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Popular ideas Here are the most popular ideas ever about Gnome.

If a dark theme: one that doesn't suck!  
Written by DPic the 4 Aug 08 at 01:54. New
Originally, i was really against the idea of a dark theme, and maybe i'd still prefer it if Ubuntu would lighten up a little. I understand the organic theme completely, but please...this is an operating system. Anyways, all the dark themes i had seen really turned me off and even the best ones seemed to be loved by some and hated by others. If we're going to have a dark theme, lets have one that we can all agree on. When i saw the Intrepid alpha screenshot, like many others, i gagged a little.

How people interact with their computer is really essential to their satisfaction. This is why aside from features, the software's stability (minimizing annoying bugs), speed (clean code and making everything as efficient and responsive as possible), and interface (look and feel) are the three most important things that should be our focus and be kept at a high priority.
We should really work to increase usability: http://mpt.net.nz/archive/2008/08/01/free-software-usability

I have looked through all the artwork submissions for Intrepid, and of all of them, this is the one dark theme that i would actually like to use: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Artwork/Incoming/Intrepid/Wall-light

I first saw it on this Digg submission: http://digg.com/linux_unix/Intrepid_Ibex_Mockup_Designs

Of course, i'm sure everyone will have input to make it even better. This isn't a final design, but vote for the concept so far!

P.S. Please Digg :) Thanks http://digg.com/linux_unix/Vote_for_a_beautiful_usable_Ubuntu
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #11805
Written by DPic the 4 Aug 08 at 01:54.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #11805 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 119 comments or propose a solution >>

Use the new Ubuntu notifications to alert when hardware is detected  
Written by christophski the 3 Jun 09 at 10:51. New
At the moment, if I plug in a webcam or a USB mouse, there is nothing visual to say that Ubuntu has correctly detected the new hardware, to see if it's been properly detected, I have to actually start using it.

(wasn't sure what related project to put)
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Solution #1: Use the new Ubuntu Notifications
Written by christophski the 3 Jun 09 at 10:51.
We could use the new Ubuntu notifications to do provide this alert. Just something simple like "USB Webcam detected" with an icon of a webcam.
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Solution #2: Make them optional
Written by cheesehead the 3 Jun 09 at 15:50.
Since I already have hotplug scripts that execute when a new device is detected, I don't need these notifications. In this case, detection notifications would be a nuisance.
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Solution #3: Use HAL notify script
Written by DnaX the 6 Jun 09 at 00:11.
An implementation of solution #1: There is this python script that notify new devices discovered by HAL. Work fine.

https://code.launchpad.net/~dnax88/+junk/hal-notify

Some examples:


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Solution #4: Only notify about problematic devices
Written by jamespgray the 7 Jun 09 at 18:47.
I expect when I plug in a new device it will be detected and configured and ready for my use within 10 seconds or so. A notification can be displayed if the device is NOT usable for some reason or isn't ready within the 10 seconds. (2 different notification messages).

The old equation: silence = success
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Solution #5: Green popup=working hardware / Red popup=not supported, extra attention...
Written by walterav the 7 Jun 09 at 22:37.
It might give a "false assumption" that the hardware is also supported and directly working with ubuntu.

My suggestion would be that it gives a notification that is green/if the hardware directly works, it might fade away!

Other wise make the notification "red" with a extra dialog box that say's this hardware is not supported, or needs the following procedure, or something with cancel.

This idea can be combined with solution 1 / 3
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Solution #6: Menu
Written by Mentalikryst the 14 Jun 09 at 22:05.
Give a menu that gives some information such as:

*Status
*Compatibility
*Type of Device
*Programs which use the device (So give Nautilus/Dolphin for a USB Flash Drive, Network Manager for a WiFi adapter, etc.)

The menu would fade away and would not be obtrusive, but would give the user information about the device and give options on what to do.
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Solution #7: Solution 1 + icon that provides configuration
Written by DaVince the 15 Jun 09 at 22:25.
It would probably be a good idea to have an icon pop up while a notification is shown, so that accessibility to configuration of this little tool is available. Anyone who doesn't like the notifications or wants to disable them for certain hardware will be able to do so by clicking this icon (a special configuration window will pop up).

The icon will automatically disappear shortly after the notification was shown.

See the 27 comments or propose a solution >>

Make gnome-system-monitor more accessible via CTRL-ALT-DELETE  
Written by strattonbrazil the 14 Jul 08 at 22:28. New
gnome-system-monitor provides a cleaner interface than Windows "Task Manager", and provides many useful features including list of processes running, memory and network usage, etc.

