Implemented ideas - Ubuntu brainstorm

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The Ubuntu community has contributed 21986 ideas, 135057 comments, 2615221 votes

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Implemented ideas

Here are the implemented Ubuntu ideas for the Ubuntu 11.10 Oneiric Ocelot release.

Select user icon during installation

Written by fahadayaz the 28 May 10 at 08:19. Related project: Live CD installer. Implemented

During installation, when the user enters his details (username, password etc..), he should be able to select an icon for his profile. this will show up when the user logs in. This will help give Ubuntu a more professional look and makes the whole system seem more streamlined.

Some default icons are already installed. If you go to about me, you can choose an icon which will then show on the login screen and also in the MeMenu(tho it can be changed from there, of course).

39
votes

12
votes

13
votes

Selected solution (#3): Only ask critical questions during the installation

Written by baldurpet the 6 Jun 10 at 17:10.

The installation of Ubuntu should be easy and only require the user to input installation-critical information. Period.

It starts with adding a default picture, then giving the choice between Firefox and Chrome and finally letting the user add and configure multiple users and groups to the system — before we know it the simple act of installing Ubuntu becomes needlessly complicated.

The installation should not deal with anything that could just as easily be configured post-installation. "Keep it simple, stupid" is a principle that should not be underestimated and change should not be made for the sake of change.

See the 7 comments or propose a solution >>

Software center "For Purchase" trial version option

Written by strongdrink the 16 Oct 11 at 02:41. Related project: Ubuntu Software Center. Implemented

Here is one big problem with the purchasing of applications or games with the software center.. there are no trial versions. I would not like to buy an application if I don't know if I would like it.

92
votes

See the 9 comments or propose a solution >>

Web based live demo

Written by Sylphid the 2 Aug 08 at 16:02. Related project: ubuntu.com. Implemented

Ubuntu should have a web based trial available for potential users to test out the operating system prior to commiting the time and bandwidth of downloading the ISO.

A similar demo is available for Windows Visa at
http://www.windowsvistatestdrive.com/

-18
votes

See the 4 comments or propose a solution >>

Better visualization of unmounted drives in Nautilus

Written by gazilla the 15 May 09 at 03:38. Related project: Nautilus. Implemented

When a drive (USB disk, etc) is mounted the view in Nautilus is like this (see ATOM)...

When the drive is unmounted, but not yet removed, the view changes to this...

As the visualization of the drive is very similar to other mounted drives it is difficult to tell which drives are mounted and which are not.

Please vote for the solution you like and only vote down the other solutions if you think they are wrong in some way (and a comment would be nice).

-347
votes

848
votes

-317
votes

258
votes

392
votes

-88
votes

Selected solution (#6): enhanced Solution #1 and #4

Written by derLars the 24 May 09 at 14:37.

I think there should be a permanent section of mountable/mounted places instead of the current mix of places, mountables and bookmarks.

Having an own section for it and having a proper marking of unmounted entries (preferably skinable, since I personally don't like the greying out and would prefer something like plain italics) would greatly benefit the usability.

-155
votes

Selected solution (#7): Different Background Colour

Written by kir360 the 25 May 09 at 16:11.

I think the graying out of the unmounted devices may induce the ill feeling that the driving is not working properly( might be with the windows culture :P ...

so I propose a different background color for the mounted and unmounted devices.. like an orange background for the mounted devices... that must make it easy to distinguish b/w the mounted and unmounted devices...

See the 11 comments or propose a solution >>

Ability to lock entire panel.

Written by bigfox the 29 Feb 08 at 23:53. Global category: Look and Feel. Implemented

The Gnome panel needs the ability to lock the entire panel like objects on the panel can be locked to the panel.
This would prevent accidentally deleting or moving the panel.

Launchpad bugs:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/gnome-panel/+bug/73343
https://bugs.launchpad.net/gnome-panel/+bug/83286

Gnome bugzilla bugs:
http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=309721
http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=114160

1155
votes

See the 15 comments or propose a solution >>

Many people don't know why to install ubuntu

Written by myrk the 28 Mar 10 at 19:08. Related project: Live CD. Implemented

Many people don't know why ubuntu is better than the other operating systems. Some people think it's just a waste of time.

