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Ubuntu store/donate  
Written by pererik87 the 15 Jan 10 at 16:16. New
If you want to donate to all the software on Ubuntu and the programs you have to make about 100 transactions each costing grand.

Currently running Ubuntu desktop is not profitable and with more money not only for ubuntu, but all open source, we can have more dedicated 24/7 developers assigned to Ubuntu, specific programs and applications.

Some of my suggestion is based on accessories for ubuntu store with symbolic value etc.

Is it anything else we can do?
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Solution #1: Diploma
Written by pererik87 the 15 Jan 10 at 16:16.
Ubuntu and Kubuntu donate diploma to buy in ubuntu shop. User gets a nice diploma with amount and a greeting text + some stash back. 50$ 100$ 200$ 500$ 1000$

Shows some gratitude and at the same time encourages others to donate.
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Solution #2: Open source packs
Written by pererik87 the 15 Jan 10 at 16:19.
Open Source donate packs. Has a specified percent that goes to different opensource projects including Ubuntu, openoffice and all the others.

So you can donate to every Open Source in Ubuntu at once. If it gets many donations, it will make a extra motivation for people making (or that want to make) Open Source to ubuntu and it will also be easier to make money on Open source.

And if I want to donate to 20 different companies from my countrie. I don't have to pay the 10$ abroad fee 20 times. Lets say I want to donate 50$ without creating paypal(not popular in my country) account or fuzz that i don't want or need.
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Solution #3: Send a gift to companies making a donation
Written by pererik87 the 15 Jan 10 at 16:28.
Could be a rose and a thank you card, or anything,
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Solution #4: Sell usb's with all distrubutions on it.
Written by pererik87 the 15 Jan 10 at 16:38.
Sell usb's with all distributions on them. That including:

A GRUB or (BURG) menu in start where you choose which live session version you want to run.

Ubuntu
Kubuntu
Ubuntu Netbook Remix
Ubuntu alternative install
Edubuntu
+++
9
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Solution #5: Donate iqual amount spirit
Written by pererik87 the 15 Jan 10 at 18:23.
promote "donate the equivalent of what you would pay for commercial software if you have money for it" spirit.
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Solution #6: work with the Code Offsets project
Written by Immanuel the 20 Jan 10 at 00:17.
http://codeoffsets.com/ do exactly what is requested here (just in a little geeky way of giving you official permission to make coding mistakes ;))
So, basically, if Ubuntu could work together with them to maybe get them some more publicity/a broader target group and extend to other open source projects, that would be fantastic (no need to reinvent the wheel, esp. as doing stuff twice is basically just wasted money)
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Solution #7: Promotion+Cash
Written by Lachu the 20 Jan 10 at 17:13.
Create new promotional movies and sells each. Only companies, which uses Ubuntu could promote Ubuntu and themselves. Some great movies or other project are created using Linux(not especially Ubuntu) and they need better promotion, so my solution is about way to help commerce using Ubuntu, and Ubuntu.
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Solution #8: Donate button to the Ubuntu Software Center
Written by pererik87 the 26 Jan 10 at 21:59.
Add a "Donate" button to the Ubuntu Software Center.
Similar to Amorok -> megatunes and so on.
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Solution #9: Easier to donate.
Written by pererik87 the 26 Jan 10 at 22:06.
Generally make it easier to donate, without pushing it up peoples faces. Discrete options for donations, with no prompting and annoyance. Add donate in the top or bottom of Ubuntu.com so people don't have to google donate Ubuntu to find the donation page.
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Solution #10: extra extras
Written by pererik87 the 11 Feb 10 at 00:15.
sell better ubuntu stickers and some good skins.
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Solution #11: A list of who donates
Written by pererik87 the 11 Feb 10 at 00:22.
Ubuntu should have a monthly list with donations, but the person/company donating must be able to choose to be anonymous.Like it is now it looks sort of secret. Linux mint (derivative) does this. Might in some cases make giving donations a profitable.
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Solution #12: ADs during Package Install process
Written by Otacon87 the 7 Feb 10 at 13:35.
When a new user installs a new application he will take the install process in background (or just stays there staring the progress bar).
My idea is really simple: add a new widget to the installation progress that shows ADs.

-> User can choose to show or not those ADs.
-> By default showing ADs is enabled.
-> Optionally this option can be shown during Ubuntu System install process.
-> If user clicks on an AD default browser will pop-up.
-> If user clicks on "Show shell output" the AD widget will be replaced by the shell output widget.

Maybe it can be a little ugly, but it will make canonical gain a lot of money (impressions or clicks) and will not annoy the user that much.
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Solution #13: Sell Ubuntu
Written by alms66 the 8 Feb 10 at 03:22.
Heresy I know, but hear me out on this one, it could work.

You box and package an Ubuntu disk. Each country would get it's own localized version of packaging. If necessary, in that country, you could also include a copy of legal codecs for dvd playback and whatnot - assuming Canonical would want to do that to not risk legal action. Hopefully, a lower than normal price can be negotiated for those though.

You would clearly state on the box that Ubuntu is free, can be downloaded for free and what you are paying for is the packaging (and additional goodies where needed) and distributing of the product. You would also clearly explain that the cost of this has been rounded up to the nearest $5 (for example in the US) or so, as a small "donation" to Ubuntu so that open source projects can be funded.
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Solution #14: Donate ideas
Written by Lachu the 8 Feb 10 at 11:09.
Allow users to request special feature for money.
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Solution #15: Ubuntu salesmen
Written by Arki the 8 Feb 10 at 11:11.
MS', Oracle's and other's salesmen go out every day to Govern offices, fundations and organizations to sell their solutions and support.

I think Ubuntu has to make an effort in this way. Several good contracts with some Governs Ubuntu could get a good source of financiation.
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Solution #16: Sell Ubuntu Stickers (good ones)
Written by readmanr the 10 Feb 10 at 23:02.
Canonical Store should sell good Ubuntu stickers, the packs available at the moment are all right, but not good.
See... http://shop.canonical.com/product_info.php?products_id=125

Ubuntu should sell the metallic bezel kind of stickers, kind of how the Intel inside stickers are. Some places have designed some that say "Designed for Ubuntu" with the ubuntu logo on a metallic sticker, they are good, but not everyone wants to lie about it, the computer was not designed for ubuntu, (but it may have been purchased with Ubuntu in mind).

See this "powered by ubuntu sticker"...
Powered by Ubuntu!
If canonical sold these at a cheap but profitable price they would sell like hot cakes!
All flavours should be available Ubuntu, Kubuntu etc...
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Solution #17: add ads in forum
Written by etusha the 14 Feb 10 at 12:24.
add ads in forum
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Solution #18: Make ubuntu free just for torrent download
Written by lautig the 15 Feb 10 at 02:59.
Make ubuntu free just for torrent download, for direct download pay some money.
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Solution #19: Software catalog Duh!
Written by ki4jgt the 16 Feb 10 at 09:04.
There has been talk around the internet, that Ubuntu is planning to incorperate a paid section into the software install program. I don't think this is such a bad idea. Especially since Ubuntu already hinges it's entire system on Open Source software.
I think Ubuntu should charge a small ($20) insertion fee for programers wanting to have their programs listed in this category.
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Solution #20: Bottom up! - make Ubuntu an NGO and start campaigning
Written by Blinky the 16 Feb 10 at 11:36.
Make Ubuntu a Non governmental organisation and start getting grants for it. Africa will need free systems/cheap systems to get connected so governments and aid organisations will be able to finance it - make it work for aid!!! Counties like Sweden will finance this. So with africa, half of south america, parts of Asia etc thats most of the world. China already runs linux via the government so it would great if the people also did - i.e. get in now and give it to 1/3 of the world's population.

place it in the hands of every third world child, team up with people that want to make cheap computers to the third world and in 20 years it will be the biggest thing!

The vast majority of the world lives in poverty so getting it to them cheap is how to get the majority of the world using it! Ubuntu is based on bottom up tactics - i.e. the users make it so why are we suggesting to distribute it top down (i.e. make it a business) - start with the people at the bottom. give it to an orphan, a war victim, a child that lives on under a dollar a day. Make a program/app that teams up with MIT open course (http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm) like the iBooks app (or think iTunes U) on the iPad and you will educate these poor and repressed people. What do these people need once they get a computer and make sure ubuntu can do this well.

Start looking at integrated solutions with hardware and hook the 3rd world up to the net with ubuntu. Make a tablet device that is cheap and runs ubuntu. We might not even need that everyone has the net. integrate wifi that swarms (one swarm: http://oneswarm.cs.washington.edu/index.html)... i.e. if i am near another ubuntu computer they connect and share data i.e. local torrent sharing. Great for africa!

... after all ubuntu's an african word!

Then to get the first world going start a website that is all about campaigning to get Ubuntu in every office and every government building. Think the My Barack Obama website and you will be well on the way. Love him or loath him he mobilised allot of people. Have a social networking site that allows people to send emails to friends, letters to politicians, ring people to campaign. Send sms etc, blog about the Ubuntu on all kinds of stuff... like the third world (see above) etc. Get organisations in each country and take membership fees. Membership fees will make a free system and support africa.

We don't need ads we need to start working the same way that ubuntu was created - from the bottom up. The goal of Ubuntu should be to connect the world. Start from the bottom - its the only way!
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Solution #21: Donations and Partnerships
Written by Chamillo the 17 Feb 10 at 01:19.
I think Ubuntu needs to focus on two areas:

Donations: I know that Ubuntu already takes donations, but it can do a better job of creating a greater awareness and urgency among users to make donations and how every dollar can make a significant difference in the future of Linux and open source.

