Giving Users a complete process for setup

[Peter09]

One of the things I note about Ubuntu is that you need to be reasonably proficient in things to be able to use it fully.

The settings on Compiz for instance are most probably ignored by a good number of people. Perhaps there should be a few questions during the install process which enables the Desktop to be configured more to how the user wants it to be. While I agree that we do not want a complex install, we should try to ensure that users get the most from the system.

Its is really a case of bringing all the configuration available into a more central position, or at least the more general aspects of it, and being a little intelligent on how its presented.

Such things as:

Sharing and setup of printers
Sharing file systems
window behaviour
setting up mail
Useful plugins to some application
Choices of art work and splash screens
Time to hold files in Trash before deleting them
etc


Not saying all of this is desirable / possible but it is worth discussing. I think we should make sure that Ubuntu is usable to the target audience as much as bleeding edge. Functionality without usability gets us nowhere.

[Gina]

Well I certainly agree with that. After a new install of 8.10 I went to look at what wallpapers were immediately available - just two choices, the Ibex cave painting and a plain blamk screen. Surely there would be room in the ISO for a couple more?

[ronacc]

to keep the install process as simple as possible a post install configuration utility would be great and would have the advantage of being always available not just during install . Even for someone that has been around Ubuntu for awhile finding out where they moved which setting this time can take awhile , they seem to jump around from release to release .Control-center was a good start in that direction but they cant seem to decide wheather it should be in or out

[Peter09]

Yes -sounds good. Perhaps the first time a user logs in the utility could come up. This does not need to be too complex. I just know from installing systems on friends machines that Ubuntu does not normally come up in a totally usable way.

For instance play back of video often does not work because it needs other bits and pieces, also DVD playback does not always work without additional downloads. The community normally knows what to do, the basic user does not.

Having some easily upgradeable and configurable script running in a user configuration application to resolve this type of issues could be good.

[Gina]

Yes, DVD playing does need looking into - it's not helpful to put in a DVD and get a message saying "Error" or "can't handle this type of stream" or "you need the correct codec" or whatever, without giving any idea of what to do next. If you try to play an MP3 file you get a "Search for suitable codecs" dialog with an OK button and it goes ahead - but NOT with DVDs.

[Peter09]

I suppose the question to ask is - if it can be resolved automatically when the application is run, why can we not do it before then, at user creation / start for instance.

We need to recognize that most users see a computer in the same way as they see a hammer - pick it up, do the job, forget it. Everytime this does not happen is a black-mark for the device.

[ronacc]

even something like the "first run" nessage that pops up in Puppy would be a help, but even after the first run it should be avaiable through the accessories menu since in their haste to play with their "new toy" newbes may tend to cancel it , a simple text file explaining how to setup the "basics" media playback,wireless ,compiz and graphics drivers etc . a simple asci text file would only be a few KB .

[Peter09]

Another example is the ability to theme compiz at a reasonable level. At present you need to

1 understand emerald theming exists
2 install emerald
3 download some themes
4 run emerald in sessions
5 change the window decorator in compiz
6 select a theme
7 understand the options in compiz such as cube, wall, etc

It would be good if somewhere you could have a questions which said-

1 would you like to theme your desktop
2 select one of our default themes (a)quick but basic (b)good and works well (c)lots of eye candy ..... etc include AWN etc etc

the rest is done for you. OK if you don't want a default then find out more.

This would only be asked if the installation had a viable internet link.

[cariboo907]

Sharing and setup of printers

Setting up printers and sharing them is actually easier in Ubuntu than it is in Windows. the only change needed is a way to check if your particular printer is supported.

setting up mail

If you can setup Outlook Express you should be able to set up email in any of the various email clients available. I would prefer seeing Thunderbird as the default email client.

Time to hold files in Trash before deleting them

I don't beleive in Trash and I wish it would disappear.

Jim

[ronacc]

while many things are actualy easier in Ubuntu , a complete newbe is still likely to flounder a bit at the start so a little "handholding" to begin with would help make the experience more enjoyable right out of the box .

[Slug71]

+1

Also, i'm not sure who's fault this is between Compiz and Google but when launching Google Earth you need to turn off Compiz effects or set it to "None" so Google Earth doesn't act like you're at a Disco.

[jerrylamos]

Well I certainly agree with that. After a new install of 8.10 I went to look at what wallpapers were immediately available - just two choices, the Ibex cave painting and a plain blamk screen. Surely there would be room in the ISO for a couple more?

We've got enough trouble with oversize builds already!

The Rorschach Ink Blot Intrepid Ibex splat bugs me so I use a jpeg of my wife at the beach. It's so simple to do (assuming the Background code isn't broken, which it is some times).

I do: Trying to get the latest Alpha booted, running, home network file sharing, Internet, Office, Digital pictures, Scanner, ... so I'd even save the space for Games. They can be put in an optional package, thanks.

Jerry

[Gina]

while many things are actualy easier in ubuntu , a complete newbe is still likely to flounder a bit at the start so a little "handholding" to begin with would help make the experience more enjoyable right out of the box .+1

We've got enough trouble with oversize builds already!

The Rorschach Ink Blot Intrepid Ibex splat bugs me so I use a jpeg of my wife at the beach. It's so simple to do (assuming the Background code isn't broken, which it is some times).

I do: Trying to get the latest Alpha booted, running, home network file sharing, Internet, Office, Digital pictures, Scanner, ... so I'd even save the space for Games. They can be put in an optional package, thanks.

Jerry

Yes, I agree that it's so very easy to set any image as wallpaper - I really like that about Ubuntu (unlike the most popular OS). I also agree about the games - I too think they could be put in a separate package. But I'm not much into games so I'm biased :lol: