http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/item/80/
Below are all settings I can visit via the System menu. This is just way too much.


-- Preferences --
Universal Access
About Me
Appearance
Bluetooth
Default Printer
Encryption and Keyrings
Keyboard
Keyboard Shortcuts
Main Menu
Mouse
Network Proxy
PalmOS Devices (I don't have one)
Power Management
Preferred Applications
Remote Desktop
Removable Drives and Media
SCIM Input Method Setup (What is this?)
Screen Resolution
Screensaver
Search and Index (Why can't I disable the tracker here?)
Sessions
Sound
System Settings
Windows

-- Administration --
Authorizations (for what?)
Hardware Drivers
Keyring Manager (for what?)
Language Support
Login Window
Network
Network Tools
Printing
Screens and Graphics
Services
Shared Folders
Software Sources
Synaptic Package Manager (imagine a new user: wtf is Synaptic?)
System Log
System Monitor
Time and Date
Update Manager
Users and Groups

[5834 votes] Solution #1: Merge the following


[81 votes] Solution #2: Fedora 10 inspired solution


[-109 votes] Solution #3: Most important things in Preferences/Administration and everything in control p.


[57 votes] Solution #4: Add a shortcut to the gnome-control-center in the system menu


[110 votes] Solution #5: All in one Gnome Control Center


[69 votes] Solution #6: Restructure the menu similarly to the Control Center


[-71 votes] Solution #7: More System submenus


[76 votes] Solution #8: Simply use the Gnome Control Center instead...


[17 votes] Solution #9: Restructure the System menu similarly to the Control Center


[58 votes] Solution #10: Grouping of the listings.


[65 votes] Solution #11: Subdivide System -> Preferences menu in categories


[77 votes] Solution #12: Create a visible acces to Gnome Control Center (gnome-control-center)


[56 votes] Solution #13: Merge many similar configs into a few good ones


[10 votes] Solution #14: Unified menu for all settings


[-27 votes] Solution #15: Split System (Admin and Preferences) up into sub-menus


[-41 votes] Solution #16: Make the Menus Self learning


[830 votes] Solution #17: Develop according to the examples below


[-174 votes] Solution #18: Alternative sub menus


[6 votes] Solution #19: Add a new tab for Screen resolution to Appearance Preferences


[5 votes] Solution #20: Add Tab and change the context item to Display Settings


[-11 votes] Solution #21: Implement or modify mintMenu


]]> en-us Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:49:23 +0000 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:39:26 +0000 QAPoll module http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/80/
Preferences is for user specific settings.
Administration is for system wide settings.

]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:52:33 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:58:10 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:12:55 +0000 for example, if you use "gnome-do" simpli writing "scr" you just get in screen manager, if you type "net" you go to network.. if there's only a more classified panel, you should do more cliks to get where you want...

So a very cool gnome-do idea will be to acces inside managers... like typing "resolution" and let you change it]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:51:24 +0000
If I type "scr" and the press down arrow, I get a list of Screensaver, Screen Resolution, Screens and Graphics, Screenlets, Take Screenshot, Orca Screen Reader and lots more.

The problem is that there are to many different dialogs. Every dialog can do only one thing.

I guess the reason behind this is that some actions require root access, and dialog should be separated from user settings. I suppose this could be fix with the brand new policy kit. One dialog could be used with some options disabled when in user mode. It could then be unlocked to gain root access.

We should do something about this two BIG menus. I hate to scroll in menus...]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:57:35 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:07:45 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:14:37 +0000
Why is PalmOS devices even in there? Why is that even part of a default install?

Removable Drives & Media should be merged with Preferred Applications. Look at them. The drives & media one just asks which application you'd prefer to use with which types of media.

Merging Keyboard Shortcuts and Keyboard together would also make a lot of sense.

If you have Sun Java 5, Sun Java 6, and Iced Tea Java 7 all installed, you end up with something like 5 or 6 Java items in your Preferences menu. Why not have one "Java" item that opens an applet. That applet can let the user pick which Java to configure or if they want to set them all to do the same thing, some sort of "Select All."]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:59:55 +0000
This would definitely be a step in the right direction.]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:09:52 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:32:55 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:38:47 +0000 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:46:27 +0000
On the other issue, I've never understood why there are so many different applets in those two menus. It seems some could be consolidated, perhaps if there were user areas and admin areas in the same dialogue. Then instead of "Screen Resolution" and "Screens and Graphics" there could be one "Screen" management utility. If you needed to admin something, type in your password, and away you go.

It's an idea, not sure if it's a good one :)]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:52:31 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:03:40 +0000
Hopefully PolicyKit will let us have a single unified Screen utility.

Is the "Screen Resolution" utility even needed anymore? From my personal use, I've never touched it since "Screens and Graphics" came in (not to mention "Screen Resolution" doesn't support multiple monitors).]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:20:36 +0000
However, I do believe that menus just don't work with more than 10 items.

I also believe that the separation between Administration and Preferences is a bit ambiguous (ex. Default Printer vs. Printers) for new users.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:39:21 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:12:42 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:39:34 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:18:00 +0000
That's thinking like a computer... A *person* using a computer doesn't care whether it's system wide or not, they just want to change something.

User-interface functionality should be grouped so that (for example) anything to do with the Keyboard should be under one over-arching menu-item labeled "Keyboards". If you've ever watched a newb use a computer this makes a lot more sense, because that's how human's think...

And I totally agree with the synaptic thing - I had no idea what this was until an old-hat linux user explained it to me.
]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:28:06 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:29:14 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:48:55 +0000
Well there may be more than *a* person using the computer in most cases, and it make sense to do so.

If you want to have a look, create a separate user account with no administrative right, and his system menu consists of very few options.

Regarding the suggestion, thumbs up. The Gnome team has already simplified options in this release(AKA Apperance merged Wallpapers,themes,etc) and they would be welcoming to simplify dialogs even more(I guess).

As for my opinion, I just simply turn off most of options I don't use(like separate Software Sources option, as they are in Synaptic anyway), but its important to keep few options in relatively logical manner for users, than to spread them all over in separate dialogs.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:49:25 +0000
There are only two possibilities:
a) you can set a certain configuration option system-wide
b) you can set a certain configuration option on the user-level

When B is true, we don't need A at all. So, with the new policy-kit the interfaces can be merged. You unlock the system-wide settings if you need to change one of them and you have the right to do so. So things like screen-resolution and administration _finally_ can be merged and that's a good thing.

Off course, it begs the question what are we going to do with the system menu afterwards? They already kicked out the usefull shutdown, etc. options. So what is left there? About dialogs, one shutdown option and one preferences menu?







]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:39:36 +0000
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/174277]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:22:08 +0000
"To clarify the purposes of the applications, the launchers need more appropriate names. For example, I think it would make sense to rename "Preferences => Default Printer" to "Set Default Printer". At the same time, "Administration => Printing" could be renamed to "Manage System Printers" or something like that. I think that generally, the names of the launchers under "Preferences" should emphasize the words "Set" and "Modify" whereas the names of launchers under "Administration" should emphasize the words "Manage", "System", "Global", and things like that. Doing so would greatly help the user to understand the differences between the applications."]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:25:23 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:01:04 +0000
So, here's a shorter list, which combines related tools into a single item

Screens and graphics
--------------------------
(replacing the following tools)
Appearance
Screensaver
Screen Resolution
Screens and Graphics
Windows

Packages
----------------------------
(replacing the following tools)
Software Sources
Synaptic Package Manager (imagine a new user: wtf is Synaptic?)
Update Manager

Passwords and Encryption
-----------------------
(replacing the following tools)
Encryption and Keyrings
Keyring Manager (for what?)

Storage
-------------------------
(replacing the following tools)
Removable Drives and Media
Search and Index (Why can't I disable the tracker here?)

Keyboard and Mouse
------------------------
(replacing the following tools)
Keyboard
Keyboard Shortcuts
Mouse

Network
------------------------
(replacing the following tools)
Network
Network Tools
Network Proxy

Printing
---------------------
(replacing the following tools)
Printing
Default Printer

Sound

Universal Access

Bluetooth

About Me

Main Menu

PalmOS Devices (I don't have one)

Power Management

Preferred Applications

Remote Desktop

Sessions

Authorizations (for what?)

Hardware Drivers

Language Support

Login Window

Services

Shared Folders

System Log
System Monitor

Time and Date

Users and Groups]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:09:27 +0000 This is a gnome issue, not an Ubuntu issue.
> Just use KDE (Kubuntu) it's far better organized.