Partnerships: Ubuntu should strongly pursue partnerships with computer manufacturers that would create a market of Ubuntu-optimized computers. Those manufacturers could benefit from creating a pool of loyal Linux users that would buy their computers and they in turn could share some of the revenue created by this new and emerging market.
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Solution #22: Sell it to the Government
Written by jcollierdavis the 17 Feb 10 at 20:46.
(forgive the US perspective here)
There's more than a few computers in the GOV inventory, at $150 to license Vista and Office for each, this really adds up to some significant money.

The USG spends lots of cash plugging holes and security issues for all these MS products. It also has to buy anti-virus for each.

Many large organizations also run SharePoint sites and have a building full of servers.

This adds up to a significant expense of taxpayer dollars.

It would be more effective to spend these dollars to hire Cannonical to build a GOV Spec Ubuntu. It would be significantly more secure than Windows, and even better, be under the control of the GOV which wouldn't be held hostage by MS.

This would also spur the market to take Open Source much more seriously. We'd effectively be starting another space-race. The rest of the market would explode with Open Source offerings, quality would increase, and the US (or what ever country pulls it off) would become a world leader in the field.
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Solution #23: Sell Manuals
Written by lecorian the 17 Feb 10 at 23:54.
Canonical could sell official documentation (computer manuals) for profit. This idea could be used in conjunction with idea number 2 (i.e. selling boxed versions of Ubuntu) and/or could be done separately. The Free Software Foundation and FLOSS Manuals currently have print versions of their manuals for purchase online. While Ubuntu has great online documentation, it is nice to have an official manual with all of the most frequent issues so that users can simply search in an index as opposed to searching through countless forums. Also, it would provided a way for users to troubleshoot problems if they cannot connect to the internet. It also provides a way for people to learn a lot about their system and have the ability to read from a page and not a screen.

If manuals were to be distributed in conjunction with Ubuntu boxed sets, it would make users feel much more secure about their purchase and the installation process.
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Solution #24: Sell DVD packs of software repos
Written by Afroman10496 the 19 Feb 10 at 03:31.
Make a section on the homepage saying:
_____________________________________

On the go?
Slow Internet? No Internet?
Low bandwidth?

Buy a 5-set DVD collection of all of the great programs in the universal Ubuntu software collection! This pack of free software lets you install software by just popping in the DVD, going to the package manager, and selecting the program you want without worrying about losing your Wi-Fi range or having a slow connection!
_____________________________________

Include two options for the DVD on the product page; one that includes ubuntu-restricted-extras and other naughty packages, and one that doesn't.
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Solution #25: Donations through Brainstorm
Written by cos the 19 Feb 10 at 10:39.
Allow users to pledge micropayments towards specific ideas on Brainstorm that they feel should be implemented.

For example, if I feel very strongly about idea A, I should be able to promise Canonical I'll pay them a token donation of something like £2 (fixed for all, perhaps) if they implement it. This will give Canonical an incentive to listen to what people tell them, and it will also be an additional revenue stream for the company.
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Solution #27: Push Dell to let me pick Ubuntu for all their hardware line
Written by alex_mayorga the 20 Feb 10 at 06:46.
Right now I can only get Ubuntu on selected models that are more often than not marginally more expensive than their Windows counterparts, due to Microsoft discounts I've been told on Dell's chat.
Suggest Dell to let me pay a premium to get the OS I want and let me pick community support to bring their cost down.
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Solution #28: Improve partner program and tools
Written by brunogirin the 20 Feb 10 at 21:56.
Ubuntu already has a partner program [1]. This could be a great way to increase Ubuntu's reach, especially in enterprise environments where some support and consultancy revenue could be generated. The partner program could be improved to create a real partner community, where partner companies can interact with each other, help each other win business, exchange ideas, etc. At the moment, the bulk of partners are large companies that do work with a lot of people beside Ubuntu. The partner program could also be used to create a network of smaller companies that work with Ubuntu in their specific location and specialisation.

For more details on the subject, Alan Bell has an interesting article on his blog[2].

[1] http://www.ubuntu.com/partners
[2] http://www.theopensourcerer.com/2010/02/20/dear-matt-asay/
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Solution #29: Allow to subscribe Canonical adverts/magazine.
Written by Lachu the 21 Feb 10 at 18:04.
Allow people to subscribe Canonical's magazine. Each subscriber can fill survey about software he's interested in. Each can also unsubscribe this magaznie. Each subscribers will download new surveys from e-mail.

Canonical can earn money on adverts, but it's not obligatory.
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Solution #30: Sell promotional and training materials.
Written by Lachu the 21 Feb 10 at 18:10.
Canonical can sell high-ended promotional/training materials, like commercial(especially Canonical's) software with training license, books, etc.

You can also sells certificate to people.
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Solution #31: A Magazine With Ads
Written by Natty_Dreed the 23 Feb 10 at 01:36.
Magazine contains info about computers and linux and Ubuntu news, Published with ads in it.
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Solution #32: Add optional ads to Ubuntu One
Written by Mirek2 the 14 Mar 10 at 13:07.
Don't worry: Ubuntu One would still be ad-free for all users by default.

