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Font Repository with a User-Friendly GUI  
Ubuntu

In :  
Priority : Undefined
Definition : New (Needs guidance)
Implementation : Unknown
Assignee :
spec
forum
Written by doughy the 29 Feb 08 at 00:25. Global category: Others. New
Ubuntu should include a way to add/remove fonts from a repository just like the add/remove program panel. When a user needs a new font, they could open up the window, and the program would download the latest repository fonts. The user could look through the fonts and choose which ones to install by simply checking a box and clicking "apply." A user could search for font keywords to find certain styles of fonts. For example, someone could search for keywords words "serif","sans serif","cursive", and the GUI would display fonts that match the search. This would be a killer tool for designers.

Furthermore, the GUI could be very helpful. When a user browses a font, a sample image of it could be automatically loaded so that the user can quickly find fonts that are appealing to them. A rating system or popularity gauge could be used so that the best fonts can be highlighted.

A tool like this would create inscentive for font designers to make their designs free/public. Credits could be given to designers in the font descriptions.

Developer comments
1527
votes
up equal down
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #303
Written by doughy the 29 Feb 08 at 00:25.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #303 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 22 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 Oct 09 at 07:57) >>

There should be a simple GUI to do basic disk maintanence tasks  
Written by diegoj the 30 Dec 08 at 12:57. Related project: Nautilus. New
The ability to perform basic disk and maintenance tasks are sorely needed.

Nautilus could be used as well as a new external program or Gnome format

The other day was my birthday and they gave me a USB-external-harddrive. It was in FAT32 and I have not got any idea on how I can format it to ext3. OK, I know it can be done with terminal but some users (like me) see that disgusting and old-fashioned.

Thus, I had a problem while transfering some files. Now I have some consistency problem in the disk that prevents me from creating some folders because they exists. I decide to perform a file system check but... I didn't know how to do it. Terminal again.

Conclusion: avoid using terminal for some commong tasks over USB external drives.
771
votes
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Solution #1: Make Nautilus do it
Written by diegoj the 30 Dec 08 at 12:57.
Goal: integration on Nautilus of some common tasks.

Nautilus should perform these actions over removable devices (like pen drive and USB disks).

+ Basic tasks:
- Change the name of the disk.
- Format the disk with FAT, ext3, ext4 or NTFS.
- Show % of free space in disk.
- Perform a file system check or scandisk over the file system.
- Show hardware propierties: hardware company, etc.
- Clean hidden folders: .thumbnails, .trash, etc.

+ Advanced tasks:
- Encription of the disk.
- Make the disk have a quota (to warn users when using more space than configured).
- Make a USB live disk with Ubuntu.
- Make a backup of the disk.
- Index files for faster file searching.

All this tasks should be "centralized" in Nautilus to avoid using multiple programs to do them.
84
votes
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Solution #2: Separated "Disk Manager" application
Written by asashnov the 14 Jan 09 at 02:54.
Those tasks:

* disk format
* change disk label
* disk backup
* check disk

1) is not related to "file management";
2) requires 'root' privelegues.

So it is better to implement it as separated application, some thing like "Disk Manager".
195
votes
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Solution #3: Include Gnome-format in Ubuntu (easy format tool)
Written by torkiano the 14 Jan 09 at 06:43.
A New, Easy To Use Disk Formatter For GNOME

GParted is an excellent GNOME program for editing partitions, changing file-systems, and performing related disk tasks. However, GParted is not exactly the ideal program for new Linux users to familiarize themselves with if all they want to do is format a USB drive or external storage device. Fortunately, a new GNOME utility has come about that supersedes GFloppy and is designed to be a simple yet powerful disk formatting utility: GNOME Format.

