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To have a way to check the ink level of printers  
Written by Moisesbr2012 the 1 Sep 12 at 04:33. New
Right now there is no way to watch easily the level of ink remaining in the printer. One of the things I like about Ubuntu is that I have one software to administrate all the printers, which works perfectly except for the fact that there is no easy way to check how much ink is remaining unless you install the propietary solution for that, if there is one.
60
votes
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Solution #1: Integrate the command line tool called ink with system-config-printer-gnome
Written by Moisesbr2012 the 1 Sep 12 at 04:33.
There is a package called ink that can do that in the command line:

ink -p usb

but it would be nice if you can see this graphically within the options of the program to administrate printers: system-config-printer-gnome.
22
votes
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Solution #2: Suggestion: Should be able to do this wirelessly
Written by lhb1142 the 3 Sep 12 at 13:33.
Increasing numbers of printers are network-capable. It would be helpful if, when connected wirelessly, the ink program were made capable of checking levels and cleaning printheads.

See the 1 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 21 Feb 13 at 13:53) >>

Resizing of two connecting windows should be easier  
Written by Klau3 the 17 Oct 10 at 13:56. New


Fullscreen

Nowadays screens become bigger and it is often better to run a program not full screen e.g. Web browser → some sites will be left bounden other centralized...
Having multiple windows side by side becomes normal so we need a good way to manage them.

One of the most common actions is to resize windows to fit personal working habits (often one program window is bigger → the main working window).
352
votes
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Solution #1:
Written by Klau3 the 17 Oct 10 at 13:56.
If two windows use all vertical space and they touch each other it should be possible to resize both windows, dragging the mouse cursor between them to the left or the right.

-61
votes
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Solution #2: #1 using a different button
Written by Ssdg the 18 Oct 10 at 08:19.
In order not to mess with people's habits, the "multiple-resizing" feature should be associated with another button. Because left is linked with "legacy resizing" and because right shows the menu (I use it a lot, it helps see a window bigger than the screen) so let's use the middle mouse button.
-43
votes
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Solution #3: No floating based window manager.
Written by Lachu the 18 Oct 10 at 13:55.
Allow to use now floating mode in Metacity, but restrict settings to certain window. Each window will remember positioning type. By switching window, we switching also positioning mode.

You can imagine that like using fullscreen app. By switching to this window, it takes whole screen. When switching it off, it are minimized. We can extend this to remember different settings of sets of window, but each will be related to one main window. Now, by select another main window fullscreen application will be showed as normal window in ex. right-bottom edge.
88
votes
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Solution #4: An "attach window" option
Written by Aielyn the 19 Oct 10 at 07:04.
Give the system the ability to attach windows to each other as far as layout issues are concerned - basically, you could anchor one window to another one, with various settings to allow you to anchor them in the way that suits you.

This would not only enable the functionality desired by this idea (moving two, or more than two, connected window boundaries simultaneously), but would also grant a few other features, including the ability to always keep the windows together in the display stack (so, in the image above, if you minimise the writer, it minimises firefox, and vice versa, and if you give one focus, the other is displayed directly "beneath" it in terms of display depth, above all other windows).

Options for the anchoring process would include:

- "Common Frame", which would make the windows operate as though they were a single window for the purposes of resizing, etc (drag Writer's right border to the left, and Firefox shrinks in proportion, while keeping the borders aligned - halve Writer's width, and Firefox's width is also halved).
- "Common Border", which would do as suggested in the idea, and move both borders without moving any other borders.
- "Glued Border", which would cause the borders to be held together, but otherwise leave all details of the windows separate; move the Writer right border to the left, and the Firefox window moves to the left so the borders still remain aligned, but the Firefox window keeps its size and shape.
- "Free Borders", which would decouple the window borders, but still attach the windows to each other.

