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Popular ideas Here are the most popular ideas ever about Synaptic package manager.

Synaptic quick search uses OR operator, making it hard to narrow down a search.  
Written by carpex the 2 Apr 09 at 18:28. New
If you type "firefox plugin" in the synaptic quick search, you get all results that have the word firefox OR plugin, leading to hundreds of results. This makes it really hard to narrow down a search.

On Launchpad: https://bugs.launchpad.net/synaptic/+bug/357821
401
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Solution #1: Use the AND operator in quick search
Written by carpex the 2 Apr 09 at 18:28.
Searching for "firefox plugin" should give you results that have the words firefox AND plugin.
-81
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Solution #2: offer choice of AND and OR
Written by waster the 2 Apr 09 at 19:44.
simple radio buttons
255
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Solution #3: Include Advanced search
Written by codeslicer the 2 Apr 09 at 20:30.
For example, much like the one for the Google search engine, which would allow the user to specify certain criteria.
-56
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Solution #4: Use search queries.
Written by Pizdec the 3 Apr 09 at 12:33.
Symbols &, |, ( and ) aren't using in package names. So, use them for defining search queries (and replace current OR for AND as in #1).
10
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Solution #6: Like #3, using the standard descrption which is on development
Written by aze555666 the 8 Apr 09 at 08:14.
There could be an advanced search in which we could choose in every parameter of the standardized description of packages given in idea 17929 solution#1 :
http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/17929/
81
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Solution #7: Use both AND and OR, but list by relevance
Written by kareeser the 9 Apr 09 at 03:57.
That is... searching "firefox plugin" will list all of the items with both search terms in them, followed by items with only one or the other.
-15
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Solution #8: Add "Quick search options" to Settings -> Preferences
Written by Exsecrabilus the 12 Apr 09 at 02:44.
Quick Search has to be quick. Otherwise we have the traditional Search button.
So? We don't do anything to the main GUI, or else it won't be "simple" anymore.

Instead, we add an entry to Settings -> Preferences, under a new section called "Quick Search", and we have: ( [o] means a radio button.)

-----

Quick Search (in a little bigger font and bolded, just like other section titles in GTK+)

[o] Space between keywords means AND (in order)
(Example: searching for "epiphany web" brings up only packages that have, in its name/description, the two words in that exact order.)

[o] Space between keywords means AND (any)
(Example: searching for "epiphany web" brings up all packages that have the two words, regardless of the position of the two, in its name/description.)

[o] Space between keywords means AND and OR
(Example: searching for "epiphany web" brings up all packages that have the two words, together or separate, in that order or not, in its name/description (the package "firefox," though having no connection to the keyword "epiphany," will come up, because it just has the word "web" in its package description.)

See the 7 comments or propose a solution >>

No Links to Package Web Pages in Synaptic  
Written by Synestion the 17 Apr 09 at 00:04. New
Synaptic Package Manager provides a lot of good information about package properties, but it does not include links to the package web pages on the http://packages.ubuntu.com web site. The Ubuntu package web pages include additional information about the packages, including upstream links; however, users must currently browse to these pages, or manually type the package name into a search, in order to access that information. There is no direct link from package properties in Synaptic to the package web pages.
375
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Solution #1: Add Link to Package Web Page in Package Properties
Written by Synestion the 17 Apr 09 at 00:04.
Add a new field to the common tab in package properties that includes a link to that package's web page on the http://packages.ubuntu.com web site, or simply include a link in the description for each package.
92
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Solution #3: Show website, a screenshot, and official PPA (if exist)
Written by falkTX the 13 May 09 at 10:26.
just as title says;
this make sure we always get the latest version

See the 1 comments or propose a solution >>

building a package is too difficult  
Written by sjuk the 13 Apr 09 at 12:44. New
I've tried to build a package to fix a relative simple bug (changing one script by another). But after reading several guides and howtos I don't want to do it anymore because it is too difficult und uncomfortable for me. I waited for the next package-update from the main or universe repository (but this was 12 months ago). So I just "copied" the script. But that's not the way it should be in my opinion.

I think I'm not alone with my opinion. Before Ubuntu I used linux from scratch and was happy with it, except of keeping the system up to date. Then I tried gentoo, and was not happy with the build-process. Now with Ubuntu the update-mechanism is a great thing. But every month I find a bug or a package not in the repositories and want to find a solution for the hole community. But the current packaging process eats too much time.