This functionality should be more accessible by key binding it by default to CTRL-ALT-DELETE as Windows does--as this is more familiar to users coming from Windows. The current key binding for CTRL-ALT-DELETE brings up the shutdown/logout options, which is already accessible as a desktop button, which is redundant for a relatively less used function.

gnome-system-monitor is an idle interface for monitoring the system and killing processes without using the terminal and provides an interface for doing this that most are already familiar with. Changing it's key binding would make it's functionality much more accessible.
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #11133
Written by strattonbrazil the 14 Jul 08 at 22:28.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #11133 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!
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Solution #2: Give key combination that forces 'recovery screen' on screen
Written by jarko_ the 22 Feb 09 at 12:46.
Like in some other systems, associate key combination to bring up 'recovery screen' or similary named one.

This window doesn't have to be normal GTK-window, but something from the upper level, like GDM (or xorg if going for extreme) created 'recovery screen/task manager'. This should ensure that no window or full screen application could hide or block the 'recovery screen'.

This recovery screen could have options to kill programs, log out, shutdown and lock computer etc.
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Solution #3: Add "close annoying application" to System Monitor
Written by Magnes the 23 Feb 09 at 07:46.
If there is an application that uses all the resources allow closing it (if it uses all the memory) or make it nicer (if it uses all the CPU) by one click in System Monitor.
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Solution #4: Solution #1 + Separate X Session & NCurses
Written by jamessnell the 26 Feb 09 at 20:37.
== Graphical ==
If a separate X session configured entirely to show a System Monitor could be very well insulated from buggy applications.

In those cases where a game causes you to change video modes and then screws up, you'll still have a graceful way to touch the System Monitor.

== Command-Line ==
An ncurses interface (like that of "aptitude") for the command line would also be awesome for those cases when the entire Xorg system ignores you. This would help when the keyboard is being ignored as it'd be fast to pull up over ssh.


Yes this is could basically be a wrapper interface to ps.
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Solution #5: Just make a ncurses application (with mouse support)
Written by zooounds the 3 Mar 09 at 11:15.
It rest in a tty until needed and can be used to kill application even if X is totaly broken.
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Solution #6: Add "Open System Monitor" option to Logout dialog
Written by cousteau the 5 Mar 09 at 17:27.
Ctrl+Alt+Del opens the Logout dialog (at least on Hardy). So it would be nice to add an "Open System Monitor" option to it.
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Solution #7: Add xKill and gnome-system-monitor to the available functions for shortcuts
Written by jackmcslay the 7 Mar 09 at 14:57.
This is a continuation of #2. We should get xkill and gnome-system-monitor among the available action options on
System>Preferences>Keyboard shortcuts

so, even if Ctrl+Alt+Del remains as "logout" shortcut, the option of binding it to Ctrl+Alt+Del remains available
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Solution #8: Bring back ctrl-alt-esc to fire up xkill (or gnome equivalent)
Written by Tom Mann the 12 Mar 09 at 20:47.
In KDE and XFCE, if you hit CTRL-ALT-ESC, your cursor turns into an X (or a skull and crossbones) and clicking any app (it doesn't have to be stuck) kills it.

I still don't get why it disappeared from Ubuntu's Gnome Desktop (I'm not sure if this happens on any other distros Gnome desktop)
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Solution #9: Renice too-busy processes + bring up system monitor
Written by quartz the 20 Mar 09 at 17:12.
The system monitor window needs to be responsive, not just there.

Just bringing up system monitor (or a new manager if necessary) is not enough is the CPU is totally taken, if it comes up, any process(es) that might be hogging resources should be reniced to a slightly lower priority and the system monitor process should be started fairly high.

(A good question is what to do if the problem is with X itself, since renicing it might slow down the system monitor too)
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Solution #10: Capture CAD in kernel and GUI task manager draw direct to screen (framebuffer)
Written by Craig73 the 21 Mar 09 at 14:28.
Capture CTRL+ALT+DEL (or perhaps the second CTRL+ALT+DEL for just "frozen systems") at the kernel level, which opens a graphical task manager (logoff / process manager / whatever) which draws directly to the screen (bypassing X which may be frozen)

To implement this - it would write to the framebuffer, and would likely require KMS and DRI2. [Ideally it would capture the current screen in the framebuffer, and draw the dialog on top, for a integrated feeling].

