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10.04’s New Look Software Centre

admin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:34:23 +0000

Along with many many other changes and improvements due in the upcoming 10.04 release of Ubuntu, the software centre will also receive a substantial make over. The software centre which made it’s first appearance in Karmic Koala was heralded as an extremely user friendly application which contributed to dispelling the rumour that software installation on Linux is hard.

The improved version of the software centre includes various interface improvements aimed at making the software centre that much more intuitive and an easy to use, one stop application for the various software possibilities available for Linux

Application listing seems to have been simplified but at the same time it has been designed in such a manner that software package identification is much clearer.

The package description page has been dressed up with alot more useful information such as a full application description and an application screenshot.

The categories seems to have remained largely the same.

The next release of Ubuntu will surely be a hit as the developers have gone to great lengths in sculpting an operating system that is going beyond that of what a modern operating system should be!

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Rhythmbox Interface Proposal

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:32:38 +0000

Rhythmbox, the well respected default music player included in Gnome, is a great audio player that includes many handy features. A talented DeviantArt member, fibermarupok, has posted his re imagined proposal for a Rhythmbox interface upgrade. It is interesting to see how the artist as kept with the proposed light theme for Ubuntu 10.04 and how this mockup also suggests an interface that is similar in look and function to that of the Nautilus revamp suggestions in yesterdays post.

Alas this is only a proposal, and no actual version of Rhythmbox with this interface exists. However with attention this proposal is receiving it wont be surprising if we find this pre installed on our Ubuntu systems a few releases from now.

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Nautilus Make Over

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:29:46 +0000

Nautilus, the default file manager for the Ubuntu Gnome desktop, it is undoubtedly a simple looking yet powerful file manager. The nautilus interface however is lagging behind the brilliant progress that Linux interfaces are making. Ian “ Izo” Cylkowski has taken the initiative to re imagine an updated Nautilus interface. The result is an even more powerful yet highly user friendly file manager that just looks great!

The Current Nautilus analysis

Ian explains in his article the various redundant user controls employed by Nautilus that hinder an intuitive user experience.

His proposal

A revamped Nautilus interface that employs the principals outlined in his analysis. He further goes on to suggest Zeitgeist integration right into nautilus. For those unfamiliar with Zeitgeist, it is a file activity monitor that tracks you file usage, which is great for tracking productivity and activity.

These updates all look mighty mouth watering, they could very well make their way into mainstream nautilus very soon, which will raise the bar once again on the quality and originality Linux has to offer

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Ubuntu Identity Overhaul

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:48:07 +0000

A new logo, a new identity. The upcoming release of Ubuntu 10.04 and Ubuntu is set to receive a major identity upgrade, from it’s logo through to its design. “We’re drawn to Light because it denotes both warmth and clarity, and intrigued by the idea that “light” is a good value in software. Good software is “light” in the sense that it uses your resources efficiently, runs quickly, and can easily be reshaped as needed.” explains Mark Shuttle worth who along with a small team of designers who are behind the recent Ubuntu re branding.

The Brand

Beginning with the logo the Ubuntu brand identity receives a remarkable upgrade, along with a brand new typeface.

Along with the Ubuntu community websites following the new look

Desktop

The new Ubuntu identity will also be carried into the upcoming release of 10.04’s desktop aesthetic. The lynx it set to receive a brand new default theme in both light and dark variations

Along with a brand new and fantastically stylish boot screen.

The Website

And last but not the least, the new Ubuntu website will also take on the new branding in a highly good looking manner.

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Ubuntu Feature Suggestion Brainstorm

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:23:27 +0000

The Ubuntu community is always buzzing with creative energy, which is what makes all open source projects so innovative, a buzzing participating user base. We take a look at the most popular recent brainstorm suggestions that have surfaced in the Ubuntu community.

Wine Suggestion for .exe files.

Any Linux user is well aware of the Wine project which adds .exe application compatibility to a Linux system, ie allowing Linux to run windows applications. However to a Linux newcomer, this probably is not known. Therefore klau3 over at Ubuntu Brainstorm suggested implementing a pop up window that informs a user that .exe files are not native to Linux and that a user will have to install Wine in order to run the .exe file.

While there is a decent open source software alternative for almost every Windows application, and it would be preferable to convince a user to switch to one of those alternatives. Nevertheless this would be a great idea in dispelling the myth that Linux is incapable of running a wide verity of software

Default Software configurations during installation

“Installation process should give people the choice to select some standard programms.
Someone using Thunderbird as mail client doesn’t need Evolution…
It is not about installing all kinds of programms during the installation process, but about selecting the most common programms easily.” explains klau3 who also posted this suggestions.

Again this is a great idea, however it would have to be implemented with care and tact if it is decided to be included in future Ubuntu releases. Ubuntu prides itself as an advanced yet easy to use and understand desktop operating system. Implementing a menu like this during installation will surely induce panic and confusion for anyone’s grandmother trying to install Ubuntu.

Install a simple compiz config manager by default

A very valid suggestion as most Ubuntu users will surely be using their Ubuntu machines with compiz desktop effects enabled, therefore it would be logical to provide a pre installed method to customize the desktop effects.

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Ubuntu Lucid’s MeMenu

admin — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 09:26:34 +0000

Ubuntu is set to become a socially conscience operating system with the release of Lucid Lynx, which will include a MeMenu. The MeMenu is a menu that will provide a central control panel for a users online social life, it will enable a user to perform various tasks on their online social networks, such as Twitter, Facebook and more.

The primary role of the MeMenu is to act as a global console for a users social networks, thus allowing a user to set status’s and status messages “There should be a “Me menu” representing you in Ubuntu. It should let you broadcast to social networks such as Twitter and Facebook, set your status for instant messaging, and access settings for instant messaging, microblogging, and Ubuntu One. ” explains Ivanka Majic and MatthewPaulThomas over at the Ubuntu Wiki

MeMenu Mock ups:

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The New Ubuntu Start Page is Up

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:11:13 +0000

Cononical recently announced that the default search Engine used in the Ubuntu Firefox start page is to change from Google to Yahoo as a result of a deal signed between Canonical and Yahoo. The new start page went live today featuring the Yahoo logo.

The change from Google to Yahoo has sparked some fierce criticism amongst the Ubuntu community as Canonical’s dedication to the open source movement was questioned. The deal between Yahoo and Canonical was also compared to the controversial deal struck between Novell and Microsoft a few years back.

Canonical however has assured that users have a choice, and if they wish, they may continue to use Google as their default search provider.

The actual default page design however seems to have come out quite aesthetically minimalistic, which will probably go down well in terms of usability and interface ergonomics.

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Ubuntu 10.04 Proposed Artwork Update

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:19:34 +0000

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No More Open Office In Ubuntu Netbook Remix

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:19:45 +0000

OpenOffice.org will no longer ship as the default office applications for the Ubuntu Netbook Remix distribution, Open Office has been replaced by Abiword and Gnumeric. Documents now either be handled by Abiword or Google docs.Open Office is a great open source office suite, that has become somewhat of a superstar amongst open source applications. However it is large heavy weight application and has been deemed as an irrelevant application to be included in the Netbook Remix version of Ubuntu. Since Ubuntu Netbook Remix is specifically aimed at low powered netbooks, its default software list is potentially under greater constant scrutiny, and a full blown office suite has been decided to be omitted from the default application set, as it was considered to be irrelevant for common netbook usage.

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Gimp Single User Interface (2.8) Scheduled for Late 2010

admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:32:17 +0000

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