Contributor germclown - Ubuntu brainstorm

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Contributor germclown on Nautilus

It would be nice if in Nautilus ...

Written by l3on the 6 Sep 09 at 20:50. Not an idea

It would be nice in Nautilus ...

... when you select some files:

the info in the Properties window:

was also included in the sidebar:

563
votes

124
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151
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Solution #3: Make the Nautilus-code more general so anything can go into the sidebar

Written by vhindriksen the 7 Sep 09 at 17:29.

See for example the side-bar of browsers like Firefox. So just let any code run in the sidebar (in a separate thread, so it can crash on its own). Output can be html or some specific xml, as long as perl-scripts can spit it out.

One serious problem with this solution is security, since the script is auto-run for each file/directory.

476
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224
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255
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Solution #6: Make this optional and configurable via preferences

Written by LaMeR the 10 Sep 09 at 20:18.

1. Let the user set which information to show in the sidebar.

Example options:
For one selected file show in sidebar:
- General info - similar for most file types (thumbnail, type, size,...)
- File specific info - different for most file types (for example video files info: duration, resolution, bitrate, codec,...)
- All info = General info + File specific info

For multiple selected files show in sidebar:
- General info - number of files, size of files,...
- File specific info - number of files for each selected type (6 images, 13 videos,...), size of files for each selected type,...
- All info = General info + File specific info

2. Make it possible for user to completely turn this feature off, because some users may have slower computers or want to use the sidebar for bookmarks etc.

49
votes

Solution #7: sidebar should automatically change to "info" after selecting a file

Written by haran_elessar the 14 Sep 09 at 02:37.

I think that extra information is neat but it would be better if the left pane just changed automatically when I click on a file instead of having to choose "information" from the menu to see the details. the way I see it, most people like having the places view and they would have to change it to "information" each time to see the info just by left-clicking.

Now if nautilus would automatically change from places to information whenever you select a file then I think that would be very handy.

Optional extra idea: how about if that sidebar would show some other info automatically. For example, say I'm selecting many files from a folder, wouldn't it be neat if the sidebar would show me small thumbnails of all the items I have currently selected? (similar to Picasa's tray) That way it serves as a double check that I'm actually copying all the files I need. Then after pasting the sidebar would just go back to show the "places"option.

As it is right now, not many people are using that drop down menu. It's sad since now that I tried it I see it can be useful and even more if the feature you are requesting is implemented. Still, I don't think I would be using "information" as my default sidebar BUT if it was automatic as I mentioned above I think everyone will benefit from it.

what do you think? can that be done?

[...]

edit: As some users have suggested this feature should be configurable, allowing users to turn it off completely, showing only certain kind of information and generally behaving like users want it to behave.

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11
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Solution #11: Make sidebar more dynamic

Written by alx321 the 4 Oct 09 at 08:50.

Many ubuntu users don't even know that it is possible to change the content of the sidebar. The dropdown menu is very unhandy.
I propose to replace it by tabs with small icons and make it dynamic. That is, you can drag the tabs to another position, so that, for example, 'information' is shown beneath 'places' or in a second sidebar at the right or lower border.

8
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4
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Solution #13: Add nautilus option to show file info in a popup bubble

Written by oliver-joos the 5 Oct 09 at 14:23.

I propose to add a Nautilus option to pop up a light yellow bubble with basic file info when the mouse rests on an icon for a second or so.
The option should be very simple: on/off or none/brief/verbose. The file-type decides what info is shown.

Advantages:
* no mouse click needed
* no second/dynamic/changing pane needed
* plays well together with the audio preview feature
* the mouse is on one icon at a time => the info is clearly related

See the 22 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 26 Jul 12 at 13:50) >>

Nautilus: Open new tab should be easy for people who don't know the shortcut

Written by ge0ffrey the 9 Aug 09 at 11:50. Not an idea

Not everyone knows that ctrl-t opens a new tab. Most granny's do everything graphically and don't use shortcuts. The open new tab functionally is hidden in the menu.

125
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50
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34
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78
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13
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14
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See the 9 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 5 Nov 11 at 19:28) >>

Opening files with applications

Written by pubsbin the 8 Aug 09 at 04:13. New

If you have a file, like a document or a picture, it's quite difficult to open it with some special application.

Example:
I have a drawing, MyFile.svg (scalable vector graphics). I have seen it but now i want to modify it, but Inkscape is not installed and therefore it doesm't appear in the "Open With" menu.

For opening MyFile.svg with Inkscape i have to:
- Open Add-Remove Applications
- Choose Inkscape and install it.
- Go back to the file and execute Open With.

This process could be simplified.

79
votes

Solution #1: Add possible installable applications in Open With Menu

Written by pubsbin the 8 Aug 09 at 04:13.

The "Open With" menu, in addition of showing all the available applications, it could also have an option for
installing another related application and, once installed, opening the file with it.

In our case, the Open With menu for MyFile.svg would include an option
"Inkscape (must install)".

When choosed, Ubuntu will install Inkscape and then open the file. With one click.

33
votes

Solution #2: Similar to Solution #1, but make it a separate area

Written by Darwin Survivor the 8 Aug 09 at 23:50.

