Here are the most popular ideas ever about Device Manager (gnome) .
Power manager should implement options to extend battery lifespan
Written by sandys the 27 Feb 10 at 10:54.
New
Many third party utilities (like Lenovo thinkpads, etc.) implement algorithms to increase battery lifespan (viz the amount of time you can use a battery, before you have to replace it), especially when laptop is plugged in to mains power -
http://www.apple.com/batteries/
Battery lifespan is highly dependent on charging behavior - a continuously charged laptop will need to replace its battery more frequently than one with smart charging.
In linux, it has been available to a limited extent using the TP_smapi package, viz no longer available in Karmic (
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Tp_smapi#Battery_charge_control_features)
The power managers should have options available to extend battery lifespan - it would be an extremely cool and useful feature for all of us who use laptops.
Solution #2:
Power management Profiles on Battery Power
I am relatively new to Ubuntu and I understand that in Lucid there are plans or already an implementation for better power management. As I haven't seen the alphas myself I thought I would suggest a few things. Sorry if these are already being implemented and this is redundant. This site:
http://salcher.posterous.com/?tag=ubuntu suggests a few ways to optimize batter life using Powertop and manually configuring files in /etc/laptop-mode/conf.d/. I think it would be great if there was a GUI front end for this that allowed adjusting of the settings and creating of various profiles (rather than editing .conf files directly). Similar to the Power Management functionality included on Acer laptops (ie clocking down the processor, disabling card buses, USB, ethernet, wireless, etc.).
I am relatively new to Ubuntu and I understand that in Lucid there are plans or already an implementation for better power management. As I haven't seen the alphas myself I thought I would suggest a few things. Sorry if these are already being implemented and this is redundant. This site: http://salcher.posterous.com/?tag=ubuntu suggests a few ways to optimize batter life using Powertop and manually configuring files in /etc/laptop-mode/conf.d/. I think it would be great if there was a GUI front end for this that allowed adjusting of the settings and creating of various profiles (rather than editing .conf files directly). Similar to the Power Management functionality included on Acer laptops (ie clocking down the processor, disabling card buses, USB, ethernet, wireless, etc.).
Solution #3:
Build charging-control directly into kernel
Written by
mulenmar the 18 Mar 10 at 04:52.
Something as tied to hardware as controlling when the battery charges and when it cuts off should be built into the Linux kernel itself, not tied to a desktop enviroment!
Something as tied to hardware as controlling when the battery charges and when it cuts off should be built into the Linux kernel itself, not tied to a desktop enviroment!
Solution #1:
Provide an application to configure special keys
I think a solution will be to create a database with all the functions different keyboards support. Then, at installation time or later, and only if the user's keyboard is not properly detected, start a wizard to:
- request the user to specify keyboard information,
- walk the user along all the possible implemented features, requesting for the corresponding key combination to be pressed in order to link it to the provided functionality
- update a central database with all the information received in order to be shared with other users.
This will probably avoid having many bugs submitted related to "not working Fn keys".
I think a solution will be to create a database with all the functions different keyboards support. Then, at installation time or later, and only if the user's keyboard is not properly detected, start a wizard to:
- request the user to specify keyboard information,
- walk the user along all the possible implemented features, requesting for the corresponding key combination to be pressed in order to link it to the provided functionality
- update a central database with all the information received in order to be shared with other users.
This will probably avoid having many bugs submitted related to "not working Fn keys".
Solution #2:
Provide a graphical keyboard layout editor for easy keyboard layout creation
A graphical keyboard layout editor for both Gnome and KDE that allows easy assignment of keys. The two layout systems (xkb / xmodmap) in use are both to difficult for a beginner. Although xkb offers a range of given layouts it is very difficult to create your own. Xmodmap files are easier to understand but you need to create them "manually" (via text editor) as well.
A layout editor could work like this:
- the keyboard layout editor presents the user a graphical view of the current choosen layout and maybe a list of special functions (mediakeys etc.).
- the user clicks on a key, key combination or function on the display.
- pressing a key on the keyboard assigns that key.