I have the same issue with Kubuntu - if it's worse in gnome, then the problem's bigger than I thought :(]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:43:41 +0000
System-wide changes that require root authorisation (sudo) are listed under Administration, whilst all the user-centric things are found under Prefrences.

However I agree it gets quite cluttered, especially with lower resolutions.

But fortunately, you can edit the menu, so there is little to complain about.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:54:55 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:55:30 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:09:13 +0000
We need something to manage things from central app. Probably a control panel with plugin architecture. where control modules could be plugged into the panel.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:28:08 +0000
"Preferences is for user specific settings.
Administration is for system wide settings."

These should at least read "My Preferences" and "System Administration".

Simplicity is good, but clarity is better.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:46:51 +0000
So, here's a shorter list, which combines related tools into a single item

Screens and graphics
--------------------------
(replacing the following tools)
Appearance
Screensaver
Screen Resolution
Screens and Graphics
Windows

Packages
----------------------------
(replacing the following tools)
Software Sources
Synaptic Package Manager (imagine a new user: wtf is Synaptic?)
Update Manager

Passwords and Encryption
-----------------------
(replacing the following tools)
Encryption and Keyrings
Keyring Manager (for what?)

Storage
-------------------------
(replacing the following tools)
Removable Drives and Media
Search and Index (Why can't I disable the tracker here?)

Keyboard and Mouse
------------------------
(replacing the following tools)
Keyboard
Keyboard Shortcuts
Mouse

Network
------------------------
(replacing the following tools)
Network
Network Tools
Network Proxy

Printing
---------------------
(replacing the following tools)
Printing
Default Printer "

Very Goog Idea!]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:59:19 +0000 https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardyReducingDuplication]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:58:08 +0000
]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:24:32 +0000 Keyrings
Keyrings
There obviously must be some actual difference between them, but the current names don't tell us what.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:27:04 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:57:34 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:44:37 +0000
Previously, we had to separate some dialogs because some things were only changeable as root -- but with the addition of PolicyKit, we can consolidate across those lines.

Please merge the settings dialogs into one menu, with roughly 10-15 items in it, separated by topic and not by any sort of underlying architecture concerns.

Navigating the options system is one of the more daunting things for Ubuntu newbies right now. Windows doesn't do a great job of this with its Control Panel either: this is a real opportunity for Ubuntu to lead the way.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:38:27 +0000 Preferences is for user specific settings.
Administration is for system wide settings.
"

Well, they are all settings and most of the computers are personal - only one user anyways. I'd personally solve this by the new control panel (that for instance the OpenSuse uses) that doesn't discriminate between the two. I guess it's in the line for Gnome inclusion anyways? Just make sure it happens... It's rather usable GUI anyways.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:26:07 +0000 I love it this idea, the problem is that the foundation is Gnome who does that.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:55:38 +0000 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:33:32 +0000
The reason the desktop is so usable these days is that the developers set a bar for what gets into the interface and what doesn't.

Over time, the prefs menu has grown. It's time for a cleanup. This does NOT mean they are the result of a simplification drive gone bad. It means it's time to simplify some more!

Go use That Other Desktop Environment if you like massive collections of settings jumbled together for no apparent reason. You don't know how good you have it.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:51:22 +0000
So this changes need to be well elaborated.]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:19:38 +0000
This problems could be merged easily:
- Merge 'Screensaver', 'Screen Resolution' and 'Screens and Graphics'
- Merge 'Network', 'Network Proxy' and 'Network Tools'.
- Merge 'Encryption and Keyrings', 'Authorizations', 'Keyring Manager'.

But this need something else:
- Merge 'Update Manager, Synaptic Package Manager, Software Sources'...

... Te solution is PackageKit!]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:49:26 +0000 ]]> Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:14:44 +0000
They should be renamed "Settings (system-wide)" and "Settings (this user)".]]> Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:13:00 +0000
In fact, I've have to use the Menu Editor to reduce the clutter in these menus in my Ubuntu installation. Why have Default Printer AND Printers? Why not just have a button in the Printers app that let's you select a printer as default?]]> Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:16:16 +0000
I disagree with you.

- Merge 'Screensaver', 'Screen Resolution' and 'Screens and Graphics'

Screensaver cannot be here, it should land in Appearance for example.