In all cases above, moving one window would also move the other window. Further gluing would be possible in order to attach more windows to each other, even sharing a single border. In the "Free Borders" option, only movement of windows would make a difference, resizing of windows would not matter.
-64
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Solution #5: Tabbed browsing should be introduced.
Written by Mrinal Saurabh the 19 Oct 10 at 18:51.
Every new window opened should be a tab in title bar. Then a multiple display feature could be used to see more than one windows together.
-16
votes
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Solution #6: Move to screen sides and be able to drag center once
Written by dsterry the 20 Oct 10 at 22:08.
If you want two windows to split the screen, you should be able to grab each one and move them toward their respective sides of the screen to put them in this auto-resized mode. Then if you want to move the boundary between them, you should be able to grab the boundary on either side of that split and move it back and forth horizontally.

This is similar to what another OS does but the addition of being able to drag the adjoining barrier can make this more useful for me. For example, I may want my web browser to be bigger than my gedit with as few clicks and drags as possible.

This may collide with compiz's ability to drag windows between desktops but it's a valid tradeoff.

Furthermore, this should be default behavior for Ubuntu.
44
votes
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Solution #7: while pressing Super button, you can select windows for interactive resize
Written by 3esmit the 21 Oct 10 at 19:17.
Built as a Compiz 'plugin'.
While pressing super button, select windows to resize, and if the resizing selected window reaches other selected window, it will move it and if there is no space to move, resize it.
-14
votes
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Solution #8: Introduce a split screen viewing mode.
Written by david4dev the 24 Oct 10 at 23:19.
Introduce a window manager mode where windows do not overlap and act more like frames. By default the screen space should be shared equally but the borders between frames should be adjustable (a bit like terminator). Opening a new application window or selecting a frame from the window list (or alternatives) should add this window to the list of frames on the screen. The existing frames should automatically resize to accommodate the new frame. Clicking on the window list button for a particular frame that is showing (so the minimise action) should remove it from the screen and the existing windows should automatically resize to fill the space. This should not be a default but should be easy to enable or disable.
-3
votes
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Solution #9: right clic option on windows list
Written by argh0 the 25 Oct 10 at 08:11.
Introduce new options when right-clicking on the windows list (gnome-panel applet) :
- rearange the open windows vertically
- rearange the open windows horizontally
-> and when doing that, associate the connecting windows borders in order to move them together
-6
votes
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Solution #10: Tiling+Tabbed option for the Window Manager
Written by ganassa the 26 Oct 10 at 17:18.
In a tiling Wm like Ion, Xmonad, i3 etc., this problem is solved at the source: windows can't overlap each other, with some exception using floating windows and tabbed frames. It would really nice if metacity, or whetever WM adopted, could manage this behaviour.
-2
votes
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Solution #11: Pressing the maximize button to fill up only half or a third of the screen
Written by lemuelinchrist the 3 Nov 10 at 03:09.
Most users, when using a big screen (say 22'') almost never use the maximize button anymore. So why not give the user freedom to customize the maximize button such that it would only fill half or maybe 2/3 or 1/3 of the screen depending on his choice?

Or if we want to preserve the function of the maximize button, why not add a fourth button for this in addition to the min, max, and close button.

Sometimes manually resizing windows can be burdensome. pressing the maximize window is a lot quicker to fill up screens
38
votes
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Solution #12: Windows 7 Style Window Relocator
Written by ejh the 4 Nov 10 at 17:32.
This is one area that I think windows 7 beats ubuntu. Windows 7's "aerosnap" function works as shown in this video: youtu.be/bopeB6QbOjI.

Ubuntu could implement the windows 7 functionality, then make it better by allowing you to move the vertical boundary between two programs which are sharing your screen left and right, by holding ctrl or shift or using a different mouse button.
2
votes
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Solution #13: Windows dropped on each other with "Super" pressed should behave differently.
Written by cyprys the 10 Nov 10 at 01:15.
Windows attached in the following manner should maximise and share one virtual space: there's a windows list on the bottom gnome-panel in Ubuntu - drag one window from this list and drop it on another window while holding "Super" key, repeat as needed.

When manually changing the width of one window neighbouring window should auto-resize (shrink or grow).

When certain width of the neighbouring window is approached during shrinking auto-resize of the next neighbouring window should start or the process should stop (when there are no more neighbouring windows).