Only there would be a customization option to show ads, as a way to support the Ubuntu project without having to spend any money and without having to enter credit card information.

Additionally, if possible, the ads could have certain features to make them more appealing to click, like user ratings and reviews. This would be a big win for both the user and the advertised company (if it sells good products): the user would know that the advertised product is a good buy and not a hoax and therefore would be much more likely to buy it than otherwise, which in turn would benefit the advertised company. The only loser in this situation would be a company that is a hoax, sells low quality products, or uses cruel methods of production (child labor, factory farms, ...). But Ubuntu shouldn't, by moral principles, want to point its customers in their direction anyway, right?
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Solution #33: Make ubuntu applications that allow me to make money for ubuntu (value added)
Written by Blinky the 25 Apr 10 at 11:26.
Most ideas for making money from ubuntu revolve around making money from the actual operating system, even with some form of advertising. In my opinion this is not what open source is about, in my opinion open source is about empowering people. Why not empower people to support and develop ubuntu.

What ubuntu should do is to help people make money for ubuntu from value added services. I have an example below:

Pretend that I am an artist and make stock pictures and films in my spare time. If Ubuntu makes a web application for the server edition where people can have a web site with films and videos that are downloadable once people donate a small fee to ubuntu - then ubuntu can make money from my hobbies even though I can't program.

An other idea can be to make an application that turns my internet connection into a wireless hotspot where people can donate a small fee and then use my internet connection.

There are lots of things from hosting websites on my ubuntu server edition to selling services such as design, website templates etc. This idea has the benefit of allowing people that have little or no knowledge of programming to still help make money and support/advance ubuntu.

Make the tools that empower people to help! What tools do we need???
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Solution #34: Software center
Written by pererik87 the 5 May 10 at 16:35.
I know Ubuntu is all about gnu gpl or lgpl, but not everyone only believes in gnu. There should be the "Gnu" section we have now

and a "non-free" section with skype and chrome and all the other "evil" free options and as well

a "commerical/patented" section where you can buy products from anywhere, not only Canonical. Like the games from here http://www.linuxlinks.com/article/20080530054213402/CommercialGames.html and so on.

Bigger companies will make more money on Linux and make programs/games for Linux as well as MAC and Winblows.
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Solution #35: Lighting Pen
Written by Lachu the 30 Jun 10 at 09:45.
Sell lighting pen working by infrared camera, bluetooth and infrared emitter(lighting pen).

This devices should been designed especially for Canonical.
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Solution #36: Kinda like Superman 3...but legal
Written by caws p0b1 the 12 Jul 10 at 11:44.
Perhaps create a highly specialized distribution specifically for point of sale environments (pubs, restaurants, convenience stores, etc.) that features a suite of applications to make it enticing to owners (open office, employee scheduling software, accounting programs, etc. etc.) and offer it for free. Of course, a default screen saver could be used to promote Ubuntu as well (gawd knows how many hours I've spent staring at a point of sale terminal from across the bar ;)). Where the money would be made is through credit/debit card transactions. The Ubuntu brand, I think, has built a reputation for integrity and enough clout within the business community where they could approach banks, merchant account companies, etc. and offer to partner with them. Instead of paying a flat monthly fee, business owners who use the distro could pay per transaction, a fraction of which would go back to help fund Ubuntu and other projects. By partnering with different banks/companies in different countries, I imagine that a little bit here and there would quickly add up. I'm not a business person, and I have no idea if this is feasible, but I like it a lot more than charging micro transactions to users from within applications :)
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Solution #37: Start a Funding Platform
Written by MichaelStahlman the 25 Mar 11 at 05:47.
Much like this very website, start a new site where I can donate to the software projects and/or features I would like to see implemented or improved. Incentives for donating are a possibility as well (like recognition, stickers, etc).

See: Kickstarter (kickstarter.com)
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Solution #38: Donate back to Debian
Written by Lyfang the 12 Aug 11 at 10:37.
"Ubuntu gets most of its software from Debian (89%)

Source: http://lwn.net/Articles/416667/

Help by sending Ubuntu bugfixes back to Debian upstream and contribute (back to) Debian."

Source: http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/21761/

See the 1 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 12 Aug 11 at 10:39) >>

Protect Ubuntu-users privacy from curious governments  
Written by nandersson the 5 Sep 08 at 11:10. New
In Sweden, as well as in the US, as far as I understood there are now new legislation coming up that seriously compromises the privacy of the users.

In Sweden we have two very worrying laws coming up.

1. The "FRA-law" that gives the Swedish security police the right to wiretapp and datamine ALL international data traveling through Sweden.
2. The "Logging-law". Telco operators will be obliged to collect all information about their users whereabouts and keep that information for a year.