- the layout can be saved at any time. Pressing "Save" saves it as .Xmodmap file, while "Save As" allows to save the setting in a user defined file.
A graphical keyboard layout editor for both Gnome and KDE that allows easy assignment of keys. The two layout systems (xkb / xmodmap) in use are both to difficult for a beginner. Although xkb offers a range of given layouts it is very difficult to create your own. Xmodmap files are easier to understand but you need to create them "manually" (via text editor) as well.
A layout editor could work like this:
- the keyboard layout editor presents the user a graphical view of the current choosen layout and maybe a list of special functions (mediakeys etc.).
- the user clicks on a key, key combination or function on the display.
- pressing a key on the keyboard assigns that key.
- the layout can be saved at any time. Pressing "Save" saves it as .Xmodmap file, while "Save As" allows to save the setting in a user defined file.
Solution #3:
[application] KeyTouch, KeyTouch Editor
Written by
leadman the 6 Aug 10 at 08:42.
There already exists such an applications to configure special keys.
It is called "KeyTouch" (for setting up an existing kbd from list) and "KeyTouch Editor" (for defining your new keyboard).
You can download it from Ubuntu's repositories. This application already contains database of some keyboards. If your keyboard is not listed there, create new layout and send it to author of this software. If you are not sure how to map some keys, provide the author with additional information, and ask him/her for an advice on how to proceed.
There already exists such an applications to configure special keys.
It is called "KeyTouch" (for setting up an existing kbd from list) and "KeyTouch Editor" (for defining your new keyboard).
You can download it from Ubuntu's repositories. This application already contains database of some keyboards. If your keyboard is not listed there, create new layout and send it to author of this software. If you are not sure how to map some keys, provide the author with additional information, and ask him/her for an advice on how to proceed.
Solution #1:
Add option in unmount to remove the DEVICE completely and safely
Written by
cenora the 16 Mar 09 at 21:56.
To unmount the actual device and not only each individual partition.
To unmount the actual device and not only each individual partition.
Solution #2:
If the device is in use by other programs, ask user to Wait or Force removal
Written by
cenora the 18 Mar 09 at 21:18.
From what I understand, ext3 waits to write files to a device.
If you try to eject the device, there could be files waiting to be written or deleted.
System should say: "Program X is using the device" [Wait] [Force Eject]
From what I understand, ext3 waits to write files to a device.
If you try to eject the device, there could be files waiting to be written or deleted.
System should say: "Program X is using the device" [Wait] [Force Eject]
Solution #3:
Tell me which App is blocking device removal
I am regularly told, that an application is blocking device removal. It would be great if I was also told, which app that is.
We can't expect users to user lsof to find out, how to get their USB pendrive released. The greatest solution I could imagine would be, if the notification app asks me, if I want to be taken to the blocking application, so I can close it or whatever. Taken in the sense of switching desktops and bringing the app to the front, if it is a GUI app.
I am regularly told, that an application is blocking device removal. It would be great if I was also told, which app that is.
We can't expect users to user lsof to find out, how to get their USB pendrive released. The greatest solution I could imagine would be, if the notification app asks me, if I want to be taken to the blocking application, so I can close it or whatever. Taken in the sense of switching desktops and bringing the app to the front, if it is a GUI app.
Solution #4:
Device information dialog.
Written by
Lachu the 21 Mar 09 at 14:35.
Add to device icon menu "device information dialog". We can display on it all partition on this device(name and size). We can allows to unmount whole device. Another feature is to display all programs, which are using that device.
Add to device icon menu "device information dialog". We can display on it all partition on this device(name and size). We can allows to unmount whole device. Another feature is to display all programs, which are using that device.
Easy edit of fstab
Written by mdalacu the 24 Dec 10 at 21:04.
New
When you mount a partition in fstab, it's easier when you can read UUID from GUI instead of useing blkid. You can do it from GParted but it is not installed by default.
Too Many places to look for information on drivers / devices
Written by mattmyers83 the 8 Aug 09 at 16:20.
New
It seems very hard to find out information regarding drivers and hardware. For system device info you need to install the Gnome Device Manager, for proprietary driver info you need to view the hardware drivers application. Why cant these functionalities be one in the same? You could have one application that shows information pertaining to both.
