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Idea #21379: Remove irrelevant programs in the Netbook Remix

Written by Frank Roberts the 9 Sep 09 at 22:38. Related project: Live CD. Status: New
Rationale
Because netbooks are machines that are made for a very specific task that is quite different from 'normal' desktop use, there are several programs installed that 95% or even 100% of the users will not use. For example:
- Brasero. I'm pretty sure that almost nobody uses his netbook to burn cd's.
- XSane Image Scanner.
- Assistive Technologies. The size of the devices doesnt make it very accessable for the less capable.
- PalmOS Tools. Who does even use a palm these days anyway?
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Solution #1: Use less preinstalled software for the Netbook Remix
Written by Frank Roberts the 9 Sep 09 at 22:38.
The above programs are just a few examples, my point is: I think the system will work a lot better (and become smaller) if the enormous amount of useless preinstalled software for -most- netbook users will be diminished. The few who want to burn cds anyway can easily find brasero in the repositories.
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Solution #2: Include two install options, a 'Full' and 'Minimal' install
Written by Sir Wallsy the 10 Sep 09 at 10:37.
When installing UNR, give the user an option of installing UNR as it currently is, with all default software included, and a 'Minimal' option whereby software such as those mentioned above is not installed by default, but can later be installed if required from the repositries.
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Solution #3: Grow UNR into a new metapackage - ubuntu-netbook
Written by cheesehead the 19 Sep 09 at 01:14.
Changing the software mix, and the associated additional administration and testing is much bigger than the current team and 'remix' concept.

The original 'remix' concept was a new-flavor-on-the-cheap, look and feel customized to the smaller-screen environment without creating a whole new (expensive) edition of Ubuntu.

To go beyond the current remix, the UNR team needs many more volunteers, and must publish it's own metapackage, replacing ubuntu-desktop instead of just adding to it. Obviously, it would have many common components with u-d, like Gnome and many applications.

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Solution #4: Gather usage stats for UNR applications. Move "unpopular" ones to repositories
Written by rrnwexec the 29 Sep 09 at 19:39.
Choices on what to include (or not) should not be abitrarily made by developers (or anyone else for that matter).

One way to make a choice is to use the 80/20 rule. If an application/package is used by 80% or more of the installed base, then keep it in the default install. Otherwise, make it optional.
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Solution #5: Install hardware dependent tools when device is detected
Written by saftaplan the 30 Sep 09 at 18:36.
Just install xsane when a scanner is first attached, bluetooth tools when a bluetooth device is found, etc. If these devices are present at install time, install them right away.
This can even be used for general Ubuntu. It removes clutter (why do I need Bluetooth preferences and even a daemon starting up if I have no such device?) and saves hard disk space and memory. The only disadvantage is that you'll need an internet connection the moment you attach such a device.

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cheesehead (Brainstorm moderator) wrote on the 10 Sep 09 at 01:11
UNR is basically a set of packages that provide the launcher, maximized windows, and other behaviors. The UNR Team currently does not deal with the standard Ubuntu default install, but adds the additional UNR packages to the default install packages.

What benefits are gained from removing these packages?
Are the benefits worth the effort of increasing the scope of the UNR team's job?

alourie (Idea reviewer) wrote on the 10 Sep 09 at 09:07
@cheesehead

I believe the effort worth it. UNR edition needs to be sensitive to the environment it is run on, and on the Netbooks specifically, the space is expensive.

So even if the only thing that will be gained here is the storage space, I think it would be a welcomed effort.

Besides, what is the purpose of creating a different remix which only provides few packages? Don't you think this would be the waste of time?

But creating remix that actually benefits netbook users more than just standard install + some packages - that would worth it.

Sir Wallsy wrote on the 10 Sep 09 at 10:40
I think this is important, as the UNR needs to be appropriately targeted to its target system, namely, Netbooks which often lack large hard drives.

McIvor wrote on the 10 Sep 09 at 20:45
Brasero isn't needed in the default install, because most netbooks don't even have an optical drive. If the user buys one separately, they can just apt-get Brasero later, but a lot of people just use USB for their netbook so as to not have to carry a CD burner around with them.

Ssdg wrote on the 10 Sep 09 at 21:12
Scanner> can be used
Brasero> indeed CD burning could not be done on thoses power efficient devices
Assistive techs> I'm not blind, but I'm not sure the small keyboard is THAT hard to use. And if you can't see very well, let's just magnify more and it will be fine ... no?
PalmOS Tools> maybe... are PalmOS running devices the only compatible devices?

Frank Roberts wrote on the 17 Sep 09 at 23:18
@cheesehead
I think it would give benefits, most of them are named above so im not going to repeat them.

Thinking longer about the case, I was wondering if it wouldn't be an even better idea to even increase the UNR-team's job more. The UNR can improve greatly if not only preinstalled software, but also the linux kernel and processes starting up would be considered carefully.

The devices are an important and continually growing niche in the market, Ubuntu is not by far optimized for it besides the menu and last but not least; the netbooks are very standard devices (same processors etc) so optimizing would not be very difficult...

niallabrown wrote on the 22 Sep 09 at 01:02
Please don't mess with assistive software you don't know how or when people are using this. Removing it is just downright disrespectful. Are you saying people with disabilities wont buy a netbook? Sorry wrong.


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