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Idea #27460: No easy place for new users to see Ubuntu version.

bug This idea was marked as implemented the 8 October 11. Available starting Ubuntu 11.10 Oneiric Ocelot.
Written by turbolad the 24 Mar 11 at 18:02. Related project: Unity. Status: Implemented
Rationale
There's no "About Ubuntu" item that gives the user enough basic information about the Ubuntu version they are using.

If new users are asked by technical support "which version of Ubuntu are you using" AND if it's 32-bit or 64-bit, it would be easier for them if there were a one-click option to reveal the Ubuntu version and other useful information e.g. kernel version etc.

I'm aware that users can look within the first tab of the System Monitor, but it's not an obvious place for new users.


Developer comments
John Lea, user experience architect on the Unity team, responds that in Ubuntu 11.10 the new LightDM greeter shows the Ubuntu version number, making that basic information very easily visible. For more detail, System Settings -> System Info provides a simple summary.

64
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): One-click option to see Ubuntu version, kernel version, 32-bit or 64-bit etc.
Written by turbolad the 24 Mar 11 at 18:02.
A menu option or an entry next to Ubuntu Software Centre/Center that reads "About Ubuntu..." and when it's clicked on, a window appears with the Ubuntu version and basic system information (not in-depth), e.g. 32-bit or 64-bit, Linux kernel version, number of CPU's, total amount of RAM, computer name and free disk space.

That would give users enough basic information, but without being superfluous.
-38
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#2): Enrich uname
Written by Akerbos the 25 Mar 11 at 01:19.
`uname -a` already outputs that the running Linux is a Ubuntu. Version number should be included.
165
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#3): Use already present "About Ubuntu" menu item
Written by Dojan the 25 Mar 11 at 08:54.
There is already a System>About Ubuntu menu item, use and expand that for more comprehensive display of version number, 32/64 bit, desktop/notebook, maybe even Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Xubuntu/Edubutnu, last uptate, kernel version etc.

Newbies should not have to use the terminal more than necessary! This could also be convenient for more experienced users if you get to an unfamiliar computer at a university/internet café/friends/whatever and just quickly want to check the computer out without opening/without access to a terminal.
-33
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#4): Put it on the Unity Dash
Written by ginjaninja405 the 25 Mar 11 at 13:43.
Make it more obvious, but putting it as a button option at the bottom of the Unity Dash, having system settings and the shutdown/restart/log out/lock screen buttons there could be beneficial too.
-51
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#6): Print the version number on the desktop background
Written by warddr the 3 Apr 11 at 00:23.
The title is explaining it all.
-26
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#7): Update "About Ubuntu" to ask users to check "System Monitor"
Written by raghaven the 6 Apr 11 at 06:56.
The SystemMonitor utility under
System->Administration->System Monitor(the "System" tab) does this part.

So, we can just ask users to check it.
3
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#8): tooltip on ubuntu logo
Written by hexatron the 7 Apr 11 at 01:14.
when someone puts their mouse over the ubuntu logo on the unity panel you could have a tooltip pop up and say "Ubuntu [version]" like "Ubuntu 11.04".
-3
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#9): put version in plymouth screen
Written by hexatron the 7 Apr 11 at 01:19.
title says it all. just dont be obnoxious about it.
-4
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#10): Place a link in the Applications launcher
Written by anyedge the 18 Apr 11 at 02:39.
When you go into the Applications launcher in Unity, you can type "ab" and immediately "About Me" pops up as one of the search results.

Why not allow "About Ubuntu" to pop up as one of the results if someone types in "about" or "ubuntu"?

That would be the easiest/least intrusive of all the methods.
-6
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#11): create an application shortcut "About Ubuntu" tht runs "gnome-system-monitor -s"
Written by KuriKai the 21 Apr 11 at 21:47.
the shortcut "gnome-system-monitor -s"
will open the system monitor on the system tab, which will show the version of ubuntu all someone needsto do is create an application shortcut called "about Ubuntu that runs the command "gnome-system-monitor -s"

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Comments
Darwin Survivor (Brainstorm moderator) wrote on the 24 Mar 11 at 23:00
There is already an "About Ubuntu" under "System", perhaps put the information there instead?

turbolad wrote on the 25 Mar 11 at 01:00
Yes I agree.
The "About Ubuntu" could be on every variant of Ubuntu.

