Linux Lite Forums

General => Suggestions and Feedback => Topic started by: Jerry on November 27, 2017, 03:14:55 AM

Title: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Jerry on November 27, 2017, 03:14:55 AM
Hi everyone,

It's that time again :)

I'm now taking suggestions for new features in Linux Lite 3.8

What constitutes a good suggestion? (I'm going to number these so that I can help point out to those who make a suggestion that doesn't fit the below criteria)

1. An idea that benefits the majority. Personal ideas can be good, but remember, they are preferences personal to you.
2. Software, features, additions to existing software that will benefit most people.
3. New wallpapers: must be a minimum of 1080p, and less than 1mb, excellent quality (no pixelation) that has general appeal. Only png's and jpegs will be accepted and you must provide the actual source and accompanied license in a url.
4. Additions to the Help Manual. These are always welcome.

Example of a good suggestion:

I was thinking about adding a media multi converter to Lite Software. It will convert images, video, audio, documents etc. I think this is something that would benefit a lot of people.
Source - https://sites.google.com/site/ffmulticonverter/

(https://i.imgur.com/2nJuuNQ.png)

What stays the same during a Series? (I'm going to assign a letter to these so that I can help point out to those who make a suggestion that doesn't fit the below criteria)
Usually the following:

a. Boot splash
b. Login screen
c. Grub
d. Default theme and icon set
e. Menu and menu structure
f. File manager, Terminal, Browser, Email client etc

I will read and consider every post in this thread. Please don't get disconcerted if I don't reply to your post. There is the chance I may think your idea would be better suited to the next Series for example.

A big thank you from me and the developers :)

Jerry
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Jocklad on November 27, 2017, 03:46:19 AM
Add Etcher to Lite Software...?.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: supergamer on November 27, 2017, 06:31:29 AM
Firejail and Firetools would be a great addition. The firejail program provides a sandbox to programs to add a layer of security. Firetools adds a configuration wizard to help add programs to the default. I use it for my browser Chromium with a custom launcher and firejail can also be used with Firefox.


Source: https://firejail.wordpress.com/ (https://firejail.wordpress.com/)
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: paul1149 on November 27, 2017, 07:58:22 AM
The thing that would help me most would be a change in the way LL - or more probably XFCE - recognizes word boundaries. If you doubleclick a word in a text editor, browser or LibreOffice, only the characters of that word are selected, and not the space adjoining the far end. Now if you drag and drop the word, you have a doublespace where the word was, and no space where it now is, so you have to make corrections at both places. This makes basic editing tedious. Selection by keyboard has the same problem. The first cursor jump only goes to the end of the word and does not include the following space.

The same programs (LO and Vivaldi) in Windows do not operate that way, nor does any other text program.

Not much of a new feature, but the thing that would most benefit me.

Be well.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: LL-user on November 27, 2017, 08:15:26 AM

Add Etcher to Lite Software...?.



Here I found this information:
Quote
Privacy minded folks will be less than thrilled to hear that the app now relays anonymous stats about package types back to Etcher devs.


If this is true I can't see Etcher fit to LL's philosophy as long as there is no setting to turn it off.
In addition, I still prefer UNetbootin as it does not delete data already on the USB stick (as long as the file/folder name is different), nor does it change the partition(s) itself.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Jerry on November 27, 2017, 08:18:30 AM
Quote
Privacy minded folks will be less than thrilled to hear that the app now relays anonymous stats about package types back to Etcher devs.

Does it do that despite the option to disable it? Or is this in addition to the option? (see top option)

(https://i.imgur.com/j1aW9V0.png)
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Vera on November 27, 2017, 08:31:21 AM
In LL 3.8 in File Manager I'd like a way to set file thumbnail sizes differently for different folders. I know I can do "zoom in" and "zoom out" on each folder to change thumbnails, but whenever I change that, it uses the new setting for any folder opened thereafter, instead of just applying it to that folder.

Where this comes into play a lot is that in folders that are mainly photos, I like to have large-sized thumbnails so I can see which pics are which at a glance. By contrast, in folders that mainly have documents, I like to have smaller-sized thumbnails so I can see all items there without having to do much scrolling.

So ultimately, if the zoom level setting was something that could be changed on a per-folder basis and it would save that zoom setting for that specific folder each time it was changed, it would be really helpful.

EDIT: Sorry, I realized later it fits the category above of things you said that would not easily be changed. Therefore, feel free to disregard this.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Vera on November 27, 2017, 08:57:18 AM
OK I have another one. This refers to the Linux Lite help manual.

