Contributor PaddyLandau on the Usability category
Erasing the content of the clipboard / too few clipboards
Written by art.fiodorov the 30 May 13 at 23:01.
Related project: Unity .
New
Often I find myself erroneously erasing the content of the clipboard(s). Moreover, sometimes I am not even sure about the content of the clipboard at all.
Something as simple as pasting an email address turns into a painful exercise of pasting the content, realising it is wrong, erasing it, grabbing my mouse and looking for the actual email address and, finally, pasting it.
We need a simple way to access clipboard history, which will also give advanced users multiple clipboards.
Lenses configuration in Dash
Written by vgregorio the 4 Dec 12 at 23:02.
Related project: Unity .
New
Lenses are an interesting and innovative way to customize your desktop. But it would be better if we could configure its behavior and enable / disable lenses in a single configuration screen.
Solution #1:
A configuration button in the dash bottom
Since the lenses are connected to the dash, it would be interesting to access this settings screen along with the access to the lens.
This screen should have the option of adding lenses (a brief description of what the lens does, along with image), enable / disable a lens already installed, configure the behavior of the lens.
The option of adding lenses could be connected to a repository of lenses fed by the community. There are a series of lenses designed by users who would benefit from official exposure on a system screen like this. Just add the PPA and perform the installation of the lens!
Since the lenses are connected to the dash, it would be interesting to access this settings screen along with the access to the lens.
This screen should have the option of adding lenses (a brief description of what the lens does, along with image), enable / disable a lens already installed, configure the behavior of the lens.
The option of adding lenses could be connected to a repository of lenses fed by the community. There are a series of lenses designed by users who would benefit from official exposure on a system screen like this. Just add the PPA and perform the installation of the lens!
Solution #2:
Remember and repeat the configuration as last used
Depending on what is meant by "configure" as used in the original rationale post, one could argue that a lens must be "configured" (or reconfigured) each time that it is used. For example, on each use, one may "configure" the "Search Applications" lens such that "See ## more results" is selected and/or the "filter" panel is exposed.
So as to reduce the need for reconfiguring a lens to a preferred configuration upon each use, I suggest that, at the very least, dash should remember the configuration of the lens as last used and then present that last used configuration upon next use (so that a user wouldn't have to reconfigure the lens each time it is used).
Depending on what is meant by "configure" as used in the original rationale post, one could argue that a lens must be "configured" (or reconfigured) each time that it is used. For example, on each use, one may "configure" the "Search Applications" lens such that "See ## more results" is selected and/or the "filter" panel is exposed.
So as to reduce the need for reconfiguring a lens to a preferred configuration upon each use, I suggest that, at the very least, dash should remember the configuration of the lens as last used and then present that last used configuration upon next use (so that a user wouldn't have to reconfigure the lens each time it is used).
Quicker access to 'show desktop'
Written by smerz the 30 May 12 at 19:23.
Related project: Unity .
New
Right now (12.04) to show the desktop using Unity I need to press CTRL + SUPER + D
Or I ALT + TAB till I am at the beginning on the "show desktop" tab.
Or I click on the workspace switcher to switch to another workspace to see the desktop.
I would like to have easier and quicker access to this feature.
An easy/quick way to open a file with an alternative application
Written by awadali the 27 Apr 13 at 19:32.
Global category: Usability.
New
If you want to open a file with an alternative app other than the default you need to right-click and choose the app.
For a lot of file types there is a "second default" app like the graphics software aside the usual picture viewer, e.g. GIMP/Gthumb or Avidemux/VLC for video files.
There should be an easy/quick way to open a file with the alternative app!
Solution #1:
Open with the alternative app by [SHIFT]+Double-click
Written by
awadali the 27 Apr 13 at 19:32.
A double-click while holding down the [SHIFT]-button should open a file with the alternative app. Of course +Enter should work, too.
For example you can either view or edit a file with different apps only by "shifting" the double-click/enter to its second function.
The second default app should be adjustable as easy as the first one in the right-click > properties menu of a file.
By adding the shortcut to the corresponding entry in the right-click menu the user will get used to this new feature quickly.
A double-click while holding down the [SHIFT]-button should open a file with the alternative app. Of course <SHIFT>+Enter should work, too.
For example you can either view or edit a file with different apps only by "shifting" the double-click/enter to its second function.
The second default app should be adjustable as easy as the first one in the right-click > properties menu of a file.
By adding the shortcut to the corresponding entry in the right-click menu the user will get used to this new feature quickly.
Solution #2:
Apps should appear at the TOP of the right-click menu
Written by
turbolad the 22 May 13 at 21:32.
When right-clicking a file...
If more than one app can open that file e.g. an mp3 file, show these apps at the TOP of the right-click menu (keep "open with" available too). This would allow the user to reach the apps instantly. This makes life easier than having to move to "open with" every time.