Webpage: http://live.gnome.org/gnome-format

See a review here: http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=gnome_format&num=1
109
votes
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Solution #4: GParted
Written by matsonfamily the 15 Jan 09 at 01:09.
I don't know how a frightening GParted would be to a new Ubuntu user compared to the Disk Management in microsoft's windows (c), but I think it would be a good tool to do these tasks.... I guess it would be a quick fix to just install it by default.
7
votes
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Solution #5: Make Nautilus launch (sudo) Gparted on some tasks
Written by diegoj the 23 Jan 09 at 22:34.
It could be easy and useful to open Gparted on selecting some actions on Nautilus like "formatting USB pen-drive", or "changing the name of the disk".

Maybe a temporal solution to that problem.
18
votes
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Solution #6: Make use of Devicekit (from Fedora)
Written by diegoj the 26 Jan 09 at 15:36.
From the web of DeviceKit:
DeviceKit is a simple system service that a) can enumerate devices; b) emits signals when devices are added removed; c) provides a way to merge device information / quirks onto devices. It is designed to partially replace hal and overcome some of the design limitiations of hal. DeviceKit functionality is provided in the form of dbus services on the system bus.

NOTE: proposed by bpepple in comments.

See the 25 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 Oct 09 at 07:05) >>

Online Ubuntu compatible - PC Hardware Store  
Written by madjr the 6 Mar 08 at 17:49. Global category: Hardware support. New
An online Ubuntu PC hardware store is what people (aka "masses") need to fully make the jump to Ubuntu. Sell the hardware "known to work" (pre-installed Ubuntu computers and peripherals) and support those manufacturers who actually care about Linux compatibility.

when you purchase a Mac you know everything is compatible and everything you purchase at a APPLE STORE also is tested and works 100% with Mac OS.

but when you try Ubuntu on your own, there is always a risk that many of your hardware/peripherals may not work. The worst problem is YOU DON'T KNOW where to Purchase compatible hardware to FIX your problem.

If you can't fix your problem, then you are back once more in Windows... (be it a dialup modem, Usb modem, wireless card, bluetooth, printer, scanner, videocard, webcam, etc)

you always have the community to help + the guys at http://www.phoronix.com/ have always pitched in this area, but is not enough.

We need 100% Ubuntu compatible and tested hardware by canonical themselves to be sold online. Only sell what works (there is no need to test all the hardware in the world)

this would create a real market demand for "Linux compatible" hardware from manufacturers.

we can't support every piece of hardware like we have been doing, we need to support what WORKS NOW!

If this is implemented a few other good things will happen:

1- Less forums posts like these: "i can't get XXXX hardware to work, why doesn't it work! i got working hardware in windows or mac, ubuntu sucks blah blah"


[....]
749
votes
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #3575
Written by madjr the 6 Mar 08 at 17:49.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #3575 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 34 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 Oct 09 at 06:57) >>

Guest account  
Ubuntu

In :  
Priority : High
Definition : Review (Needs guidance)
Implementation : Not started
Assignee : Martin Pitt
spec
Written by Eldmannen the 29 Feb 08 at 15:02. Global category: System. Implemented
Make a guest account that people can login to, and check mail, surf web.

Every time the guest account logs out, its purged so next user who login is a clean fresh account.

Mac OS X has this;
* http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/300.html#system

Developer comments
A guest account is now offered in Intrepid! In the fast-user-switcher in the desktop top bar, select "Guest", and here you are!
893
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #1474
Written by Eldmannen the 29 Feb 08 at 15:02.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #1474 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 36 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 Oct 09 at 06:53) >>

Use more RAM memory (Yes really) !  
Written by Agrou the 28 Feb 08 at 15:59. Global category: System. New
Today most of the computers are providing 2Go of RAM or more. When I'm looking at the memory consumption of ubuntu it is about 400Mo.

I think that Ubuntu should look at the RAM capacity of the computer and take the full advantage of the hudge amount of memory that we have today.