We have to work towards the aim: Security by default - and I'm not talking about the system, but to protect our datastreams from being wiretapped.

Me personally think that PKI is the solution to use here whereever possible. IF a session to/from a Ubuntu-system could be read in clear text the user/administrator should be aware of it.

Postfix is important here, Dovecot as well - all emails should be send over encrypted channels by default.

Mark Shuttleworth with his huge knowledge in Digital Certificates (He sold Thawte remember) would be of great help here.

I would like to see Mark Shuttleworth and Ubuntu leverage an infrastructure and create services to provide their community with a good, PKI-based solution.

Privacy matters

Sincerely
Niklas Andersson, Swedish TechWorld Open Source

Edit 1: I've made a proposition of a real-world-implementation of a very viable way to solve the email issue at a user-level.

[....]
490
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #12819
Written by nandersson the 5 Sep 08 at 11:10.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #12819 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 20 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 12 Aug 11 at 09:38) >>

Video presentations on Ubuntu.com (Marketing)  
Written by litamus the 27 Sep 08 at 12:44. Implemented
On "what is Ubuntu" section of Ubuntu.com, all what you see is text and one or 2 pictures presenting Ubuntu, Kubuntu, or Xubentu, ext...

That's not sufficient!

Clearly better, posting video presentations -along with text and pics- that explain briefly how the system works, most of Linux advantages, Ubuntu principles, showing how the system is too simple to handle.. ext.. in a very attractive way!

Just think "commercial", the idea is to seduce new users!

158
votes
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Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #13776
Written by litamus the 27 Sep 08 at 12:44.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #13776 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 14 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 8 Jul 11 at 07:42) >>

Servers are overwhelmed during each release   forum
Written by FranciscoPadillaGarcia the 22 Apr 08 at 08:00. Implemented
When Hardy Heron was released, the Ubuntu servers became overloaded with thousands of people trying to download it. Downloading rates of repositories and updates were so slow that some people had to leave the computer on at night only to find connection errors the next morning.

Developer comments
We do actually have a BitTorrent tracker and support BitTorrent downloads; you can see the .torrent files on releases.ubuntu.com, and every release features people eager to provide seeding.

I think the reason the torrents aren't prominent on getubuntu/download is that there are a lot of problems with the server-side tracker software; particularly around release time, it has to be restarted manually rather a lot as new files are made available, taking ages to reinitialise each time, and this makes our sysadmins unhappy. Our webmaster also wants the download page to be as simple as possible, and each option does add a level of complexity to the process.

That said, BitTorrent certainly can help to scale back server load (although so can using mirrors other than Canonical's - there's a reason there's a period before release when the images are available on our servers but we ask people to restrain themselves from posting links to them, and that's to give mirrors a chance to fetch the images first).

On 3 June, our webmaster added a note to the bottom of http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download on how to retrieve images by BitTorrent, which I believe was in response to this item. This ultimately takes you through to the releases.ubuntu.com page from which you can get the .torrent files.

Bearing in mind some of the constraints involved that lead to something of a compromise, I'm interested in whether that resolves this item.
1726
votes
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Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #7390
Written by FranciscoPadillaGarcia the 22 Apr 08 at 08:00.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #7390 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!
186
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#2): Use BitTorrent
Written by CRAY4 the 19 Oct 09 at 17:29.
Users should have the option of using BitTorrent for distribution updates since thousands if not more people will be seeding plus the Ubuntu server which would result in an incredibly fast Download, and if you have less than x seeders then it can download the conventional way
63
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#3): Propose to use a different "source"
Written by Rodrigo the 19 Oct 09 at 21:20.
When the system "fells" that it has to download a large amount of data, it should propose to look for the best server. It takes a little bit of time, but it can be good in the long run, specially if the update is a big one.
46
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#4): similar to #1 but extendet
Written by Tellur the 24 Oct 09 at 20:09.
The used system should be similar to the Blizzard Downloader used by Blizzard to fast distribute updates and videos.
It essentially builds upon BitTorrent but integrated into a lightweight standalone application which also makes use of traditional server downloads which now act as one of many peers. This way you have always both options on and get the benefits of both. Plus since the classic server still communicates via port 80 (or something like it) you evade possibly fatal port restrictions altogether.

It should furthermore be selectable if someone wants to contribute as a seeder or as an active peer in general, since some users have limited bandwidth and/or data limits.
43
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#5): Use MetaLink
Written by Shnatsel the 25 Oct 09 at 07:54.
Use several download sources (and maybe BitTorrent) in parallel. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metalink
24
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#6): aptitude install debtorrent apt-transport-debtorrent
Written by z3non the 27 Oct 09 at 11:07.
solution exists (BitTorrent protocol slightly modified). make it configurable via the software sources tool. warn users about risks (upstream bandwidth, disk consumption), inform about advantages (higher speeds at peak times). allow to configure a different debtorrent-client than localhost for LANs.

http://debtorrent.alioth.debian.org/

http://wiki.debian.org/DebTorrent
13
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#7): Distribute Packages via RRD Pools.
Written by xeniac the 27 Oct 09 at 18:32.
Still many People have Download/Upload Limits and P2P is no option for those.