336
votes

371
votes

167
votes

175
votes

Selected solution (#4): Advertise!!

Written by Liso22 the 31 Mar 10 at 22:17.

It's not only that some people don't know why Ubuntu is better, it's that some people don't even know it exists. But I will talk about the "people that don't know why to get it" as it seems this topic is about them. You have to ask yourself: is a video worth it?

In this particular case Ubuntu first has to reshape the "what's ubuntu" page into something meaningful. Right now though it fails to deliver accessible and attractive information about the OS. Even being free Ubuntu is a product, it won't sell by itself.

Ubuntu's main page should focus on the main advantages of the OS instead of it's technical aspects, there should be something like an "interactive video" (mentioned in solution #2) but in my opinion for various reasons it should be "interactive" but just not a video, a video or a flash animation for example not only isn't worth the work but it may also be contraproductive in many many ways. If the discover Ubuntu page is of a bad quality it goes unnoticed on the other hand seeing the same video every time I open the page would make me kill myself the 3rd time I enter, instead the "introduction" should be a pretty page with information about the OS and links for extended information about each aspect of Ubuntu.

Still you are right saying that videos can be be great to showcase the OS and it's features, and when you want videos where do you go? You have to be blind not to see the benefits of having a decent Youtube Channel, even the crappiest companies have them, still Ubuntu's actual youtube channel is awful from the name and it's been abandoned for a long long time. wtf?

[...]

These are just logical simple things and if Ubuntu cares about selling it's product (or giving it away actually) they should hurry up to work on them, it's embarrassing that we don't have a decent youtube channel and in fact the the whole marketing campaign is, the promotion seems to be run by Microsoft. Maybe they just don't want Ubuntu to sell. It's like they keep putting hard work on the OS and letting it grow in a dark corner of the room, as a Marketing graduate and Ubuntu fan it's really getting on my nerves.

The best solution is take the matter into your own hands, we are working in the new Youtube channel and we need volunteers, please join:

https://launchpad.net/~ubuntu-social

In this particular case Ubuntu first has to reshape the "what's ubuntu" page into something meaningful. Right now though it fails to deliver accessible and attractive information about the OS. Even being free Ubuntu is a product, it won't sell by itself.

Ubuntu's main page should focus on the main advantages of the OS instead of it's technical aspects, there should be something like an "interactive video" (mentioned in solution #2) but in my opinion for various reasons it should be "interactive" but just not a video, a video or a flash animation for example not only isn't worth the work but it may also be contraproductive in many many ways. If the discover Ubuntu page is of a bad quality it goes unnoticed on the other hand seeing the same video every time I open the page would make me kill myself the 3rd time I enter, instead the "introduction" should be a pretty page with information about the OS and links for extended information about each aspect of Ubuntu.

Still you are right saying that videos can be be great to showcase the OS and it's features, and when you want videos where do you go? You have to be blind not to see the benefits of having a decent Youtube Channel, even the crappiest companies have them, still Ubuntu's actual youtube channel is awful from the name and it's been abandoned for a long long time. wtf?

The best solution is take the matter into your own hands, we are working in the new Youtube channel and we need volunteers, please join:

https://launchpad.net/~ubuntu-social

133
votes

Selected solution (#5): Show what can user do in ubuntu

Written by Ar29 the 4 Apr 10 at 19:10.

A german study from 2006 shows what german user do with the PC:

63% writing, word processor
51% e-mail, communications, message
39% presentation and organizing digital photos
36% playing games
30% Use optical disc authoring software
27% work with photo software
26% Learning, adult education
17% income tax return
16% Printmaking, drawing
7% Make a website

A demo should be show that all and more can we do in ubuntu.

36
votes

Selected solution (#6): Combination of idea's 4 & 5

Written by Cityscape the 11 Apr 10 at 02:42.

Same as #4 but do what was suggested in #5 also. We need to advertise Ubuntu get the word out, even word of mouth helps.

And the changing interactive videos are a great idea. Show people what Ubuntu is and how it'll improve their lives. But we should also show through them through videos what they can do in Ubuntu. Show how Ubuntu is better for social networking, better for office tasks etc.