(The different packaging solutions deb, rpm, ... does not make it easier.)
-36
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Solution #1: develope a new package building system
Written by sjuk the 13 Apr 09 at 12:44.
In my opinion there has to be an easier way to build packages.

The easier the package building process the more people will be able to support. The whole developement process will profit from faster packet buildings.

A gui or a wizard can help (thx@qense in Solution #2).

But in the place of repeating input fields in a gui or a wizard I would apriciate a profile for common informations or personal user settings.

Another Point is that many sources are developed with the autotools. The new package building system could use the informations of the "configure"-script to define dependencies.
367
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Solution #2: Create a tool that simplifies the process
Written by qense the 13 Apr 09 at 13:03.
Create a tool, with and without a GUI, that simplifies the process. Maybe in the form of a 'wizard'.

This tool could be built with existing tools.
-90
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Solution #3: add to the #2 solution a Tarball to .deb
Written by Shady3D the 13 Apr 09 at 21:56.
Tarball installer is just to compile the program and make a .deb package so i can install the package and the synaptic can keep track of the package.
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Solution #5: Existing tools are good enough
Written by dmitrij.ledkov the 25 Apr 09 at 17:27.
Building package using CDBS is easy!!!

If a user can't understand CDBS, that user shall not be building packages....

Nothing needs to be done.
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Solution #6: Solution #2, plus push for universal Linux packaging standards
Written by Yfrwlf the 8 May 09 at 05:15.
Solution #2 would exist right now if Linux packaging standards were a reality. If everyone were creating one or more Linux packages which were standardized by being made compatible with the existing major package managers and Linux distros, those packages would see a lot more use and thus so would the command line and graphical tools used to create them. The less niche something is, the more software there will be for it.
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Solution #7: Improve GiftWrap application
Written by JuanC the 3 Jun 09 at 18:36.
I see that there is an application, GiftWrap, that can do this, but it is very limited now.

Take a look at : http://giftwrap.tuxfamily.org
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Solution #8: Make it able in Ubuntu Software Center
Written by halvors the 28 Aug 10 at 20:09.
Make a function in Ubuntu Software Center who allow the users to build .deb packages. This may be good, since the Ubuntu Software Center should have function for paid apps, like Apple Store.

See the 15 comments or propose a solution >>

screenshots, reviews and other info in synaptic  
Written by trylik the 8 Aug 08 at 09:42. New
when i was looking for sound converter, i found about 6 positions in synaptic

it would be great if i could turn on "moore info" and inside this window i will se some screenshots, reviews, maybe some videos etc

there is a great functionality in some package manager - user rating, more info about packages would be very good especially for new users

from the other side, every user should be able to write review,, add screenshotss etc very easily

this could be made with special option in menu - review this software (just like translate this program, report bug etc) - this would show a dialog with fields to fill - this way, community could rate each software very precisely

this data should be also available from web

imagine this:

user has just removed windows, and now he is looking for svg editor

he just opens package manager - chooses category "graphics" -> "svg editor" and he is able to browse through the catalog, watch some screenshots and videos, and finally choose which software is the best for him

there is ksnapshot, krecordmydesktop and other usefull apps for implemeting this

362
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #11988
Written by trylik the 8 Aug 08 at 09:42.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #11988 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

See the 13 comments or propose a solution >>

Cleanup tool is useless (a workaround, not a solution)  
Written by saivann the 28 Apr 09 at 20:41. New
Jaunty now have a computer janitor which help removing unnecessary packages and free up some space on the computer. I find it hard to believe that this tool can have it's own icon in ubuntu default Administration menu! Especially since it's possible to see the same obsolete packages in synaptic left panel.

Ubuntu already clean up /tmp automatically. It's clean, fast and it does not require any user interaction because after all, what would be the reason to keep temporary files? In the same order of idea, why keeping packages that can be automatically removed when no other packages depends on them and when they were not installed by user itself?

