp.
Simple enough, instead of having 'Replace All' and 'Skip All' have a check box 'For All'.
<img src="http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/1217030/Ubuntu%20Brainstorm/replace%3F.png">
Obviously, the actual thing would look a bit more professional than the one I made in Gimp.
Solution #22:
warn when deleting a folder with a copied file in it.
Written by
caleb the 21 Aug 09 at 08:54.
I have gotten into the bad habit of copying a file deleting the parent folder, and pasting it elsewhere. Ubuntu should warn when deleting a copied file's folder.
I have gotten into the bad habit of copying a file deleting the parent folder, and pasting it elsewhere. Ubuntu should warn when deleting a copied file's folder.
Solution #23:
Advanced File Operations (AFO :D)
Written by
Chronos the 29 Aug 09 at 14:46.
Create a more advanced "thread" based queuing system for file operations. Its possible to make it simple, no need to make it complex. Read below:
Seriously, in Total commander i used a lot the function to not just copy files at once and send the process in the background, but to push F2, and create a list of the operations where(!) the list is a queue. So the processes are not running at the same time to slow things down. We can even make this better. Imagine you have 4 drives. A B C and D. You want to copy 3x6 folders/files from A to B and vice versa. It takes long, so you start to copy/move/whatsoever to work on C and D (like before from C to D and vice versa). To make all these operations (4direction) run at the same time slows the computer slow down(no wonder why).
We could create two thread with two queues in this case.
In summary, A and B would process their queue, processing files the fast as possible, and separately C and D would do their things as well.
We could make it automatic maybe, that if we are making file operations to or from one partition/hardware, at default it would create a queue, what (with a push of a button) would appear from the already used window(dont know the name). This queue would make sure that only one operation is active at a time, making hardware sweat less, and operations faster.
Maybe i'll do a mockup if i have time.
This is just an idea, we can modify it.
Cheers,
David
Create a more advanced "thread" based queuing system for file operations. Its possible to make it simple, no need to make it complex. Read below:
Seriously, in Total commander i used a lot the function to not just copy files at once and send the process in the background, but to push F2, and create a list of the operations where(!) the list is a queue. So the processes are not running at the same time to slow things down. We can even make this better. Imagine you have 4 drives. A B C and D. You want to copy 3x6 folders/files from A to B and vice versa. It takes long, so you start to copy/move/whatsoever to work on C and D (like before from C to D and vice versa). To make all these operations (4direction) run at the same time slows the computer slow down(no wonder why).
We could create two thread with two queues in this case.
In summary, A and B would process their queue, processing files the fast as possible, and separately C and D would do their things as well.
We could make it automatic maybe, that if we are making file operations to or from one partition/hardware, at default it would create a queue, what (with a push of a button) would appear from the already used window(dont know the name). This queue would make sure that only one operation is active at a time, making hardware sweat less, and operations faster.
Maybe i'll do a mockup if i have time.
This is just an idea, we can modify it.
Cheers,
David
Solution #24:
Pile up a list of action needed files.(Use with Solution #1)
The list would list all the files that need conformation and let u handle them with check boxes. ( A Select All/None combo button and an Invert Selection button are a must for such a list. Then double clicking a listed directory should select all in the directory.)
Then by for example pressing Overwrite or a Do Nothing button the action would affect all selected files. After which you can continue such steps until the List is gone or the user exits.
I'd imagine this would be simple to do without over complicating things.
Also the number of dialogues could easily be reduced with this strategy.
This increases efficiency because a user could handle all the conformation files at once in their own way even as their still copying normal files.
The list would list all the files that need conformation and let u handle them with check boxes. ( A Select All/None combo button and an Invert Selection button are a must for such a list. Then double clicking a listed directory should select all in the directory.)
Then by for example pressing Overwrite or a Do Nothing button the action would affect all selected files. After which you can continue such steps until the List is gone or the user exits.
I'd imagine this would be simple to do without over complicating things.
Also the number of dialogues could easily be reduced with this strategy.