- Merge 'Network', 'Network Proxy' and 'Network Tools'

NetworkManager should take care of this.

- Merge 'Update Manager, Synaptic Package Manager, Software Sources'...

Merging? Gone crazy? Update takes care of updates, Synaptic takes care of managing the software and "Software Sources" takes care of list of repos. They cannot be merges.]]> Sat, 01 Mar 2008 20:01:12 +0000 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 23:55:14 +0000
Next similar problem: I added all KDE desktop (optional) to my Ubuntu with Gnome desktop (default). But, when I start Gnome an look to:
'Applications' -> 'Other' ->
...there grew plenty of Kcontrol items, so the 'Other' now counts about 90 ( NINETY !!) items, ...that's crazy, not usable. Please help!
]]> Sun, 02 Mar 2008 01:42:29 +0000
I only repeat what the creator of this idea has suggested in the beginning.

Maybe 'Screensaver' doesn't fit in any other category, nor in 'Appearance'.

"Update Manager, Synaptic Package Manager, Software Sources"
I suggest PackageKit for this, because (as far as i know) it merge this 3 things... i don't know, maybe i'm wrong.]]> Sun, 02 Mar 2008 11:20:11 +0000
And about "windowsization" of Linux, Novell already does this. Translations of GNOME are not like before... "Trash" (ofc in polish lang) was changes to something like "Bin" (without "Recycle"). And the Mono...]]> Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:30:11 +0000 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:54:13 +0000
Complete bullshit.

- Most linux desktops are still deployed in companies. They often use a thin-client and a server.

- Majority of people live _together_ in a house. You should be using seperate user accounts so you can have different email-accounts setup, different wall-papers, different chat-accounts, etc. Personal browsing history, etc.

You are not supposed to share an account. It hurts usuability. That's like trying to eat a steak with your ass. The experience is shitty, but it's your own fault for not using it correctly.]]> Sun, 02 Mar 2008 18:58:44 +0000
Then, only have the often-used and really necessary items in the menus, but just below "Administration" in the "System" menu, have a button that says "More Options". When one clicks that button, it opens a window with all the options organized neatly and tabbed as preferences or administration and laid out in tile form. Then, like they have in macs, have a search tool to search for words in any of the settings that then highlights the settings that have those words in them and grays out the others.

This window would have everything we have in the system menu now except for shut down, and the menu itself would only have a few necessities.]]> Sun, 02 Mar 2008 19:23:30 +0000 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:12:20 +0000
The words "preference", "configuration", "administration", "manager" are useless and confusing. Of course these are preference and management options, that's it's all about isn't it ?

What's more, translations of these terms are really ugly, with half the menu entries begining with the same useless words.]]> Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:38:06 +0000
If you only know Slab from the applet you can install in Gutsy, you don't know it very well, the Ubuntu variant is lacking and not very well integrated compared to the opensuse version.

On my previous laptop i was forced to use opensuse because of a nvidia-bug with aiglx, and i 'm really grown to the opensuse menu. Using a program browser is faster and cleaner than drilling trough menu's and submenu's.

Here is a screenshot from gnome-main-menu in Opensuse 10.3: http://news.opensuse.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/gnome-slab.png notice the searchbox and the recent applications that are missing in the ubuntu version. Also, when you press on control center, you get the gnome-control-center;

Off course, switching to gnome-main-menu should not exclude merging some settings. But i guess, having a good working gnome-main-menu, should not be very complex to accomplish, and does solve some of the problems with the existing gnome menu.]]> Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:33:43 +0000 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:02:06 +0000 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:36:02 +0000 The distinction between Preferences and Administration is not understood by most users (including myself).

>They should be renamed "Settings (system-wide)" and "Settings (this user)".

How about "Computer Settings" and "User Settings"? Parentheses are ugly.]]> Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:20:29 +0000 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:56:12 +0000
It looks like something is considered implemented if a bug exists in launchpad which is somewhat similar to the idea even if it's not implemented in Ubuntu..