Minimizing one of the attached windows should hide whole virtual space and all windows sharing it.

Unmaximising one of the attached windows should unattach only this one window and release previously occupied space so it could be redistributed between other attached windows.

Multiple virtual spaces on one workspace should be created by attaching two windows to each other (one virtual space) and then attaching two different windows to each other (second virtual space), etc.

When switching between windows (e.g. alt+tab), virtual space should be treated as one window regardless of number of actual windows sharing it.
-4
votes
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Solution #14: Double clicking resize corner extends window
Written by jeffster the 10 Nov 10 at 05:07.
If there is one window that is already set up, taking half the screen, double clicking another window's corner will fill the remaining space.
3
votes
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Solution #15: do ik like kubuntu
Written by koenfloris the 14 Nov 10 at 09:33.
kubuntu already does this, just implent it in compiz and metacity
-2
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Solution #16: Imitate Windows 7 (Super or Windows Key + Left/Right Arrow)
Written by Gonz-IT the 11 Nov 10 at 12:16.
Windows 7 implements a very neat way for window resizing and positioning. If you select a window and type WindowsKey (Super) + Right Arrow, the window will take exactly half of the space available in the right side of the screen, and so on with the WindowsKey + Left combo.

I think this is a very nice usability feature that should be implemented with Ubuntu.
2
votes
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Solution #17: Customizable slot view, merge-able and dnd support between slots
Written by thamawij pirajnaraporn the 28 Dec 10 at 08:53.
- User may increase/decrease slot numbers for a single workspace.
- Treat each slot as a cell in a spreadsheet, a user may merge them with the adjacent cells.

Currently, I'm not so clear about how it should works or the way that possibly implemented, I will add some details later.
-5
votes
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Solution #18: Treat each workspace as a virtual monitor that may view multiple at a time
Written by thamawij pirajnaraporn the 28 Dec 10 at 09:11.
It would be nice if we can make one of our workspace split; for example, a 1280x960 may split into 4, 640x480, screens or 2, 640x960, screens as virtual attached monitors. Maximize make a window fit a monitor.

(In my head, it looks like compiz's Expo view with adjustable numbers of adjacent workspaces to show at the time)

I'm not so sure if this idea is implementable. Just share the idea so the superior in system and programming may see the way to go.

See the 23 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 12 May 12 at 08:24) >>

Show last 3 folders - Save as dialog box  
Written by Klau3 the 16 Nov 10 at 13:58. New
When saving files you often choose the same couple of folders to store your data. Sadly, the drop down menu for the save-as-dialog box only shows the last folder where you have saved a file.

To save a file into the one-before-last folder, I have to open the file browser – this is total overkill. The user should be able to save files into the one-before-last folder with a few clicks without having to click trough the file manager hierarchy.

Show last 3 folders - Save as dialog box
194
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Solution #1: The dialog box should show the last 3 saving destination folders.
Written by Klau3 the 16 Nov 10 at 13:58.
Positive aspects:
- Faster → effective working
- Fewer clicks (saving becomes more pleasant)
- Less visual disruption
93
votes
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Solution #2: Make solution #1 optional
Written by Oxwivi the 17 Nov 10 at 15:58.
Not everyone likes recent documents and such information saved, including me. Solution #1 is popular, so it would be good for it to be added as an option.

See the 6 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 29 Feb 12 at 10:35) >>

Volume too low, can't normalize  
Written by daniel.g.mcdonald the 19 Oct 11 at 02:34. New
There are many times when volume from an application is too low and there's no practical way to normalize the volume. For example, a quiet YouTube video, you turn the volume to 100% (or 150% in the Sound Settings dialog) just to hear it well, then you watch another video and the sound is booming way too loud. Or you get an instant message and the beep is much louder than the video. This can be startling and can hurt your ears if you're wearing headphones. Of course you can turn down the volume of your other applications (actually Empathy isn't even showing up in the Sound Settings dialog, but I'll pretend that it does), but then you have to tune them again when you listen to something else.
39
votes
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Solution #1: Per-Application Normalize Audio
Written by daniel.g.mcdonald the 19 Oct 11 at 02:34.
Add checkboxes to normalize audio for each application in the Sound Settings dialog. Then I can relax and enjoy watching my videos without fiddling with the volume every other video. I still have a slider for each application, so I can turn the flash plugin volume down to 80% so I can still hear other system sounds.