Then have it fall back to VGA text only if it can't grab a graphical framebuffer (things are really hurting)

My intent is to handle cases such as X being frozen, or in a full screen game, etc.
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Solution #11: Add a "magic keys" combinaison
Written by qwerty800 the 11 Jun 09 at 21:17.
It would be really nice to have a shortcut like Alt+SysRq+X, that automatically kill the focused application. Using a such shortcut would avoid the inconvenience of passing trough the task manager, nor restart the whole X server and to work with the full screen programs! Having a 16:10 monitor often causes me to get stuck with unsupported resolutions. When that happens, I have to restart my whole X server and THAT'S annoying!

Plus, "X" is easy to remember, because:
*It's not currently used.
*It can refer to Xkill
*It can refer to Xorg
*It can refer to the Window decoration (X=Close)!
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Solution #12: Set xkill command for Ctrl+Alt+Esc by default
Written by Shnatsel the 25 Jul 09 at 10:09.
Xfce did so, and if something hangs, it's easy to kill it. GNOME has a panel applet for such purposes, but if a fullscreen game hangs, it's useless.

See the 51 comments or propose a solution >>

More consistent way to choose file associations   forum
Written by jimmux the 28 Feb 08 at 23:54. New
There are apparently a number of ways to choose the default application for a given file type. This should be more consistent. Ideally it should be possible when using the "Open with..." menu item to select an application from what is available under the Applications menu, rather than from the often limited list that is presented.
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #253
Written by jimmux the 28 Feb 08 at 23:54.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #253 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 7 comments or propose a solution >>

Focus an attention of user on shutdown confirmation dialog  
Written by Haku the 1 Apr 09 at 12:08. New
In Jaunty Jackalope 9.04 beta is added shutdown/restart/logout confirmation dialog. This dialog is important at the moment. Focus an attention of user on it.
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Solution #1: Fade down ambient to focus on dialog
Written by Haku the 1 Apr 09 at 12:08.
Fade down all the ambient to focus on dialog. Something like ADD Helper in Compiz do or when an administrative password is required.

Without fading
Without fading

With fading
With fading
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Solution #2: Fade out gradually as time runs out
Written by robertjlee the 1 Apr 09 at 17:56.
The ambiant focus could be faded down smoothly as the time runs out, increasingly drawing the user's attention to the dialog.

This would be less intrusive than #1, and allow the user to more easily finish whatever they're doing, save work etc. when the dialog appears before the screen became too dark to use
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Solution #3: Let Compiz do this
Written by sandrex the 7 Apr 09 at 13:42.
I liked it, but Compiz is actually the 3d desktop for linux.
Then I think this should be propose to compiz developers.
Let Compiz do this.
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Solution #4: Play default or custom logout music
Written by ricardisimo the 7 May 09 at 09:25.
Some faux bossa nova cheese or Muzak would be perfect for the timed logout. The first minute of All Natural Lemon and Lime Flavors' "Spin Cycle" is my first choice. Once that particular joke starts to wear on you, just plug in some modal jazz or baroque piano piece.

See the 19 comments or propose a solution >>

Offer suggestions of applications (from APT) for unsupported files  
Written by Auzy the 1 Mar 08 at 23:55. New
Ubuntu should maintain a database of programs for different file types, so that instead of clicking a file and discovering there is no supported program installed.. Instead, they should be prompted with something like the following:

=======================
- There are no known programs installed to open "jakebox" files.
- Ubuntu can install one of the following programs from APT automatically. We believe they may be able to open the file: (Show packages: eg. KJakebox, JB)
- Or you may select an existing program to attempt to open it with. (Show existing program list)
- Or just cancel
========================

This would be integrated with synaptic and catch all unsupported file types, and means that even advanced users wont have issues opening files they have never seen before.

I think all hands would be up on brainstorm when i asked if people have at least once been sent something they had to google to work out how to open.
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #2347
Written by Auzy the 1 Mar 08 at 23:55.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #2347 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

See the 5 comments or propose a solution >>

More details about files in nautilus list view  
Written by francois the 20 Mar 08 at 16:21. New
Nautilus could detect if a folder contains a majority of a certain type of files and adapt the type and number of columns to provide more useful details.

I think of pictures folders, where it could show exif informations about pictures like the resolution of the picture and its capture date (in addition to the modification date)

I also think of music folders, where it could show the bitrate,the length and the (ID3) tags of the music files.
I think this would be very useful.

In addition, the ability to add/remove columns should be available by the right click on the listview header.