22
votes

Selected solution (#7): Allow liveCD to run under Windows

Written by josh.bronson the 12 Apr 10 at 19:08.

Qemu is a small (under 10 MB) emulator capable of hosting Ubuntu.

http://wiki.qemu.org/Main_Page

There are unofficial versions available for Windows.

http://homepage3.nifty.com/takeda-toshiya/

It should be possible to add a Windows version of Qemu to the liveCD. Using the Autorun feature of Windows, it should be possible to automatically start Ubuntu in a Qemu window when a user loads a liveCD.

24
votes

Selected solution (#8): Interview celebrities to say why they use Ubuntu, show it on YouTube, Vimeo, etc

Written by mydoghasworms the 19 Apr 10 at 18:10.

People might not listen to the likes of you and me to tell them why to use Ubuntu. But they might listen to well-known public figures. So get a few celebs to do a pitch (or interview them) and have them tell why they use/like Ubuntu, then broadcast it on Vimeo or YouTube (or on TV if someone has the money).

Some examples:

* Mark Shuttleworth: "I use Ubuntu because it is the best OS around and gives me the flexibility to do what I want".
* Johnny Depp: "Wherever we want to go, we go. That's what an OS is, you know. It's not just a kernel and drivers and a user interface and applications; that's what an OS needs. But what an OS is, what Ubuntu really is, is freedom."
* Bill Gates: "At night when everybody goes to sleep, I tiptoe into the garden shed and boot up Ubuntu, because I really like it. It just does all sorts of things Windows doesn't."

(OK, those examples are just crazy, but I'm sure you can think of some more realistic ones).

Oh, and put some advertising campaigns on the Ubuntu website, including links to these interviews.

5
votes

Selected solution (#9): Promotion unusual ways - jigsaw puzzles.

Written by luksoft the 20 Apr 10 at 17:33.

I have good idea how to promote Ubuntu. I'm fan of Linux and Ubuntu. I've installed several Ubuntu on friends computers, some of them use it as primary and only OS. But I want to educate common users. I found good way, I think. I'm webmaster of very popular jigsaw puzzle site. I made jigsaw with Ubuntu - http://www.epuzzle.info/ubuntu-linux . Thousands of people will be playing puzzles in next couple of days. Most of them will read the description (and will know why install Ubuntu), all of them will focus on Ubuntu name and logo for long minutes.

I have also Polish version of this service. It's the most popular jigsaws service in Poland.

Is it good way to promote Ubuntu? I hope you like it.

Anybody can also put this jigsaw on their webpage by inserting javascript code.

Maybe other webmaster can also found natural ways to promote Ubuntu on their websites?

21
votes

Selected solution (#10): Cross-promote

Written by h6w the 21 Apr 10 at 09:59.

Encourage other companies to release things that change Ubuntu's Look and Feel. For example we could encourage Disney, Pixar, or other film companies to release material such as sound schemes, wallpapers, and games alongside their Windows ones. This could be part of an additional repository for such material, so that people could opt in or out like we do for Universe or Medibuntu.

People like to participate in non-OS-related groups, like the film they just saw, or the football team they barrack for. Currently that seems to be limited to Windows environments, and that's sad for us.

9
votes

Selected solution (#11): Make Ubuntu demonstrations in Holidays and spread the word about it.

Written by rocket16 the 23 Apr 10 at 06:36.

Ubuntu Demonstrations in local Clubs can inspire many people to try out Ubuntu. Also, make PDFs about "Why to Install Ubuntu and how is it better than other OSes?", and print them, then distribute them freely among Windows and Mac Users. Set up small Groups of Ubuntu users, who are interested to spread the word about it.

Also, make free Copies of Ubuntu CD and distribute them, along with Ubuntu Leaflets (Best thing is to ask people to download and install Ubuntu themselves).

5
votes

10
votes

Selected solution (#13): Advertising Competitions

Written by sjust the 24 Apr 10 at 23:27.

Why not launching a competition to promote the OS.

This could be a win-win strategy for both Ubuntu and marketing companies willing to promote themselves.