This idea is linked to a bug which is related because it's about renaming the menus. However, this brainstorm idea is about merging some of the menus to make it simpler, which is different. (And is what I personally think needs to be done)

If all that brainstorm is for is an indirect way of filing bugs in launchpad, that's pretty lame.]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:48:42 +0000 The difference is that preferences don't require sudo. -1.

vexoran-

That is simply untrue. There are multiple `Administration' things that do not require superuser privileges. ]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2008 03:42:29 +0000 The more coherent Ubuntu is, the more user will switch!]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:51:10 +0000 ... I think that, for the average user, it is too complicated!!!
But there're 2 issues here:

1) many applications should collapse to be the same one
2) we need a better way to make preferences and administration tasks available to users.

I think that the "gnome-control-center" is better than just having many menu items in the plain list of the "Preferences" menu.
In fact my "customized distro" (that I give to my friends) has a "top-level" menu item (in System menu) that activates the gnome-control center... they feel very comfortable to that... and never even touch the "Preferences menu".
In my opinion gnome-control-center should be used by default, instead of many many many menu items!
Perhaps even Administration stuff should become part of the "gnome-control-center" in a separated tab that appears only if the user opening the control-center is an administrator.]]> Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:35:20 +0000
I recently looked at Fedora 8, and the Preferences menu there is much better than in Ubuntu.

In Ubuntu, everything is in one very long list. In fact, it is so long that it doesn't even fit on my 1280 x 800 screen; I have to scroll to see all items.

In Fedora, the Preferences menu has five submenus: Personal, Look and Feel, Internet and Network, Hardware, System.]]> Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:46:34 +0000
With the implementation of PolicyKit in Hardy Heron, Ubuntu's settings windows will be more integrated and separating them into two categories "Preferences" and "Administration" will make less sense than it has in the past. Consider just replacing the long settings lists with the Control Center.]]> Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:30:21 +0000 Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:05:03 +0000 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:43:26 +0000 ]]> Mon, 17 Mar 2008 19:29:31 +0000 Following items would suffice
1. Keyboard/Mouse-Manager
2. Hardware-Manager controlling all the Hardware (Printer, RAM, Harddisks, Power-Manager, etc.)
* Please allow to disable or enable each component or scale their performance
3. Network-Manager to configure different profiles for networks (WAN and LAN), Bridging
4. Monitor-Manager (resolution, different monitors, etc.)
5. Sound-Manager
6. User/Groups-Manager
7. Pakage-Manager
8. Software-Manager for non Ubuntu-Software (to open files, pixmaps, etc.)
9. Sessions-Manager
10. Time-Manager
11. USB-Manager to set what to do when a is attached (USB-Stick, USB-Cam, USB-Scanner, etc.)
12. Partitions-Manager
13. Theme-Manager (Wallpaper, Log-In-Window, Folders, show fileextension, GRUB-Theme, Compiz, Screensaver, fonts, windows, etc.)
And group the rest as tabs into those items.
Authentitification for restricted tabs requiered.
14. Printer-Manager to set default printer, paper, tray, etc.
15. DVD-Manager to manage behavior of DVDs inserted]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:02:17 +0000
Using the same categories as in the Control Center there could be 6 different menus all settings all :

Personal
Look and Feel
Internet and Network
Hardware
System
Other]]> Sat, 22 Mar 2008 06:59:00 +0000 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:35:58 +0000 Following items would suffice
1. Keyboard/Mouse-Manager
2. Hardware-Manager controlling all the Hardware (Bluetooth, Printer, RAM, Harddisks, Power-Manager, etc.)
* Please allow to disable or enable each component or scale their performance
3. Network-Manager to configure different profiles for networks (WAN and LAN), Bridging
4. Monitor-Manager (resolution, different monitors, etc.)
5. Sound-Manager
6. User/Groups-Manager
7. Pakage-Manager (including their Configuration like Wine or Sun)
8. Software-Manager for non Ubuntu-Software (to open files, pixmaps, etc.)
9. Sessions-Manager
10. Time-Manager
11. USB-Manager to set what to do when a is attached (USB-Stick, USB-Cam, USB-Scanner, etc.)
12. Partitions-Manager
13. Theme-Manager (Wallpaper, Log-In-Window, Folders, show fileextension, GRUB-Theme, Compiz, Screensaver, fonts, windows, etc.)
And group the rest as tabs into those items.
Authentitification for restricted tabs requiered.
14. Printer-Manager to set default printer, paper, tray, etc.
15. DVD-Manager to manage behavior of DVDs inserted

And please do not install all this software (Games, rhythmbox, gthumb, serpentine, CD/DVD creator, etc.) or the folders (Videos, etc.) which noone needs.
Add the VPNC to "Connect to Server" in "Places".
Please erase System Programs from Applications.]]> Mon, 24 Mar 2008 07:28:30 +0000
If the Gnome developers are unresponsive/slow these subsets could be made tabs in a wrapper application which can be annotated with "This 'system' task impacts *all* users" so that the request for password authorization is given some context.