Akerbos wrote on the 25 Mar 11 at 01:18
`System -> About Ubuntu` opens a windos whose content starts with:

Ubuntu - Linux for Human Beings!

You are using Ubuntu 10.10
- the Maverick Meerkat - released in October 2010 and supported until April 2012.

I'd say this is clear enough.

I would like `uname -a` to output Ubuntu version, though.

Darwin Survivor (Brainstorm moderator) wrote on the 25 Mar 11 at 01:27
@Akerbos "System -> About Ubuntu" does not display your architecture, which was one of the things stated as missing. I would personally like to see a small system summary (similar to the first tab from System Monitor) in the "System -> About Ubuntu" window.

Akerbos wrote on the 25 Mar 11 at 09:04
What is wrong with the "System" tab of System Monitor?

turbolad wrote on the 25 Mar 11 at 10:42
I agree with the comments saying that more could be added to System -> About Ubuntu e.g. 32-bit or 64-bit. I think it should show a single window with some basic information, as per solution #1. Where would this appear in the Unity interface?

@Akerbos - the "System" tab of the "System Monitor" has 2 problems: 1) It's not an obvious place for users to look (it's like putting car keys in the fridge lol). 2) The information on the first tab of the System Monitor has most of the information that "About Ubuntu" should have, but does not tell users if they have the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Ubuntu installed.

Going into a Terminal and typing uname -a shows how easy it is to retrieve the version number and 32-bit or 64-bit. I know new users don't like going into the Terminal and typing commands as it's unfamiliar and technical for them, I know users who have tried Ubuntu and find having to use the Terminal is unfriendly and overly technical.

PaddyLandau wrote on the 25 Mar 11 at 12:15
@Akerbos (solution #2): It's already there on lsb_release -a.

ThomasMcA wrote on the 4 Apr 11 at 17:43
Whatever gets implemented needs to work in gnome, KDE, or any other available choice.

pitwalker@gmail.com wrote on the 5 Apr 11 at 23:25
in Maverick with Hungarian langpack 2011-apr-04

System-ABOUT UBUNTU said: NATTY!!!
fake info, as good as translators

System-ADMINISTRATION-SYSTEM MONITOR said simple Maverick
without architecture info

uname -a shows:
Linux.....#xx-Ubuntu SMP.....i686 GNU/Linux

not quite elegant

turbolad wrote on the 6 Apr 11 at 10:14
The "About Ubuntu" could display the following info within a rectangular window, in portrait:

______________________________________________

=Ubuntu information=
Ubuntu logo
Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Xubuntu/Lubuntu* 10.10 Maverick (32/64-bit)
using Linux kernel (kernel number)

=Memory and CPU=
Amount of RAM
CPU brand and speed, using more lines of info if more than one CPU is present e.g. dual core shows 2 such lines.

=System=
Computer name (which was given during Ubuntu install - NOT the computer manufacturer's brand name)
Free disk space (pie graph showing "used" and "free" disk space)
Amount of used and free RAM

Link to Ubuntu website
"Close" button

______________________________________________

*Lubuntu would be shown if Canonical Ltd decides to support it (see idea #27306).

I think that shows the user enough information without being superfluous?

KuriKai wrote on the 21 Apr 11 at 21:46
the shortcut "gnome-system-monitor -s"
will open the system monitor on the system tab, which will show the version of ubuntu all someone needsto do is create an application shortcut called "about Ubuntu that runs the command "gnome-system-monitor -s"

cheesehead (Brainstorm admin) wrote on the 8 Oct 11 at 12:34
This idea was reviewed by the Ubuntu Technical Board in September 2011.

-John Lea, user experience architect on the Unity team, responds that in Ubuntu 11.10 the new LightDM greeter shows the Ubuntu version number, making that basic information very easily visible. For more detail, System Settings -> System Info provides a simple summary.


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