Bonus:
Not just normalizing audio, but generic audio filter control lets me do fun things like add an echo effect to each application, enhance stereo effect, etc.

See the 2 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 4 Jan 12 at 11:17) >>

Ubuntu login/Gnome keyring should support external keyfile for better security  
Written by unknown2 the 23 Mar 11 at 23:27. Not an idea
Ubuntu support full disk encryption/partition encryption currently. User need to provide a password for encryption.

As users are just human being, it is quite difficult to use a strong password.
6
votes
closed
Solution #1: disk encryption should support keyfile (include keyfile in external storage)
Written by unknown2 the 23 Mar 11 at 23:27.
Using keyfile can make brute-force attack on encrypted content more difficult, as keyfile is random and lengthy

If encryption can use keyfile stored in external usb storage, user may not need password at all. All he need to do is to make backup copies of key file and keep them safe.

When Ubuntu login, it should allow user to choose keyfile.

Many encryption software support keyfile such as keepass, keepassX, Truecrypt.

http://keepass.info/screenshots/keepass_2x/getkey_big.png
4
votes
closed
Solution #2: Gnome keyring allow user to choose keyfile (include external storage)
Written by unknown2 the 24 Mar 11 at 22:09.
The same argument apply on Gnome keyring too.

If mighty hackers get read access on the Gnome keyring somehow, they can brute force attack it

When trying to unlock Gnome keyring, it should allow user to choose keyfile (include external storage).

Many encryption software support keyfile such as keepass, keepassX, Truecrypt.

http://keepass.info/screenshots/keepass_2x/getkey_big.png

See the 2 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 8 Aug 11 at 00:05) >>

Unity 'MenuBar' menus aren't visible whilst mouse isn't hovering over it  
Written by ginjaninja405 the 2 Apr 11 at 01:07. Not an idea
The current MenuBar only shows the menus for that application when the mouse is hovering over the small bar itself. This is going to be counter intuitive for newcomers to the operating system.
-2
votes
closed
Solution #1: Options faintly faded behind application name
Written by ginjaninja405 the 2 Apr 11 at 01:07.
The new users of Ubuntu may need an indication that there are menus in that bar. So, just like the name of the application in the MenuBar fades into/behind the menus when they appear, when not hovering over the MenuBar the menus could fade in from the name, and could be only 50% visible after the fade - if that makes sense. Sorry about the lack of images, I hope you understand what I mean! This way the menus are always partially visible.
11
votes
closed
Solution #2: Always show MenuBar menus, and small part of name
Written by ginjaninja405 the 2 Apr 11 at 01:11.
You could alternatively have the MenuBar menus always there, and a small part of the name just before the menus start. When they want to see the full name (might be a long document name) you hover over the name just before the menus, and then the menus fade away and the full name is revealed, but only on mouse hover. Name shortens again when you move the mouse off the bar.
-8
votes
closed
Solution #3: Window titles take up the available space to the right of the menus
Written by SpyMasterMatt the 4 Apr 11 at 01:25.
Instead of the window title on the left, the menu bar is permanently visible, with the window title aligned right. If the title is too long to fit into the available space on the right, it would show as much as possible in the available space. On hover, the full title would be displayed, covering the menu bar.
5
votes
closed
Solution #4: MenuBar always visible. Maximized window has a fading title on its left.
Written by Filian the 19 Apr 11 at 15:04.
MenuBar should always show menu items of focused window.
When the window is maximized it could show the first part of window name on the left fading under the menu.
This behaviour is intuitive, consistent and compatible with touch screens (as fingers couldn't reveal the menu before tapping it).

See the 3 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 7 Aug 11 at 17:54) >>

application should be configured to use gnome keyring as default  
Written by unknown2 the 24 Mar 11 at 01:54. Not an idea
some software e.g. evolution use an encrypted store to store certificate. Every time an smime email is sent, evolution will ask for password for the store and do not use the gnome keyring.

It should be more convenient to if user can store all his password centrally.
40
votes
closed
Solution #1: setup the application to use gnome keyring when install
Written by unknown2 the 24 Mar 11 at 01:54.
Documentation from gnome show that it is possible to configure various application to use Gnome Keyring certificates and keys.

http://live.gnome.org/GnomeKeyring/ApplicationSetup

These configuration may be a little bit difficult for user. It would be nice if Ubuntu can do the config for user

See the 4 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 29 Jul 11 at 03:44) >>

Make the login screen useful without logging in  
Written by Bromskloss the 17 Nov 10 at 14:23. In development
We have usernames and passwords to restrict usage of the computer but some things even strangers could be allowed to do:
- tell the date and time
- leave a message to the user who is away from the computer (we already have this one)

You could expand this in many ways if you wanted to (offer a calculator et c.) with the extreme case of providing an entire guest account, which I don't personally would do.
379
votes
inprogress
Selected solution (#1): Display date and time at the login screen
Written by Bromskloss the 17 Nov 10 at 14:23.
Display the date and time when the screen is locked or no-one is logged in. You shouldn't need to log in to tell the time.
49
votes
inprogress
Selected solution (#3): Enable widgets on the login screen
Written by alwuzomondo the 17 Nov 10 at 21:44.
If it would be possible to add simple widgets on the login screen, there are endless possibilities:
show the date and time
show the clocks of several timezones
show an RSS feed
show traffic info
show the weather
show raindrops on the screen when it is raining
etc
etc

I would not allow any widgets that a user can interact with, if you want to do that, then login.

70
votes
inprogress
Selected solution (#4): Enable language selection without using a password
Written by ekevu the 1 Dec 10 at 15:28.
I'd like my guests to be able to use my computer without a password in a restricted guest account. Anyway, sometimes I get international guests and I'd like to offer them a system in their language. You can only change a language between clicking on an account name and entering a password. If there's no password, you don't have any choice.

Solution: Make it possible to change language before choosing an account name.
-30
votes
inprogress
Selected solution (#5): Solution #2: Have a limited/temporary guest account
Written by infernowolf36 the 4 Dec 10 at 06:21.
A Guest account in which you can use most of the features of ubuntu that would not threaten the system. web browsing, instant messaging and playing media would be good. saving downloads would be ok,

or..

deleting all changes and downloaded data upon logout.
-50
votes
inprogress
Selected solution (#6): Allow to play media.
Written by Lachu the 11 Dec 10 at 19:04.
Allow to play media as unprivileged user(without login).
-10
votes
inprogress
Selected solution (#7): disasters
Written by ntg_sf the 11 Dec 10 at 21:58.
In addition to date, time etc show weather based on location of ip.

If there are storm / flood / other disaster warnings, warn people in a way they will notice

But something smarter, like local warning systems (etc shooters in a university) would probably need widgets.
27
votes
inprogress
Selected solution (#8): Kiosk Login (as opposed to guest login)
Written by tony.freeman the 12 Dec 10 at 17:11.
Allow a guest to log into the system but be presented with a kiosk type setup. For example a full screen, non destroyable web browser. Guest users don't need to do anything except access the web/cloud.

18
votes
inprogress
Selected solution (#9): used themed log in screens again
Written by proteanthread the 15 Dec 10 at 02:41.
with custom screensavers.
-8
votes
inprogress
Selected solution (#10): put into the lock screen useful information for the user need
Written by gabizzz the 17 Feb 11 at 12:38.
Put on lock screen, usefull information, such Date, Time, volume control for mute music when the user leave the computer.

See the 21 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 6 Jul 11 at 19:15) >>

Make the information about the architecture easier to find  
Written by Chtfn the 13 Nov 10 at 13:54. New
There is no easy way for the average everyday user to find out what the architecture in use on his system is.
The common way to find out is using the "lscpu" command in a terminal.
We often need to know what the version of Ubuntu is, when we have to choose between 32 bits or 64 bits packages when downloading a software from a website.