To avoid creating massive vertical menus, limit the list of apps, at the top, to 6 by default; the "open with" option (or similar option) should still be available in the menu. It's very unlikely anyone would have (or want) more than 6 different apps to open the same file type, but consider allowing the user to edit the list of apps in the menu, even if that means the user has more than 6 app choices in their menu.
When right-clicking a file...
If more than one app can open that file e.g. an mp3 file, show these apps at the TOP of the right-click menu (keep "open with" available too). This would allow the user to reach the apps instantly. This makes life easier than having to move to "open with" every time.
To avoid creating massive vertical menus, limit the list of apps, at the top, to 6 by default; the "open with" option (or similar option) should still be available in the menu. It's very unlikely anyone would have (or want) more than 6 different apps to open the same file type, but consider allowing the user to edit the list of apps in the menu, even if that means the user has more than 6 app choices in their menu.
Solution #1:
Add a format option to Unity drive quicklists and automatically fix errors
Written by
nastys the 30 Apr 13 at 06:43.
A quick file system check should be done when the drive is mounted and if errors were found Ubuntu should ask the user what to do: fix, ignore or format; a format option should be added to Unity launcher quick list to make it easy to format the drive if needed by the user.
A quick file system check should be done when the drive is mounted and if errors were found Ubuntu should ask the user what to do: fix, ignore or format; a format option should be added to Unity launcher quick list to make it easy to format the drive if needed by the user.
Solution #2:
Add format and file system check to Unity drive quicklists
Written by
nastys the 30 Apr 13 at 06:46.
The user should check for errors or format manually by right-clicking on the drive on Unity launcher.
The user should check for errors or format manually by right-clicking on the drive on Unity launcher.
Solution #3:
Automatically check the drive when mounted
Written by
nastys the 30 Apr 13 at 06:51.
Ubuntu should check the file system for errors when mounted, then ask the user what to do: fix, ignore, format.
Ubuntu should check the file system for errors when mounted, then ask the user what to do: fix, ignore, format.
Solution #4:
Add a file system error check to Disk utility
Written by
nastys the 2 May 13 at 09:55.
If the user thinks their drive is damaged they should open Disks from the dash and check the file system for errors manually, but very much easier than using the terminal.
If the user thinks their drive is damaged they should open Disks from the dash and check the file system for errors manually, but very much easier than using the terminal.
Solution #5:
Add a file system error check to Unity, Nautilus and Disk utility
Written by
nastys the 2 May 13 at 11:34.
If the user wants to check the file system for errors they could just right click the drive (in Unity Launcher, Nautilus or Disk utility) and select to check the drive for errors. To format the drive the user has to use the Disk utility, so any accidental formatting cannot happen.
If the user wants to check the file system for errors they could just right click the drive (in Unity Launcher, Nautilus or Disk utility) and select to check the drive for errors. To format the drive the user has to use the Disk utility, so any accidental formatting cannot happen.
Solution #6:
Hold on, #3 could have some sense, but with some revisions
Written by
ajw822 the 19 May 13 at 16:11.
I'm thinking a GParted-esque option, which you can toggle on or off, that automatically checks for errors and then shows a little exclamation point next to the drive icon. Integrate the error message with the notification service to avoid pop-ups, and make it an action that can bee toggled. If off, the user can right-click to error check and the same thing would happen manually. I'm sure it would be fine is the system took 30 extra seconds to do a quick check and then mount. Some 3rd party Windows virus removers do exactly this.
I'm thinking a GParted-esque option, which you can toggle on or off, that automatically checks for errors and then shows a little exclamation point next to the drive icon. Integrate the error message with the notification service to avoid pop-ups, and make it an action that can bee toggled. If off, the user can right-click to error check and the same thing would happen manually. I'm sure it would be fine is the system took 30 extra seconds to do a quick check and then mount. Some 3rd party Windows virus removers do exactly this.
Nautilus should support file filtering
Written by Damir Muratagic the 16 Apr 13 at 23:38.
Related project: Nautilus .
New
In handling files I frequently face following problems (it might not be obvious yet but all of them can be solved with filter):
1. If folder contain different types of files (documents, pictures, videos ...), there is no simple way to filter them to show “documents only” or “pictures only”. This feature would be real time saver.
2. If I just want information on what types of files the folder is containing I have to sort by type and scroll down. I would really like to have this information instantly – the moment I open folder.
3. If I select twenty files and want to quickly check one of them I will loose selection and will have to select files again.
4. If I manually search for picture in folder that contain pictures and documents I will change view to Icons, on the other hand if I search for document in the same folder I will change view to List. This requires frequent change of view.
Solution #1:
Create Filter bar (much more then just a filter)
All of the problems mentioned above can be solved with filter bar as shown below.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/teh1i195ywdq7rt/1%20-%20all%20files.png
Filter bar would simply read content of folder and create categories depending on that content. Only categories for file types that are present in that folder will be shown in filter bar (e.g. if folder contain documents and pictures, filter bar will show: | all files | documents | pictures |)
By default „all files“ are shown. If you want to show only documents for example just click „documents“ item in filter bar as shown below.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rmi7bjvlpgcgg68/2%20-%20documents.png
If you want to show files from two or more categories simply click first category and then click check box on other categories you want (as shown below).