This can be also targeted to marketing students willing to promote a first professional experience. Thus leads them to work for a community instead of a commercial company, and offers them a good network visibility.

Competitors are also encouraged to experiment alternative marketing strategies ( street marketing for example ). Results are presented on a web site, where visitors can see the video results and vote for their preferred ones.

With no doubt, results of highest quality will be relayed via social networks, or Youtube like channels, increasing the OS popularity.

-2
votes

Selected solution (#14): My thoughts on what's been suggested so far

Written by orphanlast the 25 Apr 10 at 07:21.

Solution#2, the introductory video. This is a good idea. I saw an online tutorial on how to use Ubuntu that sold me on the idea of downloading it.

As for making something like this http://www.google.com/phone for Ubuntu... I own an android phone and that thing confuses me. My phone works nothing like that. I know what it's TRYING to say, but it's definitely not telling newcomers a darn thing.

Solution #4 and Solution #8 are spot on. We need to advertise. Problems with getting a Celebrity on board is the fact that you won't be able to get a Celebrity to do anything unless they either want to or if they're being paid. But supposing we COULD get celebrities to jump on board, the examples listed in Solution#8 are ridiculous. Mentioning Jargon is a big no-no. You mention Kernals, OS, and drivers and people will think “tech talk” and ignore it. The best way to get a Celebrity on board is to get them to believe in the product. Celebrities get into politics. Well... lets make this a political issue. Lets call our Senators and start demanding that we stop wasting so much money on Microsoft Windows and Software and start spending that money on the Children for Public Schooling. Educate the kids on programming and orienting their math education around that. Ubuntu is the best at education because schools don't have to pay for it and it opens up freedoms and inspiration for children to know more about computers and programming, which should be required courses in the first place. To get this political issue competitive -- here's an interesting video where someone asks Bill Gates and Steve Jobs a question dealing with how technology can help politically and Bill Gates states that technology can help with education: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGH-1L-0zo4&feature=related . Bill Gates didn't suggest anything. Here's one of the most innovative people in the world and he said it was more "institutional" rather than technological. On every other topic brought up to him in that video series he has something to say. Here, he doesn't. He just mentioned education out of the blue and then stammered on about how it's an institution.

[...]

One good way of indirectly advertising would be making a strong push towards virtualbox. Trying to get people interested in just trying out other operating systems. And why not? "With Virutalbox, you have nothing to lose."

I agree that the Ubuntu homepage at Ubuntu.com is pretty sad. We need a video of someone showcasing the operating system right there. It should be RIGHT AT THE TOP taking up half of the screen. It should showcase what it's able to do. Hopefully with the new upgrade to Ubuntu 10.04 coming within just a few days, the default settings won't just look mundane. We need the default settings for Ubuntu looking sharp straight after installation so that this showcasing video strikes the shock and awe factor in every person watching it. Under this video there should be a “DOWNLOAD” button.

We should be blogging about Ubuntu. If you're not big on blogging, and you just wish Ubuntu was more popular – then you're really not helping and just being wishful. With a free operating system, there has to be some form of advertising – in this case, free advertising. If you can't program, then surely you should be contributing some other way.

I do believe that it's great and wonderful for there to be free programs. But Android phones are oriented around Linux and we find applications that have a price tag. Well, if some of these commercial software development programs thought that there was a way to make money by placing their product in our Software Repositories with a price tag then why not? We already see it in the Android Market place. (Personally, I think that Synaptic should look more like the Android Market Place but that's another post for another time).

I like Solution#11 where it's suggested we should hand out printed papers that give information about Ubuntu. It's weird to think of handing out fliers for a free product that you yourself aren't going to make a profit out of, but it might be something people might want to consider, most especially if it covers some of the information that we've discussed.

Personally, all of this has inspired me to start doing all the above. I'll be starting a new blog. I'll have a flier drawn up in a few days and I'll be back to post where you can all find this.

Solution#2, the introductory video. This is a good idea. I saw an online tutorial on how to use Ubuntu that sold me on the idea of downloading it.

As for making something like this http://www.google.com/phone for Ubuntu... I own an android phone and that thing confuses me. My phone works nothing like that. I know what it's TRYING to say, but it's definitely not telling newcomers a darn thing.

