Ubuntu Wiki

This document indexes the various specifications for how software should be presented to people using Ubuntu.

Major components:

• Ubuntu Software Center

• Software updates

• Package operations performed for both of those by Aptdaemon or Session Installer

• Release upgrades

• “Software & Updates” settings (including the choice to install proprietary drivers)

  • FoundationsTeam/Specs/LucidUpdateManagerStopTheLine

• SoftwareMetadata (deriving icons, titles, etc of packages for presentation by Ubuntu Software Center and Software Updater)

• AptUrlRedirector

• DebConfHandling

• Archive index for package metadata

• Upgrading running desktop software

• User-contributed metadata

• History of packaging transactions

• http://wiki.debian.org/SessionInstaller/UserInterface

Other elements

• NGO/OfflineUpdating

• Keryx

• cleaning up debconf presentation

• /DVD_Playback

Random notes

Increase use of apt: links by Ubuntu enthusiasts, software projects, and ISVs, replacing terminal commands or standalone downloads. This will likely involve:

• Prominent and highly understandable information on ubuntu.com about how to get your software (whether Free or non-Free) packaged for Ubuntu.

• An apt: evangelism campaign for projects that already have their software packaged in the Ubuntu repositories.

Fine-tune the interface presented when software updates are available. This may involve:

• Presentation of the new better descriptions of security updates.

• When updates are presented automatically, collapsing the list of updates by default, concentrating instead on the existence of updates and the choice to install them now or later.

Establish a system within Launchpad for registered users to suggest a better description, category, keywords, and/or screenshot for a software package, and for the package maintainer to incorporate those changes into a new version of the package, so that end users can find the software more easily later.