There should be an easy way to find out :
- what is the architecture in use on the computer ;
- what are the architectures supported by the hardware.
282
votes
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Solution #1: Add information in Gnome-system-monitor
Written by Chtfn the 13 Nov 10 at 13:54.
In the "system" tab of the system monitor, some information could be added :

- the architecture of the operating system after the version number :
"Version 10.10 (Maverick) i686" or "Version 10.10 (Maverick) x86_64"

- the architecture(s) supported by the CPU in the "hardware" part :
"32 or 64 bits" or "32 bits"
-72
votes
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Solution #2: uname -a
Written by Goury the 13 Nov 10 at 18:59.
just as subj
70
votes
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Solution #3: Instead of the architecture write:
Written by Klau3 the 17 Nov 10 at 21:31.
Version 10.10 (Maverick) 64-Bit
or
Version 10.10 (Maverick) 32-Bit

Rest as #1
-36
votes
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Solution #4: Show users at bootup splash screen
Written by turbolad the 21 Nov 10 at 12:12.
When booting up, the splash screen (which shows the 5 dots below the word "ubuntu") could tell users both the Ubuntu version and its architecture. This can be used in "live" mode too.
28
votes
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Solution #5: merge of 1 and 3
Written by rubdos the 3 Dec 10 at 21:01.
"Version 10.10 (Maverick) 32-bit (i686)" or "Version 10.10 (Maverick) 64-bit (x86_64)"
8
votes
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Solution #6: Show in "About"
Written by zroo3d the 10 Dec 10 at 14:17.
When I need to know version of application, often I can find it in Help > About panel. Instead of Ubuntu history may be better to show informations about PC and Ubuntu version.
-13
votes
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Solution #7: Keyboard shortcut
Written by ramkris the 13 Dec 10 at 02:33.
A keyboard shortcut, say ALT+a could be made to give Architecture details
7
votes
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Solution #8: System > About Ubuntu
Written by dlithgow the 4 Jan 11 at 19:54.
Lets build on the system we have already. Under 'System > About Ubuntu" on my machine it says:

"You are using Ubuntu 11.04 - the Natty Narwhal..."

By adding a simple script or with some manual intervention it could have read:

"You are using Ubuntu 11.04 - the Natty Narwhal (32-bit (i686))..."

... so let's add a little script to either the CD building system or the install system which adds the relevant information.

See the 6 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 22 Mar 11 at 07:59) >>

Application window Launcher and finder for Gnome  
Written by kuluizemp.openconscience the 13 Mar 11 at 16:39. Implemented
In Xubuntu there is a program that can find easily an application like a file with document finder

also and no least

in Ubuntu netbook you can find and launch an application very easily and it is very nice looking

___________________________________________________

and if you want to launch an application in gnome you have to go for convencinal way

*gnome menu _ that takes a lot of time
*or icon - that can occupy lot of desktop and memory space
-5
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Add an application like in ubuntu netbook
Written by kuluizemp.openconscience the 13 Mar 11 at 16:39.
add for gnome an application like ubuntu netbook

or like in xubuntu that as a application finder for application like for files

___________________________________________________________

i know there is development in gnome 3, but i am not sure how is going and how far is going to actually be release for ubuntu.. but something like I refer should be if no possible for gnome 2 (current) be able at least for gnome 3
____________________________________________________

it turns things much easier and nicer for quickly launching and find applications.. and also from the perspective of Wumans or humans is more direct and interconnect mind map, by other words it is for individual easy structure mind develop
_____________________________________________________-

and people can do things more rapidly.. that makes ubuntu even more accessible and improved for all user usability


12
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#2): Use the upcoming Dash
Written by ginjaninja405 the 15 Mar 11 at 10:24.
In Ubuntu 11.04, there will be Dash for launching applications. It will also feature some ways of finding documents. If that is what you actually mean. I'd also suggest learning how to spell, construct grammar, and punctuate.

See the 4 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 22 Mar 11 at 06:05) >>

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