Instead of listing all the possible applications that could be used to open the file (xml is HUGE), simply adding a "search for other software to open this file" button which would then open a window showing software to install would enable the same functionality while keeping the original application selection window un-cluttered.

22
votes

Solution #3: Propose the "most used" option

Written by Rodrigo the 9 Aug 09 at 20:25.

Ubuntu has feedback on user (well those that agree) so the "open with" could have something like:
- "the most used option by other users to open this kind of file is:" ZZZZZZ
or something similar.
That way if a user comes from a different OS, and does not know which program he/she has to use to open that file the system gives him a hint.

7
votes

Solution #4: Edit button in all viewing programs

Written by germclown the 24 Aug 09 at 08:38.

Encourage all file-viewing programs to have an "edit" button. Edit button will open an installed program associated with that file. (This could have a dropdown a la Firefox Back/Forward if multiple options exist.) Failing that, a package manager will open with that file type as a search term. Search starts automatically. To help this, encourage devs to list files supported in a base install, and files supported through known plugins, as part of their package descriptions. Perhaps a notifier to explain the newly opened window.

This will only reduce the number of steps if the user is already viewing the file when they decide to edit it. But it will be significantly more user-friendly in all cases.

394
votes

Solution #5: Install applications on-demand. File extension based.

Written by another_sam the 24 May 10 at 09:56.

Comes from
http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/24921/

1.- On the repositories, each available application publishes which file extensions is able to work with.

2.- At home, user double-clicks a file with an extension for which there is not an application associated to in his system. Eg: ".rar".

3.- Ubuntu offers a number of applications that claim to be able to work with that extension. The most popular is pre-selected.

4.- User clicks "Next", system asks for password, user enters the password, system installs the application, system associates the ".rar" extension with that application, and finally system opens that file with that application.

This is application installing on-demand. Maybe not feasible in proprietary systems. Why not on Ubuntu?

64
votes

Solution #6: Add right-click menu option: Open with > search in USC

Written by bruno9779 the 26 May 10 at 12:08.

This function could be implemented as an extension to the Ubuntu Software Centre.

The user would right click a file and find as first submenu of "Open with": "search USC for compatible apps".

if clicked, the results in USC for that extension are displayed on screen.

Some short description of the extension specifications could also be provided.

The Ubuntu team would also be relieved of the task of choosing "the app" for any file extension.

A great advantage is also that using the apt-based USC, all additional repositories that an user may have added, are taken into consideration.

See the 8 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 15 Jun 10 at 18:03) >>

Provide ipod and smartphone browsing capability in nautilus

Written by mahajanudit the 10 Sep 09 at 11:58. New

When I say browsing capability, i don't mean browse the contents of their partition but the way ipod is accessed by music players like songbird, amarok etc or like smartphones or anyother phone is accessed though their pc suite.
This will eliminate the overhead need for multimedia developer these functionalities and also will ease the user experience as no additional software will be needed to access their devices.

220
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115
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Solution #2: Provide addons to extend functionality

Written by mahajanudit the 14 Sep 09 at 06:30.

This is something I have wanted in all the applications ever since I started using mozilla firefox. That is the ability to extend the functionality by providing addons whereby giving developers the option to develop their own ideas and implement them.
Because it is literally impossible for nautilus developers to provide compatibility for all the devices available so the users inturn may develop the addons required to browse their devices.. this will also increase the social network of the linux users and will help nautilus to understand what the users want from them..

-68
votes

Solution #3: Provide a bundled up version of nautilus, something like nautilus multimedia

Written by mahajanudit the 17 Sep 09 at 05:22.

This nautilus will be responsible for multimedia devices alone and nothing else, it doesn't mean removing the existing nautilus... The advantage of providing this will be that no existing code needs to be changed, it could be just another application. Nautilus for file system and nautilus multimedia for devices...
And also it will provide additional scripts(addons) so as to keep itself updated for new devices. Something like this will be a one stop shop for all users and they would need to go nowhere else...

-57
votes

See the 9 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 9 Oct 09 at 19:46) >>

New users don't necessarily know to unmount external drives before removing the

Written by jrothwell97 the 16 Aug 09 at 14:47. New

New users might not realise that an external disk (such as a USB drive) must be unmounted before it is removed. As Ubuntu does not remove the icon from the desktop, this has the potential to be confusing, along with the fact that data could be lost.

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49
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146
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Solution #7: Mouseover on the desktop icon should indicate what you can or can not do

Written by mikerobinson the 10 Sep 09 at 22:59.

When a user inserts the drive it should be auto mounted and the icon on the desktop should have a "warning" flag in the corner of the icon (similar to the icon in solution #1) and when the user hovers their mouse over the icon, a popup will appear saying something along the lines of "Warning this drive is mounted. Do not unplug it."

When the drive is unmounted, it should have about a 50% transparency and a green check flag on the icon. The mouseover should say "Unmounted USB drive: Safe to remove". The transparency will differentiate between the mounted and unmounted drive.