Solution #4 and Solution #8 are spot on. We need to advertise. Problems with getting a Celebrity on board is the fact that you won't be able to get a Celebrity to do anything unless they either want to or if they're being paid.  But supposing we COULD get celebrities to jump on board, the examples listed in Solution#8 are ridiculous. Mentioning Jargon is a big no-no. You mention Kernals, OS, and drivers and people will think “tech talk” and ignore it. The best way to get a Celebrity on board is to get them to believe in the product. Celebrities get into politics. Well... lets make this a political issue. Lets call our Senators and start demanding that we stop wasting so much money on Microsoft Windows and Software and start spending that money on the Children for Public Schooling. Educate the kids on programming and orienting their math education around that. Ubuntu is the best at education because schools don't have to pay for it and it opens up freedoms and inspiration for children to know more about computers and programming, which should be required courses in the first place. To get this political issue competitive -- here's an interesting video where someone asks Bill Gates and Steve Jobs a question dealing with how technology can help politically and Bill Gates states that technology can help with education: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGH-1L-0zo4&feature=related . Bill Gates didn't suggest anything. Here's one of the most innovative people in the world and he said it was more "institutional" rather than technological. On every other topic brought up to him in that video series he has something to say. Here, he doesn't. He just mentioned education out of the blue and then stammered on about how it's an institution.

I agree that the Ubuntu homepage at Ubuntu.com is pretty sad. We need a video of someone showcasing the operating system right there. It should be RIGHT AT THE TOP taking up half of the screen. It should showcase what it's able to do. Hopefully with the new upgrade to Ubuntu 10.04 coming within just a few days, the default settings won't just look mundane. We need the default settings for Ubuntu looking sharp straight after installation so that this showcasing video strikes the shock and awe factor in every person watching it. Under this video there should be a “DOWNLOAD” button.

We should be blogging about Ubuntu. If you're not big on blogging, and you just wish Ubuntu was more popular – then you're really not helping and just being wishful. With a free operating system, there has to be some form of advertising – in this case, free advertising. If you can't program, then surely you should be contributing some other way.

I do believe that it's great and wonderful for there to be free programs. But Android phones are oriented around Linux and we find applications that have a price tag. Well, if some of these commercial software development programs thought that there was a way to make money by placing their product in our Software Repositories with a price tag then why not? We already see it in the Android Market place. (Personally, I think that Synaptic should look more like the Android Market Place but that's another post for another time).

I like Solution#11 where it's suggested we should hand out printed papers that give information about Ubuntu. It's weird to think of handing out fliers for a free product that you yourself aren't going to make a profit out of, but it might be something people might want to consider, most especially if it covers some of the information that we've discussed.

Personally, all of this has inspired me to start doing all the above. I'll be starting a new blog. I'll have a flier drawn up in a few days and I'll be back to post where you can all find this.

2
votes

Selected solution (#15): Target the non-technical users with promises of speed and no viruses

Written by Saie the 14 Jun 11 at 07:43.

We should aim to target the users which think they have slow home computers when the problem is actually windows XP/Vista getting clogged. These home users who aren't tech savvy really enjoy ubuntu. For them what needs to be done is target them through Youtube/Facebook which are usually their most favourite websites:

-A youtube video advertisement .. one of those that they play infront of videos these days, that quickly says, "does your comptuer get stuck, load slow, isit impossible to use, get ubuntu today its free!"
People watch youtube from PCs usually and are surely likely to click it

-Facebook & Youtube banner ad that reads something like "PC running slow? You think its rubbish? Install ubuntu now, its completely free.. click and find out why"

2
votes

Selected solution (#16): Introduction video [just expanding on solution 2]

Written by Saie the 14 Jun 11 at 07:50.