Please see the comments for further ideas

From #6245 (merged):

Having an extra column in the list showing something like "23x456" would be ideal, because you could see the info for all the files in the folder at once.

Have the info in the status-bar would be better than what we've got currently (right-click->properties->image shows the info in Nautilus, but it's not very efficient)


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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #5211
Written by francois the 20 Mar 08 at 16:21.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #5211 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!
2
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Solution #2: As a temporary Solution, use the following script.
Written by ENigma885 the 11 Sep 09 at 10:00.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=878683

Here's a screenshot of how it looks, pretty awesome indeed, http://yfrog.com/5jmp3id3j
and
Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us

**And for those who want an easier way:
01 - Download the script from http://www.2shared.com/file/7716528/d1676f26/bsc-v2.html to ur desktop
02 - Install the needed dependencies (make sure universe source is enabled "System>Administration>Software Sources>Ubuntu Software tab")
sudo apt-get install python-nautilus python-mutagen python-pyexiv2
03 - Make a directory in ur home/.nautilus named "python-extensions"
mkdir ~/.nautilus/python-extensions
04 - Copy the script to it (if done graphically, hit ctrl+H to view hidden folders in ur home directory)
cp bsc-v2.py ~/.nautilus/python-extensions
05 - Make the script executable
chmod a+x ~/.nautilus/python-extensions/bsc-v2.py
06 - Close all Nautilus windows
killall nautilus
07 - Relaunch Nautilus

See the 11 comments or propose a solution >>

ubuntu main menu icons are too big, they take too much space  
Written by slsolaris the 30 Jan 09 at 04:56. New
when I install new applications my ubuntu main menu goes to long, and there are too much space between icons. This detracts from usability, and looks ugly, when you are hit with a 5 mile long applications list.
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Solution #1: smaller icons for ubuntu main menu by default
Written by slsolaris the 30 Jan 09 at 04:56.
Use smaller icons in the ubuntu main menu, to prevent it to get long and out of control.
Here is a screen shot of what I mean.
This is not a mock up, this is done by editing gtk+ file
https://dl.getdropbox.com/u/384589/small%20menu.png
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Solution #2: Smaller icons as an option, automatically activated for smaller resolutions
Written by Magnes the 30 Jan 09 at 09:32.
Use normal icons, they are OK, but give the user an option to use smaller ones. And if the resolution is small (for example on netbook screen) automatically activate smaller icons in menu.
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Solution #3: Shorten the places menu by removing/combining less used items
Written by eugene2k the 4 Feb 09 at 11:45.
The problem is not the icons, it's the whole places menu - it's simply too long. If it were shorter it would be more usable and less confusing.
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Solution #4: Use more sub-menus
Written by dflemstr the 4 Feb 09 at 20:01.
The most intuitive way to shorten the menus (At least the "Applications" and "System" menus) would be to simply add more sub-menus.
For instance, instead having multimedia apps directly on the "Multimedia"-menu, there could be sub-menus like "Multimedia>Media Players" and "Multimedia>Audio Production".

Alot of other distros use this system (For instance Debian and UbuntuStudio (At least for the "Multimedia"-menu) ) and Ubuntu could aswell.

It wouldn't only shorten menus, but also making it possible to find your applications/settings faster.
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Solution #5: Menu with more columns and smaller icons.
Written by admin.luis the 4 Feb 09 at 22:29.
A configuration option to have a smaller icons and more than one column per submenu.
The option should include a parameter to indicate the number of icons to be grouped as columns. Columns of 12/14 items by default should be ok.
(I hate the up/down arrow on gnome menus)
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Solution #6: Use normal size till it fills up then get smaller automaticaly
Written by C.H.E.W.S. the 5 Feb 09 at 15:28.
In firefox when you open tabs they are one size but as you use the space they start to shrink till a certain point in witch it does not go smaller and puts them in a drop down list. This same idea could be used for Ubuntu menus.
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Solution #7: Replace the traditional menu with something more dynamic
Written by zerothis the 6 Feb 09 at 20:50.
Each menu items should be tagable. The right click menu could have "add a tag" and "remove a tag" submenus listing tags and an "advanced tags manager". A text box at the top of the menu could accept simple filters to dynamically list the menu. "games" would produce a menu with only items tagged "games". Including a negative tag would exclude items from the dynamic menu. For instance "games -turnbased". When no text was entered, all the menu items would be visible in sub menus named after tags. Sub menus would list all the items with that tag but also include sub sub menus based on the other tags the items included. Items with multiple tags would be reachable in multiple ways. For instance,
games>Internet>wine>pogo2go
Internet>games>wine>pogo2go
wine>Internet>games>pogo2go
wine>games>pogo2go
wine>pogo2go
games>pogo2go
and so on. The top level sub menus based on tags would be a very big list. Navigating the sub sub menus to deeper levels reduces the size of the list because the items listed must be tagged with the name of each menu navigated.
games>Internet>wine> would only show game including all three of these tags. This sub menu would show the equivalent of typing "games Internet wine" in the text box above.