Today Ubuntu uses country based APT-Mirrors. (at.archive.ubuntu.com for example), but country borders do not exist for the internet. Many times a Czech Server is
faster for me, then an Server in Austria

Canonical could setup a DNS based load balancing system for their APT-Repositories with different pools for every continent.This solution could distribute the demand more equally to all mirrors, which results in better performance for users.

It also raises the availability. For example: Sometimes my old Debian Mirror was simply not reachable, this can not happen with load balancing.

This solution is also total transparent and needs no modification on the client side.
-23
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#8): Use Ubuntu One as mirror
Written by afunix the 4 Nov 09 at 08:50.
DebTorrent and Apt-Torrent are good but still completely unstable, so can we use Ubuntu One as ubuntu mirror?
Maybe there should be some system user for Ubuntu One if user does not have account.
And, of course, this feature should be configurable, as user should have good internet connection to use Ubuntu One.

Pros:
Lots of peers, so downloading should be really fast.
Easy configuration for sources.list.

Cons:
User should have good internet connection (all solutions require that).
Needs some fixes for apt to make it ignore unreachable mirrors and try another configured mirror.
-9
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#9): Use a CDN (Content Delivery Network)
Written by bvidulich the 7 Nov 09 at 23:39.
Content delivery networks such as Akamai have inter-connected servers right across the world and can deliver content quickly to users. They also take care of distributing their content to all of their servers.

If a CDN is added to the list of package sources or Ubuntu mirrors then users would be dynamically redirected to a server that can deliver the packages a fast as possible for that user.

This may be expensive for Canonical, however, since CDN's charge to distribute content and Ubuntu is free.
12
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#10): Have Graphical Option for Upgrading Via ISO
Written by bgrohe the 2 May 10 at 22:35.
If there was a Graphical option to update most of parts from an ISO file (and other components could be updated from the central servers) then people could download from a torrent or the could download once and use it on many computers. This would lesson the demand on the servers, making a better upgrade experience.
18
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#11): Integrate bittorrent protocol support into the updater
Written by genbattle the 3 May 10 at 01:38.
One way to speed up the updating process, especially during rushes is to use the Bittorrent protocol. Even having users seed a portion of what they download will make a huge difference in server loading, and will reduce the load on the central servers.

Blizzard Entertainment have implemented a dual HTTP-Bittorrent downloading system to great effect, and it serves to lessen the load on central servers when there is a large spike in traffic on game patch days.
2
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#12): Software repositories: auto-select best mirror at the first run of Synaptic
Written by barinov2000 the 3 May 10 at 09:25.
It would be great to have Synaptic check for the best server automatically at the time of OS installation/configuration, or at it's initial run(it can do it now but only if you ask) so more computers pint to different repository mirrors, therefore taking the load off the Main Server mirror.

Note: some people have custom settings for that and it would be nice not to overwrite their settings silently but ask something like "would you like your computer to find the fastest server for upstates and downloads" or something of that sort; and if the click yes remind them that if they have custom repositories then they will be saved so users can go back to their settings if they wish.

Does this make sense?

Peace =)
10
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#13): More Canonical Servers
Written by artir the 26 Apr 08 at 11:57.
To solve this one solution is to purchase more servers

See the 35 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 7 Jul 11 at 04:23) >>

Ubuntu main page  
Written by Liso22 the 28 Mar 10 at 01:18. New
When you enter ubuntu.com the first thing you see is the option to download the latest version, which is quite useful for the users but not for Ubuntu, the ones who enter the site already decided to download ubuntu will download it anyway, but there are people who come to the site to see what is ubuntu or maybe are deciding about it.
169
votes
up equal down
Solution #1: Ubuntu.com should greet users with advertisement about the os
Written by Liso22 the 28 Mar 10 at 01:18.
Ubuntu main page shouldn't be built just about downloading the latest version, first they should concentrate about attracting new users to ubuntu. When you anter to apple.com the first thing you see is a huge advertisement of their latest ipod or computer and so should be ubuntu.com, the the first thing you should see when you enter is an advertisement of the OS, I think what it would be nice is a simple presentation showcasing some of ubuntu's major features and nice looking images of the OS and the whole thing should be a link to "what's ubuntu?/discover ubuntu" or at least they should add a BIG link in plain sight, right now "what's is ubuntu" is at the bottom of the page, a "get ubuntu" link could be on the upper right for those who just came to download the OS.