Background: Coming from Windows, I never had the concept of a package manger or software repository for my OS. (Besides the security updates from Microsoft). It took me absolutely ages to figure out that LL comes with Synaptic Package Manager! I had to install stuff using "sudo apt-get.." or just downloading it from the developer's website. I wondered why it took me ages to figure out the Synaptic thing, especially as the LL Help Manual is set up already on the machine upon install. Other new LL users will surely be in this situation too.

Solution: In the LL help manual, would you please rename "Software" to "Installing Software" (or "Adding extra software" or something like that)? At first glance I had assumed that "Software" referred to info about software that was already installed on the machine, instead of what it really does, which is tell users how to add extra software. It wasn't until a few months into it when I had time to look at the Help Manual that I realized that "Software" tells you how to install new software.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Jerry on November 27, 2017, 09:03:42 AM
@Vera can you please give the exact link when making requests. Saves me sifting through lots of text. Ty.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Vera on November 27, 2017, 09:26:48 AM
I'll put the link in here. Let me know if I've misunderstood anything though.

It's at file:///usr/share/doc/litemanual/index.html  (http://file:///usr/share/doc/litemanual/index.html) - the issue is actually the IMAGE icon saying "Software"

The text in the help manual is fine, it's that front page image section that needs "Software" changed to "Install software" (or something else):

(https://pod.thomasdalichow.de/uploads/images/scaled_full_98f683b0746bbd903a2c.png)
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Jerry on November 27, 2017, 09:39:33 AM
I see now. Mousing over the tile gives the exact description.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Searchernow on November 27, 2017, 09:54:10 AM
Xmind.

I use Xmind mapping / chart tool in Win7 and I see it's available for linux.  This is a brilliant (free version) tool, very easy to use, no arcane terminology, just use it!

Great if it was in the Lite Software.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Searchernow on November 27, 2017, 10:25:19 AM
Dual Monitors.

Could this be looked at to see if there's some "glitch" in 3.6 in the way dual monitor setups are handled? My problem arose after installing 3.6, I don't think I had it in 3.4, though maybe I was lucky!

The problem is outlined here   https://www.linuxliteos.com/forums/start-up-and-shutdown/on-waking-from-suspend-panel-text-missing-etc/

As I say there, I'm not sure it is caused by dual setup, but I suspect it could be.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Jyjyc on November 27, 2017, 11:48:12 AM
Ability to choose: install (and use) with or without systemd.

without-systemd.org (http://without-systemd.org)
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: bayoubooger on November 27, 2017, 06:33:00 PM
Add Etcher to Lite Software...?.

Agree with above, also "Midori" as an alternate browser...
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: LL-user on November 27, 2017, 06:36:42 PM
Quote
Privacy minded folks will be less than thrilled to hear that the app now relays anonymous stats about package types back to Etcher devs.

Does it do that despite the option to disable it? Or is this in addition to the option? (see top option)


Sorry, I don't know. As I don't use it I even didn't know about the top option. Just wanted to make you aware of that change.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: TheDead on November 28, 2017, 05:55:02 PM
Here goes!

@Jerry
Question1 : OS - Dunno it it's considered a "theme" question but will the LinuxLite "sound schema" project be included in 3.8?
Question2 : OS - A little like above, will 3.8 include the "Language" project?
Question3 : OS - What is the decision regarding replacement of SystemBack?
Add : OS - A box/Category, maybe on welcome screen to access all Lite Softwares / tools
Add : OS - The Windo-ish Joystick/Joypad app I mentionned in another thread is in Synaptics - jstest-gtk
Add : Lite Software - Display the version of programs to be installed/installed in list.
Add : Lite Software - Option to run "Lite Sources" app in the "Update Software Sources" Windows (i.e. Modify Source button)
Mod : Lite Software - Remove the "Status" column -OR- make a unified "check list" for Install/Not Installed apps.
Add : Lite Tweaks - fstrim function in tweaks list.
Add : Lite Apps - Minor - Have "About" menus in lite apps / add program description/help button to Manual.
Bug (?) : In Manual "Lite Software - Change Repository Location" points to Synaptics, need change to Lite Source?

@bayoubooger and @Jerry
Add : OS or Lite Software - I also add my vote for Etcher if licence/privacy is ok. But, it's really big, almost 75MB. :-S
Add-ish : (point f) Lite Software - Midori as alternate would be cool but the Synaptic default is stuck at 0.5.11-ds1-2 from January 2016, for a browser thats really old. :-O

Keep up the great work Jerry! :D

Cheers!
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Jerry on November 28, 2017, 11:52:38 PM
@TheDead Just want to point out that we wouldn't include something like jstest-gtk. That would assume many people that download use LL are going to have and use a Joystick/Joypad.

