SessionHandling

Revision 1 as of 2010-02-17 15:42:35

Clear message

This is an incomplete but living specification on how Ubuntu sessions should work.

As a temporary measure until ExitStrategy is implemented, there should be separate Log Out, Sleep, Hibernate, Restart, and Switch Off commands. The Log Out, Restart, and Switch Off commands should have confirmation alerts. The “Sleep” and “Switch Off” terminology should be used consistently across Ubuntu.

Packages affected: gdm, gnome-power-manager, gnome-session, indicator-session

Common alert elements

The primary action button should respond to the Enter key, and should not have any other access key. The Cancel button should respond to the Esc key, and should not have any other access key. None of the buttons should have icons.

Log Out

If updates that require a restart are waiting to be installed:

log-out-restart.jpg

The “Restart” button should have the access key R. If you do not have permission to restart without authenticating, the button label should end with an ellipsis.

Otherwise:

log-out.jpg

Restart

restart.jpg

If you do not have permission to restart without authenticating, the button label should end with an ellipsis.

Switch Off

switch-off.jpg

If you do not have permission to switch off without authenticating, the button label should end with an ellipsis.

Implementation plan

  1. In indicator-session, implement the new alerts.

  2. In gdm, change “Suspend” to “Sleep” and “Shut Down” to “Switch Off”.

  3. In gnome-power-manager, change “Suspend” to “Sleep” and “Shutdown” [sic] to “Switch Off”.

  4. In gnome-session, change “System policy prevents stopping the system when other users are logged in” to “You must authenticate to switch off the computer while other accounts are logged in.” (with a period).

  5. Later, move the confirmation alerts from indicator-session to gnome-session.