I don't think that ubuntu users deserve this old "Windows-like" dirty cleanup concept. Ubuntu should stay clean, it should not need user interaction to work well. In my opinion, including a cleanup tool is like accepting that the system does not work correctly by itself.
13
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Solution #1: Automatically remove useless packages
Written by saivann the 28 Apr 09 at 20:41.
When a package is not necessary anymore (was not installed by user and is not required by other packages), it should be removed automatically by apt. This could be done when a package is removed (all dependencies of that package could be removed at the same time since they were installed by that package, after all).

This would remove the need of a cleanup tool and let users use their computer without needing to continuously think about maintenance, which is one reason why ubuntu is great!!
298
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Solution #2: Prompt user to removed unneeded packages.
Written by montel the 28 Apr 09 at 23:11.
Similar to #1, but that may become a problem with some users. Ubuntu could check the packages when it does updates or something instead.
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Solution #3: Auto clean when required (e.g. low disk space)
Written by quadrox the 30 Apr 09 at 18:43.
The user should have the option to clean up when really needed, but ubuntu should mostly do it on its own at the appropriate time, for example when the disk is getting full or the old packages consume a lot of disk space. You could also completely clean packages if they haven't been used/reinstalled in a long while.

As long as the diskspace is not required for anything else there is no reason to remove the stuff, you may want to install it again later.
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Solution #4: Clean with low disk space, and be able to schedule
Written by montel the 30 Apr 09 at 21:19.
Create a simple app with a pretty GUI that will prompt users when disk space is low. Use apt-get autoremove and purge tmp and delete files in the recycle bin. Just something that will have a alert in the notification area like "an estimated xxxx amount of space could be cleared. Would you like to clean up a little?"




The reason that I want it to purge tmp is that I barely turn of my computer. I host a site with a static ip and I only turn it off if I have to. So my tmp folder can get to about a couple gigs before it is cleaned.




Oh and when doing autoremove, it would be nice if the use could set settings to be like "autoremove packages that haven't been used in x amount of days" If that could be implemented, I would be suportive of idea #1 on those term
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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Solution #5: Clean up more things
Written by sanketmedhi the 4 May 09 at 10:02.
Cleaning up the computer or freeing space should not be limited to packages. It should also include browser and cache, recent documents list, trash bin, etc.
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Solution #6: Clean only packages that are NOT used anymore
Written by lotif the 7 May 09 at 14:22.
The janitor, now as it is, cleans packages that are not in the repositories list, including packages that are frequently used. To give an example, it asks me to remove Skype and Adobe Reader, applications that I use everyday but are not in my software channels.

This should not happen because even if janitor thinks that these packages are obsolete, the user probably don't want to remove them because they are used.
13
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Solution #7: Clean QT/KDE packages in Gnome environment
Written by jrd the 22 May 09 at 15:45.
Building on Solution #5, I would like to see all non GTK apps listed. If you install a KDE app you get the QT library with it. As part of a "Janitor Service" I would like to be able to list these packages (and remove them).

Janitor could have a filter to display the various package sections. E.g., 'Unused packages', 'QT packages', 'tmp and cached files (thumbnails)', etc
19
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Solution #8: Do not clean mountpoints
Written by Clorox the 23 May 09 at 01:18.
I moved my home to a separate partition a while back, and Computer Janitor wanted to clean it up because I forgot to set the 'relatime' option in /etc/fstab. Obviously I did not want this to happen.
4
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Solution #9: Integrate in SoftwareStore
Written by zaherhoulayhel the 17 Sep 09 at 05:50.
Where SoftwareStore is going to be the universal Software manager for Ubuntu it should handle cleaning unused packages.

See the 11 comments or propose a solution >>

Auto-solving problems in synaptic, when "no space left on device"  
Written by darkham the 24 Feb 10 at 11:35. New
When a distracted user try to install packages in synaptic, with less space than needed, and it end during packeges installation, isn't properly easy fix synaptic, for a newbie.
161
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Solution #1: auto-uninstall of installed packages, canceling the operation
Written by darkham the 24 Feb 10 at 11:35.
Undo all selected operation from a log/cronology file build selecting packages. Delete all downloaded packages.
77
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Solution #2: free up some space
Written by nloewen the 1 Mar 10 at 00:59.
with the users permission remove old packages from the cash and auto remove unneeded packages. also, give the option to empty trash. then continue.
296
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Solution #3: warn before install
Written by nloewen the 1 Mar 10 at 04:01.
warn users that there is insufficient space before installing software.
29
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Solution #4: Auto-make "apt-get clean" and/or "apt-get autoremove"
Written by icoz the 14 Mar 10 at 20:34.
There are many downloaded packages in cache.
May be it's more logical to remove THEM? For example, I have 925Mb at this moment in /var/cache/apt/archives/