Seperate trackpad from mouse/trackball configuration
Written by drknot the 29 Jun 10 at 14:08.
New
Allow the mouse/trackball to be configured for eg left handed use, whilst retaining customary right handed use of the touchpad or second mouse
This would support multiple input devices, each specified differently eg speed, click response, primary/secondary buttons allowing better interaction with shared machines.
Also potentially usefull++ for accessibility where primary user has one input device and assistant/helper can use their preferred device, configured as they would wish
In my case, as a left hander I really like using a MarbleMouse, but the additional buttons are not recognised. As the laptop is moved around, sometimes I have only the touchpad, which, from habit I prefer to have configured with the left button as primary, ie right handed. Also allows me to share machine in these circumstances.
This granularity of HID configuration is available as a third party tool on other OS's. I haven't found anything on Ubuntu to match yet.
Wizard or prompt to configure/detect/select usb audio
Written by corq the 28 Feb 09 at 14:10.
New
USB Speakers are becoming more popular as lower-energy options for external sound support on computers.
However, while Ubuntu Intrepid detected my usb speakers, choosing the spekers as primary in System > Preferences > Sound resulted in wildly inconsistent results, or else defaulted to the inboard speaker on my laptop.
I can only assume similar issues with USB headsets, as typically Ubuntu sees these as a supplemental audio device.
Solution #1:
Wizard or brief prompt, upon device detection.
Written by
corq the 28 Feb 09 at 14:10.
I suggest a small wizard or prompt, after detecting the insertion of the usb speakers or headset, "USB Audio detected; Would you like this device to be your primary audio speakers? With, perhaps a checkbox for "Only this session" for folks who might just be using a headset for Skype meetings and such.
I suggest a small wizard or prompt, after detecting the insertion of the usb speakers or headset, "USB Audio detected; Would you like this device to be your primary audio speakers? With, perhaps a checkbox for "Only this session" for folks who might just be using a headset for Skype meetings and such.
Solution #2:
Be able to set the order of soundcards
Written by
Cé the 1 Mar 09 at 09:24.
This is a problem for everybody with multiple soundcards, Create a gui to set wich soundcard is primary, secondary and so on.
Best regards,
Cedric
This is a problem for everybody with multiple soundcards, Create a gui to set wich soundcard is primary, secondary and so on.
Best regards,
Cedric
Allow quick-editing of external drive labels.
Written by tiede the 9 Apr 09 at 18:23.
New
Currently, if one wishes to change the label for an external drive, say for example a simple USB Flash Drive, they must following this:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RenameUSBDrive
It would be better if such a simple task did not require extensive command-line usage...
A very easy, and quite intuitive way, would be to allow the user to select the drive in nautilus' My Computer window, and rename it from there.
Finding the filesystem type and using the appropriate command could then be executed in the background (read seemlessly), by the OS, or some handler application.
This helps the user in quickly identifying his external drives, either in his personal PC or elsewhere, as opposed to just selecting mount points with serial numbers, which would only work locally on his own computer.
Solution #1:
Modify gnome-device-manager to listen to such a request via dbus
Written by
tiede the 9 Apr 09 at 18:23.
Nautilus could send such a request to gnome-device-manager or even hal, if needed, and that program (preferrably gnome-device-manager) could then call on mtools, e2label, or other such program, to accomplish the task.
Nautilus could send such a request to gnome-device-manager or even hal, if needed, and that program (preferrably gnome-device-manager) could then call on mtools, e2label, or other such program, to accomplish the task.
Solution #2:
Offer simpler instructions for changing a drive label using GParted
I used a much easier method for changing drive labels than the one the op links to above. It is found in the first segment of this blog post:
http://www.soundunreason.com/InkWell/?p=918
What could be improved in this method is making it easier to remount an unmouted drive using GParted.
I used a much easier method for changing drive labels than the one the op links to above. It is found in the first segment of this blog post:
http://www.soundunreason.com/InkWell/?p=918
What could be improved in this method is making it easier to remount an unmouted drive using GParted.