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0kbal47l1g2rgrb/3%20-%20videos%20and%20documents.png
If you don't want to show all files within category there should be possibility to select types you want from that categories drop down menu.
Another useful feature would be possibility to work with selected files as if they were only files in folder. Each time you select two or more files item “selected” will appear in filter bar (as shown below).
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e0xjf8j8heerw8c/4%20-%20selection.png
After you selected files you want just click item "selected" and only selected files will be shown (as shown below).
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ukrs74j4d19mxg3/5%20-%20selected.png
This option allows you to work with and open selected files without loosing selection. It could also let you to narrow your selection by letting you select within selection.
Each category can have it's default view (thumbnails for images and videos, list for documents etc.
For user who don't need filtering by categories like Documents/Images/Videos..., filter bar could perform other functions, such as: filtering by date modified, filtering by size etc. For folders with only one type of files filter bar could automatically switch to another filtering method.
In short, advantages of filter bar are:
1. Gives you instant information on categories of files the folder is containing (no need to sort and scroll down). If folder contains music you will instantly know it – just take quick look at the filter bar.
2. You can filter files with a single click and quickly switch between different categories.
3. Allows you to work with selected files as if they were only files in folder.
4. Reduces need to switch file view (thumbnails, details etc.) – each file category can have its default view (e.g. thumbnails for images and videos, icons for documents etc.).
5. Reduces/eliminates use of scroll bars – reduced number of files in a pane reduces need for scrolling.
All of the problems mentioned above can be solved with filter bar as shown below.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/teh1i195ywdq7rt/1%20-%20all%20files.png
Filter bar would simply read content of folder and create categories depending on that content. Only categories for file types that are present in that folder will be shown in filter bar (e.g. if folder contain documents and pictures, filter bar will show: | all files | documents | pictures |)
By default „all files“ are shown. If you want to show only documents for example just click „documents“ item in filter bar as shown below.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rmi7bjvlpgcgg68/2%20-%20documents.png
If you want to show files from two or more categories simply click first category and then click check box on other categories you want (as shown below).
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0kbal47l1g2rgrb/3%20-%20videos%20and%20documents.png
If you don't want to show all files within category there should be possibility to select types you want from that categories drop down menu.
Another useful feature would be possibility to work with selected files as if they were only files in folder. Each time you select two or more files item “selected” will appear in filter bar (as shown below).
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e0xjf8j8heerw8c/4%20-%20selection.png
After you selected files you want just click item "selected" and only selected files will be shown (as shown below).
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ukrs74j4d19mxg3/5%20-%20selected.png
This option allows you to work with and open selected files without loosing selection. It could also let you to narrow your selection by letting you select within selection.
Each category can have it's default view (thumbnails for images and videos, list for documents etc.
For user who don't need filtering by categories like Documents/Images/Videos..., filter bar could perform other functions, such as: filtering by date modified, filtering by size etc. For folders with only one type of files filter bar could automatically switch to another filtering method.
In short, advantages of filter bar are:
1. Gives you instant information on categories of files the folder is containing (no need to sort and scroll down). If folder contains music you will instantly know it – just take quick look at the filter bar.
2. You can filter files with a single click and quickly switch between different categories.
3. Allows you to work with selected files as if they were only files in folder.
4. Reduces need to switch file view (thumbnails, details etc.) – each file category can have its default view (e.g. thumbnails for images and videos, icons for documents etc.).
5. Reduces/eliminates use of scroll bars – reduced number of files in a pane reduces need for scrolling.
I would like to arrange my launchers by most used
Written by hitthebutton the 3 Nov 10 at 08:56.
Global category: Usability.
New
After using Ubuntu for a while I manually add launchers for my most used applications. Sometimes I use a launcher a lot only for a period of time.
I would like the option to get my launchers auto arranged by
most used ever, and for a period of time.
If statistics is gathered, there are multiple ways to use this data for personal and default settings (if submitted to Ubuntu).
Solution #1:
Display messages/comments as collapsible communication threads
Written by
einalex the 30 Apr 13 at 16:06.
Threads of communication might bring order to the mass of chats, comments, tweets and email conversations.
With a meaningful preview (the start tweet/email, the posting that comments belong to, a list of keywords that sum up a thread of conversation) the so listed conversations can be scanned and navigated quickly.
Threads of communication might bring order to the mass of chats, comments, tweets and email conversations.
With a meaningful preview (the start tweet/email, the posting that comments belong to, a list of keywords that sum up a thread of conversation) the so listed conversations can be scanned and navigated quickly.
Solution #2:
Display messages in categories from origin
If message is from Facebook messages, facebook status, tweet etc.
give it its own category in communication menu.
If message is from Facebook messages, facebook status, tweet etc.
give it its own category in communication menu.