The gnome-control-center applet would make a good meta-wrapper for this reduced set of meta administration preferences tabbed applets at the start of the system menu optionally followed by the traditional menu model.

The gnome-control-center or equivalent functionality should be available from the root window (background) context menu (right click).

Removing functionality is rarely the right answer, but better organization and defaults is *always* the right answer. Bring back tear-off menus!!! /desktop/gnome/interface/menus_have_tearoff is broken!!!]]> Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:35:14 +0000 * Please allow to disable or enable each component or scale their performance
2. Network-Manager to configure different profiles for networks (WAN and LAN, Bridging)
3. Monitor-Manager (resolution, different USB or DVI monitors, etc.)
4. Sound-Manager (Codecs, Outputs, Inputs)
5. Profile-Manager for Users, Groups, Sessions, Services
6. Pakage-Manager (including their Configuration like Wine or Sun)
7. Software-Manager for non Ubuntu-Software (to open files, pixmaps, etc.)
8. Time-Manager
9. Peripheri-Manager to set what to do when a is attached (USB-Printer, USB-Cam, USB-Scanner, Keyboard, Mouse, Tablets, etc.)
10. Partitions-Manager
11. Theme-Manager (Wallpaper, Log-In-Window, Folders, show fileextension, GRUB-Theme, Compiz, Screensaver, fonts, windows, etc.)
And group the rest as tabs into those items.
Authentitification for restricted tabs requiered.
12. Storage-Manager to manage behavior of DVD/BluRay/USB-Stick or other storage devices inserted ]]> Wed, 26 Mar 2008 22:03:16 +0000 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 07:55:57 +0000 Sun, 06 Apr 2008 07:47:19 +0000 | Hardware | Timer Device | // DateTime
| Power Device |
| Memory Device |
| Operation Device | // Keyboard, Mouse, Stick, Tablet
| Storage Device | // Harddisk, SDD, Web Storage // Partition
| Image Device | // Display, Scanner, Camera, Printer
| Sound Device | // Microphone, Speaker, Headphone, Earphone
| Connection Device | // Network, Bluetooth, Programmable USB Device, etc...
+-------------------+

+----------+
| Hardware |
+----------+-------------------+
| Software + Package | // Software Source
| Codec |
| Restricted Driver |
| Language |
| Fav Applications |
| Sessions |
| Authorizations | // Keyring
| Dictionary | // IME
| Input Method |
| Desktop Search |
| Accessibility |
+-------------------+

+----------+
| Software |
+----------+-------------------+
| Theme | Window | // Control, Compiz
| Desktop | // Wallpaper
| Login | // GDM
| Boot |
| Bootloader | // Grub
+-------------------+

+----------+
| Theme |
+----------+--------------------+
| Profile | Users |
| Groups |
+--------------------+


+----------+
| Profile |
+----------+--------------------+
| System | Monitor | // Log
| Hardware Testing |
| Services |
| Root Terminal |
| Backup Tools |
| Sync Tools |
| Network Tools |
+--------------------+]]> Sat, 03 May 2008 10:20:41 +0000
THUMBS UP FOR YOUR POST!]]> Sun, 04 May 2008 02:07:36 +0000 with Preferences and Administration in order to create COMPLETE system management for GNOME.


