Ubuntu QA:
BlogBrainstormPackage status
Log in
Ubuntu QA
The Ubuntu community has contributed 16602 ideas, 102352 comments, 2137701 votes
Idea sandbox Idea sandbox
Popular ideas Popular ideas
Ideas in development Ideas in development
Implemented ideas Implemented ideas
Idea #2347: Offer suggestions of applications (from APT) for unsupported files

Written by Auzy the 1 Mar 08 at 23:55. Related project: Gnome. Status: New
Rationale
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.
Tags: (none)

767
votes
up equal down
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!

Propose your solution

Attachments
No attachments.


Duplicates


Comments
christopher_lees wrote on the 2 Mar 08 at 01:57
Believe it or not, this is already in Ubuntu. The database just needs to be bigger. I must admit though, I've never been sent something that I had to find out how to open.

elbuit wrote on the 2 Mar 08 at 09:57
I suggest use packagekit for this idea, and more...
http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/64/

daniel.comsa wrote on the 12 Mar 08 at 20:56
I think the behavior should be similar with attempting to open an mp3 file and there's no codec installed. Also, there should be options to open the file with an already installed application.

Ferdil wrote on the 4 May 08 at 18:03
When Ubuntu will implement Packagekit, and it will, this feature will be implemented. So don't worry.

Auzy wrote on the 28 Sep 08 at 14:14
Packagekit is scheduled for Intrepid, but it doesn't mean they will automagically implement it.


Post your comment