I'm sure it will be possible to preload most usefull apps and to bring a more efficient, smooth and fast system.
-378
votes
up equal down
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #59
Written by Agrou the 28 Feb 08 at 15:59.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #59 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 26 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 Oct 09 at 06:51) >>

Create a better hardware database  
Ubuntu

In :  
Priority : Low
Definition : New (Needs guidance)
Implementation : Unknown
Assignee : Tomas Gustavsson
spec
Written by Ubuwu the 28 Feb 08 at 15:22. Global category: System. In development
People around the globe that are using/concidering using Ubuntu are afraid that some of their hardware won't work for them. And some are frustrated to buy additional add-on cards to work around unsupportad onboard chips. All this could be avoided with a lookup in an ubuntu Hardware Database Website.

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

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

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

Developer comments
Work is on-going at https://launchpad.net/hwtest
4873
votes
inprogress
Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #40
Written by Ubuwu the 28 Feb 08 at 15:22.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #40 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 46 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 Oct 09 at 06:51) >>

Improve dual-screen function  
Ubuntu

In :  
Priority : Undefined
Definition : Approved (Needs guidance)
Implementation : Implemented
Assignee : Bryce Harrington
spec
Written by clemdup the 28 Feb 08 at 20:32. Global category: Graphics. In development
I'm bored with dual-screen on GNU/Linux, it really has to have a graphic configuration, and better features.
I would like to move windows from a screen to another, but when I maximize I need it to be in a single screen.

Update: Xrandr GUI blog post by Bryce Harrington

Developer comments
Response from Bryce Harrington: http://blog.qa.ubuntu.com/node/9
6224
votes
inprogress
Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #206
Written by clemdup the 28 Feb 08 at 20:32.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #206 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 68 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 Oct 09 at 06:51) >>

Provide an official live 'gaming' repository  
Ubuntu

In :  
Priority : Undefined
Definition : New (Needs guidance)
Implementation : Unknown
Assignee :
spec
forum
Written by MighMoS the 28 Feb 08 at 16:35. Global category: Gaming. New
Many games feature the ability to play with other people. However, the first thing the game will check for is to see if it is currently up to date. When Ubuntu enters version freeze, the games fall out of date, and it can be harder to play them online without finding a 3rd party update or compiling it yourself (Freeciv, Scorched3D, and Battle for Wesnoth to name a few). This also creates issues when different distributions freeze at different times, so it can be hard to play with other Linux users.

Ubuntu should provide a repository for up to date games for games that will always need the latest version to play online.
2171
votes
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #73
Written by MighMoS the 28 Feb 08 at 16:35.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #73 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!
12
votes
up equal down
Solution #2: Promote Playdeb
Written by Clorox the 21 Jun 09 at 02:46.
Playdeb is a .deb repository of games for Ubuntu. It has some good games and stays up-to-date.

Site: http://www.playdeb.net/

See the 32 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 Oct 09 at 06:46) >>

No Mono by default in Ubuntu  
Ubuntu

In :  
Priority : Undefined
Definition : Review (Needs guidance)
Implementation : Not started
Assignee :
spec
Written by Ubuwu the 28 Feb 08 at 17:50. Global category: System. New
Remove Mono and dependent applications from default Ubuntu Desktop CD. Mono occupies a significant amount of the valuable space on the live cd that could be used for translations and other things. Applications using mono use much more memory than their non-mono counterparts. Functionality can be provided by other applications that are just as good.

This will NOT remove Mono or any of the applications from the Ubuntu repositories, just the default Desktop CD. (Although removing them from the CD may mean they don't need to be in Main anymore)

This affects two applications included by default: tomboy and f-spot. Tomboy can be replaced by either sticky notes or zim and f-spot by gthumb.
181
votes
up equal down
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #110
Written by Ubuwu the 28 Feb 08 at 17:50.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #110 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!
51
votes
up equal down
Solution #2: No Mono by default
Written by rmh the 2 Jun 09 at 21:57.
Remove Mono from the default package selection
46
votes
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Solution #3: Replace Tomboy with Gnote and remove Mono package
Written by diegoj the 8 Jun 09 at 18:34.
That's all. Save space from liveCD as Fedora Core Team is doing: replace Tomboy with Gnote and avoid patent problems.
15
votes
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Solution #4: Promote Vala as a Gnome enviroment programming language
Written by diegoj the 25 Jun 09 at 21:27.
Vala is a modern language for programming in the Gnome desktop enviroment.

