Enhancement: Make "Keyboard settings" (keyboard layout) easier accessible
Dear Developer Group:
In the following I'd like to suggest a change in the display of "keyboard layout
settings". This suggestion aims at an easier user interface regarding keyboard
layout settings.
Current Situation:
===
(1) Keyboard layout can be set in "Region & Language". The wording "Region & Language"
does not suggest "keyboard settings".
(2) Typing "Keyboard" in "Show Applications":
(2.1) gives "Input Method" as first and only big result. The real keyboard
settings are within the smaller printed results below.
(2.2) The icon of "Input Method" is a keyboard. It suggests, that keyboard
settings (including layout) can be made here.
(2.3) The naming of "Input Method" is "Input Method". The user might expect
this to contain keyboard layout settings.
(2.4) Opening "Input Method" results in a row of dialogs only a technical user
can understand.
Suggestion:
===
(3) Typing "Keyboard" brings up "keyboard settings" as first (defaultly
selected) item.
That item could be a link to "Region & Language", where the keyboard setting is
done.
(4) (Maybe) Rename "Input Method" to something like "Input System"
(5) (Maybe) Change the icon of "Input Method": Add (e.g.) a gear to the icon.
Something, that makes it look more technical/advance. The current keyboard icon suggests,
that keyboard settings can be made here.
(6) (Maybe) Extract keyboard (layout) settings:
In Settings, create a new Item "Keyboard" and place it above "Region &
Language".
Appendix A: Scenario with current implementation
==
The following is a scenario that happend. To make it easier to understand I'll write it
in the first person ("I") form.
I have a fresh Ubuntu 19.10 installation. Unfortunately the keyboard layout is
wrong. I'd like to adjust it. This is what I do.
(1) Click "Show Applications"
(2) Type in "keyboard"
(3) "Input Method" appears on the screen.
(4) I hit enter.
(5) A dialog appears with a lot of text. Strange stuff I don't understand.
(6) I click "OK". (hoping it will bring me to the keyboard settings)
(7) A new dialog shows me "it is recommended to click 'NO'"
(8) I click "No" (If it recommends so, I think I should follow)
(9) Again a dialog with a bunch of text I didn't ask for is shown. The text is
very confusing
(10) I click OK again.
(11) A new dialog shows me "it is recommended to click 'NO'" (again)
(12) I click "No"
(13) Again the dialog with a lot of confusing words.
(14) I'm very confused and click "Cancel".
(15) The dialog closes. No new dialogs appear.
(16) The keyboard layout is still the same (wrong) one.
(17) I don't know what to do and ask for help.
Regards
DarkTrick
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Re: Enhancement: Make "Keyboard settings" (keyboard layout) easier accessible
Hello,
In theory Ubuntu developers could change it for Ubuntu only, but you
better report your concern against upstream.
What is more upstream than Ubuntu? Afaik Debian, but as of my understanding they are not
concerned about UI questions, as they don't have a "default" one(?)
Regards
DarkTrick
On 2019/12/07 12:32, Ralf Mardorf wrote:
Hi,
selecting the wanted keyboard layout is tricky.
A single user machine vs a multi-user system where each user might use a
different language and/or keyboard.
There are different levels on how to set up the wanted keyboard layout,
let alone that some apps are more or less smart.
An example, even on a single user machine using X, where setting up the
keyboard layout could be done for quasi everything by the xorg.conf,
some apps, such as e.g. some calculators tend to fail.
Imagine a German keyboard by preferring English for the menus of
the user session.
Some calculators are smart, they "translate" the German "," of the
numeric keypad, to the English ".", other don't.
To cut a long story short, different desktop environments provide
different keyboard layout related GUI dialogs. Some of them follow your
logic, other don't. In then end all of them just steer kind of a middle
course.
There is no smart way to please everybody.
Indeed, "Region & Language" does not suggest "keyboard settings", OTOH
in practise a keyboard layout is related to region and language
settings.
Regards,
Ralf
PS:
In theory Ubuntu developers could change it for Ubuntu only, but you
better report your concern against upstream. Keep in mind that
portability might be important, too. A user might migrate from one Linux
distro to another, or even might migrate from Linux to FreeBSD, or vice
versa.
Disclaimer: I'm not an Ubuntu{,flavour} developer, I'm just another
user.
Dear Developer Group:
In the following I'd like to suggest a change in the display of "keyboard layout
settings". This suggestion aims at an easier user interface regarding keyboard
layout settings.
Current Situation:
===
(1) Keyboard layout can be set in "Region & Language". The wording "Region & Language"
does not suggest "keyboard settings".
(2) Typing "Keyboard" in "Show Applications":
(2.1) gives "Input Method" as first and only big result. The real keyboard
settings are within the smaller printed results below.
(2.2) The icon of "Input Method" is a keyboard. It suggests, that keyboard
settings (including layout) can be made here.
(2.3) The naming of "Input Method" is "Input Method". The user might expect
this to contain keyboard layout settings.