Ubuntu Tweak deb package:

http://getdeb.net/release.php?id=2525

Homepage:

http://ubuntu-tweak.com/


]]> Tue, 06 May 2008 22:04:39 +0000 Sat, 10 May 2008 04:47:46 +0000
Then put the thing under system tools in the applications menu. ]]> Tue, 20 May 2008 04:40:41 +0000 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:35:02 +0000
1- emerge both preference & administration ( We could use the policy kit ) also renaming them to more indicative names should clear up all fuzz
2- emerge all related items such as ( screen - screen saver , screen resolutions , etc ) so when we are interested in particular task ( adjusting our screen for e.g ) we need not to jump through items
3- the user GUI should be simple & logic driven for new users
so when Joe has a problem with his display he would easily check it from one place ( Menu )
4- Redesigning our panels & menus might save us a lot of memory consumptions ( as reported as a bug I guess that Gnome-Panel is memory hungry taking more than 22 MB in my case )
am very interested to see this change in this area right on time as after the huge adoption of UBUNTU by users usually fleeing from windows , let's make life easier for them ]]> Mon, 23 Jun 2008 07:33:06 +0000 like:
localhost:9000/admin/screensaver.html?style=blank&color=blue
to set the screensaver to the one that just blanks the screen.

This allows everybody to create his own design of the administration interface with plain html pages.
The administration would become themable.

These designs/themes could be collected and we could vote on them like we vote on brainstorm ideas. But these designs/themes don't just variate in color but also in strukture!
Every strukture is possible and the best will be found.

Unfortunately, plain html is not enough as e.g. the screensaver should not be hard-coded.
So some web-framework should provide the dynamic part.]]> Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:49:49 +0000 http://bp0.blogger.com/_2o81e3u4ZFU/SHIxf2c5JcI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/dEBz9cXTy6E/s1600-h/glp-icon.jpg]]> Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:30:56 +0000 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:09:52 +0000
Synaptic:Update manager:Software Sources

WTF? In just this example Synaptic does everything the others do.

For others, like the "Windows", "Appearance" and "Screen Resolution", surely it would make sense to combine them, or to at least add some depth to the menu.

"But fortunately, you can edit the menu, so there is little to complain about."
You can also edit the kernel yourself. The point is it's not friendly to new users, and by default cluttered even for experienced users who want all the functionality, without having a seperate option for every single setting. Personally, if I wanted that I'd just use the terminal.]]> Sat, 13 Sep 2008 11:33:09 +0000 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:12:27 +0000 ]]> Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:42:12 +0000
Other additions: Add the "Gnome Wallchanger" package ability to the wallpaper applet. Users can have randomly changing wallpaper in other operating systems, so why not in Ubuntu?

Lifehacker article: http://lifehacker.com/400600/more-solutions-for-auto+switching-linux-wallpaper
]]> Sun, 28 Sep 2008 19:01:07 +0000
https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/system-menu-cleanup

Which simply refers to this upstream Gnome page. Unfortunately that page hasn't been updated for months. I doubt that anyone is working on this as we speak :) http://live.gnome.org/PreferencesRevisited

]]> Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:41:44 +0000 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:09:49 +0000 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:20:41 +0000 Some thing like fedora does would already be a huge improvement:
http://bp0.blogger.com/_2o81e3u4ZFU/SHIxf2c5JcI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/dEBz9cXTy6E/s1600-h /glp-icon.jpg"

Good idea from Lev.NL. I've had the same idea and I've been really happy that I'm not the first one who has this idea.
Good suggestion.]]> Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:14:21 +0000 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:38:49 +0000
not really true, for example the more advanced options aren't accessible via the 'system settings'. there is the 'hardware manager' - a main tool - which you have to access via rightclick on 'my computer' -> 'hardware' etc.

still, i agree with the general purpose of this topic. there has to be some slight reorganization. please fix unnecessary extra default printer entry in the settings menu.

thanks, flo]]> Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:20:24 +0000 disable both "Preferences" and "Administration" and enable "Control Center".

IMHO is really nice and does the job pretty well. The filter goes fast, the classification is good (just a few icons in "other". all the rest in its place) and well looking straightforward icons.

i suggest control panel as default replacement for "preferences" and "administration".
]]> Fri, 28 Nov 2008 02:55:56 +0000 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:34:03 +0000

Administration
1. Personal
2. System-wide]]> Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:51:14 +0000 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:44:26 +0000
users shouldn't need a shortcut to a system conf app... they need a system to function properly with the minimal user interaction...

what we need INDEED is common task shortcuts, like change wallper and those things.

Also, the gnome control center isn't really a control center.. it's more like a launcher only.

it should be merged with all the conf apps and use only one window.]]> Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:52:10 +0000 Preferences menu still appear like such a mess? This needs to receive high priority!]]> Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:49:54 +0000 This is among the best & most popular ideas on brainstorm -- it should be implemented as soon as possible!]]> Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:25:10 +0000