SessionHandling
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:
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:
Restart
If you do not have permission to restart without authenticating, the button label should end with an ellipsis.
Switch Off
If you do not have permission to switch off without authenticating, the button label should end with an ellipsis.
Implementation plan
In indicator-session, implement the new alerts.
In gdm, change “Suspend” to “Sleep” and “Shut Down” to “Switch Off”.
In gnome-power-manager, change “Suspend” to “Sleep” and “Shutdown” [sic] to “Switch Off”.
In gnome-session’s behemoth dialog, change “Suspend” to “Sleep” and “Shut Down” to “Switch Off”.
In gnome-session, change “System policy prevents stopping the system when other users are logged in” to “To switch off the computer while others are logged in, you need to authenticate.” (with a period).
In gnome-user-guide, change the “Ending a Session” page so that it refers to “Switch Off” instead of “Shut Down”, and has a bullet point for “Sleep” instead of wibbling about some vendors letting you suspend.
Later, move the confirmation alerts from indicator-session to gnome-session.