Thank you for the comprehensive list :)
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: TheDead on November 29, 2017, 11:09:31 AM
@TheDead Just want to point out that we wouldn't include something like jstest-gtk. That would assume many people that download use LL are going to have and use a Joystick/Joypad.

Thank you for the comprehensive list :)

Kia ora!

Understandable, I don't use them a lot either, just appealing to those migrating from Windows! ;)
Following up on the source button idea, I suggest adding it in the "start here" steps in the Lite Welcome screen and running the Update reminder app post-operation.

Tena koe! ;)
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Jerry on November 29, 2017, 02:36:41 PM
This boy's got a lot of mahi to do. Better get cracking!

Sent from my Mobile phone using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: zbyshq on November 30, 2017, 03:06:16 PM
I'm surpriced how light and customizable at the same time LiteLinux is. Its my main distro now.
However there are some things that could be improved asap.

1. Most irritating - the omnipresent Title Bar. Please delete it as every modern UI got rid of this space waster. I tried several tricks but none of them worked, none of Firefox titlebar hiding plugins works either.

2. Please enable to show only icons of opened applications on the bottom panel. The titles are not needed. If I move the bottom panel to the side, they are corrupting the panel look. It would be great to only have icons, like Windows 8/10.

3. Maybe system booting could be a little faster if possible.

What I like most (please make sure that it won't be disabled in the future) is the possibility of resizing Menu Start. In this way I could make it full screen size like Windows 8/10/Gnome3 so it looks modern, not like some old fashioned Windows XP/KDE/MATE/Budgie/Cinnamon etc.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: newtusmaximus on December 03, 2017, 11:26:44 AM
THunar Search + Catfish.   Would love to be able to search for a file by date as opposed to file type/name etc.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Jerry on December 03, 2017, 11:38:42 AM
THunar Search + Catfish.   Would love to be able to search for a file by date as opposed to file type/name etc.

You can already, the Modified column.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: newtusmaximus on December 03, 2017, 12:45:19 PM
ooops :) Had not realised this.    I need to spend some time learning how to properly  use catfish evidently .  Thanks J
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: eronis on December 05, 2017, 11:19:43 AM
Use 4.10 kernel :/ 4.4 kernel doesn't make any of my computers work properly.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Moltke on December 05, 2017, 03:54:14 PM
What about bringing Linux Lite control center back in LL 3.8?  Also, I think it'd be a good idea to add something like gtkhash to verify files integrity  and maybe some gui/app to manage services/processes other than the "htop gui". It'd be nice to have Y PPA manager available to install in the lite software tool too, or even better, installed already. These ones I think might be seen as personal, maybe not, at least one of them I'm pretty sure is; 1, having a translation software, something like apertium which I already use in LL but maybe someone else could benefit from it too if available in LL. 2, I know LL is primarily intended for new Linux users, specially those ones coming from Windows, however, I also know that some users are not but rather advanced/experienced ones, so I was wondering whether or not a "Linux Lite minimal .iso" - I'm thinking in something like CentOS minimal .iso -  version could be available for download; with no desktop, no apps but the base system only so one boots into a command line mode and install everything from there.         
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: MohamedKhaled on December 06, 2017, 12:22:42 PM
hi guys , i know that i came very late , but i just remembered ,

theres something WRONG with nether thunar nether the whole Linux IDK
it reads the files sizes wrong
so if i have a 60,000 (60 gb) file it will read in Linux a 60 gb file wile actualey this is wrong because every gb consist of 1024 mb and not 1000 ,it isnt severe but it really pains especially if you are like me and theres many data coming in and out of your pc everyday ,
ah, thanks in advance kkep up the good work
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: pemartins on December 28, 2017, 01:26:27 PM
I just briefly tested 3.8 beta, excellent as always!

So here are my suggestions:


1) Add the possibility of adding a sound theme to the desktop.

Somewhere on the Settings and/or Lite Tweaks and/or Lite Welcome an option to add a sound theme would be welcome, something like we check and it's ready to use, we uncheck and it's turned off. It's not easy for Linux beginners to install a sound theme so if all the work was a click away for the user this would bring much value.
Personally I need a sound theme while using a pc, it brings a more alive feeling to my user experience.

You could use a sound theme I put together, it's here: https://www.opendesktop.org/p/1187979/
I also included there a file with instructions on how to install it on xfce.


2) Add a button to always on top in xfwm4 Window Manager's Button Layout.

So there's a button to minimize, an option to add a menu button and so on, but... Xfce still does not have a button for always on top! Am I the only one who constantly needs the always on top (or above in some distros or DE) all the time?   :D


3) Add the option of installing and using Compiz as the windows manager, with CCSM properly installed and pre-configured (i.e.: the cube), so the user can choose between xfwm4 and Compiz.