See the 3 comments or propose a solution >>

Make Drag&Drop possible everywhere in GNOME  
Written by droetker the 25 Mar 08 at 21:19. New
Drag&Drop is such a intuitive and simple action - it must be promoted.
There are many things that already work in Ubuntu/GNOME/KDE with Drag&Drop, but there is much that can be improved:

- DnD an image from Firefox to the Desktop should place that image there, not a textfile with the link to the homepage.
- DnD from the icon on the left side of the URL in the Firefox address bar to the desktop should create a .desktop file with a link to that URL.
- DnD of devices onto the Pastebin should unmount them (like OSX)
- DnD of a Desktop file into a mainmenu/submenu of GNOME should create a menu item.
- fix the Nautilus-in-list-view-doesn't-accept-DnD-files issue: Launchpad bug #61237
- DnD file from anywhere (e.g. Desktop) to a folder in the "file open" "file save" dialogs.
- DnD a file into an edit box should insert a file:// link - KDE has this; Idea #3027
from Idea #4105:
- DnD Attachement from Thunderbird to Nautilus
- DnD Files From File-Roller to Nautilus
- DnD Picture from Nautilus to OOo

...and many more, please submit your ideas, I'll put them into the description!


If you like this idea, also look at my other ideas
596
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #5720
Written by droetker the 25 Mar 08 at 21:19.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #5720 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 14 comments or propose a solution >>

Different languages for different user accounts currently not possible  
Written by kramer65 the 11 May 09 at 11:14. New
Hello,

I live in a house with several different nationalities, and we all need to use one pc. It would be nice if we could create separate users which each make use of their own language.

So for example Piet from the Netherlands has a Dutch user account, Ricardo from Spain has a Spanish account, Aleksandra from Poland has a Polish account, etc.
596
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Solution #1: Possibility to set language when creating new user accounts
Written by kramer65 the 11 May 09 at 11:14.
So when creating a new account it should by default have the language set to the system standard, but also give the possibility to change it to a different language for just that user account.
214
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Solution #2: #1 + Able to change user's language on Login screen
Written by falkTX the 13 May 09 at 11:02.
When adding an sccount present language option;
Also on GDM, allow user to change it's own session language (but not system-wide)
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Solution #3: With autoinstall if internet connection available.
Written by cracken226 the 14 May 09 at 16:57.
By choosing other language to start user session, system should be able, after enable of this option in system settings by user, download missing language files automatically, if connection is available. This option should be available to check and download, install system updates/upgrades as well. As an option, not default.
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Solution #4: Languages should be used as "masks"
Written by ataide.carlos the 23 May 09 at 18:59.
Just about every packaged is developed or releaser in English. Even the folders names are in English.

English should install as default, and other languages should just overlap English, instead of changing to the new language.
This would probably stop conflicts between diferent languages, because it would just be a new "layer" on top of all strings of text.

Also, it would prevent folder names from changing every time you change your language. (This creates conflicts when software look for certain folders like 'Desktop' or 'My Music')
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Solution #5: Solution 1 + Login screen language changes
Written by adem3311 the 25 May 09 at 15:57.
Since different users will use different languages the login screen should be able to be changed to any language before the user logs on.
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Solution #6: Solution 4 + Easy language switching
Written by kir360 the 27 May 09 at 10:25.
I'd rather prefer the language change to remain like a mask but make it an add-on to the panel...

I think this would be better since in countries like India where I live, I use both English and Malayalam(my native language) for different purposes. So it would be more easy to switch language even for a single user using different languages. If it is a gadget like the shutdown gadget so that when u click it a pull down menu shows up with your favorite languages. The system will then use this language mask....

It would be even better if it is possible for each user to put his own default languages
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Solution #7: Basically #2: merge from upstream GDM
Written by twright the 2 Jun 09 at 21:13.
Upstream GDM (See Fedora) has this option (language chooser on login) plus many other improvements. Why not just do the work to get include it in Karmic.

See the 13 comments or propose a solution >>

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