Ubuntu is a beautiful OS with a unique look and as good as endless possibilities. What is it then that keeps it from becoming mainstream? Two words: compatibility and user friendliness.

Ubuntu is not user friendly enough for many users, even though many with Linux distro experience would protest. The general features of the OS are easy to get to, but as soon as you want to do something as trivial as changing the main OS colours, one has to access the terminal and write "gksu gedit /lib/plymouth/themes/text.plymouth", when an easy tool for changing the colours and previewing them could be implemented. There are a ton of programs one can download, but seeing as the ideology of Ubuntu is user friendliness and customization, I don't think that's good enough. If one has to go to the terminal to do simple tasks, something needs to be done.

What I propose is an official tool for customizing the UI, with general features and an "Advanced features" option too. Gather it all in one place so one doesn't need to download several programs for UI customization.

What also could have been added, is the ability to change the place of the launcher. Mark Shuttleworth wrote:
"I think the report actually meant that the launcher should be movable to other edges of the screen. I’m afraid that won’t work with our broader design goals, so we won’t implement that. We want the launcher always close to the Ubuntu button".
This makes no sense as the Ubuntu button follows the placement of the launcher. Why limit a design like that? It doesn't take away from the design that one can modify the placement of the launcher, it ADDS to it.
Flexibility + Linux = True, right? Could Canonical at least let us in on this "broader design goal", or is this just a way of saying that they don't really care? I would also like to change the placement of the menu buttons in an easy way. Why not add that option too? Choose between "Left" and "Right" - EASY!

When it comes to compatibility, the main gripe many have,is that Windows programs and games aren't natively supported. This is, unfortunately, not easy to "fix". There are many alternatives to the Windows programs and games, but many users don't always find the alternatives good enough for their needs. How to make it easier for them? Make Wine and PlayOnLinux a native part of the OS, not stand-alone programs. Less hassle for the user will most likely lead to a broader appeal. This will hopefully not be needed in the feature when Linux had a broader audience, but as of now, to get the wheels in motion, I think this is the best solution.

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Most of the time when you try to open something up in wine, it will say program error and give you a million windows about it. Sometimes programs don't even open.

In classic Gnome, Wine has a own place, which can open Win apps very easy. But in Unity, it didn't have !

Actually there's no official stance by Microsoft (the microsoft lawyers) regarding Wine.
This is no good for Linux. This make fear, uncertainty and doubt in those little software developers which would have to try deliver their software product with a compatibility layer, and thus approaching Linux.
Know the position of Microsoft over Wine is very important; many times Microsoft did face problem with anti-trust all around the globe.


It would be undubtfull that Microsoft is (or will) actively stop the diffusion of Wine (especially when it will be even more reliable product: after the wine's project will collect thousands hours of work made by OpenSource volunteer developer); but the FUD phase of it (not having a official position: making people believe that Micorosoft will never "disturb" Wine if it don't make too much noise).
If in Micorosft's plan there's will to stop Wine, we need to know it as soon possible.


Nor Canonical, nor any other Linux company (at this time) can give a clear answer to companies which need a *clear* answer over Wine. This slow down the Software developer's approach to Linux (since Wine was indeed supposed to help developer start moving on)


1. We need Microsoft _forced_ to officiation their position over Wine
1a. We need to start fight (to the various anti-trust courts) if Microsoft is officially against Wine.

Windows users use wine to install popular windows software like photoshop, adobe flash professional, windows games etc on ubuntu.. What if similar software could be developed for linux ? so that we, gradually finish off using wine..for example some good quality image processing software could be developed in java which could match photoshop's standards..then it would be great for everybody.

although wine feels better but needs improvement.

Applications, containing malware, running through wine, able to infest files in user's home dir and on mounted windows-partitions, as wine has rigths to access all files, that can user running it.

A lot of Windows or Mac users might be more likely to switch to Ubuntu if iTunes worked better because a lot of people have iTunes. Let's face it, programs like Rhythmbox and Amarok do sync your iPod, but on a basic level. They do can not update your firmware or allow other preferences that iTunes is capable of.

Since there are now not any automatic updates for Windows XP, many agencies a vulnerable to hackers since they don't know about this, so I was thinking this is our chance to induce companies to use Ubuntu!

Installing wine everytime you format your computer becomes time consuming.