Also the "what's Ubuntu?" page should be redesigned, right now though it focuses in the correct aspects (the software center, security, unbuntu one, etc.) it fails to deliver accessible and attractive information about them.

btw When are they going to start promoting that there are NO Viruses in ubuntu?, Security seems like a core aspect of the OS to me and there's almost no mention about security on the website while it should be promoted as one of the most important benefits of using the system (at least for those who came from windows =D).
15
votes
up equal down
Solution #2: Merge Advertisement with Download Link
Written by MrD the 5 Apr 10 at 04:21.
Working off Solution #1, why not make the landing page just promote the heck out of Ubuntu? The top bar could contain a splash, or a slide-show, and on the opposite side have a big, prominent button to download.

Below that, three columns highlighting benefits/features/etc.

That's a very, very current way to do a landing page for a product these days.

See the 21 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 7 Apr 10 at 16:37) >>

Get more developers reading Brainstorm!  
Written by DanteAshton the 19 Dec 09 at 15:42. Category: Developer feedback. New
In a recent official document, this was stated;

I have yet to find anything interesting on Brainstorm. -
â—¦ Yes brainstorm is useless, the user doesn't know that though, so he posts
stuff or votes there and wonders why we never do anything

It's not exactly pleasant to hear of this in a document, and communication to the community would have been helpful.
434
votes
up equal down
Solution #1: Get more developers using Brainstorm.
Written by DanteAshton the 19 Dec 09 at 15:42.
I admit, not all of Brainstorm's ideas may be helpful, or even usable. However, it is the primary location for a user to suggest new things and improvements.
302
votes
up equal down
Solution #2: Automate the transfer of Brainstorm ideas into feature-requests on bugtracker.
Written by DanteAshton the 19 Dec 09 at 16:52.
To make it easier on the devs, I beleive Brainstorm should serve as a way for the users to vote upon ideas, until a mod/automated program comes along and dumps popular ideas into the feature-request list of Bugtracker.

This would mean, in the long run, a remake of Brainstorm, turning it into a sort of wrapper for feature requests and improvments, rather then a seperate site.
155
votes
up equal down
Solution #3: Make summary of ideas
Written by DrG the 20 Dec 09 at 05:55.
Ubuntu Developers periodically reads BrainStorm ideas and posts 'Developer comments' .
Some solutions are too long and contains good as well as bad ideas .
Make a group of 'Briefers' (Like 'Moderators') and display a brief summary of the relevant solution . This will be comfortable .
Make small icons besides each block of idea to vote for the user , who proposed that solution .

Also see - Better BrainStorming
90
votes
up equal down
Solution #4: Highlighting techniques.
Written by DrG the 20 Dec 09 at 16:33.
Use more HTML capabilities in Brinstorm, which to represent ideas better.

1.Table
2.Flowcharts / Mind Maps
3.Text format - Text highlighting , bold , different font etc.
4.Animations / audio & presentations -( Should be limited - considering narrow band users )

These will help others to understand the idea better with ease and in minimal time.

Also see - Better BrainStorming
105
votes
up equal down
Solution #5: Cross-reference Brainstorm ideas with project roadmaps
Written by Dataphile the 21 Dec 09 at 06:46.
Users want to see when their proposals might be implemented, and developers have to address dependency complexity in order to implement features that everyone wants. A beautiful crossroads here is the project roadmap, since it can be used to lay out dependencies and rough timelines.
89
votes
up equal down
Solution #6: Send Alerts To The Launchpad Projects
Written by eld1e6o the 21 Dec 09 at 07:25.
Add the hability to interact with launchpad, when the user put the name of any related project in the brainstorm wich is hosted in launchpad (optionally, if is popular) send an alert to launchpad.
72
votes
up equal down
Solution #7: Better and faster search capabilities
Written by stoffel the 21 Dec 09 at 21:24.
It should be easier for developers to find all ideas related to a *very* *specific* subject.

It also should be possible to (automatically) embed these *very* specific search results to blueprints, bug entries, forum entries, and so forth. Maybe there even can be an IRC bot that can suggest relevant brainstorm ideas during an ongoing discussion.
-89
votes
up equal down
Solution #8: Integrate instant messaging
Written by stoffel the 21 Dec 09 at 21:42.
Integrate real-time communication capabilities using XMPP to make it easier for developers to get additional instant feedback from idea contributors.
47
votes
up equal down
Solution #9: Include a session devoted to the brainstorm ideas in the Ubuntu summits
Written by granadajose the 29 Dec 09 at 16:03.
Many new features that are to be included in Ubuntu are discussed in the Ubuntu summits, so it would be logical to include a session to offer an overview of the most important ideas to both developers and planners at the summit.
58
votes
up equal down
Solution #10: Involve non english speaking people
Written by ikthus-fr the 30 Dec 09 at 02:15.
Creating brainstorm.es, .fr, .de to involve more people in brainstorming
69
votes
up equal down
Solution #11: Make Brainstorm multilingual
Written by retimer the 30 Dec 09 at 17:37.
According to "The Ubuntu promise" to "provide the best translations and accessibility features that the free software community has to offer" there should be multilingual Brainstorm-sites to collect ideas from all the world. I suppose Canonical can afford it.
31
votes
up equal down
Solution #12: Ask software development sites to display a message
Written by Afroman10496 the 31 Dec 09 at 05:43.
My solution is to ask open-source development sites like SourceForge.net and our own Launchpad.net to display a message (not an ad) to get developers to come over here. This would be a great way to attract many developers this way and notify people about Ubuntu Brainstorm and Ubuntu in general.
11
votes
up equal down
Solution #14: publicity
Written by bergginu the 8 Jan 10 at 00:27.
It's simple to solve:
You only accurate to a more direct channel to invite users and developers, most of them do not have this system.
You can for example, insert the call message, which appears during the final part of the installation and the pages that refer to the links to download the Ubuntu LiveCD's.
21
votes
up equal down
Solution #15: Make Brainstorm More significant .
Written by DrG the 13 Jan 10 at 06:24.
Ubuntu members may get more privilege than normal users in development process of Ubuntu .

