Ubuntu Wiki

This is an overview specification for how software packages should be presented to people who are using an Ubuntu installation.

Work for Lucid

• Ubuntu Software Center 2.0, including:

  • Repository index

  • Representing non-application packages

  • Ratings and reviews

  • Subcategories

• Upgrading running desktop software

• User-contributed metadata

• History of packaging transactions

Other elements

• SoftwareUpdateHandling

• AptUrlRedirector

• NGO/OfflineUpdating

• Keryx

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.