(2.4) Opening "Input Method" results in a row of dialogs only a technical user
can understand.
Suggestion:
===
(3) Typing "Keyboard" brings up "keyboard settings" as first (defaultly
selected) item.
That item could be a link to "Region & Language", where the keyboard setting is
done.
(4) (Maybe) Rename "Input Method" to something like "Input System"
(5) (Maybe) Change the icon of "Input Method": Add (e.g.) a gear to the icon.
Something, that makes it look more technical/advance. The current keyboard icon suggests,
that keyboard settings can be made here.
(6) (Maybe) Extract keyboard (layout) settings:
In Settings, create a new Item "Keyboard" and place it above "Region &
Language".
Appendix A: Scenario with current implementation
==
The following is a scenario that happend. To make it easier to understand I'll write it
in the first person ("I") form.
I have a fresh Ubuntu 19.10 installation. Unfortunately the keyboard layout is
wrong. I'd like to adjust it. This is what I do.
(1) Click "Show Applications"
(2) Type in "keyboard"
(3) "Input Method" appears on the screen.
(4) I hit enter.
(5) A dialog appears with a lot of text. Strange stuff I don't understand.
(6) I click "OK". (hoping it will bring me to the keyboard settings)
(7) A new dialog shows me "it is recommended to click 'NO'"
(8) I click "No" (If it recommends so, I think I should follow)
(9) Again a dialog with a bunch of text I didn't ask for is shown. The text is
very confusing
(10) I click OK again.
(11) A new dialog shows me "it is recommended to click 'NO'" (again)
(12) I click "No"
(13) Again the dialog with a lot of confusing words.
(14) I'm very confused and click "Cancel".
(15) The dialog closes. No new dialogs appear.
(16) The keyboard layout is still the same (wrong) one.
(17) I don't know what to do and ask for help.
Regards
DarkTrick
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Question: Why is the "input source"-shortcut fixed?
Hello Under Settings -> Region and Language the user can setup several "input sources" (keyboard layouts). The shortcut for switching between them is currently not configurable on the GUI. Is there a specific reason for having the shortcut fixed instead of configurable (in the GUI)? Regards DarkTrick -- Ubuntu-devel-discuss mailing list Ubuntu-devel-discuss@lists.ubuntu.com Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-devel-discuss
Re: Question: Why is the "input source"-shortcut fixed?
Under Settings -> Region and Language the user can setup several "input sources" (keyboard layouts). The shortcut for switching between them is currently not configurable on the GUI. Is there a specific reason for having the shortcut fixed instead of configurable (in the GUI)? If you click the cogwheel there is a reference to the keyboard settings, i.e. "Keyboard Shortcuts". That's the GUI where those shortcuts can be changed. (Tweaks offers further options for setting a shortcut for switching input languages.) Thank you for the information! The hint says "These keyboard shortcuts can be changed in the keyboard settings". However, if I search for "keyboard settings" (all applications -> type), Ubuntu does not find anything. I'd say that's a "dead hint"? It should actually say "can be changed under Keyboard shortcuts". If a non-technical then opens "Keyboard shortcuts" they get a huge list of which 99% is not interesting. If they are unlucky, they don't see the magnifier in the top right and start reading every entry. I need to change my question: - Is there a specific reason, why the shortcut cannot be changed in-place (= at the location, where the setting is shown)? and / or - Is there a specific reason, why the help text does not appear as a link and jumps right into the "keyboard shortcuts" with the two options preselected? Regards DarkTrick -- Ubuntu-devel-discuss mailing list Ubuntu-devel-discuss@lists.ubuntu.com Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-devel-discuss
Re: Broken Dependencies
On 2020/08/13 17:35, Peter Wibberley wrote: I have just upgraded to KDE Neon 20.04 from KDE Neon 18.04. I then immediately attempted to install QGIS ( Version 3.10.4+dfsg-1ubuntu2 (focal) ) but qgis is shown as 'Broken'. Using Synaptic Package Manager, 'Properties'.'Dependencies' shows I opened a bug the other day: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/qgis/+bug/1889032 However, it was turned down, because it was believed this is due to (my) misconfiguration. Maybe the reasons are the same? Maybe you could add some information to the report? Regards -- Ubuntu-devel-discuss mailing list Ubuntu-devel-discuss@lists.ubuntu.com Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-devel-discuss
package gjiten: Source repo
Hello, I'm looking into development on package gjiten. Can someone tell me where the source repository is located? I thought it's here: https://github.com/2ion/gjiten But that one depends on libgnomeui, bonobo and gconf. However, the one in ubuntu repos depends on dconf, gsettings, ... Regards Chris -- Ubuntu-devel-discuss mailing list Ubuntu-devel-discuss@lists.ubuntu.com Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-devel-discuss
Re: Suggestion: App names not fully visible in GUI
My suggestion is that app names should be fully visible and not truncated. Full Ack. I think there's also been one or two bugs about it. -- Chris On 2021/10/06 4:28, Henrik Rosenø wrote: Hi! This mailing list is supposed to be the place to post suggestions for enhancement of Ubuntu. I am talking about the Ubuntu 20.04 Desktop. My suggestion is that app names should be fully visible and not truncated. On the following screen shot you can see, that all LibreOffice apps are shown having the same name, so you have to guess what is what based on the icon. That is not very user friendly: Love, Henrik Rosenø -- Henrik Rosenø, M.Sc (civilingeniør) Website:www.Transformation.DK Spiritual, psychological, ethical, and political subjects. English: The path to eternal life is spiritual and sexual transformation.dk Dansk: Vejen til evigt liv er åndelig og seksuel transformation.dk -- Ubuntu-devel-discuss mailing list Ubuntu-devel-discuss@lists.ubuntu.com Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-devel-discuss
Re: Why is Linux desktop not popular among non-programmers?