But now Brinstorm ideas are not considered when choosing ubuntu members but participation in any of the forum will get .

-
That much inferior is Brinstorm in the eyes of ubuntu ( You can contact the members and verify ) . As per 'lifeless' ( Ubuntu Member ) ( https://launchpad.net/~lifeless ) - "we don't currently really recognise brainstorm activity - both gardening and idea generation - as a significant contribution. " -12/jan/2010 (04:02:38 PM) in IRC #ubuntu-meeting .
-

So
1. Make developers or similar personnel to check brainstorm Ideas at least once in a month
2. Take Brainstorm Ideas when considering for Ubuntu Membership .
20
votes
up equal down
Solution #16: Link ideas to bug reports
Written by philip the 13 Jan 10 at 20:40.
For some ideas, there are already related bug reports at their respective projects. Brainstorm should include an extra category of ideas, "bug reported" or something similar, in addition to the "in development", etc., and include links to the related bug reports. Users can then join the discussion at the bug report and alert the developers to the discussion on Brainstorm.
25
votes
up equal down
Solution #17: Integrate Brainstorm into Launchpad
Written by xXNeXoNXx the 15 Jan 10 at 13:56.
In my oppinion it would be much easier if there would be only one plattform for developers, so adding an "Ideas-Section" or something like this wouldn't be bad in Launchpad
4
votes
up equal down
Solution #18: More involvement into Brainstorm
Written by premamotion the 17 Jan 10 at 22:42.
Make more Ubuntu users involve in Brainstorm to vote/propose ideeas. So many Ubuntu users are not involved in this project... and there are very few new ideeas proposed every week...

See the 12 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 30 Mar 10 at 22:43) >>

Update screenshots on the official ubuntu website  
Written by george9233 the 16 Jun 08 at 02:55. Implemented
I think some of the screenshots on www.ubuntu.com are outdated.

For example, the menu screenshot on this page: http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whatisubuntu is not the menu we see in 8.04.

Also, some text is outdated as well. For example, this page: http://www.ubuntu.com/products/WhatIsUbuntu/kubuntu says "KDE version 3.5.5 is the current stable release".

There are lots of other examples on the website. I think to use up-to-date screenshots is very important. They would give new users a better and more accurate impression of Ubuntu compared with old screenshots.
275
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #9922
Written by george9233 the 16 Jun 08 at 02:55.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #9922 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 6 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 22 Oct 09 at 05:21) >>

Sync my contacts on my cell phone with my computer  
Written by savantelite the 6 Sep 08 at 00:26. Won't implement
I don't have a fancy phone, but it does have a usb cord. All I would want is the ability to pull contacts off my phone or put contacts on the phone from my evolution contact list.

Just a thought if I had a phone number on my phone and on my computer I could figure out how the data is stored on the phone. Then match up the right phone number with the right name. Once that is done the application could push all my contacts on to the cell phone in the language it recognizes. Maybe.

It would be great if you could just plug the phone in and the computer automatically ask you if you would like to sync, push, or pull.
28
votes
closed
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #12849
Written by savantelite the 6 Sep 08 at 00:26.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #12849 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 7 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 27 Jul 09 at 15:10) >>

windows refund howto and support  
Written by erodimon the 19 Aug 08 at 12:41. New
My Idea is to post information on Ubuntu web page how to obtain refund for unused copy of windows on your pc, and to make support for such users, after getting refund user (if one wishes) can donate some money of the refund to Ubuntu community.
33
votes
up equal down
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #12340
Written by erodimon the 19 Aug 08 at 12:41.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #12340 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 6 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 2 Jun 09 at 08:40) >>

Make all ubuntu websites fully standard compilant  
Written by arkara the 13 Dec 08 at 03:22. New
I have checked some ubuntu websites, with the w3c validator and they are not fully standard compilant.
I did not have any problems viewing them, but we as a linux community, should be standard compilant
105
votes
up equal down
Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #16453
Written by arkara the 13 Dec 08 at 03:22.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #16453 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 4 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 16 Dec 08 at 20:22) >>

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