Because it is such a good distro, not all people installing Linux Lite are using old pcs so the possibility of a more elaborated window manager would be an excellent selling point.
In my particular case I have Linux LIte installed in both a very old pc and a decent specs laptop. While in the first lightweight is mandatory, in the second Compiz is very welcome, looks and works great.


4) Replace Thunar with Nemo.

Thunar is very limited in terms of functionality, if other like Nemo could be used I believe it would add value to the distro.


So these are my personal suggestions. Congratulations once again on an amazing distro and keep up with the good work!
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: TheLamerLinux on December 28, 2017, 03:36:26 PM
I suggest for your guys search, instead of Google use DuckDuckGo or Startpage for them privacy people or does the custom search engine doesn't track you?
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: humdinger70 on December 29, 2017, 04:54:15 PM
@Jerry More of a question than a suggestion. In another thread you made a modification available (for the /usr/scripts/updates-gui script used by the Install Updates function) that changes how the update process is displayed.

Will that become the default in 3.8? I'm not going to touch it now in my current 3.6 system.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Mike on December 29, 2017, 09:08:18 PM
Nice work on LL, Jerry! Any chance you could add a password field to the LVM/LUKS login? Currently it's just the GRUB background image and there's no indication that a password should be entered. Luckily I figured it out. :-)
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Jerry on December 30, 2017, 12:07:46 AM
@Jerry More of a question than a suggestion. In another thread you made a modification available (for the /usr/scripts/updates-gui script used by the Install Updates function) that changes how the update process is displayed.

Will that become the default in 3.8? I'm not going to touch it now in my current 3.6 system.

The Updates GUI won't change in 3.8 I am thinking of using he Yad version in 4.x Series though.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Jerry on December 30, 2017, 12:13:23 AM
Nice work on LL, Jerry! Any chance you could add a password field to the LVM/LUKS login? Currently it's just the GRUB background image and there's no indication that a password should be entered. Luckily I figured it out. :-)

I haven't found a way to do that yet.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Mike on December 30, 2017, 03:46:46 PM
I haven't found a way to do that yet.

You may want to fork the Ubuntu Mate Plymouth theme (http://bazaar.launchpad.net/~ubuntu-mate-dev/ubuntu-mate/ubuntu-mate-artwork-xenial/files/head:/usr/share/plymouth/themes/ubuntu-mate-logo/). One nice thing about it is that it creates a gradient background in the code instead of an image. All you'd have to do is replace the images with LL versions and change the color variables. From what I can tell you use #FFE97F (rgb 255, 233, 127) at the top and #7F6A00 (rgb 127, 106, 0) at the bottom of the background. As I understand it you need to divide each rgb value by 256 to get the correct decimal value in the code like this:

Code: [Select]
Window.SetBackgroundTopColor (0.9960, 0.9101, 0.4960);
Window.SetBackgroundBottomColor (0.4960, 0.4140, 0.0);
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Jerry on January 01, 2018, 01:03:14 AM
Thanks @Mike I'll play with it.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Moltke on January 19, 2018, 04:48:16 PM
It'd be nice to have an option to "pin" an app/launcher to the panel via context menu; just rick-click on the app icon in the panel and select "pin to panel" or something like that instead of going through the panel preferences > add new item > launcher > app to pin process. 
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Corbin on January 31, 2018, 11:39:37 PM
   Hi, I contributed to the help manual and realized that you might be able to use some of that info here  (for the best Linux os in the world!).
 I switched to Linux about 2 years ago. It is my main os now. When first learning Linux, backup, documentation,  privacy and security were my main concerns. There wasn’t any sign of distros being concerned about making a restore point or wiping private data.
 These are the things I would have liked to have seen then and now:
  
 corbin,
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Artim on February 01, 2018, 05:00:10 AM
Hi @Corbin

@ralphy has an amazing tool in his magic treasure test of awesomeness that does all of these things on my computer, easily and graphically.  Read about it here (https://unlockforus.com/unlockme-cos-im-lazy/)!

"Mintstick" is available from Ralphy's tool box as well.
Title: Re: Linux Lite 3.8 Suggestions welcomed
Post by: Corbin on February 02, 2018, 01:40:15 AM
   Hi Ralphy,   I’d like a copy of unlockme as well.  It’s good to see a way to quickly change swappiness and have so many of the “make it my own” settings in one place.  This app is customization, maintenance on steroids. I’d like to see it in an official repository.
 Instead of leaving a comment on your site, here’s how the appearance of your software & website might fit into a LL interface & the linux world.
 
 Corbin,