Dear Amit, I'm not really sure if this conversation leads to some improvement. But I'll drop in my two cents. I guess I see what you're claiming. I think you're not the only one feeling that way. I think you're immensely oversimplifying things - as some have pointed out, already. I think the "problem" (whichever it is) is many-fold. And it changes over time. Function-wise, I think all the problems eventually boil down to the following two: (1) Resources in OSS are generally extremely scarce. Time and money is not nearly as much for macOS or Windows. Comparably they seem to have infinite resources. And when resources are scarce you have to focus them. ( Brian Dylan had a very nice talk about the cost of OSS ) (2) There is no "the" in "Linux desktop". It's many parties you could play at. All with their own level of standards (as someone pointed out already). "standard" is being used in a very wide sense. Everything else mentioned in any discussion is probably caused by either one or both of these points. User-Wise I think a great deal is: (3) Who do you ask for help in case of a problem? Who do go and rant at in case of a problem? Who do you sue in case of a problem? You can call Microsoft and Apple, but Linux Desktop has no goto. Well "the community"... that's "comforting"... (beware of sarcasm). So even *iff* you'd be making a conscious decision and Linux software was "better", most people will take the hand that's stretched at them. They want to feel safe (if they are, different story). With my "second cent" I'd like to pick up a couple of details you mentioned. Not because it will change anything in the software, but may Microsoft Windows is insecure, Apple is costly I don't use windows because it is insecure. It can get hacked. Every system, including Linux is insecure. Please don't make that mistake. they don't sell Linux desktops because Linux desktops are not up to the mark. Bullseye, I think. Linux desktops don't offer the same office suite experience as Windows machines. Boom. Discussion over for most businesses. And most students. And what else is there? Students grow up eventually. Why change the OS? But again: No budget, no working MS-like office suite. I am sorry if I have offended anyone. People don't like constructive criticism these days. I guess I understand the reason behind this sentence. However, I'd be careful writing that. I think this does not add value and can do more harm than good if you think about what you implying Regards Chris - DT On 2025/01/28 19:38, Amit wrote: Hi, I have been programming since 1998 mostly in C language and Linux. I use Debian Linux and my user interface is GNOME Flashback Metacity (I don't like the GNOME 3 interface). Even Linus Torvalds was critical of GNOME 3 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNOME). According to the following website (https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide), linux desktop has 4.13% of the desktop market share while Windows has 73.41% market share. So, it looks like non-programmers have not yet embraced Linux desktop. Some people will say that it is because of marketing by Microsoft and Apple but I don't buy this answer. I am listing the no. 1 reason that I believe is behind the un-popularity of Linux desktop among non-programmers (I know some people won't like it): I don't think Linux desktop development teams (GNOME, KDE, etc.) are interested in increasing the usage of Linux desktop among non-programmers. The main reason for coming to this conclusion is that Linux desktop development teams don't ask people (non-programmers) what they want, they just go ahead and do what they want to do. An example of this is that the GNOME development team went ahead and created GNOME 3 without asking the users (non-programmers) whether they would want this kind of user interface or not. In my opinion, GNOME 3 is less user-friendly than GNOME Flashback Metacity. Recently, I opened a discussion on Discord to talk to GNOME developers and I told them that GNOME Flashback Metacity is more user-friendly than GNOME 3. They got hurt and closed the discussion thread. Then I also got angry and forced them to delete the whole discussion. But, if Linux desktop development teams are really interested in increasing the share of Linux desktop among non-programmers then they have to think from non-programmers point of view. They should also ask non-programmers as to what will convince them to use the Linux Desktop. My analysis is - Microsoft Windows is insecure, Apple is costly, so Linux desktop(s) should become very popular among non-programmers but it is not. It looks like there is not much will to make Linux desktop popular because where there is a will, there is a way. I am sorry if I have offended anyone. People don't like constructive criticism these days. Regards, Amit -- Ubuntu-devel-discuss mailing list Ubuntu-devel-discuss@lists.ubuntu.com Modify settings or unsubscribe a
