EdgyIdeas

Revision 36 as of 2006-06-07 20:05:07

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These are my personal notes about possible projects for EdgyEft and beyond. It is not a place for suggestions from others. For that, see CommunityEdgyIdeas.

Infrastructure

Features

  • Bug reporting tools which talk to Malone
  • Software installation via web browser
    • Metafile allows for locating the appropriate package for the user's system, preferring an official package over an unofficial one
  • [https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/boot-message-logging Logging of startup/shutdown messages] (bootlogd?)

  • Larger livefs for DVD
  • Usability review of non-desktop stuff (e.g., CD boot text, boot messages, etc.)
  • Silence grub
  • Sort squashfs to optimize live CD performance
  • [https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/common-customizations Review EasyUbuntu, automatix, ubuntuguide and see what can be incorporated]

    • Enable universe,multiverse by default
    • Suggest packages to support unknown file types
    • Extend Firefox plugin locator to find official packages of plugins
  • [https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/automated-problem-reports Automated problem reports]

  • CD/DVD-based upgrades
  • automount windows partitions on the live CD (http://launchpad.net/bugs/16356)

  • GCC and kernel headers in default install
  • Usplash
    • Higher resolution, more colors
    • Better font, smooth scrolling OR just disable the text entirely
  • Deskbar applet by default
  • NetworkManager (again)

  • Avahi/ZeroConf out of the box
  • Hibernation resume message: https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+source/initramfs-tools/+bug/41137

  • Firefox Human theme
  • Xen
  • Review results of NCC desktop study and see what can be improved
  • GCC SSP stack protection
  • Hardware database
  • Include oo.o, firefoxe translations in langpacks
  • Firefox session saving out of the box
  • Enable totem firefox plugin by default
  • Ubuntu counter - allow Ubuntu users to be voluntarily counted/surveyed
  • Totally rad X configuration
    • Enable a wide range of modes by default, allow the user to drive their display at any mode via XRANDR
    • Use X driver modules to probe hardware
    • Install binary drivers by default for easier enabling (fix diversion madness)
  • smart-notifier

  • ubuntu-server metapackage
    • powernowd, for reduced power consumption, heat
    • Move evms, lvm, mdadm here
  • GRUB v2
  • SMART
    • Tracking and auto-removal of packages installed only indirectly (to satisfy dependencies)
    • Use in g-a-i to enable Add/Remove to clean up after itself, and allow for interesting metapackage bundles
    • translated package descriptions
  • 7zip compression for dpkg
  • i686 optimization experiment
  • Desktop search (beagle)
  • Fix gnome-screensaver to exclude GL modes if hardware acceleration is unavailable
  • NX
  • X server eye candy (Xgl/AIGLX/Composite/etc.)
  • Install to LVM by default and allow new storage to be easily merged into the root filesystem
  • Unified keymap handling (console and X)
  • Consider new apps for desktop
    • Tomboy
    • F-spot
  • [https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/teardown Fast/minimal shutdown] (eliminate stop actions where they aren't needed)

  • [https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/replacement-init udev activation of lvm, evms, mdadm, bluez...]

  • Merge -security and -updates?
  • Display urgency information in update-manager
  • Revisit polypaudio?
  • kexec
    • crash analysis
    • swap new kernel onto live CD for updated hardware support?
  • Review James' "fix my computer" launchers around the office and make them obsolete
  • -686 kernel on live CD?
  • [done] LAMP, server kernel on DVD (ColinWatson/r1105)

  • Remove/rename server install mode on alternate CD
  • Launchpad-assisted intelligent mirror selection
  • Coalesce DVD images for derivatives (and/or architectures?) into one
  • Language packs which aren't packages
    • Delta updates
    • Support for universe, multiverse
    • Implement for only universe first, as a test?
  • Automatic network service detection and configuration
    • SMTP server
    • Proxy server
    • File server
    • Backup server?
    • Local bookmarks

Release Process

  • Deadline for spec approvals
  • Dapper release post-mortem

Testing

  • Explicit milestone regression testing
  • Incorporate multilingual testing
  • Coalesce non-overlapping test cases (e.g., partitioner vs. OEM)
  • Monitor testing progress regularly
  • Adapt test case assignments for bandwidth as well as hardware
  • Client-side application for guided and semi-automated testing

Community

  • Forums
    • Involve more in formal testing efforts
    • QA of FAQ answers, etc.