Of course it needs user decision.
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Solution #5: Routinely check the size of the package cache.
Written by lavinog the 23 Mar 10 at 21:30.
As #4 noted the package cache can get quite large.
Have a routine check (once a day) to check the size of the cache.
If the cache consumes more than 10% of the filesystem size, or if the cache size is greater than the free space, notify the user and give them a single click solution to purge the cache.
2
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Solution #6: As with # 5, but do it automatically.
Written by isantop the 9 Apr 10 at 05:06.
Many users would see the words "package cache" and flip a lid. It would be better to check the cache size, and if it is too big, automatically remove packages from the cache in order from oldest to youngest to make room.

Or, check the date, and only allow packages newer than X days old to remain on the system, unless purged manually by the user.

See the 3 comments or propose a solution >>

Add an option to enable Apt-P2P in Ubuntu  
Written by smartboyathome the 4 Oct 08 at 00:13. New
First off: This is NOT a duplicate of idea 7792. Apt-P2P uses similar meathods to bittorrent in the downloading from peers, but is not based on it in any way.

Anyway, I suggest that there be an option in Software Sources to be able to use apt-p2p instead of the normal apt protocol to download packages. Apt-P2P basically adds localhost:9977/ in front of the repo, so that it would look like "deb http://localhost:9977/path.to/repo" in your sources.list instead of "deb http://path.to/repo". This allows you to download from peers when available, but if no peers are available for a specific package, it downloads from the repository as normal. Once you have downloaded a package and it is in your cache, though, then apt-p2p would share it with others.

The uses for this would be that it would take a load off of the servers. Every year around the time a new version of Ubuntu is released, Ubuntu's servers are pushed to the breaking point when everyone is trying to upgrade. With this, that can be cut to a minimum for those who choose to use it. Since some ISPs set limits on your internet usage and this can raise it up, enabling it by default would be a mistake (just like having new ISO downloads be bittorrent by default would be a mistake).
219
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #14040
Written by smartboyathome the 4 Oct 08 at 00:13.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #14040 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!
3
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Solution #2: Make it default
Written by sim-value the 28 Apr 09 at 09:27.
Make apt-p2p default and let it be configured in the setting for example "seed when internet is idle" "never seed" and so on ...

Also let the repository servers run it so that optimal speed is garantued and the servers are less used

See the 13 comments or propose a solution >>

Synaptic needs to be indexed  
Written by fazillatheef the 23 Jul 08 at 11:41. New
After adding new repositories and clicking reload,Synaptic downloads lists from servers.And after that When I search for an application in synaptic it takes to much time to find me the package.Actually its looking into the list that was downloaded.

I think indexing the package name and description after reloading the package list can improve synaptic performance.
216
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #11436
Written by fazillatheef the 23 Jul 08 at 11:41.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #11436 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

See the 12 comments or propose a solution >>

Easy removal of meta-packages  
Written by HernandoTorque the 31 Jan 09 at 21:48. New
Make it easy for people to completely uninstall meta-packages (including ALL their dependencies).

Eg. the way to uninstall kubuntu-desktop should NOT be:

sudo apt-get remove --pruge adept akregator amarok amarok-common amarok-engine-xine apport-qt ark dolphin dragonplayer exiv2 foomatic-db-gutenprint gdebi-kde gnupg-agent gtk-qt-engine guidance-power-manager gwenview hpijs-ppds hplip-gui ijsgutenprint imagemagick install-package jockey-kde k3b k3b-data kaddressbook kamera kate kde-icons-oxygen kde-printer-applet kde-window-manager kde-zeroconf kdebase-bin kdebase-data kdebase-plasma kdebase-runtime kdebase-runtime-bin-kde4 kdebase-runtime-data kdebase-runtime-data-common kdebase-workspace-bin kdebase-workspace-data kdebase-workspace-libs4+5 kdebluetooth kdegraphics-strigi-plugins kdelibs-bin kdelibs-data kdelibs4c2a kdelibs5 kdelibs5-data kdemultimedia-kio-plugins kdepasswd kdepim-kresources kdepim-strigi-plugins kdepim-wizards kdepimlibs-data kdepimlibs5 kdeplasma-addons kdeplasma-addons-data kdeplasma-addons-libs4 kdesudo kdm kfind kgrubeditor khelpcenter4 klipper kmag kmail kmix kmousetool knotes konqueror konqueror-nsplugins konqueror-plugin-searchbar konsole kontact konversation kopete korganizer krdc krfb ksnapshot ksysguard ksysguardd ksystemlog ktimetracker ktorrent kubuntu-artwork-usplash kubuntu-default-settings kubuntu-desktop kubuntu-docs kubuntu-konqueror-shortcuts kuser kvkbd kwalletmanager language-selector-qt libakonadiprivate1 libarts1c2a libartsc0 libaudio2 libavahi-qt3-1 libcapseo0 libcaptury0 libclucene0ldbl libdbus-1-qt3 libdbus-qt-1-1c2 libexiv2-4 libfftw3-3 libflac++6 libgeoip1 libifp4 libk3b3 libkcddb4 libkdecorations4 libkdepim4 libkholidays4 libkipi-common libkipi5 libkleo4 libkonq5 libkonq5-templates libkpgp4 libksieve4 libkwineffects1 liblua50 liblualib50 libmimelib4 libmodplug0c2 libmpcdec3 libmysqlclient15off libnjb5 libofa0 libokularcore1 libphonon4 libplasma2 libpoppler-qt4-3 libpq5 libqca2 libqca2-plugin-ossl libqimageblitz4 libqt3-mt libqt4-assistant libqt4-core libqt4-dbus libqt4-designer libqt4-help libqt4-network libqt4-opengl libqt4-qt3support libqt4-script libqt4-sql libqt4-sql-mysql libqt4-svg libqt4-test libqt4-webkit libqt4-xml libqt4-xmlpatterns libqtcore4 libqtgui4 libraptor1 librasqal0 librdf0 libruby1
181
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Solution #1: Add a function to remove a meta-package with all its dependencies
Written by HernandoTorque the 31 Jan 09 at 21:48.
There needs to be a way to remove all packages Y that got installed with package X.
140
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Solution #3: Improve synaptic
Written by aliam13_2 the 1 Feb 09 at 19:50.
When you uninstall any package in synaptic then remove all dependencies. However do not remove a dependency if

a) It was installed manually - i.e. it installed automatically to solve some dependency.

b) There is another package that depends on the dependency.

If either a or b is true leave that package alone.

I believe aptitude already does this (at least to some extent).
10
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Solution #4: Improve Synaptic's existing autoremove filter
Written by cheesehead the 2 Feb 09 at 21:26.
This is already implemented in Synaptic. But some comments indicate it strangely doesn't work for them. So it seemingly could be better.

Synaptic: Settings -> Filters -> Automatic Removable

See the 14 comments or propose a solution >>

Tool to update 32 bits version to 64 bits version  
Written by orzoweitop the 10 Apr 08 at 20:37. New
I would like a tool that help me to change my ubuntu installation (32 bits) to a ubuntu installation (64 bits), after i installed ubuntu 32 bits.

I think, that probably is not possible to update the system files, but it is possible to update (because in the fact, 32 and 64 are show as same) my preferences, my files (music, video...).

In resum, I would like a tool that help me to change my ubuntu 32 bits to ubuntu 64 bits with the less data lose.
180
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Solution #1: Allow upgrade to 64 bits
Written by orzoweitop the 10 Apr 08 at 20:37.
allow to upgrade 32-bit Ubuntu to 64-bit version by Internet or special Upgrade CD (alternate CD?). Doesn't have to be ideal (just preserve home folder/partition and the list of installed applications, maybe also some setting files - as during normal upgrade).
13
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Solution #2: Allow downgrade to 32 bits or give a warning
Written by mikropolip the 5 Jun 09 at 17:14.
If downgrade to 32bit system from 64-bit is impossible, there should be a warning message before upgrading 32-bit ubuntu to 64-bit system: it should say that it is a point of no return.

See the 7 comments or propose a solution >>

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