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Contributor PaddyLandau on Ubuntu Software Center

Windows programmes in Ubuntu for human beings  
Written by tuxest the 24 May 12 at 21:12. New
Yes, I know that there are many alternatives to Windows programmes that run natively in Ubuntu. Some are as good, some are better and some are worse but that is not the point here. The point is that whatever the reason Ubuntu user might want or need to use Windows software from time to time.
I know that Windows is not open source and therefore creating compatibility for Windows programs in Ubuntu is a difficult and complex task (to put it mildly). Yet some free and paid options do exist that enable it with some success. Ironically most of these options are not that well presented to those users that need them the most. That is, people who are former Windows users who are not that computer savvy and don't really aspire to be – they just want “a working computer” to get their things done. This means that Wine is too complex, its free front-end PlayOnLinux can be added only by using terminal (it is not in the Ubuntu repository), commercial CrossOver software hard to come by if you already don't know about it before and running Windows in a VM not that convincing solution (the question posed at that is that why not use Windows instead?).
My question is how to make these already existing options more visible to user and possibly much easier to use?
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Solution #1: Installing Windows software with the help of Ubuntu software centre
Written by tuxest the 24 May 12 at 21:12.
Next to the history button in the software centre there could be "Installing windows software" button. When pushing it the user would get three things: information about which are Ubuntu alternatives for windows software (has been proposed before on this site), explained option to use CrossOver and some integrated functionalities of the wine front-end PlayOnLinux. The first section would give information on the most popular Windows software and its alternatives (MS Office and LibreOffice, Photoshop and Gimp, and etc.). The second would explain what is CrossOver, why it is needed and guidelines how to set it up (a button would be even better). Also using virtual machine could be introduced under this section as the common nominator is the “things that solve your problem in exchange for money”. The third would provide user with a free functionalities based on PlayOnLinux. The last option could be accompanied with a message that Ubuntu team advices people to use software from Ubuntu repositories and that the Windows software might not work as well on Ubuntu as it does on Windows. The key is to present the information well and improve accessibility to functions and the right place to do it in Ubuntu is the software centre.

Playonlinux enables to install impressive list of Windows software easily by user just choosing the programme/game from the list and inserting installation media if needed. Some work well and some not that well- the information about that is shared by the community and is visible to user when s/he browses the list. I know that it is not always that rosy experience as I might make it sound but it is a half empty glass and that is a lot for a thirsty.
For an example Ubuntu could at first choose few PlayOnLinux scripts that already work and in return contribute a bit to the development of those scripts how they can. PlayOnLinux would benefit as it would enable to grow their community.
The idea is not that the Windows programmes should be installed the same way and as easily as the ones from Ubuntu repositories. The idea is that software centre would be a right place where to provide such information and where to integrate already existing solutions.
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Solution #2: Install PlayOnLinux along with other third-party software if the user chooses it
Written by PaddyLandau the 27 Jun 12 at 13:24.
If the user chooses to include third-party software when installing, or later chooses to install ubuntu-restricted-extras, kubuntu-restricted-extras, xubuntu-restricted-extras or lubuntu-restricted-extras, include PlayOnLinux along with Flash, MP3, etc.

See the 5 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 17 Jul 12 at 16:33) >>

Ubuntu Software Center Progress Held Notifications  
Written by lophie the 15 May 12 at 13:32. New
Hi, Plain and straight to the point.

While the progress tab is showing. we have a problem (missing feature) of not showing if that progress is on old until we check the tab. For example. A new user is installing the nvidia driver using jocky and installing some software. Jocky would lock and the software center in the progress tab will say that but the user wont know until they actually go to the tab.

The problem escalates when its synaptic or hanged jocky having the lock because software center progress wont tell you but it will not move even if it stayed forever!

Thanks for reading.

P.S. This problem would occurr for alot of reasons not just the mentioned above.
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Solution #1: A flickering exclamation mark
Written by lophie the 15 May 12 at 13:32.
I suggest if the progress is held. just beside the number that showing how many items are dealt with there is a small exclamation mark flickering. sorry I don't have time to make a mockup of my suggestion. I'll try to do that later.
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Solution #2: The standard warning symbol with tool-tip explanation on hover
Written by PaddyLandau the 17 May 12 at 13:12.
Rather than using a flickering exclamation mark, use the standard warning symbol. If the user hovers his mouse over the symbol, or clicks on it, a tool-tip explanation is shown.

Add a comment or propose a solution >>