Solution #3:
Easy solution
Written by
sighK the 22 Apr 09 at 18:55.
read man zenity --list
parse the mount command for block devices
show these in the zenity list
then use parted with the return of zenity with gksudo to write the device label.
read man zenity --list
parse the mount command for block devices
show these in the zenity list
then use parted with the return of zenity with gksudo to write the device label.
unique behaviour for each external storage
Written by antalar the 3 Dec 08 at 08:21.
New
As I understand, system could distinguish one external storage from another. So, I think it would be useful to set unique after-plugging-behaviour for each device.
For example, I use 4gb apacer flash only for backup. So the only thing I want to do with it is to run appropriate script and then unplug.
Another my USB device is my 2gb transcend pleer. Every time I plug it, I want only to sync contents of my ~/music/2pleer/ folder with it. So, may be you could find some solution (preferably GUI-based) for this?
Solution #1:
Mount File container and network protokol
Mount or a similar one like gvfs-mount could grow to a Program who is able to mount every container and file transfer format and should be able to give every program even they did not support it file access.
Mount should be able to access (write ability only with an option) following types.
ftp, ssh, smb, zip, webdav, nfs, rar, tar, imap, mkv
The folowing List is only a daring idea how it could look like if a file is mounted
____________
*.MKV (read and maybe write)
/media/Ubuntu-ReleasParty.mkv/
.
├── settings
├── Ubuntu-ReleasParty.de.mp3
├── Ubuntu-ReleasParty.en.mp3
└── Ubuntu-ReleasParty.mpg
____________
MMS-Stream (only Read)
/media/RadioTux/
.
├── RadioTux.ogg
├── header
____________
IMAP (Read and write
/media/imap-server/
.
├── drafts
├── inbox
│ ├── Eine Idee auf Brainstorm veröffentlichen.eml #copy this driectory to local ends automatically in a *.eml file.
│ │ ├── Content
│ │ ├── Idea.zip
│ │ └── Printscreen Idee.jpg
│ └── Hallo Freund
│ ├── Content
│ ├── source.tar.gz
│ └── someting.png
├── outbox # Only *.eml files allowed to move here.
├── sent
├── spam
├── trash
Mount or a similar one like gvfs-mount could grow to a Program who is able to mount every container and file transfer format and should be able to give every program even they did not support it file access.
Mount should be able to access (write ability only with an option) following types.
ftp, ssh, smb, zip, webdav, nfs, rar, tar, imap, mkv
The folowing List is only a daring idea how it could look like if a file is mounted
____________
*.MKV (read and maybe write)
/media/Ubuntu-ReleasParty.mkv/
.
├── settings
├── Ubuntu-ReleasParty.de.mp3
├── Ubuntu-ReleasParty.en.mp3
└── Ubuntu-ReleasParty.mpg
____________
MMS-Stream (only Read)
/media/RadioTux/
.
├── RadioTux.ogg
├── header
____________
IMAP (Read and write
/media/imap-server/
.
├── drafts
├── inbox
│ ├── Eine Idee auf Brainstorm veröffentlichen.eml #copy this driectory to local ends automatically in a *.eml file.
│ │ ├── Content
│ │ ├── Idea.zip
│ │ └── Printscreen Idee.jpg
│ └── Hallo Freund
│ ├── Content
│ ├── source.tar.gz
│ └── someting.png
├── outbox # Only *.eml files allowed to move here.
├── sent
├── spam
├── trash
Solution #2:
Drop GVFS and use FUSE instead
If we use FUSE instead of GVFS, the mounted file systems will be available to traditional command line programs and scripts as well as to GNOME desktop apps.
I guess it will be quite easy to implement support for mounting FUSE file systems from Nautilus and other GNOME apps, just like you can mount GVFS file systems today.
If we use FUSE instead of GVFS, the mounted file systems will be available to traditional command line programs and scripts as well as to GNOME desktop apps.
I guess it will be quite easy to implement support for mounting FUSE file systems from Nautilus and other GNOME apps, just like you can mount GVFS file systems today.