This increases efficiency because a user could handle all the conformation files at once in their own way even as their still copying normal files.
Gedit able to display binary files as hex
Written by krs the 30 Jun 08 at 08:06.
Global category: Programming.
New
Sometimes when you have a unknown file, open it in a text editor can give you a hint. Even if the file is binary, you can found text in the header or somewhere.
Gedit should have the possibilities to open any kind of file. and if it's a binary file, display it in hex view with text view on a side column.
Plus, this is a good way to provide a hex editor by default without spreading the fear to new users with an additional program "WTF is that new sh*t in my application menu??"
Solution #1:
Create a GUI for notification system preferences
Written by
Rook777 the 9 Apr 09 at 04:09.
This GUI could allow the user to change color, shape, transparency, placement, size. This could even be included in the appearance preferences.
This GUI could allow the user to change color, shape, transparency, placement, size. This could even be included in the appearance preferences.
Solution #2:
use system theme
Written by
choad the 11 Apr 09 at 22:09.
why make another customizable option when it makes more sense to integrate it with the system theme?
why make another customizable option when it makes more sense to integrate it with the system theme?
Solution #3:
Both options are good
Written by
Seph_VII the 13 Apr 09 at 17:55.
Why not use the same kind of dialog we currently use for the Panels? It should be accessed through "System/Preferences/Notifications." We'd have a "General" tab with location and size options, and a "Background" tab with:
[o]None (Use system theme)
[o]Unicoloured
Color: [Box to choose color]
[o]Background image:
[Box to choose image]
Transparency: [Slider]
Blur: [Slider]
Why not use the same kind of dialog we currently use for the Panels? It should be accessed through "System/Preferences/Notifications." We'd have a "General" tab with location and size options, and a "Background" tab with:
[o]None (Use system theme)
[o]Unicoloured
Color: [Box to choose color]
[o]Background image:
[Box to choose image]
Transparency: [Slider]
Blur: [Slider]
Solution #4:
Configurable through gconf-editor
This prevents feature creep, but is still a gui. We don't want to add entries to menus like Preferences and Administration, because it makes Ubuntu look too complicated and the menus look too much like in KDE (no offense). We also don't want to encourage people to change it unless it bothers them. It's probably very easy to make the notifications ugly but hard to make them any more attractive.
This prevents feature creep, but is still a gui. We don't want to add entries to menus like Preferences and Administration, because it makes Ubuntu look too complicated and the menus look too much like in KDE (no offense). We also don't want to encourage people to change it unless it bothers them. It's probably very easy to make the notifications ugly but hard to make them any more attractive.
Solution #5:
Various options in Appearance Preferences
Insert a new tab in the Appearance Preferences>Costumize dialog, this would be the most logical way.
Insert a new tab in the Appearance Preferences>Costumize dialog, this would be the most logical way.
Solution #6:
Help notifications be read
Written by
Dazed_75 the 28 Apr 09 at 16:12.
Too often notifications in the new scheme come up and then disappear before I've actually read them. Whichever scheme is used to set preferences for notifications I would like to see included:
- a minimum time for notification bubbles to be visible
- a check box to set that notification bubbles not disappear once the time has run out until there is user activity (keyboard, mouse, ???). Note that user activity before the timer runs out should NOT fade the notification as the user may be active as the notification appears.
Too often notifications in the new scheme come up and then disappear before I've actually read them. Whichever scheme is used to set preferences for notifications I would like to see included:
- a minimum time for notification bubbles to be visible
- a check box to set that notification bubbles not disappear once the time has run out until there is user activity (keyboard, mouse, ???). Note that user activity before the timer runs out should NOT fade the notification as the user may be active as the notification appears.
Allow Brainstormers to contact each other
Written by babis79 the 8 May 08 at 10:29.
Related project: brainstorm.ubuntu.com .
Implemented
Please provide a way of comunication for brainstorm users. So we can contact each other and send messages, e.g. to start implementing a brainstorm idea.
Developer comments
This is available since the June 23th 2008 update.