Expanding on solution 2
I think an introduction video is a superb idea. Windows 87 have already released theirs and quite frankly it looks ugly.
Many of us are capable of making it.
When I saw the ubuntu homepage for the first time last month, I was amazed, but for some people a video would be better rather then text.
So on the front page, a insight into how ubuntu differs to people's current OS

See the 16 comments or propose a solution >>

There is no way to install 32bit software on a 64bit ubuntu

Written by eugene2k the 15 Jan 09 at 13:30. Global category: Usability. Implemented

Some software doesn't have 64bit packages, or it's rather hard to get those. For example just to install skype on a 64bit ubuntu system, the user must go through a guide on how to add medibuntu to the list of repositories, or download a version of skype that doesn't require installing. Other software has only been packaged for 32bit systems.

71
votes

4
votes

Selected solution (#2): Put architectures in a generic graph, like package dependencies

Written by Warbo the 17 Jan 09 at 07:49.

I'm not a fan of special-cases, so I thought about making this more generic, and applicable to other situations. I propose that architectures can declare support for each other, for example amd64 can support i386, i686, etc. which implements the above solution, allowing its own packages as well as its supported packages to be installed.

It could also be applied to other situations, like Loongson 3 MIPS processors from China which also support x86 code. In this case a new architecture loongson3 could be made which supports mips and i386.

This would be built into dpkg and apt.

Very little mirror overhead would be needed, since such architectures wouldn't need their own packages, they could use any which they support (which are already sitting on the mirrors as I write this).

Perhaps there should be a priority, for example with loongson3 it would be better to have mips than i386, but this could simply be done by having them in a config file, and checking each one listed in turn until a match is found, and putting mips ahead of i386.

See the 8 comments or propose a solution >>

Switching to Guest Account is Inconsistent

Written by singpolyma the 25 May 09 at 03:32. Related project: Gnome. Implemented

One can switch to the Guest Account from inside a logged-in GNOME account (using the menu item) or logged-in to another WM (by running the script), but if the screen is locked (with gnome-screensaver or xscreensaver) or logged out (GDM) there is no way to get to the guest session.

49
votes

-6
votes

See the 3 comments or propose a solution >>

Less cluttered interface for Nautilus

Written by crephoto the 1 Sep 10 at 02:03. Related project: Nautilus. Implemented

Right now, Nautilus's interface (namely the Main Toolbar) has a lot of clutter-making buttons, removing valuable screen space for actually viewing the files (the things you are actually using Nautilus to view)

3
votes

Selected solution (#1): Move the essential buttons out of the Main Toolbar

Written by crephoto the 1 Sep 10 at 02:03.

Move the essential buttons onto what is right now the Location Bar, leaving only extra buttons on the "Main" Toolbar that could be hidden and remove clutter.
This would also may call for renaming the Main Toolbar to just the Toolbar has it is no longer housing essential buttons.

A mockup I made:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/oieP26zeTBmNbfNh7uimNg?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/u4BndmB5UCZSKOqLDwQCbA?feat=directlink

4
votes

See the 2 comments or propose a solution >>

Support multiple payment options in Ubuntu Software Center

Written by byo the 2 Dec 10 at 22:54. Related project: Ubuntu Software Center. Implemented

The only available payment method right now is by providing credit card information. There are situations in which this method is unacceptable. Such kind of payment should also not be threated as the most secure one.

Ubuntu Software Center should let people pay using alternative methods. Few examples are: Paypal, Google Checkout, Premium SMS.

127
votes

120
votes

Selected solution (#2): Make the payment system work with plugins for different payment brokers.

Written by alwuzomondo the 3 Dec 10 at 09:35.

A bank or payment broker can then provide its own payment plug-in. This way a user can easily add other payment methods. Maybe install a default set of payment methods based on the country?

It would be nice if there was a button with "add payment module" that provides a list of online payment systems.

plug ins could be provided for :
paypal
Google checkout
Wire transfer
Premium SMS
iDeal (used a lot in the Netherlands)
solution of My private bank

This plug-in system will be no easy task to write but once implemented, it will offer huge flexibility.

Security definitely a big issue here, it must be absolutely impossible for bank@hacker.com to install his own plug-in.
With this plug-in system Providing an addition payment method doesn't have to be done by Ubuntu programmers, but can be done by a third party. Only testing and approving for install would have to be done by Ubuntu developers.

[...]

2
votes

0
votes

See the 2 comments or propose a solution >>

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