Its code is compiled to C and this is compiled to machine code.

Vala has got all the features that C# has, thus Vala doesn't rely on a virtual machine and isn't patented by anybody like many parts of the Mono machine (Winforms library, for example).

Promote its development and the development of applications based in Vala compiler (like Lucruri) and stop wasting resources in Mono-based projects.
33
votes
up equal down
Solution #5: Replace Mono-based applications with Mono-free ones
Written by diegoj the 25 Jun 09 at 21:47.
Replace every Mono applications with its direct C++ port (or similar). That is:

- Tomboy must be replaced with Gnote.
- F-spot must be replaced with Solang.
- Banshee must NOT replace Rythmbox.

Why should Canonical do that? It will...
- Avoid patent demands. Winforms library is patented by Microsoft.
- Make Ubuntu applications faster. Mono is slower than machine code.
- Save live CD space.

See the 88 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 Oct 09 at 06:42) >>

Easy mounting of Images like ISO and CUE   forum
Written by Nanotron the 28 Feb 08 at 20:17. Related project: Nautilus. Implemented
I'm a big fan of Images like .iso. However it is not very easy to mount these Images.

Developer comments
There is already right click->open with "archive mounter" in Gnome, however it currently has a major bug: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gvfs/+bug/299956
5716
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #194
Written by Nanotron the 28 Feb 08 at 20:17.
I feel there should be a Tool in Nautilus and Dolphin which allows mounting Images by double Click or something similar. (This feature exists int MacOS). Or with a right click on the I think that would be a very useful Tool for every one.
A good example for this is CDemu.

I know there are some other good programs, but I think that would be the easiest way
691
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#2): "Mount Image" avaiable in Right-Click Menu
Written by Bender2k14 the 26 Jan 09 at 04:42.
I should be able to right-click a disk image and select "Mount Image" in the context-sensitive section (just as right-clicking on a disk image provides the "Write to Disk..." option).
-16
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#3): Spruce up gisomount and extend
Written by cbx33 the 20 Mar 09 at 12:22.
Gisomount was created to make this an easy process. It needs a little love and attention, but offered things like md5sum browsing etc. Would make a good GSoC project.
0
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#4): gmount-iso
Written by markoresko the 13 May 09 at 08:35.
I use Gmount-iso to do just that.
sudo apt-get install gmountiso

But I also think that it could be more obvious to do that etc.
Maybe Gmount-iso should be available by default, under right-click on images, like proposed.
40
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#6): Make it possible to mount ISO image from CLI w/o root access
Written by mikaelstaldal the 20 Oct 09 at 12:14.
Also make it possible to mount ISO images from command line without root (sudo) access.
-71
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#7): Solution #3: Mount it automatically once the user double-clicks the ISO file
Written by dexter_greycells the 24 Oct 09 at 07:41.
When the user selects the ISO file (through the keyboard arrow keys, Tab key or a single click) in nautilus a pop-up should come up asking the user to 'Double-click' the ISO file to mount it.
-12
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#8): Okay, here it is :)
Written by r0g the 28 Oct 09 at 05:09.
In the form of a python script for nautilus actions.

http://www.technicalbloke.com/iso_mount.py

I don't have time to do the unmount command too but it should be easy to adapt if you know a little python, consider that homework & pls post me a copy :)

I think it would be nice if Ubuntu came with some more useful nautilus action scripts and a nicer way of adding/removing them. At the moment getting them in and out is more of a pain than it needs to be. It ought to be as easy as Firefox (if not easier!) to install plugins, maybe then people would make more.

Roger.
-44
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#9): Drag *.iso icon onto computer/desktop/places
Written by Lachu the 28 Oct 09 at 11:56.
Automatically mount *.iso files dragged onto computer window/desktop/places menu.

See the 65 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 Oct 09 at 06:42) >>

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