When the drive is removed, the icon should disappear completely. If it is removed without being unmounted use solution #1

0
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1
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See the 16 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 10 Sep 09 at 23:12) >>

Tiresome Going Through The 'Open With...' Menu

Written by Penguin Guy the 19 Aug 09 at 16:39. New

Sometimes I want to view a file, and sometimes I want to edit it. But to do one of these I have to go through the 'Open with Other Application...' menu, which wastes time.

278
votes

Solution #1: Add 'Edit with Program' Below 'Open with Program'

Written by Penguin Guy the 19 Aug 09 at 16:39.

Possible Uses:

Images
o 'Open' - 'Photo Viewer'
o 'Edit' - 'Gimp'

Sound Files
o 'Open' - 'Rhythmbox'
o 'Edit' - 'Audacity'

HTML
o 'Open' - 'Firefox'
o 'Edit' - 'Bluefish'

---------------

In the 'Properties' -> 'Open With' menu you should add options to disable the Open or Edit buttons for certain files (most people read text files through a text editor so there would be no need for the 'Open' option on them). It would of course, be possible to assign an editor to the open button, but that's up to the user.

-48
votes

Solution #2: Extend #1 to Include an 'Execute' Option

Written by Darwin Survivor the 20 Aug 09 at 17:56.

I find needing to chose between opening and executing a file *after* clicking it to be annoying. The context menu should have 3 options.
-Open/View
-Edit
-Execute

Of course, each option would only appear if the action were possible such as not having the execute option for a jpeg or any object without +x in the permissions.

Every file has 3 permission levels (rwx), why not have 3 ways of opening it via context-menu?

167
votes

Solution #3: Switch 'Open' and 'Edit' for More Descriptive Words

Written by Penguin Guy the 21 Aug 09 at 13:19.

Possible uses:

Images
o 'View' - 'Photo Viewer'
o 'Edit' - 'Gimp'

Sound Files
o 'Play' - 'Rhythmbox'
o 'Edit' - 'Audacity'

Scripts
o 'Execute' - 'Sh'
o 'Edit' - 'Vim'

Archives
o 'Extract' - 'Archive Manager'
o 'Browse' - 'Archive Mounter'

---------------

Simply switch 'Open' and 'Edit' for more descriptive words (such as the above) if needed. Although this has no practical effect, it will certainly add to the depth of the user experience. Inspired by michele74.

54
votes

Solution #4: Configurable 'Open With' Options

Written by Wim the 24 Aug 09 at 15:06.

Why limit the user to predefined 'Open With' options? Allow the user to rename and add alternatives. It would probably be nice to have some reasonable defaults though (such as in idea #3). For example:

Default HTML
o 'Open' - 'Firefox'
o 'Edit' - 'Bluefish'

User-Configured HTML
o 'Open' - 'Epiphany'
o 'Edit' - 'Emacs'
o '2Text' - 'html2text'

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See the 7 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 27 Aug 09 at 20:20) >>

So we dont have to use encryption or mess with permissions

Written by mwillams73 the 2 Aug 09 at 23:01. New

I really have no need for encryption, and although i have some experience with Ubuntu I feel that average users would feel more comfortable with right clicking on a file or folder and having the option in the context menu to " Add Password Lock" or something similar and then proceeds to open a dialogue box or window that you type your pass into and from that point on the file is password protected until you right click on the file again and select " Remove Password Lock" and again enter the pass. Thereby unlocking it for anyone to see.

I know that you can alter the permissions of a file or folder but many " new" users dont know how , and a search of Ubuntu forums brings up mods and posters alike suggesting encryption when all the poster really wants is to keep prying eyes out.

I honestly feel that if you dont want your girlfriend , kids or friends seeing something that may be personal or possibly offensive, that encryption is over kill and messing with permisions is unelegant. I know this does not really protect anyone from a serious threat, But I feel that its merely a road block, Used primarily for people you know or people you have logged on to your session. Thereby knowing you could walk away for a minute or two and not worry about that file or folder.

Also this could be useful for file sharing on networks . So tell me what you guys think.

-16
votes

Solution #1: Intergrate Something like Truecrypt(without encryption) Into Nautilus

Written by mwillams73 the 2 Aug 09 at 23:01.

I am no developer, but it seems to me that if you can alter true crypt or something like it into nautilus ( with options to encrypt or not to encrypt) that would be rather simple, But as i said I'm not a developer.

I guess it could be like an add on and you can invoke whether you want to use it inside edit preferences. And from there you could also decide whether it uses encryption or just a password. But any way that ist used it should be a default add on to nautilus, if im not mistaken true crypt isnt a very large file and with it being open source and all I dont see why it couldnt be remixed and intergrated into nautilus.

27
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Solution #2: Keep the normal file permissions

Written by aliam13_2 the 4 Aug 09 at 15:29.

You simply want to protect the files from other "trusted" users on the computer. Encryption is over the top and you are aware the files are not really secure - unless the physical computer is secure. Useful for a home environment where you want to stop family from looking at your photos easily (easily is the key part).

The permissions on files and folders are simple enough and the GUI is also simple. The user does however need to know what the terms User, Group and Other mean. This is simple to pick up and if in doubt just restrict access to only the user.

See the 7 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 4 Aug 09 at 11:35) >>

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